Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Criminology)
Course Details
next intake
Term 2
Applications Open
16 March 2026Applications Close
18 June 2026
duration
3 years, full-time (Campus) | 5 years, part-time (Online)
accreditation
NQF 7, CHE accredited
Campus
This is a three-year undergraduate degree accredited at NQF Level 7, designed to equip students with applied skills in psychology and criminology to address social challenges in South Africa.
Why take this course?
South Africa faces deeply rooted social challenges, including high levels of crime, youth unemployment, gender-based violence and widespread mental health needs. There is a national call for highly skilled graduates who can help the country address these challenges across multiple sectors, including psychosocial services, community safety and the criminal justice system.
Designed in response to these needs, SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science undergraduate degree majoring in Psychology and Criminology combines psychology and criminology to give you a powerful mix of skills: You’ll learn how individuals think and behave, while also understanding the bigger social and systemic issues that drive crime, victimisation, and justice responses.
As a graduate, you may be eligible for entry-level positions in dynamic settings and collaborate effectively in interprofessional teams, contributing to prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation strategies informed by both individual and systemic perspectives.
What you can expect
You will get an introductory understanding of:
- Human behaviour, criminality and the social systems that respond to crime.
- Theoretical and applied knowledge in psychological domains such as developmental and social psychology, psychopathology and research methods.
- Criminological insight into theories of crime and deviance, the criminal justice system, women in crime, juvenile delinquency, victimology, and applied criminology in forensic and correctional settings.
- Deep insight into crime, justice, and society through:
- Cultural perspectives and intersectionality
- Psychological dimensions of offending and victimisation
- Ethics and accountability
- Restorative justice
- Contemporary global threats
- Gender and justice
- Understand how laws, policies, and institutional structures influence justice outcomes and social wellbeing.
You will also develop
- Criminological competence. Learn how to apply theories of crime, deviance and justice to understand and address real-world challenges.
- Skills to critically assess justice system processes and propose evidence-based improvements aligned with principles of fairness and effectiveness.
- The ability to assess the lived experiences and needs of both victims and offenders within the justice system.
- Collaborative skills to work respectfully within diverse, multidisciplinary teams in community and organisational contexts.
- The ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences using appropriate written, verbal and digital formats – tailored to academic or public audiences.
Course Highlights
A holistic understanding of crime in South Africa
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Learn how to address real-world challenges
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Gain practical skills through Work Integrated Learning
Who is this course for?
Do you
- Want to learn more about human behaviour and why people commit crimes.
- Want to explore psychology, criminology or social justice.
- Want to explore the impact of trauma, cognitive patterns and personality traits on offenders and victims.
- Feel motivated to support others, advocate for victims, or promote community safety.
- Have an interest in restorative justice, trauma-informed care or offender rehabilitation.
- Have an analytical mind and are drawn to research-informed practice, data analysis, and evidence-based decision-making in social contexts.
- Already work in the criminal justice, social development, or mental health sectors and seek to deepen your knowledge and formalise your competencies.
Career opportunities
Career opportunities
The Bachelor of Applied Social Science majoring in Psychology and Criminology lays a strong foundation for further study in Criminology, Psychology, or related social sciences, enabling graduates to advance into specialised roles with additional training or a postgraduate degree. Graduates can also apply for entry-level positions within:
Community Safety and Support
- Community development projects focusing on crime prevention, youth diversion, and victim support
- Victim empowerment centres and trauma-response NGOs
- Reintegration programmes for ex-offenders
Criminal Justice System
- Support roles within the Department of Correctional Services (e.g., case management, rehabilitation planning)
- Crime prevention and analysis support roles in the South African Police Service, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), and Special Investigating Unit
- Court preparation assistance (e.g., compiling background information for victim impact statements)
- Entry-level administrative or analyst positions at the National Prosecuting Authority or courts
Research, Policy, and Academia
- Junior research roles in think tanks, research institutes, or academic centres focused on crime, violence, and justice
- Data collection and analysis for NGOs, government task teams, or social development projects
Private and Civil Sector
- Crime analyst roles in corporate security teams (e.g., banking, retail, insurance, forensic, private investigation, private security, risk management firms).
- Risk and compliance support roles in private security and risk consulting firms.
- Social research or community engagement positions in civil society organisations.
Modules
Modules
Year 1
Academic Literacy (12 credits)
Introduction to Psychology A (12 credits)
Counselling Modalities 1 (14 credits)
Introduction to Psychology B (12 credits)
Counselling Modalities 2 (14 credits)
Foundations of Criminology (14 credits)
Crime and Society (14 credits)
Diversity in the South African Context (14 credits)
Developmental Psychology A (14 credits)
Year 2
Developmental Psychology B (14 credits)
Contemporary Crime (15 credits)
Criminological Perspectives on Crime and Deviance (14 credits)
Victimology and Restorative Justice (14 credits)
Policing, Prosecution and Punishment (14 credits)
Women in the Justice System (14 credits)
Statistics for the Social Sciences (14 credits)
Community Psychology (14 credits)
Social Psychology (14 credits)
Year 3
Theories of Personality (14 credits)
Psychopathology (14 credits)
Applied Research Methodology (14 credits)
Criminology WIL Part 1 (Preparatory Workshops) (14 credits)
Psycho Criminology (14 credits)
Youth Delinquency and Offending Behaviour (14 credits)
Criminology WIL Part 2 (Placement) (20 credits)
Research Report (20 credits)
Applied Criminology for Forensic and Correctional Settings (12 credits)
Module Descriptors View
Additional information
Admission requirements
A National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 45% in English as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi), coupled with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement 50-59%) or better in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects.
OR
A National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) with an achievement of at least 60% in three fundamental subjects including English, and an achievement of at least 70% in four vocational subjects chosen from the NC(V) Level 4 subject list.
OR
A Senior Certificate (pre-2008) with Endorsement with English passed at Standard Grade or better, or an equivalent school-leaving certificate.
OR
A Higher Certificate (NQF Level 5), or SAQA verified equivalent qualification, Advanced Certificate, or Diploma in a cognate field.
Foreign Student and Foreign Qualification Admission Requirements
- If applicants hold an international qualification, the international qualification will need to be converted onto the South African NQF levels in order to apply to study at SACAP. Applicants will need to contact the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) directly to apply for the conversion. Applicants will only be able to apply at SACAP once confirmation/receipt of application for the SAQA Conversion has been submitted. Once SACAP receives the applicant’s completed SAQA Conversion, a decision for acceptance will be made.
- Non-South African citizens with foreign qualifications must have a valid study permit. The study permit must be valid in terms of both the time period for the full duration of study, as well as the name of the learning institution (SACAP). Additionally, foreign applicants must have their highest qualification assessed, verified, and certified by SAQA for minimum entrance requirement comparison before they can be considered for admission into a SACAP qualification.
- Since all academic activities at SACAP are conducted in English, strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Applicants who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements for the Bachelor of Applied Social Science programme may apply for admission through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
- These applicants must submit a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates their formal, informal, and non-formal knowledge, training, work experience, and/or learning that is equivalent to the program’s minimum entrance requirements.
- The portfolio of evidence will support the applicant’s request for admission based on RPL.
- The application of SACAP’s RPL processes is detailed in SACAP’s Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy.
Note: Admission through RPL is not guaranteed and is subject to review by the academic committee.
Course details
Duration: 3 years full-time (Campus), or 5 years part-time (Online)
Accreditation: NQF 7, CHE accredited
SAQA ID: 90844
Work Integrated Learning:
The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) module in the BAppSocSci Criminology stream is a project-based, two-term module at NQF Level 7 that integrates criminological and psychological theory with community practice.
Students engage in structured projects with Victim Empowerment Programmes (VEPs), Community Policing Forums (CPFs), and related organisations, contributing to crime-prevention, advocacy, and victim support initiatives.
Through supervised projects, they design and deliver psycho-educational activities, support referral pathways, and perform administrative tasks. The module emphasises ethical conduct, teamwork, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication in multidisciplinary contexts. Students critically reflect on how grassroots interventions address systemic justice issues while developing applied professional skills.
British Accreditation Council (BAC)
SACAP is fully accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) as an Independent Higher Education Institution
The BAC accreditation is a globally recognised hallmark of quality assurance, and achieving this accreditation demonstrates that we have met the high standards set by the BAC. This accreditation is validation of our commitment to excellence and our mission to provide our students with a world-class education that prepares them for success in their future careers.
Our students can be assured that their education provider has met a gold standard. To maintain BAC accreditation SACAP needs to continue to meet BAC’s standards. BAC ensure that colleges, universities and training providers provide high-quality education and a great learning experience for students.
FAQ
Can credits be awarded for the Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills?
Yes, up to 26 credits (2 modules) could be awarded to students who have completed the Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills. Graduates of the Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management or Business Management Higher Certificate could be credited 14 credits (1 module).
Can I articulate from the Bachelor of Applied Social Science majoring in Psychology and Criminology into a Bachelor’s Honours degree?
Yes, students with a completed BAppSocSci qualification may articulate into a Bachelor Honours degree specialising in Psychology or Criminology, and then later progress to a cognate non-professional or professional Master’s degree as applicable.
Is there a professional body aligned with this qualification?
Not yet, the Criminological Society of Southern Africa (CRIMSA) is in the process of professionalising criminology.
