CRIMINOLOGY WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma

Level 3 Applied Diploma Course Outline

"Every crime carries within it a narrative - a tale of motives, actions, and consequences - each a thread in the tapestry of human behaviour awaiting the judgment of justice."

Why Should I Study Criminology?

Criminology is the study of crime and criminal behaviour. It explores the different types of crime; the impact crime has on society and the ways in which criminals are held to account. Being an interdisciplinary subject, criminology draws from psychology, sociology and biology to understand criminal activity and the legal system. The course will unravel the reasons behind criminal behaviour, the process of catching criminals and the role various personnel have in within the justice system.

What Topics and Questions Will I Study?

We will be looking at a broad range of topics, from the different types of crimes people commit, the social implications of such crimes, crime reporting and criminological theories. There is also opportunity to understand the legal system in the UK in relation to criminal activity, and the ways in which evidence is collected and used in criminal investigations.

What Skills Will I Gain?

• You will gain valuable analytical and critical thinking skills by evaluating different criminological theories and their real-world applications.
• You will build problem-solving and decision-making skills by exploring how criminal justice agencies respond to crime.
• You will learn to conduct research and hone your investigative skills by conducting research into criminal cases and identifying trends. This will include interpreting crime statistics and official reports.
• You will gain an understanding of the roles of police, courts, and rehabilitation services in England and Wales.
• You will improve your communication through presentations of case studies and debating different viewpoints on criminal justice policies.

What Careers can Criminology lead to?

The WJEC Criminology Diploma opens pathways to careers in policing, forensic science, law, probation, youth work, and criminal psychology, as well as further study at university in criminology, law, or social sciences.

CRIMINOLOGY (WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma) Summary of Content

Suggested Preparation
Reading broadsheet newspapers such as The Guardian and The Times will provide insight into crime and justice policies, while watching investigative programs such as Panorama (BBC) and Crimewatch will enhance understanding of real-life cases and crime prevention strategies. Listening to podcasts like BBC's Law in Action will expose students to expert discussions on criminological issues.

Core Textbook
WJEC Level 3 Applied Certificate & Diploma Criminology: Revised Edition
ISBN: 9781912820986

CRIMINOLOGY (WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma) Summary of Assessment
Unit	Unit Title	Assessment Method	Weighting (%)	Time
1	Changing Awareness of Crime	Internal controlled assessment A supervised research-based project where students investigate different types of crime, why some crimes go unreported, and how media and campaigns influence public perceptions.	25%	Approx. 8 weeks
2	Criminological Theories	External exam Featuring short and extended-answer questions	25%	1.5 hours
3	Crime Scene to Courtroom	Internal controlled assessment A practical investigation where students analyse the criminal justice process from crime scene to trial, evaluating how evidence is collected, processed, and used in court.	25%	Approx. 8 weeks
4	Crime and Punishment	External exam With structured questions assessing students' understanding of the criminal justice system, punishment methods, and social control strategies.	25%	1.5 hours