Crimes are rarely black and white, there are many reasons, both psychologically and environmentally that can lead to someone committing a crime. If you are fascinated by the motivations behind crime and would love to be at the forefront of delving into the minds of those who commit these acts, then working in criminology will enable you to do this.
It is a thrilling career that involves plenty of research and discovery, making it ideal for someone who has an analytical mind, can problem solve, and is motivated by the desire to find answers why. Whether you want to work as a Criminologist or are keen to pursue other criminology jobs, then you will need qualifications to reach your end goal.
Below, we have delved into what you need to study for a criminology degree, the content of your course, and what criminology jobs you can get with the qualifications behind you.
What is Criminology?
Criminology is the study and examination of human behaviour and motivation in relation to crime. It is a form of sociology but also covers psychology, biology, anthropology, and philosophy. Criminology jobs involve examining a range of different crimes and looking into why they happen by discovering the root cause.
As well as learning the cause of a crime, criminology jobs also consider the social impact of a crime. Once the cause, motivation, and social impact of the crime is realised, professionals are able to develop effective ways to prevent these criminal actions from happening again.
The solution is not cut and dry. Professionals working in criminology jobs have to consider a range of factors that are showcased in deviant behaviour. Once they have all the pieces of the puzzle, they begin determining the most effective methods of preventing individuals from committing similar crimes in the future.
It is important to note, though, that the puzzle pieces can move. The brain, its reactions, and motivations are always being studied, with developments being made all the time. Working in criminology allows you to explore various avenues and draw upon multiple theories across the biological, sociological, and psychological sectors.
If you want to pursue a career as a Criminologist by studying a degree in criminology, then you should be aware of the type of work you’ll be doing. Essentially, you will explore the impact that a crime can have on victims and their families, as well as society as a whole. Your work may also include considering the impact the crime has on the criminal itself.
The type of issues you might cover as a Criminologist include:
- Cause, location, and frequency of a crime
- Types of crimes
- Social and individual impact of a crime
- Social reactions to a crime
- Government reactions to a crime
- Individual reactions to a crime
What A-Levels Do You Need for Criminology?
To successfully enrol on a degree in criminology, you will require a certain number of qualifications. Most learners are aware that they will need A Levels to achieve entry to their chosen university, and when it comes to a criminology degree, are there specific A Levels they need? Generally, no. Most universities do not specify the A Levels required, but ones in psychology or sociology may boost your application.
If you do not possess the A-Levels required, then you can always study them online with learndirect. We provide a wide range of A-level subjects, with most of our course packages including the exams. You will have the freedom to learn at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home as our courses are delivered online.
For an alternative option to A Levels, consider studying an Access to Higher Education Diploma. Equivalent to 3 A-Levels, this Level 3 qualification is widely accepted by universities as an alternative to A-Levels. The courses are designed to be vocational, so you will learn industry-specific knowledge as well as academic elements.
What’s more, you can achieve your qualification in less than 12 months, unlike traditional A Levels, which can take two years. If you want to enrol on a degree in criminology, then the best Access to HE Diploma to take is the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science) – Psychology with Criminology course. You will delve into a range of subject-specific topics, including:
- Psychology
- Crime and deviance
- Origins of the welfare state
- Cognitive psychology
- Sociology of mass media
- Criminology of prisons
- Foundations of social policy
- Measurements of crime
During your studies, you will also cover the following:
- Brain and the nervous system
- Criminal justice and social policy
- Abnormal psychology
- Sociology of education
- Criminal law and procedures
- Psychobiology of stress
- Contemporary issues in social policy
- Sociology of the family
You will be given an Individual Learning Plan, which will outline the submission deadlines of your assignments. Each assignment will be marked by a dedicated experienced tutor, who will provide you with feedback, helping you progress through the online course. To achieve your diploma, you will be required to complete a series of assignments, based on the modules you have covered.
Once you have completed these successfully, you will achieve your diploma. There are no exams, and you can get the qualification you need from the comfort of your own home! This is because as distance learning providers, our courses are delivered online.
Other Options
If your heart is set on studying a degree in criminology, then you will need A Levels or an Access to Higher Education Diploma to achieve a spot on your chosen course. However, if you are unsure if criminology jobs match your career ambition, then we have a handful of online courses that will give you an idea of the profession and what to expect from further study. By taking these courses, you will be able to determine whether this career pathway is the right one for you.
We offer Criminology for Beginners and a Level 3 Criminology course that will provide you with a taster. Not only will this help you decide whether or not to embark on further study, but it will also give you foundational knowledge that you can draw upon during future studies.
What Do You Study in Criminology?
There is no set syllabus when it comes to studying a criminology degree as each university differs, but there are general topics that you will cover during your studies. Most undergraduate degree courses are three years, but some include placements, which takes the course up to four years.
Please check your chosen university’s criminology degree course details to find out what you’ll be covering, but the general topics include:
- Introduction to criminological theory
- Communities
- Themes and perspectives
- Social research
- Crime and the criminal justice system
- Social inequality and exclusion
- Qualitative and quantitative skills
- Impact of crime
- Human trafficking
- Organised crime
- Drugs, crime and society
What Jobs Can You Get with a Criminology Degree?
A degree in criminology will allow you to work as a Criminologist, but there are plenty of other roles that you can pursue with a criminology degree. The knowledge and skills you gain during your studies can be applied to various roles in the sector. These include:
- Criminologist
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Community Development Worker
- Probation Officer
- Social Worker
- Prison Officer and more!
The criminology degree jobs above are directly linked to your qualification, but you may require further qualifications if you choose to work in teaching, law, or other vocational areas. Please note that you should do your own research to determine whether you need to undertake additional study to achieve your career goal.
As well as gaining the qualifications you need, gaining industry-related experience will be favourable to employers offering criminology jobs. The level of experience you gain may come from voluntary or paid work.
Start Your Learning Journey Today!
If a career in criminology is what you want to pursue, you will require relevant qualifications to help you get there. A degree in criminology is the main priority, and learndirect can help you get on to a criminology degree through online A Levels or an Access to Higher Education Diploma.
To learn more about how we can help you kickstart your career journey, speak to one of our Course Executives on 01202 006 464. Alternatively, you can contact us online or click below to discover your course options!
