Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology)


- SALE Savings End Midnight Friday 29th September
- SALE Savings End Midnight Friday 29th September
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology)
This Course at a Glance
- Get on the fast track to a career that helps prevent crime
- Learn about offender profiling, prison categories, and how to measure crime
- Understand how the media affects public perceptions of crime and criminality
- Helps you access university without A Levels
- Studied online, at home
- No exams
About your Diploma
If you’re the type of person who figures out who the criminal is before the on-screen or in-book detectives do, this online criminology course can have you putting your investigative skills into action in a crime-fighting career.
No matter if you’d prefer to be chasing down criminals or looking at the bigger picture of crimes to spot trends and patterns in behaviour, this course provides the perfect platform to get started.
Through this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology), you will begin to comprehend the severe impact that deviant behaviour can have on victims, their families, the criminals themselves, and society at large. Plus, the many methods that are in place to understand why crime happens and how to stop it.
You will build your knowledge through modules that explore:
- Measurements of Crime
- The Criminology of Prisons
- Situational Aspects of Crime
- Forensic Psychology
And so much more. Being a nationally recognised equivalent to A Levels, this course will also enable you to apply to university to take the next step towards a career that’s related to the prevention of crimes.
Getting Started
learndirectis a leading UK distance learning provider, with a host of online courses that unlock higher-level learning opportunities and help you access gated careers. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology) is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification that is regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
Apply To University Within A Year
You can complete this course over 24 months, however, the flexibility of online learning makes it entirely possible to finish the course much sooner. In fact, the majority of our learners obtain their qualification within 9 months, so you can be on the way to university within a year!
Keep On Track To Success
To help you stay on track throughout your studies, you’ll be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments.
*Please note, each university sets its own entry requirements. For this reason, we always advise you to check with your chosen institution that this qualification will be accepted before you enrol.

Modules
Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills
On completion of this unit you will:
- Be able to write with relevance in responding to an academic task
- Know how to interpret and discuss ideas and issues in responding to a set, academic writing task
- Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information, or central ideas
Unit 2: Preparing a Written Assignment
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand how to use key information sources
- Understand why sources are acknowledged and referenced
- Understand a range of reading strategies
- Understand note-making methods
- Understand how to plan draft and produce a written assignment
Unit 3: Introduction to Psychology
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the importance of research in psychology
- Understand the main approaches in psychology
- Understand ethical issues in psychological research
Unit 4: Understanding Crime & Deviance
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand explanations of crime and deviance
- Understand theories of crime and deviance
- Understand perceptions of crime and deviance
Unit 5: Sociology of the Family
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand changes in family structure
- Understand sociological explanations of the family to include Functionalist, feminist, interactionist and postmodern views
Unit 6: Measurements of Crime
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand sources of crime statistics
- Understand the reliability of published statistics on crime
- Understand factors that are not reflected in criminal statistics
Unit 7: Social Relationships
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand theories of interpersonal relationships
- Understand differing explanations and research evidence relating to the stages of relationships
- Understand the effects of interpersonal relationships on the individual
Unit 8: The Criminology of Prisons
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the philosophical approaches to imprisonment
- Understand the categories of prison and their relative costs
- Understand the effects of imprisonment on the individual and society
Unit 9: The Brain and Nervous System (Psychology)
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the major subdivisions of the nervous system
- Understand the structure and function of glial cells and neurons
Unit 10: Mental Health & Illness
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the difficulties in defining normality and abnormality
- Understand a psychological disorder
- Understand treatments used to treat people with psychological disorders
Unit 11: Situational Aspects of Crime
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the rationale for developing environmental methods of crime control
- Understand how crime prevention can be addressed by manipulating risks and rewards for both victim and perpetrator
- Understand environmental methods of crime control addressed through the theory of routine activity
Unit 12: Crime & Media
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the link between public perceptions of crime and criminality, and the news media
- Understand the link between public perceptions of crime and criminality and the film and television media
- Understand the link between public perceptions of crime and criminality and the media- social media
- Understand the criminological research into the links between crime and media
Unit 13: Forensic Psychology
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the roles of the Forensic Psychologist
- Understand how psychologists have contributed to jury behaviour and eyewitness memory
- Understand offender profiling
- Be able to apply an offender profiling technique
Unit 14: Criminal Justice & Social Policy
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand models of crime prevention
- Understand theories of crime control
- Understand criminal justice theories as informed by different political perspectives
Unit 15: Criminal Law & Procedures
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the criminal court process and its personnel
- Understand sentencing policy and procedures
Unit 16: Extended Essay
On completion of this unit you will:
- Be able to develop and plan an extended essay on a chosen topic relevant to your Diploma title
- Be able to produce an extended essay on a chosen topic relevant to your Diploma title
Unit 17: Human Rights, the Individual & the Law
On completion of this unit, you will:
- Understand the general scope and application of the European Convention on Human Rights
- Understand the impact and interrelationship of specific Convention Rights
- Understand the status and effect of the Human Rights Act 1998
Unit 18: Critical Criminology
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the arguments of Right and Left Realism
- Understand key debates within feminist criminology
- Understand arguments regarding human rights and crimes of the state
- Understand current developments in criminology
Entry Requirements
You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.
University Entry Criteria
It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.
Minimum age restriction
Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.
Average completion timeframe
The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.
Assessment requirements
A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic poster, academic report, case study analysis, essay, journal article, portfolio, presentation (video and audio recording), academic writing skills tasks
Exams required
There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.
Is Membership Required?
No membership is required to enrol on this course.
Additional requirements
Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.
Certification Timeframe
You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.
Course Fees
All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.
*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

The assessment process of our criminology home study courses consists of the following:
Assignments
This online criminology course is made up of a range of units, with an assignment being issued at the end of each. You will submit your work to your tutor for marking and tailored feedback.
Credits
You must acquire 60 credits in total in order to achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology). The credits are split into the following two categories:
- Graded– 45 credits come from graded units, which focus on the academic subject
- Ungraded– 15 credits come from ungraded units, such as writing and study skills
As part of your distance learning criminology course, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.
Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.
An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

With this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology), you will have an ideal foundation knowledge of human behaviour and motivation in relation to crime, ahead of degree-level study of criminology.
This could be in degrees such as a:
- Criminology BA
- Criminology and Forensic Studies BA
- Criminology and Policing BSc
- Criminology with Applied Psychology BSc
- Sociology and Criminology BA
All of these can lead you to a range of fascinating criminology jobs that require your investigative skills to unearth the motivations behind crimes, prevent them, and keep people safe from harm.
With the relevant degree, you could become a:
- Criminologist
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Community Development Worker
- Probation Officer
- Social Worker
- Prison Officer and more!
Further Qualifications and Prospects
As criminology is a form of sociology that also covers psychology, biology, anthropology, and philosophy, you can study a number of related degrees too.
These include degrees in:
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Forensic Science
- Law
- Psychology
- Social Policy
- Sociology
So, in studying this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology) you can open the door to a host of fascinating and important careers.
- SALE Savings End Midnight Friday 29th September
- SALE Savings End Midnight Friday 29th September
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology)
This Course at a Glance
- Get on the fast track to a career that helps prevent crime
- Learn about offender profiling, prison categories, and how to measure crime
- Understand how the media affects public perceptions of crime and criminality
- Helps you access university without A Levels
- Studied online, at home
- No exams
About your Diploma
If you’re the type of person who figures out who the criminal is before the on-screen or in-book detectives do, this online criminology course can have you putting your investigative skills into action in a crime-fighting career.
No matter if you’d prefer to be chasing down criminals or looking at the bigger picture of crimes to spot trends and patterns in behaviour, this course provides the perfect platform to get started.
Through this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology), you will begin to comprehend the severe impact that deviant behaviour can have on victims, their families, the criminals themselves, and society at large. Plus, the many methods that are in place to understand why crime happens and how to stop it.
You will build your knowledge through modules that explore:
- Measurements of Crime
- The Criminology of Prisons
- Situational Aspects of Crime
- Forensic Psychology
And so much more. Being a nationally recognised equivalent to A Levels, this course will also enable you to apply to university to take the next step towards a career that’s related to the prevention of crimes.
Getting Started
learndirectis a leading UK distance learning provider, with a host of online courses that unlock higher-level learning opportunities and help you access gated careers. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology) is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification that is regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
Apply To University Within A Year
You can complete this course over 24 months, however, the flexibility of online learning makes it entirely possible to finish the course much sooner. In fact, the majority of our learners obtain their qualification within 9 months, so you can be on the way to university within a year!
Keep On Track To Success
To help you stay on track throughout your studies, you’ll be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments.
*Please note, each university sets its own entry requirements. For this reason, we always advise you to check with your chosen institution that this qualification will be accepted before you enrol.
Modules
Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills
On completion of this unit you will:
- Be able to write with relevance in responding to an academic task
- Know how to interpret and discuss ideas and issues in responding to a set, academic writing task
- Be able to summarise for academic purposes, selecting key points, information, or central ideas
Unit 2: Preparing a Written Assignment
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand how to use key information sources
- Understand why sources are acknowledged and referenced
- Understand a range of reading strategies
- Understand note-making methods
- Understand how to plan draft and produce a written assignment
Unit 3: Introduction to Psychology
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the importance of research in psychology
- Understand the main approaches in psychology
- Understand ethical issues in psychological research
Unit 4: Understanding Crime & Deviance
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand explanations of crime and deviance
- Understand theories of crime and deviance
- Understand perceptions of crime and deviance
Unit 5: Sociology of the Family
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand changes in family structure
- Understand sociological explanations of the family to include Functionalist, feminist, interactionist and postmodern views
Unit 6: Measurements of Crime
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand sources of crime statistics
- Understand the reliability of published statistics on crime
- Understand factors that are not reflected in criminal statistics
Unit 7: Social Relationships
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand theories of interpersonal relationships
- Understand differing explanations and research evidence relating to the stages of relationships
- Understand the effects of interpersonal relationships on the individual
Unit 8: The Criminology of Prisons
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the philosophical approaches to imprisonment
- Understand the categories of prison and their relative costs
- Understand the effects of imprisonment on the individual and society
Unit 9: The Brain and Nervous System (Psychology)
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the major subdivisions of the nervous system
- Understand the structure and function of glial cells and neurons
Unit 10: Mental Health & Illness
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the difficulties in defining normality and abnormality
- Understand a psychological disorder
- Understand treatments used to treat people with psychological disorders
Unit 11: Situational Aspects of Crime
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the rationale for developing environmental methods of crime control
- Understand how crime prevention can be addressed by manipulating risks and rewards for both victim and perpetrator
- Understand environmental methods of crime control addressed through the theory of routine activity
Unit 12: Crime & Media
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the link between public perceptions of crime and criminality, and the news media
- Understand the link between public perceptions of crime and criminality and the film and television media
- Understand the link between public perceptions of crime and criminality and the media- social media
- Understand the criminological research into the links between crime and media
Unit 13: Forensic Psychology
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the roles of the Forensic Psychologist
- Understand how psychologists have contributed to jury behaviour and eyewitness memory
- Understand offender profiling
- Be able to apply an offender profiling technique
Unit 14: Criminal Justice & Social Policy
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand models of crime prevention
- Understand theories of crime control
- Understand criminal justice theories as informed by different political perspectives
Unit 15: Criminal Law & Procedures
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the criminal court process and its personnel
- Understand sentencing policy and procedures
Unit 16: Extended Essay
On completion of this unit you will:
- Be able to develop and plan an extended essay on a chosen topic relevant to your Diploma title
- Be able to produce an extended essay on a chosen topic relevant to your Diploma title
Unit 17: Human Rights, the Individual & the Law
On completion of this unit, you will:
- Understand the general scope and application of the European Convention on Human Rights
- Understand the impact and interrelationship of specific Convention Rights
- Understand the status and effect of the Human Rights Act 1998
Unit 18: Critical Criminology
On completion of this unit you will:
- Understand the arguments of Right and Left Realism
- Understand key debates within feminist criminology
- Understand arguments regarding human rights and crimes of the state
- Understand current developments in criminology
Entry Requirements
You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.
University Entry Criteria
It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.
Minimum age restriction
Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.
Average completion timeframe
The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.
Assessment requirements
A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic poster, academic report, case study analysis, essay, journal article, portfolio, presentation (video and audio recording), academic writing skills tasks
Exams required
There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.
Is Membership Required?
No membership is required to enrol on this course.
Additional requirements
Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.
Certification Timeframe
You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.
Course Fees
All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.
*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

Assessment
The assessment process of our criminology home study courses consists of the following:
Assignments
This online criminology course is made up of a range of units, with an assignment being issued at the end of each. You will submit your work to your tutor for marking and tailored feedback.
Credits
You must acquire 60 credits in total in order to achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology). The credits are split into the following two categories:
- Graded– 45 credits come from graded units, which focus on the academic subject
- Ungraded– 15 credits come from ungraded units, such as writing and study skills
As part of your distance learning criminology course, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.
Qualifications
Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.
An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

With this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology), you will have an ideal foundation knowledge of human behaviour and motivation in relation to crime, ahead of degree-level study of criminology.
This could be in degrees such as a:
- Criminology BA
- Criminology and Forensic Studies BA
- Criminology and Policing BSc
- Criminology with Applied Psychology BSc
- Sociology and Criminology BA
All of these can lead you to a range of fascinating criminology jobs that require your investigative skills to unearth the motivations behind crimes, prevent them, and keep people safe from harm.
With the relevant degree, you could become a:
- Criminologist
- Crime Scene Investigator
- Community Development Worker
- Probation Officer
- Social Worker
- Prison Officer and more!
Further Qualifications and Prospects
As criminology is a form of sociology that also covers psychology, biology, anthropology, and philosophy, you can study a number of related degrees too.
These include degrees in:
- Anthropology
- Economics
- Forensic Science
- Law
- Psychology
- Social Policy
- Sociology
So, in studying this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology) you can open the door to a host of fascinating and important careers.

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