Course Overview

About This Course

Discover why crime occurs, how it is perceived and how we can address it – and graduate with the skills to make a real difference in the criminal justice system. Gain a deep understanding of the causes and impacts of a range of individual and organised criminal activities, from environmental crime to illicit digital surveillance. Learn how to use this knowledge to develop effective responses to harmful behaviours. Deakin's Bachelor of Criminology course is the most established in Australia. Our curriculum has been developed and designed in conjunction with professional bodies including Victoria Police, the Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria and the Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers, ensuring your study experience closely reflects the needs of the industry. If you like to learn by doing, work-integrated learning opportunities challenge you to apply your skills in real-world contexts and provide a preview to your future role. Do you want to help ensure fairer outcomes and a better criminal justice system? Our criminology experts will take you behind the thinking and research surrounding a breadth of criminology topics, while you build a portfolio that showcases your critical thinking and ability to meet complex questions of criminal justice with empathy and confidence. Discover how justice and criminality is defined and by whom, how our courts and correctional processes operate, and the desirable outcomes of criminal justice processes.

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

Requirements

Current or recent secondary education: Year 12 or completed Year 12 in the last two years
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL
Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent
Higher education: Successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)
Vocational education: Completion of a certificate IV or higher in a related discipline; OR completion of a diploma or higher in any discipline; OR at least 50% completion of a diploma or higher in a related discipline
Work and life experience: If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and have not undertaken any further study, you may be considered based on work, volunteer and/or life experience. Submit a personal statement outlining your motivation to study, previous education and employment history, and how this course can assist your career aspirations or progression.
English language proficiency: VCE English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 25 in EAL or 20 in any other English; OR IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
Subject Adjustment: A study score of 30 in any English, any History, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Australian Politics, Global Politics, Psychology or Sociology equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this course can look forward to a diverse and challenging career, in roles such as: corrections officers, crime prevention advisers, crime researchers and analysts, crime trends analysts, criminologists, federal and state police officers (requires further training), forensic psychologists (requires further study), intelligence analysts, parole officers, and policy advisers.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Accreditation Details

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units17 units

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Compulsory 0-credit point module to be completed in the first trimester of study.

ACR101

Introducing Crime and Criminology

Core unit.

ACR102

Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice

Core unit.

ACR201

Issues in Criminal Justice

Core unit.

ACR202

Explaining Crime

Core unit.

ACR301

International and Comparative Criminal Justice

Core unit.

ACR302

Criminology Research

Core unit.

ACR203

Crime, Victims and Justice

Criminology elective unit.

ACR204

Crime, Media and Justice

Criminology elective unit.

ACR211

Crime Prevention and Security

Criminology elective unit.

ACR214

Inequality, Power and Justice

Criminology elective unit.

ACR216

Careers in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Criminology elective unit.

ACR304

Digital Criminology: Technologies of Crime and Control

Criminology elective unit.

ACR305

Crime, Terrorism and Security

Criminology elective unit.

ACR314

Organised Crime

Criminology elective unit.

MAE266

Black Market Economics: Exploring the Underworld of Illicit Trade

Criminology elective unit.

AIX160

Introduction to University Study

Transition to university study unit; new students are encouraged to enrol in their first year.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete the Bachelor of Criminology at Deakin?

The Bachelor of Criminology takes 3 years full-time or the part-time equivalent. However, you can take advantage of Deakin's trimester system to fast-track your degree and complete it in just two years.

What are the ATAR requirements to get into the Bachelor of Criminology?

The lowest selection rank ATAR is 61.10 for Burwood (Melbourne) and 61.00 for Waurn Ponds (Geelong), based on 2026 early and first round VTAC offers. The Deakin Guaranteed ATAR (for eligible students) is 51 for both Burwood and Waurn Ponds, and 55 for the Online offering. An unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 is required for current or recent secondary education applicants.

Can I study the Bachelor of Criminology online or only on campus?

Yes, the Bachelor of Criminology is available fully online as well as on campus at Burwood (Melbourne) and Waurn Ponds (Geelong). All three locations offer intakes in Trimester 1 (March), Trimester 2 (July), and Trimester 3 (November).

What professional bodies were involved in developing the course curriculum?

Deakin's Bachelor of Criminology curriculum has been developed and designed in conjunction with professional bodies including Victoria Police, the Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria, and the Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers, ensuring the study experience closely reflects the needs of the industry.

Can I combine the Bachelor of Criminology with another degree?

Yes, you can complement your studies by pairing the Bachelor of Criminology with another degree. Options include arts, cyber security, laws, psychological science, or forensic science, allowing you to graduate with a unique course combination valued by employers that will further expand your career opportunities.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

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Bachelor of Criminology

About This Course

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

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