Requirements to Study Criminology in South Africa

On this page, we specifically look at the high school requirements, such as subjects and the aps scores, to be accepted into Criminology qualifications in South African universities. We also look at various institutions that offer criminology courses in South Africa

For you to study criminology in South Africa, you will need the following subjects from Grade 12:

• English
• Mathematics, or Maths Literacy

Other subjects, such as History, Geography, and Life Science, can be very helpful in terms of understanding the course in general.

We looked at UCT, UP, and UKZN, to find out what APS scores and subjects are they looking for:

• University of Cape Town (UCT): BSocSci in Criminology. Requires an APS of around 45, with specific scores in English and Mathematics/Math Literacy.
• University of Pretoria (UP): BA in Criminology. Applicants must meet APS requirements and have a strong score in English.
• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN): BSocSci in Criminology and Forensic Studies. Focus on general admission requirements with an emphasis on Social Science subjects.

Criminology Courses and Cost to Study in South Africa

We have made a list of the most popular criminology and forensic studies courses that you can look at, together with the places they are offered at. We have also included the cost or study fees for each course listed so that you can plan better.

Below is a list of criminology courses which are offered by South African universities:

1. University of South Africa (UNISA)

• Bachelor of Arts in Criminology
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology

Study costs: R25,000 to R35,000 per year.

2. University of Pretoria

• Bachelor of Social Science in Criminology

Study costs: R45,000 to R55,000

3. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)

• Bachelor of Social Science in Criminology

Study costs: R35,000 and R45,000 per year.

4. University of the Free State (UFS)

• Bachelor of Social Science in Criminology

Study costs: R40,000 to R50,000 per year.

5. University of Cape Town (UCT)

• Master’s in Criminology

Study costs: R60,000 to R80,000 per year

6. Stellenbosch University

• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminology

Study costs: R50,000 to R65,000

Bachelor of Arts in Criminology Modules

Based on Unisa BA Criminology degree structure, the following are the modules you are expected to complete in order to graduate with a Criminology Degree in South Africa:

First Year:

• Introduction to Criminology: Crime, Offenders and Criminal Behaviour
• Introduction to Criminology: Victims and Reduction of Crime
• Introduction to Criminology: Reaction to Crime
• Practising Workplace English
• Social Dimensions of Justice
• Law Stream:
  • Introduction to the General Principles of Criminal Law
  • Introduction to Law
  • Skills Course for Law Students
• Corrections Management Stream:
  • Introduction to Fundamental Penology
  • Introduction to Corrections Science
  • Correctional Skills
• Psychology Stream:
  • Psychological Processes in Work Context
  • Personality in Work Context
  • Psychology in Society

Second Year

• Crime Risk Perspectives
• Principles of Crime Prevention, Reduction and Control
• Child and Youth Misbehaviour
• Dealing with Young Offenders
• An Introduction to Research Methodology in Criminology
• Law Stream:
  • Administrative Law
  • General Principles of Criminal Law
  • Selected Topics of Criminal Law
  • Constitutional Law
  • Fundamental Rights
  • Interpretation of Statutes
  • Family Law
• Corrections Management Stream:
  • Fundamental Penology
  • Social Dynamics in a Correctional Centre
  • Community Corrections
  • Introduction to Correctional Management
  • Correctional Services Administration: Correctional Security
  • Admission and Release Mechanisms
  • Correction and Care
• Psychology Stream:
  • Organisational Psychology
  • Psychological Adjustment in the Work Context
  • Human Capacity Development
  • Forensic Industrial Psychology
  • Personality Theories
  • HIV/AIDS Care and Counselling
  • Community Psychology: Building Foundations

Third Year:

• The Explanation of Crime
• Crime Typologies
• Formal Reaction to Crime
• Victimology
• Contemporary Criminological Issues
• Qualitative Research Methodology in Criminology
• Quantitative Research Methodology in Criminology
• Law Stream:
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Law of Evidence
  • Labour Law
• Corrections Management Stream:
  • Restorative Justice in Corrections
  • Special Needs Offenders
  • Youth Corrections
• Psychology Stream:
  • Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health
  • Cognition: Thinking, Memory and Problem Solving
  • Community Psychology: Working for Change