Criminology

Criminology

This Course At A Glance

• Delve into the ‘why’ behind crime and criminal behaviour
• Explore everything from cyber-crime to drugs and crimes of violence
• Perfect for hobby study and aspiring criminal professionals
• Grasp core criminology concepts ahead of higher-level study
• Learn online from the comfort of home
• Provides a certificate of achievement

About Your Course

Have you ever wondered why people commit crimes? Or what makes societies tick when it comes to safety and justice? If you're curious about the dark side of human behaviour and the complex world of crime, then this criminology course is the ideal online study programme for you.

Throughout this criminology distance learning course, you will learn how to define crime, what causes crime and the consequences of crime. You will also consider the UK legislative environment and what impact this has on laws that are passed to mitigate the effects of crime. From there you will move on to look at a range of different types of crime.

Who Should Study This Course?

This course is aimed at people who have an interest in criminology and wish to explore this topic further, as well as those who aspire to work as a criminologist or in another professional role that deals with the justice system. This is because the course provides a solid foundation of knowledge ahead of higher-level training.

What Can I Do After Taking This Criminology Course?

Please note that this is a knowledge-based course, so it will not qualify you as a criminologist. It is intended as the ideal introduction to this career, so you can make an educated decision as to whether this path is the right one for you.

To become a criminologist in the UK, you'll typically need a degree in criminology or a related social science subject, such as sociology, psychology, or law.

If this is your goal, our online degree pathways in either law or psychology would be a great option for you. If you don’t have the A-Levels for a degree yet, our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Criminology) is the course for you!

If you’d like to go directly into employment after completing this knowledge-based criminology course, there are a number of entry-level roles that don’t require qualifications but would appreciate the knowledge you’ve gained. See the career tab for more information.

Modules

Module 1 – Introduction to Criminology

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explain the UK Criminal Justice system in the context of arresting, prosecuting and sentencing authorities, their jurisdiction responsibilities and sentencing powers

Module 2 – Criminal Statistics

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explain the UK Criminal Justice system in the context of arresting, prosecuting and sentencing authorities, their jurisdiction responsibilities and sentencing powers

Module 3 – The UK Justice System

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explain the UK Criminal Justice system in the context of arresting, prosecuting and sentencing authorities, their jurisdiction responsibilities and sentencing powers

Module 4 – Understanding Drugs

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explore and evaluate the nature, range and scope of drug-related crime

Module 5 – Understanding Violence

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explore and evaluate the nature, range and scope of violent crime

Module 6 – Understanding Property Crime

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explore and evaluate the nature, range and scope of property-related crime

Module 7 – Understanding Crime and the Community

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explore and evaluate the nature, range and scope of community crime

Module 8 – Understanding Trans-national and Organised Crime

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explore and evaluate the nature, range and scope of trans-national and organised crime

Module 9 – Understanding High Tech Crime

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explore and evaluate the nature, range and scope of technology-based crime

Module 10 – Understanding Crime Prevention

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Investigate methods of crime prevention in common use

Module 11 – Understanding Youth Crime

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explore the nature, range and scope of youth crime

Module 12 – Understanding Anti-Social Behaviour

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explore and evaluate the nature, range and scope of anti-social behaviour

Module 13 – Introduction to Forensic Psychology

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Introduce the use of forensic psychology techniques in crime detection

Module 14 – Introduction to Criminal Profiling

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Present the use of criminal profiling techniques in crime detection

Module 15 – Introduction to the Theory of Terrorism

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:      

• Explore and evaluate the nature, range and scope of terrorism-motivated crime

For a more detailed syllabus on this course, click here

Entry Requirements

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

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 Method

After each lesson, there will be a question paper, which needs to be completed and submitted to your personal tutor for marking. This method of continual assessment ensures that your personal tutor can consistently monitor your progress and provide you with assistance throughout the duration of the course.

Professional Membership

Students with an interest in Criminology may like to join the British Society of Criminology, Britain's foremost criminological society. The Society aims to further the interests and knowledge of both academic and professional people who are engaged in any aspect of work or teaching, learning, research or public education about crime, criminal behaviour and the criminal justice systems in the United Kingdom. For more information please visit their website at www.britsoccrim.org or click here.

On successful completion of your course you will receive the learndirect Certificate of Completion of Training in Criminology.

Your course certificate will also state the number of CPD points/hours the course is eligible for.

View a sample of the certificate (opens in new window)

learndirect is one of the largest integrated providers of courses and qualifications, training, and employment services in the UK

• Each year around 6,000 businesses equip their staff for success with learndirect
• learndirect have helped more than 75,000 businesses equip their employees with the skills needed to improve productivity.
• Almost 700,000 maths and English test passes have been achieved with learndirect.
• 300,000 people fulfilled their career ambitions last year with learndirect.
• Over 250,000 apprentices have achieved with learndirect.

Career

By completing this knowledge-based course, you’ll become equipped with the core principles of criminology. You'll understand the different theoretical perspectives on crime, criminal behaviour, and the criminal justice system. This foundation is crucial for grasping more advanced concepts later in your studies or career.

Taking this short course also allows you to test the waters of criminology before committing to a full degree. It will help you decide if the field aligns with your interests and strengths, and you'll gain a clearer picture of the different career paths within criminology.

Should you decide to progress and study a criminology degree at university, you can pursue careers such as:

• Criminologist
• Criminal Intelligence Analyst
• Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
• Probation Officer
• Police Officer

If you wish to go straight into employment after completing this knowledge-based criminology course, there are several entry-level roles you can pursue. These will provide valuable transferable skills and experience that will be beneficial if you continue to pursue a career in criminology.  

These include working as a:

• Custody Officer (Police Station)
• Paralegal in a Criminal Law Firm
• Victim Support Worker
• Community Support Worker
• Call Center Operator (Emergency Services)