Criminology Level 3


  • Start Date: 01/09/2026
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
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This course has been designed to prepare you for a career in Criminology.

You’ll be taught by teachers who all have industry knowledge and experience.

You’ll also have the opportunity to attend talks from people that have worked in the industry and complete work experience which will link to your career goal.

This course has been designed to help you get into a number of careers and industries including;

  • Law enforcement
  • Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Legal Professionals
  • Social Services
  • Forensic and Investigations
  • Security and Private Investigations
  • Research and Policy Analysts
  • Intelligence and Homeland Security
  • Corporate Security
  • Cybersecurity and Cybercrime

What will I study?

In your first year, you will study the following units:

  • Criminology Theories
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Changing Awareness of Crime
  • Prepare for a career
  • UK Legal Systems
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Develop Leadership Skills
  • The Influence of the UK Government, International organisations and the Media

Required Entry Qualifications

5 GCSE’s above a 4, including Maths. Due to the nature of the exams, you must have a least a 5 in English.

Most units are coursework-based, internally assessed by the college.

There is one exam unit per year. You will have the opportunity to achieve a  Pass, Merit or Distinction grade for each unit.

At the end of the year, you will be awarded a grade based on the number of  each grade you have achieved. You can be assessed through written work or practical application.

We use the virtual learning environment Google Classroom to ensure you have complete access to all resources and assignment information to support you throughout your studies. You will receive training on this in your induction week.

This course carries UCAS points if you wish to go to university.

The teaching team come from a Crimology background with ex-police Officers, Magistrates and experienced staff who have taught these units for many years.

This course is perfect for those of you wishing to get into careers in the following areas;

  • Law enforcement
  • Corrections and Rehabilitation
  • Legal Professionals
  • Social Services
  • Forensic and Investigations
  • Security and Private Investigations
  • Research and Policy Analysts
  • Inetllegnec and Homeland security
  • Corporate security
  • Cybersecurity and Cybercrime

To ensure career-specific opportunities, you will complete a 30-hour work experience linked to your career goal. Furthermore, there will be a plethora of guest speakers and trips.

This qualification can lead you to employment, apprenticeships or Higher Education Courses in: 

  • Criminology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Youth Justice
  • Law
  • Policing

There are also several apprenticeships available in the subjects above.

Alternatively, to become a paralegal or probation officer there are other pathways to discover after your course that do not involve university.

We also have direct career guidance from our expert staff to help offer advice and help with applications.

Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.

We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.

Our specialist teams can help with:

  • Learning difficulties
  • Physical and sensory disabilities
  • Dyslexia, dyspraxia, neurodiversity or other specific learning difficulties
  • Mental health and well being
  • Exam access arrangements
  • Money, finance and bursary advice
  • Careers advice, job and university applications

See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN CRIMINOLOGY LEVEL 3?

  • Solicitors and Lawyers
  • Barristers and Judges

Knowledge

Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Median Salary
£34,196

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Knowledge

Law and Government: Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Median Salary
£39,105

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Pathways

Law and Legal Studies
People in these occupations judge court cases, represent clients in legal proceedings, and provide legal administrative and research services.

Skills

Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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School Leaver Course Guide 2026/2027

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

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