Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Criminal Justice is a 360-point interdisciplinary degree focused specifically on criminal justice and the systems that respond to crime.
• UC describes it as the first degree of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• The programme combines criminology, sociology, developmental and behavioural psychology, criminal law and procedure, policing, and human services.
• Students study the criminal justice system from a broad perspective, including governance, enforcement, rehabilitation and opportunities for improvement.
• The programme has strong links with employers in crime and justice, allowing students to engage with current policies and legislation.
• Students can develop practical and research skills relevant to policing, corrections, rehabilitation, justice policy and related fields.
• UC also provides an option to study the BCJ alongside another degree, such as the Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Science.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The BCJ is highly interdisciplinary. UC's current on-campus structure is as follows.

Year 1 – compulsory courses:

• 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 additional course selected from the specified options.

Year 2 – compulsory courses:

• 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

Students can have a different structure if they are completing the BCJ with the Bachelor of Laws.

Year 3 – compulsory courses:

• CRJU301 – Sentencing Theory and Practice
• CRJU302 – Prisons and Corrections

Disciplines / Specialisations

The BCJ is not structured around traditional named majors. Instead, it combines several criminal-justice-related disciplines.

Core areas include:

• Criminal justice
• Criminology
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Criminal law
• Legal procedure
• Policing
• Human services
• Corrections
• Rehabilitation
• Justice policy
• Ethics
• M?ori and Indigenous perspectives
• Youth and social issues

In the second and third years, students can use electives to focus more strongly on areas of interest. UC specifically identifies topics such as:

• Criminology
• Developmental and behavioural psychology
• Criminal law and procedure
• Human services
• Policing
• Forensic science
• Linguistics
• Financial crime
• Sentencing policy and practice.

Programme Highlights

• First university degree of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand, according to UC.
• 360-point bachelor's degree.
• 3 years full-time.
• February and July entry.
• On-campus or fully online study.
• Interdisciplinary curriculum.
• Strong connection with the police and justice sector.
• Employer links and exposure to current policy and legislation.
• Research opportunities.
• Practical focus on criminal justice systems and reform.
• Opportunity to combine the BCJ with another degree.
• Further study options include postgraduate criminal justice qualifications and PhD study.

Career Outcomes

UC identifies career opportunities in areas including:

• Police
• Probation
• Parole
• Corrections
• Forensics
• Public investigation
• Private investigation
• Security
• Social work
• Criminal justice policy
• Criminal justice reform
• Government agencies
• Youth justice
• Offender rehabilitation
• Border control
• Criminal-law-related roles.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• UC's current BCJ page lists the programme for February and July entry.
• The qualification currently has both on-campus and fully online options.
• The online programme has different term dates and a more prescribed course list.
• The current international tuition estimate is NZ$39,560 per 120 points for 2027.
• UC's 2027 International Prospectus is now listed on the programme page.
• The BCJ does not require a specific secondary-school subject background.
• The degree has a specific interdisciplinary structure, so students should carefully review the compulsory and elective course requirements before choosing the online option.
• For students considering the LLB/BCJ double degree, specific course substitutions apply, and the minimum double-degree timeframe is five years full-time.

International Student Visa Requirements

For a normal international fee-paying student, the relevant visa is the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that applicants need, among other requirements:

• An Offer of Place from an approved education provider.
• Sufficient funds to pay tuition fees or an acceptable scholarship.
• Sufficient funds for living expenses or an acceptable sponsor.
• Acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Good health and character.
• Genuine reasons for coming to New Zealand to study.
• Evidence that they can leave New Zealand at the end of their stay.
• Any medical, police or other documentation required for their circumstances.

Current visa information:

• Visa: Fee Paying Student Visa
• Cost: from NZ$850
• Maximum stay: up to 4 years
• Online applications: required; paper applications are no longer accepted.
• Immigration New Zealand strongly encourages students to apply about three months before their intended travel date.

Living-funds requirement:

• NZ$20,000 for each year for tertiary study lasting one year or more.
• NZ$1,667 per month if the study period is shorter than one year.