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Bachelor of Arts in Criminology

Qualification code: 98681
NQF level: 7
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 101244
APS/AS: 20
Rules:
Students should note that during the course of their studies, they would be required to have access to a computer, printer and the internet. Some of the pre-requisites and/or co-requisites outlined in this qualification may not apply as they do not form part of the curriculum. Students who have passed phased out modules will retain the credit and do not need to pass the replacement modules. However, phased out modules must have been passed for this specific qualification and it does not necessarily mean the modules are equivalent. ENN1504 has replaced with ENG1504. EUP1501 has replaced with SJD1501. PYC1511 has replaced with IOP1501. IOP209Y has replaced with IOP2605. CMP2601 has replaced with CRW2601. CMP3701 has replaced with CPR3701. EVI3701 has replaced with LEV3701. EVI3702 has replaced with MRL3702.
Purpose statement:
The purposes of this qualification include: - To familiarise learners with the content and basic theories of a number of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, at the basic and intermediate level, and to provide them with a deeper grasp of one or more of these disciplines taken at exit level (level 7), as well as to enable them to place new knowledge in context and to use appropriate methods for seeking resolution of problems; - To provide learners with a variety of basic scholarly and intellectual competencies, including the ability to question critically the assumptions of a limited range of theories and authorities, and to develop an understanding of elementary research methods used within one or more disciplines; - To equip learners with the ability to give an accurate account of scholarly positions and the competence to express their own opinions clearly and coherently, both in written and oral communication; - To prepare learners for post learner study; - To provide learners with a well-rounded and broad education across a number of disciplines, thus preparing them for a wide range of professions crucial to the welfare of society; - To produce learners who are able to think laterally, critically and creatively; - To produce learners who are prepared for life-long learning; - To produce learners who understand the principles of, and are capable of critical citizenship.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2026 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.
  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

Choose ONE of the following groups below: (Students are not allowed to MIX groupings and MUST follow
the SAME group until the THIRD level).

Choose ONE of the following groups below: (Students are not allowed to MIX groups and MUST follow
the SAME group until the THIRD level).

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
CMY2601 - Crime Risk Perspectives
CMY2602 - Principles of Crime Prevention, Reduction and Control
CMY2603 - Child and Youth Misbehaviour Recommendation:CMY1501, CMY1502, CMY1503, CMY2601, CMY2602
CMY2604 - Dealing with Young Offenders
CMY2606 - An Introduction to Research Methodology in Criminology
Group B: Law. Choose either Group B or C or D
ADL2601 - Administrative Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & SJD1501
CRW2601 - General Principles of Criminal Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & SJD1501
CRW2603 - Selected Topics of Criminal Law Recommendation:Should be taken after completing CRW1501
CSL2601 - Constitutional Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PLS1502
FUR2601 - Fundamental Rights Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PLS1502
IOS2601 - Interpretation of Statutes Pre-requisite:ILW1501
Co-requisite:SCL1501, ADL2601 & CSL2601
PVL2601 - Family Law Pre-requisite:ILW1501 & PVL1501
Group C: Corrections Management. Choose either Group B or C or D
PEN2601 - Fundamental Penology
PEN2602 - Social Dynamics in a Correctional Centre Recommendation:Should follow on PEN1502 and PEN2605
PEN2603 - Community Corrections Recommendation:Should follow on PEN1502 and PEN2605
PEN2604 - Introduction to Correctional Management
PEN2605 - Correctional Security
PEN2606 - Admission and Release Mechanisms
PEN2608 - Correction and Care
Group D: Psychology. Choose either Group B or C or D
IOP2602 - Organisational Psychology Pre-requisite:IOP1601
IOP2604 - Psychological Adjustment in the Work Context Pre-requisite:IOP1601
IOP2605 - Human Capacity Development Pre-requisite:IOP1601
IOP2608 - Forensic Industrial Psychology
PYC2611 - Personality Theories in Context
PYC2614 - Community psychology: Building foundations
PYC2615 - HIV/AIDS Care and Counselling in an African context
Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
CMY3701 - The Explanation of Crime
CMY3702 - Crime Typologies
CMY3704 - Formal Reaction to Crime
CMY3705 - Victimology
CMY3706 - Contemporary Criminological Issues
CMY3708 - Qualitative Research Methodology in Criminology
CMY3709 - Quantitative Research Methodology in Criminology
Group B: Law. Choose either Group B or C or D
CPR3701 - Criminal Procedure Pre-requisite:SJD1501, PLS1502 & CSL2601
LEV3701 - Law of Evidence Pre-requisite:SJD1501 & CRW2601(9002; 98681; 90123) SJD1501 & FUR2601 (98220) SJD1501 & IOS2601 (98750)
MRL3702 - Labour Law Pre-requisite:ADL2601
Group C: Corrections Management. Choose either Group B or C or D
PEN3701 - Restorative Justice in Corrections
PEN3703 - Special Needs Offenders
PEN3705 - Youth Corrections
Group D: Psychology. Choose either Group B or C or D
PYC3712 - Abnormal Behaviour and Mental Health
PYC3713 - Cognitive Psychology
PYC3716 - Community Psychology: Working for Change Pre-requisite:PYC2614