Overview

Criminology is an interdisciplinary science that focuses on law and its interpretation by the courts, patterns in crime, explanations for deviant and criminal behaviour, and society’s reaction to law-breaking.

The Criminology program from Vancouver Island University introduces students to criminal law, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and case-law decisions made by the courts. Students examine the three main components of the criminal justice system—police, courts, and corrections. Students explore the trends and correlates of crime, including the influences of age, ethnicity, gender, and social class and how. Major explanations for crime account for these patterns by looking at historical, individual and social causes.

The criminological focus is broadened with courses from other disciplines within the Social Sciences and Humanities.

The program provides students with conceptual, critical, and applied skills to work in fields where a legal/justice focus is beneficial.

The curriculum emphasizes the development of professional and applied skills including professional ethics, conflict mediation, use of information technology for research, writing, presenting, and working in small groups.

Although the core of the curriculum is centred on justice-related issues, students will find the program applies equally to areas in the private sector where research competence, project management, legal analysis, and communication skills are essential.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Diploma program have accessed careers in provincial corrections or probation, federal parole or corrections, policing, customs and immigration, court–related occupations, or working with youth in correctional/therapeutic settings.

Programme Structure

Courses included:

Psycho-social Explanations of Criminality

Criminological Theory and the Lived Experience

Psychological Explanations of Criminal and Deviant Behaviour

Rhetoric and Reasoning

Contemporary Psychology

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-08 00:00:00

Application deadline not specified.

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

125

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

88

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

60

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

60 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Nanaimo, Canada

Disciplines

Criminology View 52 other Bachelors in Criminology in Canada

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

125

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

88

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

60

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

General admission requirements apply.

English 12 with minimum “C” or equivalent.

One of Principles of Mathematics 11, Applications of Mathematics 11, or Foundations of Mathematics 11 with minimum “C”, or equivalent.

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Vancouver Island University and/or in Canada, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

24473 CAD / year

≈ 24473 CAD / year
Domestic Applies to you

Applies to you

Citizens or residents

5092 CAD / year

≈ 5092 CAD / year

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Get Visa Support

Get personalized guidance from a certified VFS Global advisor and save 20% through Studyportals.

Avoid common visa mistakes and delays
Know exactly what documents you need
Get a clear checklist tailored to your situation

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Loading

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Criminology.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

The program provides students with conceptual, critical, and applied skills to work in fields where a legal/justice focus is beneficial.

Career Opportunities

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic Applies to you

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners