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Criminology – A Level

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About the course

Are you interested in exploring the different types of crime in our society? This course – a combination of examinations and controlled assessment – offers exciting and interesting experiences that focus learning through the acquisition of knowledge and understanding in purposeful contexts linked to the criminal justice system. You’ll study four units over two years and tackle questions like: how do we decide what behaviour is criminal, and what are the roles of the experts who become involved when a crime is detected?

Topics and units

Units/Topics:
– Understand how crime reporting impacts on public perception of criminality
– Understand how campaigns are used to elicit change
– Plan campaigns for change relating to crime
– Understand social construction and criminality
– Theories and causes of criminality
– Understand the process of criminal investigations
Year 2:
– Evaluate the effectiveness of the roles of personnel involved in criminal investigations
– Assess the usefulness of investigative techniques in criminal investigations
– Explain how evidence is processed
– Examine the rights of individuals in criminal investigations
– Explain the requirements of the Crown Prosecution Service for the prosecution of suspects
– Describe trial processes
– Understand rules in relation to the use of evidence in criminal cases
– Assess key influences impacting the outcomes of criminal cases
– Discuss the use of laypeople in criminal cases
– Examine information for validity
– Describe processes used for law making
– Describe the organisation of the criminal justice system in England and Wales and models of criminal justice
– Explain forms of social control
– Discuss the aims of punishment
– Assess how forms of punishment meet the aims of punishment
– Explain the role of agencies in social control
– Describe the contribution of agencies to achieving social control
– Examine the limitations of agencies in achieving social control

Work placement opportunities:
West Mercia Police, Telford & Wrekin Council, Shropshire and Telford law firms, Probation Service

Careers and progression

Progressing to: Higher or further education studies in law, or jobs with police forces, probation, civil or criminal law companies
Aspirational careers: MI6 agent, intelligence officer, police or private detective, probation officer, scenes of crime investigator, jury consultant, forensic scientist, customs official, fraud examiner

Entry requirements

GCSE passes at grades 4-9, specifically English or an equivalent level 2 qualification. If you do not have a grade 5 or above in English Language or maths, you will study these subjects as an essential part of your timetable at Telford College

What to do next

If you are interested in applying for this course, please click ‘apply now‘ on this page or at the top of any page, and create an website account or sign in an account you have already created and complete the application form. 

To find out more information about our courses and college life, you can visit an open event to meet our team and check out our facilities for yourself.

Type

Full time

Duration

1 year

Campus

Haybridge Road

Support

We understand that there are many barriers when you look at coming to college. Find out more information about the support we offer.

Talk to us

If you need some more information you can contact our course information, advice and guidance team using our online form.

Upcoming events

Open event
22 January 2025
5.00pm — 7.30pm
View event
Open event
12 March 2025
5.00pm — 7.30pm
View event