Course at a glance
Introduction
The Level 3 Diploma in Criminology introduces students to the study of crime, providing a scientific approach to analysing criminal behaviour. This course is ideal for those who wish to explore crime from a theoretical perspective rather than learning practical skills for offender profiling. It incorporates insights from various disciplines, including law, psychology, sociology, media studies, and geography.
This diploma prepares students for careers in fields such as probation, youth offender work, social services, and law enforcement.
As renowned criminologist Wolfgang once noted, a criminologist is one who uses a scientific approach to the analysis of crime and criminal behaviour.
The following unit descriptors are brief content guides to the course components and should provide a holistic overview of structure and format.
Assessment Objectives (AO)
AO: 1
Students must select and demonstrate clearly relevant knowledge and understanding through the use of evidence, examples and correct language and terminology appropriate to the course of study. This assessment, involves two written assignments: one halfway through the course and following the final unit. Both are assessed and graded by the assigned tutor, according to college procedures. The grading procedure if Pass or Fail. If you Fail an assessment you have the opportunity to amend where your tutor has highlighted and resubmit.
AO: 2
Students must critically evaluate and justify a point of view through the use of evidence and reasoned argument. Students can include evidence in different formats to support their written work such as documentation or images to support their course remembering Confidentiality and Data Protection.
Quality of Written Communication (QWC)
In addition, COLC require students’ to produce written material in English, candidates must: ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPG) are accurate so that meaning is clear; select and use a form and style of writing appropriate to studying a complex subject matter; organise information clearly and coherently, using specialist vocabulary when appropriate and Harvard referencing of citation and sources. In this Specification, SPG will be assessed in all tutor marked assignments (TMAs)
To ensure that we maintain quality standards; all our students written assignments are subject to our plagiarism policy and procedure.
Accredited Level 3 Criminology Diploma Entry Requirement
Entry to this Accredited Level 3 Criminology Diploma requires that potential students have gained GCSE/IGCSE or equivalent qualifications and have, good English oral, reading and writing skills.
Advice on enrolment and guidance of prior learning (APL) can be obtained through out contact centre. The course is a rolling programme and can be started at any point in the year. Successful students can go on to Higher Education, including remaining as students at COLC to complete courses in our portfolio of higher awards.
All students must be aged 16 or over.
Assessment
The coursework is assessed through continuous assessment with no formal exit examinations.
Study Hours
Approximately: 200 hours of personal study time for the entire course is recommended. All of which is supported by the COLC Course Tutor, who we greatly encourage students to access support from throughout their course.
Quality Assurance
This course has been developed by the College’s professional team of tutors to meet the needs of sector based employers and employees.
Further details of our accreditations are provided on our website.
Course Length
1 Year.
Awarding Body
Accredited Level 3 Criminology Diploma Course Content
Module 1: What is Crime?
This introductory module explores how definitions of crime have evolved, particularly since the Enlightenment, moving from superstitious beliefs to scientific inquiry. The module discusses how crime is currently studied using facts, statistics, and scientific methods.
Module 2: Sociological Explanations of Crime
Students will study sociological theories that link crime to factors such as poverty, unemployment, and social structure. The module examines how industrialisation and urbanisation contributed to crime and modern phenomena like crime “hotspots.”
Module 3: Psychological Approaches to Crime
This module delves into psychological factors influencing criminal behaviour, including personality, moral development, aggression, and mental disorders. Students will learn about various psychological theories that contribute to understanding crime.
Module 4: Offender Profiling and Eyewitness Testimony
This module explores the origins of offender profiling, from the FBI’s early methods to David Canter’s work in the UK. It also covers Brent Turvey’s Behavioural Evidence Analysis and the complexities of eyewitness testimony.
Module 5: Representing Crime
This module examines how crime statistics are collected and interpreted. It discusses the concept of the “dark figure” of crime—crimes that go unreported or undetected—and how media representation of crime influences public perception and policy.
Module 6: Environmental Criminology
Environmental criminology focuses on the spatial patterns of crime and victimisation. This module covers the history of environmental criminology, starting from its origins in the 19th century, and explores modern theories explaining why crime occurs in specific geographic areas.
Module 7: Crime Prevention and Community Safety
This module analyses traditional and contemporary approaches to crime prevention. It covers the history and current trends in community safety policies, focusing on what works in the UK and other countries.
Module 8: Women and Crime
This module explores how criminology traditionally focused on male subjects and how this bias affects the treatment and perception of female offenders. It examines societal expectations and the impact of gender on sentencing and punishment.
Module 9: Green Crime
Green criminology addresses crimes against the environment, often committed by corporations or as a result of policy breaches. This module examines examples like the Bhopal disaster and Exxon Valdez oil spill, discussing how such events fall under criminological scrutiny.
Module 10: White Collar Crime
This module explores white-collar crime, a significant but often overlooked category of crime that costs the economy heavily. It covers types of white-collar crime, relevant theories, and statistics illustrating its impact on society.
Progression
This Accredited Level 3 Criminology Diploma can be used to gain entry to a Level 4+5 Diploma or higher.
You can view a lit of our Level 4+5 Diplomas here: Accredited level 4+5 Diplomas
