Criminology

Key Stage 5

Course Content

Criminology is the scientific study of crime, including its causes, responses by law enforcement and methods of prevention. It is a sub group of sociology which is the scientific study of social behaviour and society.

There are many fields of student that are used in the field of criminology including: anthropology, biology, economics, psychiatry, psychology and statistics.  

Just as criminology is a sub-group of sociology criminology itself has several sub-groups which include:

• Bio-criminology – the student of the biological basis of criminal behaviour
• Criminalistics – the study of crime detection
• Feminist criminology – the study of women and crime
• Penology – the study of prisons and the prison systems.

Learning Methods and Assessment

The nature of the course makes it synoptic ensuring everything that has been learnt during year 12 will be continued and expanded on in year 13.

Units 1 (year 12) and 3 (year 13) are internally moderated controlled assessment where learners are required to complete a timed piece of work under exam conditions.  These are created from learner’s knowledge.

Unit 2 (year 12) and 4 (year 13) are external exam units.  Exams take place in May each year.  Exam papers are split into three sections of 25 marks each (75 marks in total).  Exemplar material can be found on the WJEC website.

This course is split into four sections:

Careers Prospects

Police, Forensic Psychologist, Criminologist

For more information contact Miss C Lewis / Miss A Acunto

Awarding Body: Edexcel

Entry Requirements

Grade 5 or above in GCSE English. APS 5+