This A Level pathway includes two core subjects and your choice of a third subject:

Criminology

This course is ideal for School Leavers who want to pursue a career in the fascinating fields of criminology or law. 

Successful completion of the first year leads to a Certificate in Criminology, while the second year leads to the Diploma. Your first year involves studying the psychology of crime, and exploring how the media choose to reflect it. The second year brings more investigative work to the course, with topics covering forensics and judiciary processes being discovered and analysed. By the end of the course, you will also have considered the effectiveness of different techniques used to combat criminal behaviours.

This is a BTEC qualification equivalent to one A Level, studied alongside two A Levels. You can find out more about Level 3 Diploma in Criminology via the link below.

Level 3 Diploma in Criminology Course

Sociology

Sociology seeks to understand how groups of people interact with each other within society and why this differs between societies. This fascinating subject explores the influences that culture, class, power, crime, inequality, gender, ethnicity and more, all have on societal behaviour. The study of sociology can lead to a wide range of progression options.

Plus your choice of either:

Choice 1: Psychology

Studying psychology will give you a fascinating insight into the human mind, seeking to explain human behaviour and interaction through scientific research and social experiments. You will explore the different branches of psychology that seek to explain our thoughts, emotions and behaviour, discovering the influences of biology, child development, mental health and more.

Choice 2: Philosophy

Philosophy explores the responses to some of life’s big questions, encouraging you to question and analyse your own views of the world around us. You will learn to develop logical arguments supported by observational evidence, as well as examining the discoveries and opinions of the world’s most famous philosophical thinkers.

Choice 3: Biology

Have you ever wondered what the human body is made of, how we fight off diseases, and what role plants play in our lives? The study of biology provides a fascinating insight into all of these areas and more. At Farnborough, you will learn hands-on in our science lab, bringing biology to life through exciting experiments, research projects and dissections.

What Next?

Studying Criminology/Social Sciences at A Level will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to progress onto a higher level of study such as university. You could also progress into a career in the sector, subject to qualification requirements. 

Example Jobs in Sociology:

• Sociologist
• Social Worker
• Journalist
• Academic

Example Jobs in Criminology:

• Police detective
• Prison officer
• Civil service administrator
• Social worker
• Youth worker

You can find out more about differet careers on the National Careers Service website.

National Careers Service

What previous qualifications and experience will I need?

From School:

• Five GCSEs at grades 9-4 (including English and maths).

From College:

• Relevant level 2 qualification at merit grade or higher (including English and maths GCSEs at grades 9-4)

Additional grades are needed for the A Levels below:

• Maths A Level: Grade 6 at GCSE maths
• Psychology A Level: Grade 5 at GCSE maths
• Biology. Chemistry, and Physics A Level: GCSE grade 5 in subject or 5 in core and additional science; plus grade 5 in maths