Criminology
at Varndean College, Brighton · college
What the college says
Criminology is the study of criminality, what the causes are and how society deals with crime. This includes studying a range of underreported crimes and how campaigns can lead to changes in our criminal justice system. You will be required to design your own campaign for change on a particular crime. You will also consider why people commit crime and whether the range of theories presented are credible. The second year of the course looks at the structure of our criminal justice system and how effective different agencies are in a criminal investigation. It is an interdisciplinary social science subject, drawing from a range of sociological, psychological and biological discussions as well as law. Lessons will be varied as per any A Level subject. You will be required to undertake independent research during lesson time and to present your findings to the class. The course could be studied alongside other Level 3 qualifications. However, as there is overlap between the material covered in Criminology and the material covered in Sociology, Psychology and Law, it is advised that a maximum of one of these three subjects is studied alongside.
What you need to get on
Standard Advanced Level Entry Requirements
How you are assessed
One subject in depth, assessed largely through coursework and projects.
What this level means
The A-level-equivalent step, and what universities and employers ask for.
Is it open to 16 to 18 year olds?
Approved for 16 to 18 study on the government's Section 96 list.
Where it runs
VARNDEAN COLLEGE
Surrenden Road, Brighton, BN1 6WQ
DaytimeClassroom basedCheck the journey
Start dates
- 7 September 2026 · Brighton
Who else teaches this exact qualification
Same qualification, different college. Entry requirements and how it is taught can differ a lot between them, which is the whole reason to compare.
- Their version
Chatteris · East of England · 2 years
- Their version
Highgate Wood Secondary School
London · London · 2 years
- Their version
Gillingham · South East · 2 years
- Their version
Driffield School and Sixth Form
Yorkshire and The Humber · 2 years
- Their version
North West · 18 months
- Their version
London · London · 2 years
- Their version
Cambridge · East of England · 2 years
- Their version
Hereford · West Midlands · 2 years