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Bachelor's degree

Bachelor of Criminal Justice

BCJ
06 October 2023

Our Bachelor of Criminal Justice (BCJ) is the first degree of its kind in Aotearoa. It combines multidisciplinary academic study with a strong vocational focus. Find out about studying a BCJ through UC's Te Kaupeka Toi Tangata | Faculty of Law.泭

START

Bachelor of Criminal Justice

Degree Structure - Start In
Semester 1 or 2 (February or July)

POINTS

360

DURATION

Bachelor of Criminal Justice

Degree Structure - Duration
3 years full-time, up to 10 years part-time

Overview


Bachelor of Criminal Justice

Introduction

The 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 UCs expertise in criminology, sociology, developmental and behavioural psychology, policing, criminal law and procedure, and human services.

Bachelor of Criminal Justice

What will my study involve?

  • Strong links with employers in the crime and justice fields gives you the chance to work closely with current policies and泭legislation.
  • Enjoy learning from courses across criminology, sociology, developmental and behavioural psychology, criminal law and procedure, policing, and human泭services.
  • Join student club CRIMSOC and meet like-minded students.

Bachelor of Criminal Justice

Entry requirements

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.

See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.

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

How do I plan my degree?

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.

For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice.

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 (15 points) or (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.

Bachelor of Criminal Justice

Subjects and courses

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.

Compulsory courses

Year 1

If enrolled in the double degree BCJ and Bachelor of Laws, is taken instead of CRJU150 and CRJU160.

Year 2

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 (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.

Domestic students

2024 tuition fee estimate:泭$7,043 per 120 points
2025 tuition fee estimate: $7,466 per 120 points

International students

2024 tuition fee estimate:泭$35,100 per 120 points
2025 tuition fee estimate:泭$36,470 per 120 points

Bachelor of Criminal Justice

Career ready

  • Practical experience examining our justice system and identifying opportunities for泭reform.
  • Opportunity to increase your skills while泭working.
  • Graduates work in areas such as probation and parole, forensics, public and private investigation and security, social work, criminal justice policy, and the police.

Find out more about what can you do with a degree from UC.


Example degree structure diagram
Bachelor of Criminal Justice

(1) Students enrolling in the LLB/BCJ double degree will enrol in泭instead of CRJU150 and CRJU160.

(2) Students enrolling in the LLB/BCJ double degree will enrol in泭泭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泭Regulations for the Bachelor of Criminal Justice.


Brochures

Law and Criminal Justice brochure 2025

Ture me te Muru Taihara

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International Prospectus 2024/2025

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