What is Criminology?
Criminology is the scientific study of criminal behaviour on individual, social and natural levels, and how it can be managed, controlled, and prevented.
This course will enable students to use theories of criminality to analyse criminal situations and make recommendations for policy. Students also develop the knowledge and skills to research policy in practice, assess campaigns for changes in awareness and examine information to review verdicts in criminal cases.
Why study Criminology?
You should study Criminology if you are thinking of studying other related humanities subjects at A level, such as Psychology, Law, Sociology and are interested in learning more about the Criminal Justice System in the UK, such as, why offenders commit crimes and how we punish them.
Criminology works to develop a range of transferable skills for your future career, including oral and written communication skills, the ability to solve problems, builds project-based research and development and presentation skills.
Is Criminology right for you?
In addition to being interested in studying crime, if you choose to study Criminology, you will need to be prepared to carry out your own research, both practical and theory, outside the classroom. This may involve case studies of individual crimes, research into local crime statistics and preparation for the controlled assessment. There is also a lot of writing needed, especially for the controlled assessment. The college requires 5 GCSE passes grades 4 to 9 including a grade 4 in English language for entrance onto this course.
What will you study?
- Changing awareness of crime
Unit 1. Types of crime, crime statistics and reasons why crime goes unreported. Creating a campaign to raise awareness of crime. Controlled assessment: a research-based project lasting eight hours of class time - Criminological theories
Unit 2. Psychological, sociological and criminological theories exploring why people become criminals. External exam, one hour 30 minutes - Crime scene to courtroom
Unit 3. What happens once a crime has been reported, from the collection of evidence to prosecution. Controlled assessment: a research-based project lasting eight hours of class time - Crime and punishment
Unit 4. The role and process of the criminal justice system, and forms of social control and punishment. External exam, one hour 30 minutes
What happens outside lessons?
Trips to Teesside University for ‘Crime Days’, exploring crime scene investigations
Trips to York St. John University for insight into studying Criminology at university and university life.
Guest speakers from the criminal justice and legal system
Where can Criminology take you?
Studying Criminology at college supports entry onto further study of Criminology, Policing, Psychology, Law, Sociology, Social Care or other Humanities based subjects at university.
The course will develop a wide range of skills and knowledge relevant to many job roles within the Criminal Justice sector such as Policing, Prison Service, Forensic Science, Probation and the Courts.
What subjects go well with Criminology?
Law, Sociology, Psychology, History, Politics
What are the entry requirements?
- General requirements: Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above.
- Subject specific: Grade 4 in GCSE English. An average GCSE score of 4.5.