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School Leavers > Uniformed Public Services

Criminology and Psychology – Level 3

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Courses Code
QF3PSAC
Study method
Full Time
Location(s)
Tamworth
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  • Is this course for you?

    This course is for you if you have an interest in crime, behaviour, people, and society, and it has excellent progression routes available into public services, health, sport, or directly into higher education.

    It is a one-year course equivalent to 2 A Levels with the option of completing a second year to give you the chance to top up to the equivalent of 3 A Levels.

    The course:

    • Combines academic subjects with applied, career‑focused learning
    • Allows you to keep your options open until the end of the first year
    • Leads to strong UCAS tariff outcomes

    Upon successful completion of this course, you will achieve both the WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology and the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Applied Psychology.

    Completing a second year will also give you one of the following three qualifications:

    • NCFE Level 3 Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services (540)
    • NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care
    • NCFE Level 3 Diploma (540) in Sport and Physical Activity

  • Required qualifications

    To be accepted onto the course, you will need a minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, one of which must be either English or maths, or equivalent qualifications, or you will have passed a relevant Level 2 qualification and also have either GCSE English or maths.

    Adult learners aged 19+ with other qualifications and/or experience are also welcomed and are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

    You should have a good standard of English and maths, and a strong interest in the subject topics, as well as demonstrate a commitment to succeed.

  • What skills will I develop?

    In Year 1, you will build a strong academic foundation that supports all pathways in Year 2. Everyone will study:

    • Criminology: Explore crime, criminal behaviour, policing, courts, punishment, and the justice system
    • Psychology: Learn how psychology explains human behaviour, decision‑making, and mental processes

    If you progress to Year 2, you can choose to focus on one specialist pathway linked to your interests and career plans. Choose from:

    • Uniformed Public Services:
      • Ideal for policing, armed forces, fire service, public protection, and criminology degrees
      • You will develop leadership and teamwork, fitness and discipline, and an understanding of uniformed service roles
    • Health and Social Care:
      • Ideal for nursing, social work, health studies, care, and wellbeing routes
      • You will develop knowledge of how to support individuals’ health and wellbeing, communication and care skills, and work experience through placements
    • Sport:
      • Ideal for sports coaching, fitness, and physical education
      • You will develop coaching and leadership skills, fitness and performance knowledge, and practical sport and teamwork experience

  • Careers

    If your next steps are to progress onto university, here is an example breakdown of the UCAS points you can earn from the course.

    End of Year 1 (equivalent to 2 A Levels):

    Qualification Maximum UCAS points
    Criminology Diploma 48
    Psychology Certificate 56
    Total after Year 1 Up to 104 points

     

    End of Year 2 (equivalent to 3 A Levels):

    • 188 UCAS points is equivalent to around AAA
    • 160 UCAS points is equivalent to around AAB
    Qualification Maximum UCAS points Total maximum UCAS points after Year 2
    Uniformed Services Diploma 84 188
    Health and Social Care Diploma 56 160
    Sport and Physical Activity Diploma 84 188

     

    As well as university, this course can lead to apprenticeships, progression to an Extended Diploma in one of the specialist pathways if required, or directly into employment in a wide range of careers in the public services, health and social care, or sport industries.

  • Work experience

    Our courses will require you to complete work experience in a relevant industry setting to further develop your skills and support you in your chosen career.

    In Year 1, a minimum of 40 hours must be completed throughout the year.

    If you progress to Year 2, the minimum number of hours for that year will depend on your chosen specialist pathway:

    • Uniformed Public Services – 40 hours
    • Health and Social Care – 75 hours
    • Sport – 40 hours

  • English and maths

    If you are aged 16-18 and don’t have a Grade 4 or above in English or maths, you will be required to attend weekly GCSE classes during your time at college, and depending on your timetable, these may be evening classes.

    If you are aged 19+ and would like to gain a recognised qualification in English, maths, or both, you can explore the range of GCSE and Functional Skills courses we offer for adults at the college here.

    If you have already achieved a Grade 4 or above in English and maths, whilst you will not attend formal lessons, your English and maths skills will still be developed in all of the units on your course.

  • Other important information

    This is a heavily theory-based course, and you will require access to both a computer or laptop and the internet in order to complete independent research and assignments.

    There are no specific uniform requirements for the course, but there may be in your second year depending on which specialist pathway you choose.

    Enrichment opportunities will be available throughout the course, such as trips into the industry and welcoming guest speakers into college.

  • Is this course for you?

    This course is for you if you have an interest in crime, behaviour, people, and society, and it has excellent progression routes available into public services, health, sport, or directly into higher education.

    It is a one-year course equivalent to 2 A Levels with the option of completing a second year to give you the chance to top up to the equivalent of 3 A Levels.

    The course:

    • Combines academic subjects with applied, career‑focused learning
    • Allows you to keep your options open until the end of the first year
    • Leads to strong UCAS tariff outcomes

    Upon successful completion of this course, you will achieve both the WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Criminology and the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Applied Psychology.

    Completing a second year will also give you one of the following three qualifications:

    • NCFE Level 3 Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services (540)
    • NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care
    • NCFE Level 3 Diploma (540) in Sport and Physical Activity

  • Required qualifications

    To be accepted onto the course, you will need a minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, one of which must be either English or maths, or equivalent qualifications, or you will have passed a relevant Level 2 qualification and also have either GCSE English or maths.

    Adult learners aged 19+ with other qualifications and/or experience are also welcomed and are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

    You should have a good standard of English and maths, and a strong interest in the subject topics, as well as demonstrate a commitment to succeed.

  • What skills will I develop?

    In Year 1, you will build a strong academic foundation that supports all pathways in Year 2. Everyone will study:

    • Criminology: Explore crime, criminal behaviour, policing, courts, punishment, and the justice system
    • Psychology: Learn how psychology explains human behaviour, decision‑making, and mental processes

    If you progress to Year 2, you can choose to focus on one specialist pathway linked to your interests and career plans. Choose from:

    • Uniformed Public Services:
      • Ideal for policing, armed forces, fire service, public protection, and criminology degrees
      • You will develop leadership and teamwork, fitness and discipline, and an understanding of uniformed service roles
    • Health and Social Care:
      • Ideal for nursing, social work, health studies, care, and wellbeing routes
      • You will develop knowledge of how to support individuals’ health and wellbeing, communication and care skills, and work experience through placements
    • Sport:
      • Ideal for sports coaching, fitness, and physical education
      • You will develop coaching and leadership skills, fitness and performance knowledge, and practical sport and teamwork experience

  • Careers

    If your next steps are to progress onto university, here is an example breakdown of the UCAS points you can earn from the course.

    End of Year 1 (equivalent to 2 A Levels):

    Qualification Maximum UCAS points
    Criminology Diploma 48
    Psychology Certificate 56
    Total after Year 1 Up to 104 points

     

    End of Year 2 (equivalent to 3 A Levels):

    • 188 UCAS points is equivalent to around AAA
    • 160 UCAS points is equivalent to around AAB
    Qualification Maximum UCAS points Total maximum UCAS points after Year 2
    Uniformed Services Diploma 84 188
    Health and Social Care Diploma 56 160
    Sport and Physical Activity Diploma 84 188

     

    As well as university, this course can lead to apprenticeships, progression to an Extended Diploma in one of the specialist pathways if required, or directly into employment in a wide range of careers in the public services, health and social care, or sport industries.

  • Work experience

    Our courses will require you to complete work experience in a relevant industry setting to further develop your skills and support you in your chosen career.

    In Year 1, a minimum of 40 hours must be completed throughout the year.

    If you progress to Year 2, the minimum number of hours for that year will depend on your chosen specialist pathway:

    • Uniformed Public Services – 40 hours
    • Health and Social Care – 75 hours
    • Sport – 40 hours

  • English and maths

    If you are aged 16-18 and don’t have a Grade 4 or above in English or maths, you will be required to attend weekly GCSE classes during your time at college, and depending on your timetable, these may be evening classes.

    If you are aged 19+ and would like to gain a recognised qualification in English, maths, or both, you can explore the range of GCSE and Functional Skills courses we offer for adults at the college here.

    If you have already achieved a Grade 4 or above in English and maths, whilst you will not attend formal lessons, your English and maths skills will still be developed in all of the units on your course.

  • Other important information

    This is a heavily theory-based course, and you will require access to both a computer or laptop and the internet in order to complete independent research and assignments.

    There are no specific uniform requirements for the course, but there may be in your second year depending on which specialist pathway you choose.

    Enrichment opportunities will be available throughout the course, such as trips into the industry and welcoming guest speakers into college.

Apply for a course

  • Applied Diploma in Criminology Level 3 (LE3)

    Tamworth College

    Start Date: September

    Code: QTF3PSAC

    Full Time: 35 Weeks

    Day(s): Usually 3-4 days per week

    Apply
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