Level 3 Applied Criminology

NEW COURSE FOR SEPTEMBER 2026! Criminology has been added as an additional course to our successful Social Science Department

Criminology will be an engaging subject for anyone who is interested in any aspect of the criminal justice system. This subject will suit anyone who is interested in answering questions such as, what is a crime, why are some crimes reported and others are not, and how are crimes are punished? You should be interested the reasons behind why people commit crime and how this influences the criminal justice system. Students who are fascinated to learn about what happens from the crime scene, during forensic investigation, right up until the person accused is taken to court and punished will enjoy criminology.

What will you learn?

The level 3 Applied Diploma course content provides you with the opportunity to study a wide range of topics that anyone interested in the criminal justice system in the UK needs to be aware of. In year 1 you will learn about the nature of crime in the UK and you will have the opportunity design a campaign for change related to crime after analysing previous examples of campaigns. The first year of the course also includes the opportunity to consider different criminal theories and will enhance your sociological and psychological understanding. In year 2 you will learn about how laws are made, the aims of punishment, and whether the punishments used meet these aims. You will look a the process from the crime scene to the court room and all of the roles of the personnel involved.

How will you learn?

We encourage you to be independent and proactive in your learning and in the completing of coursework. You will need a detailed and accurate knowledge of the content we cover. Classroom activities will focus on discussion, extension and application of your knowledge, in addition to developing your precision in answering exam questions for the exam units. You will also complete coursework in each year and will need to demonstrate excellent organisation and time management skills.

Year 1

Comparing criminal behaviour: Types of crime, reasons for unreported crime, consequences of unreported crime, media representation of crime, impact of the media’s representation on public perception of crime, the methods of collecting the statistics about crime, campaigns for change, effectiveness of media used in campaigns for change, planning a campaign for change relating to crime, designing materials for use in a campaign for change and justification of campaign for change.

Criminal theories: Criminal behaviour, deviance, social construction of criminality, biological theories, individualistic theories, sociological theories, situations relating to criminality, the effectiveness of the criminological theories, policy development, campaigns.

Year 2

Crime scene to courtroom: Personnel in criminal investigations, techniques in criminal investigations, criminal investigations, types of evidence, evidence process, rights of individuals, requirements of the CPS, trial processes, rules of evidence, key influences affecting the outcomes of criminal cases, the use of lay people in criminal cases, validity of information, drawing conclusions from information. Crime and punishment: Processes of law making, models of criminal justice, forms of social control, aims of punishment, forms of punishment, role of agencies in social control, the contribution of agencies in social control, the limitations of agencies in achieving social control, the effectiveness of agencies in social control

Assessment 1: Changing Awareness of Crime, written coursework, 25% of grade

This coursework covers content from year 1 including, how crime reporting affects the public perception of criminality, how campaigns are used to elicit change, and it will require learners to plan a campaign for change relating to crime.

Assessment 2: Criminological Theories, written examination, 25% of grade

This exam covers content from year 1 including, the biological, psychological and sociological theories of criminality, policy development and policy making, and aspects of learning from assessment 1.

Assessment 3: Crime Scene to Courtroom, written coursework, 25% of grade

This coursework covers content from year 2 including, the process and techniques of criminal investigations, the rights of individuals, the prosecution of cases, and a review of criminal cases.

Assessment 4: Crime and Punishment, written examination, 25% of grade

This exam covers content from year 2 including, law making and the criminal justice system, the types and aims of punishment, the agencies involved in law making, and aspects of learning from assessment 1, 2 and 3.

College minimum entry requirements

Where Next?

Criminology students go on to study at degree level in courses such as, Criminology, Psychology, Law and Sociology. The qualification also allows students to gain skills and understanding that would support careers in areas such as the National Probation Service, the Courts and Tribunals Service or the National Offender Management Service.