Graduate study in Criminology
Examine the social impacts of criminal behaviour
Criminology is currently one of the fastest growing and most popular areas of study in the social sciences internationally.
Criminology at Otago focuses on the critical study of crime and victimisation, theories of crime causation and prevention, the criminal justice system and the responses of the broader community to crime.
Why study Criminology?
The minor in Criminology provides the opportunity to study core concepts in criminology:
- crime and deviance
- social control
- crime and victimisation in the media and cultural discourses
- the shifting boundary between what is socially considered legitimate and criminal behaviour
- the wider institutional dynamics of legal systems
- justice processes and institutions.
Diploma for Graduates in Criminology
The Diploma for Graduates in Criminology enables students to develop a sophisticated understanding of how crime has been defined, researched, represented and governed across time and space, and in Aotearoa New Zealand today. We examine a wide variety of different forms of crime and theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding and researching crime.We explore the criminal justice system, victims' perspectives on crime, and crime in relation to gender, ethnicity, class, medial, culture, technology, the environment, and more.
The Diploma for Graduates is ideal for students planning towards careers in areas such as social work, law, human rights, justice advocacy, the criminal justice system, violence prevention, and victim support. Our programme can also serve as a bridge to postgraduate study.
The Diploma for Graduates in Criminology consists of papers worth at least 120 points, of which four papers are at 300-level or above. The programme may be completed in one year full-time, or over more than one year part-time.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Criminology as an undergraduate at Otago.
Graduate Qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Programme details
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Note: Endorsement may require enrolment in papers totalling more than 120 points, depending on the extent of prior study in relevant subjects and whether the student wishes to be eligible for postgraduate study in the subject of endorsement.
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
CRIM papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRIM201 | 2025 | Crime, Justice and Society | 18 points | Semester 1 |
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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