Criminology is the study of crime and its effects on victims and society, and the workings of the criminal justice system including the police, courts, and prisons. 

Criminology is a great choice if you want a career in an organization associated with the criminal justice system.

In the Criminology major, you develop a sound understanding of criminology in national and international contexts. 

You explore crime and policing in New Zealand and overseas, approaches to crime prevention and punishment, restorative justice, and critical issues facing the criminal justice system. 

Throughout the major, you develop problem-solving skills related to criminology and criminal justice. It’s also available as a minor at Auckland University of Technology.

What this major covers

Criminology and Criminal Justice courses

• Introduction to Psychology A
• Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Social Institutions
• Understanding Crime
• Policing and Society
• Methods of Social Research
• The Police and Crime Prevention
• Prisons and Punishment
• Understanding Restorative Justice
• Crime and Deviance

Workplace experience

Workplace experience is an important part of your degree, and the Work Integrated Learning course is the final part of your degree. 

This is a supervised work placement related to your major(s), for an organization of your choice. 

It's a great way to get industry experience while still being able to get feedback from AUT lecturers, and for many of AUT's students, this workplace experience also leads to a job offer.

Recent placements included Department of Corrections, Just Speak, New Zealand Police, Prison Fellowship New Zealand, Rethinking Crime and Punishment, South Auckland Violence Protection Network, TYLA (Turn Your Life Around).

• Certified copy of your birth certificate or passport
• Certified copy of marriage certificate (If required)
• Official academic transcripts
• English Language Proficiency (If Available)
• CV/Work experience (If required)
• A copy of the document(s) in the original language/and official English translation

All applicants need to meet AUT’s minimum entry requirements qualification equivalent to New Zealand year 13 or University Entrance.

High school qualifications from different countries:

India: 

• 12 years of schooling with an overall average of 75% in four academic subjects, including a min 60% in English from the All-India Senior Certificate (AISSC).
• All other Higher Secondary State Board Examinations require an overall average of 80% in four academic subjects with a min 65% in English.

China:

• Senior High School graduation plus one year of successful study at bachelor's level; or
• Senior High School graduation plus completion of a two-year diploma, with good grades, at a recognized university.
• A Tier 1 score in the National University Entrance Examination (Gaokao) at a recognized institution

Don’t meet the entry requirements?

Consider starting with:

• Diploma in Arts

Foundation programmes

If you don’t have the academic qualifications needed for direct entry into an AUT programme, you can enroll in a foundation programme.

If you successfully complete the foundation programme and get the required grades, you are guaranteed entry into an appropriate AUT programme.