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Criminal behaviour has a significant detrimental impact on our society, our communities, our institutions and on victims.
The reduction of crime is a key focus of any government as the achievement of this key goal is fundamental to the health, happiness and success of our citizens. On this A-level in Criminology course, you will explore how our awareness of crime changes over time, investigating the methods used to reduce crime.
On the course, you will study aspects of psychology and sociology that apply to criminal behaviour and how this informs government policy. You will also learn about the process of a criminal case from the crime scene through to trial and will develop an understanding of the sentences available to the courts when dealing with convicted offenders. On completion, you can go onto degree level, an apprenticeship or go directly into a career within the criminal justice sector.
Why choose A-levels at our sixth form centre?
- PREPARE FOR UNIVERSITY AT A UNIVERSITY – We can provide you with relevant work placements, masterclasses, guest speakers, trips and more
- AWARD-WINNING SUPPORT – We have won national awards for our student support, which our sixth form students can tap into, from tailored academic support to financial assistance and health and wellbeing services
- OUTSTANDING LEARNING FACILITIES - We have invested £5.5 million into our brand-new sixth form centre, which includes lecture theatres, classrooms, science and computer labs, practical training facilities and open study spaces
- MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Want to keep studying at a higher level? This A-level will support your progression to degree level
Course breakdown
To achieve your Criminology A-level, you must study the following topics:
Changing awareness of crime
- Types of crime
- Reasons for and consequences of unreported crime
- Media representation of crime
- Crime statistics
- Campaigns for change
Criminological theories
- Crime and deviance
- Social, biological, individualistic and sociological theories of criminality
- Causes of criminality
- Development of policy on the reduction of crime
Crime scene to court room
- The process of criminal investigations
- The processing of evidence
- The rights of suspects, victims and witnesses
- The decision to prosecute
- The trial process
Crime and punishment
- The law-making process
- Models of criminal justice
- Forms of social control
- Aims and types of punishment
- The role of different agencies in achieving social control
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- You will need 4 GCSE at grade 5 or above, including a grade 5 in GCSE English (Language or Literature) or a humanities subject to study this A-level.
Supporting documents required
- School applicants will be required to provide a school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.
Guaranteed progression
Students who achieve 56 UCAS points or more from this qualification will automatically be guaranteed a place on a degree course at University College Birmingham. Some undergraduate courses require additional entry requirements, so applicants are advised to check entry requirements before applying.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
You will be assessed throughout your course, there will be one assessment per unit:
Year 1
Unit 1: Changing Awareness of Crime
This unit will be assessed through an internally assessed controlled assessment. You will have 8 hours in which to complete your assessed work for this unit. Assessment will be scheduled at fixed times over a number of days.
Unit 2: Criminological Theories
This unit will be assessed through an externally assessed examination. The exam paper will include short answer and extended writing questions.
Year 2
Unit 3: Crime Scene to Courtroom
This unit will be assessed through an internally assessed controlled assessment. You will have 8 hours in which to complete your assessed work for this unit. Assessment will be scheduled at fixed times over a number of days.
Unit 4: Crime and Punishment
This unit will be assessed through an externally assessed examination. The exam paper will include short answer and extended writing questions.
Your class work and directed learning are designed to prepare you well for your assessments and to help you to develop a range of skills that will help you in your future studies and work.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Centre of opportunities
Our sixth form centre taps into the wider university's networks to enhance student opportunities and gives you access to world-class university facilities.
We are creating something unique and special for Birmingham and I am delighted you are considering us for your next steps. Studying A-levels requires discipline and determination, but it is also incredibly rewarding, offering you a deep insight into the subjects you choose to study. Sixth form is also an opportunity for you to discover what’s important to you and how you want to make your mark on the world. Our aim is to support and challenge you through this, while developing your character and widening your horizons so you flourish, professionally and personally.
What will this course prepare you for?
On completion of this A-level in Criminology course, you could choose to study a degree in criminology or a related subject such as law, psychology, sociology, criminal justice or social policy. You may also wish to explore other career options within the legal system such as the police force, probation, prisons or the courts service.
If, at the end of your A-level studies, you are keen to enter the world of work, you could explore apprenticeship options.
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Psychologist
Average Salary: £49,000
Sociologist
Average Salary: £41,000
Criminologist
Average Salary: £37,000
Police officer
Average Salary: £30,000
Lawyer
Average Salary: £50,000
Our new sixth form centre
University College Birmingham is to begin offering a range of A-level courses as part of a major multi-million-pound investment in a brand-new sixth form centre.
