When Jake Satchelle gets home from college each afternoon, his sister, 13, asks the same question: what did you learn today? The 17-year-old, from Horsham, West Sussex, is studying for a level 3 criminology qualification, where he learns about issues such as miscarriages of justice – and then shares his newfound knowledge with his younger sibling. “We’re both obsessed with criminology, and she has the same drive that I have. It’s really sweet,” he says.
Satchelle is one of the first in his family to go into further education. He’s taking A-levels in sociology, drama and theatre studies, but is particularly keen on level 3 criminology. “There’s a wealth of knowledge in criminology that can also be applied to real life, and it appeals to people who have a general interest in crime.”
Others are equally enthusiastic. Jessica Ramsdall, 26, from Devon, says that she loved studying for her degree in criminology at Cardiff University, which she did having taken the subject at level 3.
She now works for a charity with survivors of sexual abuse, and will hear their experiences or look at why things happened, and much of it relates back to her studies. “I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without it. I’d always recommend it.”
Criminology touches on several academic disciplines, including politics, sociology, psychology and law. It explores the causes of crime, the impact it has, and how society can try to prevent it.
Eduqas is one of the largest providers of qualifications for schools, academies, sixth form and further education colleges across England. It is the only exam board in England to offer a level 3 qualification in criminology, which can be studied as a level 3 applied certificate in criminology and also a more in-depth level 3 applied diploma in criminology, which is worth up to 56 UCAS points. Students often follow the certificate in the first year before working towards the diploma in the second. The subject will continue to be funded for new starters until at least July 2027.
“It’s very popular. We launched it four years ago, and it’s gone from strength to strength,” says Dr Matt Lamb, principal of Central Saint Michael’s (CSM) sixth form in West Bromwich, which is part of Sandwell College, the largest provider of 16-19 study programmes in the West Midlands. Of the 900 pupils at CSM, 150 are studying criminology.
“They’re learning why people commit crime, how the criminal justice system works, and about punishment versus rehabilitation. It’s a really, really topical subject and students gain a unique perspective. They thoroughly enjoy it and the results here are really good.”
Emma Edwards, an Eduqas criminology subject officer, agrees. She says 16-19 year olds are “fascinated” by it, and it’s become really popular. “It’s unique. They can study sociology, psychology or law and there are elements of criminology in there, but this is a distinct academic discipline that really does tap into something with young people. It leads many of them to go on to higher education.”
One reason for its popularity is that the course allows students to discuss contemporary issues, she says. “It’s so pertinent. They get to assess whether formal punishments actually meet their aims, and it’s so topical after the crisis of overcrowding in prisons and the early release of prisoners.”
Often studied alongside A-levels, what sets it apart is the way it is assessed: 50% through exams and 50% non-examined assessment. Lamb says this change in emphasis appeals to a wider range of students.
Some CSM pupils live in the borough of Sandwell, one of the most deprived areas in the country, with low progression to higher education, says Lamb. He believes the level 3 in criminology is a rigorous qualification while also being a “more accessible qualification for more marginal students, or for those for whom exams may be less suitable. A-levels, with their stress on 100% exams in a lot of subjects, preclude some learners who may have the potential for university but whose learning styles means that they are less suited for exams.”
For Satchelle, one of the “massive benefits” of the Eduqas level 3 qualification is the way it is tested. There are four units that are assessed across the two years rather than in a single final exam.
Although its popularity is in part down to the current appetite for crime dramas and podcasts, the qualification can pave the way to higher education and, ultimately, graduate careers in the criminal justice sector, social and probation work, as well as sociology and psychology. At CSM, students have gone on to become solicitors, barristers or employed by the probation service. “They’re learning real-world transferable skills that are useful in youth work, social work, teaching and a wide range of jobs,” says Lamb.
Other associated fields are policing and forensics. “We have a lot of criminology students in Kent and a lot of them have gone on to work for Border Force, for example,” says Edwards. “It’s very appealing and these are areas where we really do need people.”
Satchelle, too, seems to have it all mapped out. His long-term plan is to do a police constable degree apprenticeship. “This will allow me to get paid while I’m on the job and experience first-hand the effects that crime can have on our society rather than just hearing about it in the news or in a documentary,” he says. “I really am passionate about it.”
Find out more about the Eduqas qualification in Criminology
