Criminology - Level 3 Applied Diploma

Students should submit applications by 19 December 2025.

Applications will remain open throughout the year and late applications will be considered; however, students should be aware that they may not receive their preferred choices if a late application is received.

Once applications have been received, all applicants will be invited for an interview to discuss their application and ensure that their subject choices are suitable.

We look forward to welcoming you into our sixth form and to you playing an active part in the life of our Academy.

This qualification looks at the types of crime that take place within our society. How do we decide which behaviour is criminal? How do we explain why some people commit crime and how can we use different theories of criminality to explain this behaviour?

You will study real life cases in order to gain an understanding of the criminal justice system from the crime scene all the way to the courtroom and look at how social control is achieved within our society.

The first mandatory unit will enable the learner to demonstrate understanding of different types of crime, influences on perceptions of crime and why some crimes are unreported.

The second mandatory unit will allow learners to gain an understanding of why people commit crime, drawing on what they have learned in Unit 1.

The third mandatory unit will provide an understanding of the criminal justice system from the moment a crime has been identified to the verdict. Learners will develop the understanding and skills needed to examine information in order to review the justice of verdicts in criminal cases.

In the final mandatory unit, learners will apply their understanding of the awareness of criminality, criminological theories and the process of bringing an accused to court in order to evaluate the effectiveness of social control to deliver criminal justice policy.

Each unit within the qualification has an applied purpose which acts as a focus for the learning in the unit. The applied purpose demands learning related to authentic case studies. It also requires learners to consider how the use and application of their learning impacts on themselves, other individuals, employers, society and the environment.

Qualification structure:

Learners must complete all units below:

1 Changing Awareness of Crime - 8 hour controlled assessment (internally assessed and externally moderated)

2 Criminological Theories - exam

3 Crime Scene to Courtroom - 8 hour controlled assessment (internally assessed and externally moderated)

4 Crime and Punishment - exam

5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and maths.