Criminology Diploma Level 3

Paston College

Grammar School Road, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9JL

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent

Level 3

Available start dates

Tuesday, 01 September 2026

Paston College

2 Year(s)

Full time

Daytime/working hours

Application Instructions

Step 1: Apply

Step 2: Interviews and taster events

As part of your application you will be invited to book an interview, to discuss your chosen course, where you will meet with an academic tutor from your chosen area of study for an informal discussion about your course choices, to ensure you have chosen the best course for your future ambitions.

This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss anything about the course that you are unsure about. Please ensure you check your confirmation email for full details, so you do not miss your appointment.

You are initially only able to book an interview for your first choice course, please let us know if you would subsequently like to be able to book interviews for other courses by emailing admissions@paston.ac.uk

Step 3: Offer

This stage provides you with an outcome of your recent interview, which will confirm if you have been made an offer of a place on your chosen course.

All offers are provisional until the point of enrolment and most of our course offers are conditional, meaning there is entry criteria you need to meet before enrolling. This will be outlined in your offer letter.

Sometimes we are unable to offer you a place on your chosen course. If this happens the reasons will be discussed with you at your appointment and we will look at alternative options with you. We will be in contact to confirm the outcome and what to do next. We also have a team of specialist Course Advisers who are more than happy to look at alternative options with you and answer any questions you may have.

Step 4: Enrolment

Enrolment is the final stage before starting your course with us and takes place within the last two weeks of August. We require you to be available to attend your appointment in person at college, so we can complete all the required steps to enrolling you on your chosen course.

We may ask you to bring some documents with you so please read your enrolment invitation carefully.

Course Details

THIS IS AN EXCITING COURSE THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO GAIN A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE LINKED TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE. THIS QUALIFICATION ALSO COMBINES ELEMENTS OF PSYCHOLOGY, LAW AND SOCIOLOGY. YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN BOTH PRACTICAL AND ACADEMIC SKILLS WITH MANY ASSIGNMENT TOPICS ALLOWING YOU TO LEARN FROM PRACTITIONERS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SECTOR. THE FLEXIBILITY OF THE COURSE WILL ENABLE YOU TO SPECIALISE IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL AREA OF INTEREST.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN?

This course is designed to support your progression to university and features exciting and interesting experiences that allow you to gain in depth knowledge and understanding of authentic case studies. You will cover a range of topics including the changing awareness of crime, criminological theories, crime scene to courtroom and crime and punishment.

This course allows you to consider how the use and application of your learning impacts on you, other individuals, employers, society and the environment. It will provide you with the ability to work alongside other professionals in a professional environment as well as helping you to develop a range of transferrable skills.

Alongside this, you will also develop independent learning skills, the ability to solve problems and the ability to apply learning in vocational contexts.

IS IT SUITABLE FOR YOU?

If you are interested in the rule of law, the causes of crime and how policies are made and changed, this is the course for you. This course allows you to explore the impact crime and criminality has on individuals, families and employers, as well as society as a whole.

HOW YOU ARE ASSESSED?

You will be assessed through a mix of coursework assignments and final exam assessments.

THIS COURSE GOES WELL WITH…

This course will work well alongside a range of other subjects. In particular, it has strong links with Psychology, Sociology, Law and Politics.

Entry requirements

Part of a 3 A Level Programme

Minimum of 66444 at GCSE

You must also study English/Maths GCSE if you have not already achieved grade 4 in these subjects.

If you achieve a minimum of 3 GCSE's at grade 8 plus 5 at grade 7 and your English Language and Maths are at minimum grade 4, you will have the option to join the A Plus programme.

Please note that A Plus is designed for applicants to academic courses at Oxford, Cambridge or Russel Group.

Your next steps...

YOU CAN GO ON TO DO...

Access to higher education degree courses in subjects such as criminology, criminology & psychology, criminology & law or criminology & sociology. This course also allows you to gain the required understanding and skills to be able to consider employment within some aspects of the criminal justice system.

For more courses like this, check our courses page.