Applied Criminology

During the first year of the Applied Criminology BTEC, you will explore various types of crime, how crime is perceived, and reasons why some crimes are not reported. The second unit focuses on understanding the motivations behind criminal behaviour.

In the second year, you’ll deepen your knowledge of the criminal justice system, from the crime scene to the courtroom, examining the processes and roles involved.

The final unit applies your knowledge of criminality and criminological theories to the judicial process, assessing how effectively social control implements criminal justice policies.

After completing Applied Criminology, students are well-prepared for university study. Many of our students have gone on to leading universities to study degrees such as:

• Criminology
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Political Science
• Law

The knowledge and skills gained from Applied Criminology also open opportunities for diverse career paths in local government, probation services, the civil service, forensic psychology, and the police force.

The examination board for the Applied Criminology Level 3 course is WJEC (Welsh Joint Education Committee). They are a leading awarding organisation who provide assessment, training, and educational resources across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

To enrol in the Applied Crimonology course, you need a minimum of five GCSEs graded 5 or above, including at least a 4 in English Language.

At Cardinal Newman, we also offer the flexibility of a Mixed Programme. This allows students to combine A-Levels with a BTEC qualification – an option suitable for those who may not meet their exact GCSE targets.

The Applied Criminology course is classified as a Level 3 Applied General Diploma, which is academically equivalent to one A-Level.