Course Overview
Please note: you will make your selection of three A Levels once you have progressed into the application process.
Does crime in the media change how we perceive crime in real life? What do we mean by crime and how do we distinguish it from deviance? How do you take a tyre track from a crime scene to use as evidence in a court room? What is the purpose of sending someone to prison?
All these questions and many more are addressed throughout this course as we develop the fundamentals of social science teaching to engage students with real-life issues. This course starts off by considering how crime is presented in the media, with students researching its portrayal in gaming, film, and social media.
Classroom teaching is interactive with students encouraged to research areas of personal interest, as these provide useful examples and case studies. High quality guest lecturers are invited in to share their expertise on everything from crime prevention through social work, to identifying and reporting hate crimes, and looking at why so many people in prison were also excluded from mainstream schooling.
Trips vary from year to year in line with student interests. To date they have included visits to university campuses, exploring a ‘crime scene house’ and experiencing the big-brother style investigation room, and a national academic conference on Criminology. Staff are always open to new ideas which support student interests and career progression.
Topics may include:
- Psychological and sociological theories of criminal behaviour
- Understanding criminal actions from different perspectives
- Developing techniques to rehabilitate offenders and control crime in society
- Crime scene analysis, including forensic analysis
- The criminal justice system and criminal law
- The law-making process
- The role of agencies, including police, judiciary, probation, and prison services.
Assessment Methods
This course has four assessments points, one at the end of each taught unit. Each assessment point is worth 25% of the final grade.
There are two ‘open book’ assessments which may feel a little like completing coursework under controlled conditions. They generally take place early in the spring term, lasting for a total of eight hours over two or three days. Students can bring their folders with them, subject to some limitations, and then apply their topic knowledge to answer questions on a realistic crime scenario. These assessments are typed, and students are supported to develop both their speed and accuracy, as well as their general word processing skills.
There are also two memory recall exams which are handwritten and last 90 minutes. Revision skills and strategies are taught well and embedded in classroom practice to enable students to turn strong subject knowledge into high grades.
Progression Options
On successful completion of this course, you could go on to study at university, take a gap year and do some volunteering in victim support or offender rehabilitation, join the policing or probation services, or look for an apprenticeship in a related sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply directly on any of the UCS College Group websites, whether you wish to study at Bridgwater College, Cannington College, Strode College, or Taunton College. Simply use our “Find a Course” feature and follow the on-screen instructions – be sure to have your important information to hand.
We aim to offer a careers service that is accessible to everyone. We will seek to equip all our students with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to operate confidently, effectively, and independently in life and work. All students have the opportunity to meet with a Careers Advisor for 1:1 career support.
The Student Experience Team can mentor and signpost students who are struggling with a range of issues that are negatively impacting their day-to-day life. The Student Experience Team works closely with the Safeguarding & Lifestyle Teams to promote proactive wellbeing enrichment sessions. The team can refer on to counselling when appropriate.
We provide top-quality workshops and teaching areas across our Colleges for subjects such as art, design and media, hair and beauty, catering, automotive engineering and construction. You can review our campus facilities by navigating to the “College Life” section of our websites.
For us, the success of our students always comes first. By investing in our built environment, we are investing in your future.
All of our students will have a personal tutor to support them with their academic progress and personal development. The tutorial programme consists of 1:1 support, group tutorials and guest speakers, plus targeted online resources which complement the UCS College Group Advantage scheme.
The Safeguarding Team can offer advice and guidance on anything that may be affecting your young person and their studies – no problem is too big or too small!
Please email our Safeguarding team at staysafe@ucscollegegroup.ac.uk. If you query is urgent, please come to the College Reception and ask to speak to a Safeguarding Officer.
If you cannot find an answer to your question in this FAQ section, you can ask us a question by visiting our Contact Us page.
