Bachelor of Criminal Justice
BCJ
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Criminal Justice
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry times
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)
Fees Estimate
Scholarships
Pathways
Pathways include:
- Master of Criminal Justice
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Download Brochure
Overview
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ) is the first degree of its kind in Aotearoa, combining multidisciplinary academic study with a strong vocational focus.
Criminal Justice studies take a 360-degree look at the criminal justice system and its processes, including governance, enforcement, rehabilitation, and improvement. The degree draws together UC’s expertise in criminology, sociology, developmental and behavioural psychology, policing, criminal law and procedure, and human services.
- Strong links with employers in the crime and justice fields gives you the chance to work closely with current policies and legislation.
- Enjoy learning from courses across criminology, sociology, developmental and behavioural psychology, criminal law and procedure, policing, and human services.
- Join student club CRIMSOC and meet like-minded students dedicated to Criminal Justice.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Recommended preparation
The BCJ does not require a background in any specific subject at secondary school and is open to anyone with entry to the University.
Bachelor of Criminal Justice – example degree structure
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Compulsory courses
-
Elective courses
(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.
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice requires 360 points:
- 255 or 270 points of compulsory courses (depending on courses chosen at second year)
- at least 90 points of approved elective courses
- 15 points from the Bachelor of Criminal Justice or from other degrees.
A minimum of 135 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.
The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
First year
In the first year all courses are compulsory, to a total of 120 points (with another 15 points of 100-level compulsory courses usually taken in the second year).
Second year
In the second year you will take either 75 or 90 compulsory 200-level points. The difference in points depends on whether you take CRJU202 Criminal Law for Criminal Justice (15 points) or LAWS202 Criminal Law (30 points). The remaining 15 or 30 points at 200-level will be selected from the list of elective courses.
Third year
At third year there are 45 points of compulsory courses, with a choice of 60 points at 200 and 300-level from the list of elective courses. A final 15-point course at 200 or 300-level can also be completed from the list, or from courses in any other degree at UC.
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.
The BCJ is a multidisciplinary degree that includes study across different subject areas and options to select topics of interest, including criminal behaviour, rehabilitation, human ethics, and many more.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
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
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.
These courses are completed during the second and third years of study.
UC offers a Master of Criminal Justice and a PhD in Criminal Justice, as well as other qualifications in similar subjects, such as Law and Psychology.
- Practical experience examining our justice system and identifying opportunities for reform.
- Opportunity to increase your skills while working.
- Graduates work in probation and parole, forensics, public and private investigation and security, social work, criminal justice policy, and the police.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
| 2023 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $6,851 |
| 2022 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $6,668 |
| Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) | Fees (NZD) Excl GST |
| 2022 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $32,150 | $27,957 |
| 2023 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $33,475 | $29,109 |
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice.
For study planning help, contact a Student Advisor.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kaupeka Ture | Faculty of Law.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).