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Original poster

Any advice on WJEC criminology?

12 replies

BromCavMum · 12/11/2023 20:17

My DD is in year 11 and would like to do Criminology along with A levels. Does anyone have experience of your child taking this?

I've heard from teacher friends that this is a poorly regarded 'soft' course. DD wants a job that involves working in law, either police or as a lawyer. (I'm skeptical that she will like police work. She doesn't like dealing with difficult people). Does anyone have a child who's completed the course? Were they happy with it? Did it meet their expectations and help them towards their goals?

Any negative experience of it? I don't want to discourage her interest, but I want to give her a realistic assessment of the course. Her academic ability is average. Would she better taking 3 more challenging A levels, or combining 2 A levels with criminology.

TIA for your advice/experience. All experienced opinions welcome

OP posts:
tennissquare · 12/11/2023 21:26

Do you mean BTEC in Criminology? The course is due to be funded in Sept 2024 when your dd will be starting but it is 1 of the Btecs under review for funding by the dept of education, if you goggle Btec criminology wjec there is a summer 23 update on the website.

It's fine for your dd to take and it's very popular but the dept for education isn't keen on it!

teenagersandatoddler · 12/11/2023 21:27

Following

goosebumps · 17/11/2023 16:58

My DS is in year 13 doing the wjec criminology course alongside two A Levels. It's his favourite subject and he's applying for criminology at uni. The course has been good as half is done and dusted in year 12 so he's already halfway to a B so there's less pressure this year compared to his other subjects which are all exam based at the end of year 13. I think it is possibly the easier of his subjects but not a soft option. He's learning about the criminal justice system at the moment. It's a fascinating and very broad subject.

worrywart111 · 17/11/2023 17:05

she is best off doing what she enjoys and is interested in

TizerorFizz · 20/11/2023 21:14

@BromCavMum That course has no advantage for a law career. Criminology at uni is of limited use too for conversion to law and actually getting a job.

She needs to decide if she really is academic enough for a Law degree. It’s hugely competitive to get a law training contract post degree so she will ideally need academic A levels (3) and a degree in law or another academic degree which then requires conversion to law. She could work as a paralegal with either criminology or law. So set goals according to ability and don’t assume studying criminology or Law A level is particularly helpful. Other subjects and skills are better prep.

For better law degrees, studying what she likes might not work out. You should be aware, it’s a hugely competitive area of work and many degrees with good work outcomes are competitive too so good academics will be required.

There are other law jobs in company law departments and local government which are likely to be less competitive. Being a solicitor or barrister might be a stretch if she’s middling at school.

Myotherusernamesafunnyone · 20/11/2023 21:19

TizerorFizz · 20/11/2023 21:14

@BromCavMum That course has no advantage for a law career. Criminology at uni is of limited use too for conversion to law and actually getting a job.

She needs to decide if she really is academic enough for a Law degree. It’s hugely competitive to get a law training contract post degree so she will ideally need academic A levels (3) and a degree in law or another academic degree which then requires conversion to law. She could work as a paralegal with either criminology or law. So set goals according to ability and don’t assume studying criminology or Law A level is particularly helpful. Other subjects and skills are better prep.

For better law degrees, studying what she likes might not work out. You should be aware, it’s a hugely competitive area of work and many degrees with good work outcomes are competitive too so good academics will be required.

There are other law jobs in company law departments and local government which are likely to be less competitive. Being a solicitor or barrister might be a stretch if she’s middling at school.

I was going to type out a reply but read this and it pretty much sums it up! Criminology isn't necessarily useful for a career as a lawyer. Also, many areas of law, if not all, also involve dealing with 'difficult people'!

Poblano · 20/11/2023 21:29

Several of DD's friends are studying Criminology in Y12 and really enjoy it. However, DD is considering Law at university and took part in a summer school where they told her that it wasn't a particularly useful subject for getting a place on a law degree.

tennissquare · 20/11/2023 21:34

I have heard this is why the Btec may be defunded by the DfE because it doesn't help with a legal career path etc.

SugarMiceInTheRain · 20/11/2023 21:34

At our 6th form, WJEC Criminology level 3 is only offered as an extension course to be done in addition to 3 A-levels. Sort of viewed as equivalent to an AS level. I wouldn't do it in place or an A level.

TizerorFizz · 20/11/2023 22:04

To convert to law, you study the modules I’ve attached. Criminology features in two of them.

Any advice on WJEC criminology?
tennissquare · 30/11/2023 22:43

I heard a stat today that there are currently more students studying criminology Btec than taking T levels. The DfE has spent £1 billion setting up T levels and is planning to defund criminology (because whilst students like studying it, it doesn't help career wise). It's quite amazing how the DfE is mad keen on vocational pathways!

TizerorFizz · 01/12/2023 06:41

It’s not unreasonable to think many young people shouldn’t take A levels but should do vocational subjects. Preferably ones where we have lots of job vacancies!!

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