Bachelor of Criminal Justice
- Degree Structure - Start In
- Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
360
Overview
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
Understand how justice systems work, where they can improve, and develop the knowledge and skills to contribute to a fairer and more effective criminal justice system.
UC is the only university in Aotearoa New Zealand offering a Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ). This multidisciplinary degree brings together criminal justice, law, psychology, sociology and human services, combining academic study with a strong focus on the justice system.
You’ll build a broad understanding of areas including policing, criminal law, crime and justice, sentencing, corrections, and rehabilitation, while having opportunities to shape your study around the topics and career areas that interest you.
Online study option
You can study either on campus or exclusively online. The online programme follows different term dates and has a more prescribed course list.
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
You will:
- study criminal justice from multiple perspectives, drawing on criminal justice, law, psychology, sociology and human services
- examine areas including crime and justice, criminal law, policing, sentencing, corrections and rehabilitation
- engage with current policies, legislation and issues affecting the justice sector
- develop skills in analysis, research, critical thinking and problem-solving
- choose from a range of electives in your second and third years to explore areas that match your interests and career goals
- learn in a programme with strong links to employers and the wider crime and justice sector.
Learn more about Criminal Justice as a subject.
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
You will:
- study criminal justice from multiple perspectives, drawing on criminal justice, law, psychology, sociology and human services
- examine areas including crime and justice, criminal law, policing, sentencing, corrections and rehabilitation
- engage with current policies, legislation and issues affecting the justice sector
- develop skills in analysis, research, critical thinking and problem-solving
- choose from a range of electives in your second and third years to explore areas that match your interests and career goals
- learn in a programme with strong links to employers and the wider crime and justice sector.
Learn more about Criminal Justice as a subject.
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
To enrol in the degree, you will need:
- University Entrance (or equivalent). UC offers transition programmes for those who need help meeting these requirements.
- If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's Undergraduate language requirements. See how to provide your English language evidence to UC. If you need help meeting these requirements, or would like to practise your English skills before studying, UC offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) language programmes.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice or use the admission requirements checker.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
To enrol in the degree, you will need:
- University Entrance (or equivalent). UC offers transition programmes for those who need help meeting these requirements.
- If English is not your first language, you are also required to meet UC's Undergraduate language requirements. See how to provide your English language evidence to UC. If you need help meeting these requirements, or would like to practise your English skills before studying, UC offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) language programmes.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice or use the admission requirements checker.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice is a 360-point degree, usually completed in three years of full-time study.
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice.
Your first year provides a foundation across the disciplines that contribute to Criminal Justice. As you progress through the degree, you’ll combine compulsory Criminal Justice study with electives that allow you to explore particular areas of interest.
First year
Your first year introduces you to the criminal justice system alongside relevant perspectives from law, psychology, and human services.
All first-year courses are compulsory, giving you the broad foundation needed for more specialised study later in the degree.
Second year
In your second year, you’ll build your understanding of crime, justice and criminal law while beginning to introduce elective study.
Depending on your course choices, you can start shaping your degree towards the areas of criminal justice that interest you most.
Third year
Your third year includes advanced Criminal Justice study in areas such as sentencing and corrections alongside a wider choice of electives.
This gives you the flexibility to develop deeper knowledge in areas relevant to your interests, further study or career goals.
Double degrees
It is possible to study a Bachelor of Criminal Justice alongside other degrees at the same time, such as the Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Science.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
Online study option
You can study either on campus or exclusively online.
The online programme follows different term dates and has a more prescribed course list.
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice is a 360-point degree, usually completed in three years of full-time study.
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice.
Your first year provides a foundation across the disciplines that contribute to Criminal Justice. As you progress through the degree, you’ll combine compulsory Criminal Justice study with electives that allow you to explore particular areas of interest.
First year
Your first year introduces you to the criminal justice system alongside relevant perspectives from law, psychology, and human services.
All first-year courses are compulsory, giving you the broad foundation needed for more specialised study later in the degree.
Second year
In your second year, you’ll build your understanding of crime, justice and criminal law while beginning to introduce elective study.
Depending on your course choices, you can start shaping your degree towards the areas of criminal justice that interest you most.
Third year
Your third year includes advanced Criminal Justice study in areas such as sentencing and corrections alongside a wider choice of electives.
This gives you the flexibility to develop deeper knowledge in areas relevant to your interests, further study or career goals.
Double degrees
It is possible to study a Bachelor of Criminal Justice alongside other degrees at the same time, such as the Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Science.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
Online study option
You can study either on campus or exclusively online. The online programme follows different term dates and has a more prescribed course list.
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
The BCJ combines compulsory study with elective courses from across Criminal Justice and related disciplines.
Your compulsory courses give you a strong grounding in the justice system and its processes. In your second and third years, electives allow you to explore topics such as:
- criminal behaviour
- policing
- criminal law and procedure
- rehabilitation and corrections
- psychology and law
- mental health and criminal justice
- human services
- crime, policy, and social issues.
If you are completing the online version of the BCJ, see Tuihono UC | UC Online for your course details.
For study on campus you will complete the following courses:
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- CRJU101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJU150 Legal Method in the Criminal Justice Context
- CRJU160 Legal Issues in the New Zealand Criminal Justice System
- HSRV103 Violence in Society
- HSRV104 Youth Realities
- PSYC105 Introductory Psychology – Brain, Behaviour and Cognition
- PSYC106 Introductory Psychology – Social, Personality and Developmental
- One course chosen from these options
If enrolled in the double degree BCJ and Bachelor of Laws, LAWS101 Legal System: Legal Method and Institutions is taken instead of CRJU150 and CRJU160.
Year 2
- HSRV210 Gender, Crime and Social Theory
- MAOR219 Te Tiriti: The Treaty of Waitangi
- SOCI293 The History of Gangs in New Zealand
- PHIL139 Ethics, Politics and Justice
- CRJU201 Crime and Justice
- CRJU202 Criminal Law for Criminal Justice
If enrolled in the double degree BCJ and Bachelor of Laws, LAW202 Criminal Law is taken instead of CRJU202.
Year 3
Elective courses
Elective courses are completed during the second and third years of study.
You must complete 105 points from this list of elective courses (or 90 if enrolled in a double degree BCJ and Bachelor of Laws). At least 45 points must be at 300-level.
One 15-point course at 200-level or 300-level can be chosen from courses from any other UC degree.
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
The BCJ combines compulsory study with elective courses from across Criminal Justice and related disciplines.
Your compulsory courses give you a strong grounding in the justice system and its processes. In your second and third years, electives allow you to explore topics such as:
- criminal behaviour
- policing
- criminal law and procedure
- rehabilitation and corrections
- psychology and law
- mental health and criminal justice
- human services
- crime, policy, and social issues.
If you are completing the online version of the BCJ, see Tuihono UC | UC Online for your course details.
For study on campus you will complete the following courses:
Compulsory courses
Year 1
- CRJU101 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJU150 Legal Method in the Criminal Justice Context
- CRJU160 Legal Issues in the New Zealand Criminal Justice System
- HSRV103 Violence in Society
- HSRV104 Youth Realities
- PSYC105 Introductory Psychology – Brain, Behaviour and Cognition
- PSYC106 Introductory Psychology – Social, Personality and Developmental
- One course chosen from these options
If enrolled in the double degree BCJ and Bachelor of Laws, LAWS101 Legal System: Legal Method and Institutions is taken instead of CRJU150 and CRJU160.
Year 2
- HSRV210 Gender, Crime and Social Theory
- MAOR219 Te Tiriti: The Treaty of Waitangi
- SOCI293 The History of Gangs in New Zealand
- PHIL139 Ethics, Politics and Justice
- CRJU201 Crime and Justice
- CRJU202 Criminal Law for Criminal Justice
If enrolled in the double degree BCJ and Bachelor of Laws, LAW202 Criminal Law is taken instead of CRJU202.
Year 3
Elective courses
Elective courses are completed during the second and third years of study.
You must complete 105 points from this list of elective courses (or 90 if enrolled in a double degree BCJ and Bachelor of Laws). At least 45 points must be at 300-level.
One 15-point course at 200-level or 300-level can be chosen from courses from any other UC degree.
Domestic students
2026 tuition fee estimate: $7,914 per 120 points
2027 tuition fee estimate: $8,389 per 120 points
International students
2026 tuition fee estimate: $37,890 per 120 points
2027 tuition fee estimate: $39,560 per 120 points
2028 tuition fee estimate: $41,540 per 120 points
Domestic students
2026 tuition fee estimate: $7,914 per 120 points
2027 tuition fee estimate: $8,389 per 120 points
International students
2026 tuition fee estimate: $37,890 per 120 points
2027 tuition fee estimate: $39,560 per 120 points
2028 tuition fee estimate: $41,540 per 120 points
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
After completing the Bachelor of Criminal Justice, you can continue your study through qualifications including:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Criminal Justice
- Postgraduate Diploma in Criminal Justice
- Master of Criminal Justice
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
After completing the Bachelor of Criminal Justice, you can continue your study through qualifications including:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Criminal Justice
- Postgraduate Diploma in Criminal Justice
- Master of Criminal Justice
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice prepares you for roles across the justice system and related government, community, and security sectors.
Graduates may find work in areas such as:
- policing
- probation and parole
- corrections and rehabilitation
- criminal justice policy
- forensics
- public and private investigation
- intelligence and security
- restorative justice and reintegration services
- government and community services.
Throughout your degree you will develop transferable skills in research, critical analysis, communication and problem-solving alongside your specialist understanding of criminal justice.
Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice prepares you for roles across the justice system and related government, community, and security sectors.
Graduates may find work in areas such as:
- policing
- probation and parole
- corrections and rehabilitation
- criminal justice policy
- forensics
- public and private investigation
- intelligence and security
- restorative justice and reintegration services
- government and community services.
Throughout your degree you will develop transferable skills in research, critical analysis, communication and problem-solving alongside your specialist understanding of criminal justice.
Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.
Example degree structure diagram
(1) Students enrolling in the LLB/BCJ double degree will enrol in LAWS101 instead of CRJU150 and CRJU160.
(2) Students enrolling in the LLB/BCJ double degree will enrol in LAWS202 instead of CRJU202.
(3) If LAWS202 taken, then 45 points from the 200-level electives. If CRJU202 taken, then 60 points from the 200-level electives.
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice.
