What is criminology?

Were you fascinated by the characters from movie series like True Detective, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, or Sherlock Holmes who played the detective or investigator role? Do you want to be just like them only in real life? Then criminology is for you. Criminology is the study of crime, crime prevention and how the world reacts and controls crime. It is a branch of Sociology which can lead to many different careers within the Criminal Justice System and beyond. 

Criminology crosses paths with several other subjects – both inside and outside of the Social Sciences department including Law, Psychology, Sociology, Health and Social Care, Politics and Government and History to name a few. 

What does the course lead to?

As a criminology graduate with critical thinking, analytical and communications skills, you’re attractive to employers both inside and outside the criminal justice sector. Jobs directly relating to the course are things like:

What will I learn?

Topic Title Assessment Type
Year 12 Changing Awareness of Crime

You will gain an understanding of different types of crime, influences on perceptions of crime and why some crimes are unreported and create a media campaign to raise social awareness of particular unreported crimes.  

 Internal assessment – 8 hours controlled coursework
Criminological Theories

Why do people commit crime? Why are some crimes more reported than others? What are the main criminological theories and how do they affect social policies set by the government?

 External Exam (90 minutes)
Year 13 Crime Scene to Courtroom

You will look at the criminal justice system process from the moment a crime has been identified through to the verdict. What are the roles of personnel involved when a crime is detected? What investigative techniques are available to investigators to help to identify the culprit? Do techniques differ depending on the type of crime being investigated? What happens to a suspect once charged by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)? What safeguards are in place to ensure a suspect has a fair trial?

 Internal  assessment – 8 hours controlled coursework
Crime and Punishment 

You will apply your understanding of the awareness of criminality, criminological theories and the process of bringing an accused to court (the previous 3 units) in order to evaluate the effectiveness of social control to deliver criminal justice policy

 External Exam (90 minutes)

What Grades do I need?

You must have at least 5 GCSE’s at grade 5 or above to be enrolled onto the Criminology course.