Course Overview

About This Course

Western’s Bachelor of Criminology allows you to study crime and criminal justice in a conceptual and applied way, and gain an understanding of how these things affect society. It gives you the skills and knowledge you need to take on a career in the police force, corrective services, and the criminal and community justice systems. You will learn about law enforcement and surveillance, violence, gender and crime, restorative and international criminal justice, cultural depictions of crime, and contemporary debates in criminology. Examples of minors include Child and Community Studies, Psychological Studies or Sociology. Ultimately, you will emerge with the specialist skills and knowledge to make a difference in the world and be a force for good. The Bachelor of Criminology degree offers students the opportunity to study crime and criminal justice in both a conceptual and an applied way that particularly stresses social and cultural definitions of criminality and the reactions to it. Areas of focus include criminal justice institutions and practices; the development of criminology as a discipline and its various strands; forms and patterns of victimisation; crime prevention strategies and debates; aspects of juvenile justice; the evolution of prisons and different forms of punishment; law enforcement and surveillance; violence, gender and crime; cultural depictions of crime and contemporary debates in criminology. As such, the degree addresses the criminalisation of disadvantage through race, class, disability and gender, with a focus on the nexus between social and criminal justice.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Sydney

Level 4, 255 Elizabeth St, Sydney, NSW 2000

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

Duration

Full Time: 3 Years (Available Part Time)*

Intakes

Autumn 2027 (starts 01 March 2027) | Spring 2027 (starts 19 July 2027)

Study Mode

Full Time / Part Time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

This program is designed for students in the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws program who wish to undertake an Honours program.
Completion of at least 160 credit points of law study (or 140 credit points if two Summer subjects are undertaken)
Demonstration of the likelihood of graduating with an Honours Weighted Average Mark (HWAM) of at least 70 at the time of graduation; or an Admission Average Mark (AAM) of at least 70 at the time of admission to the Honours program
Demonstration of satisfactory academic writing skills
Availability of a principal supervisor
Students enrolling in LAWS 4017 Access to Justice Clinic, LAWS 3074 Judicial Internship, LAWS 3077 Legal Internship, LAWS 4012 First Nations Peoples' Access to Justice Clinic, LAWS 3080 Street Law Clinic may need to have a National Police Certificate and consent or prohibited employment declarations as they may be conducting their placement in circumstances where they work with minors
JUST 3011 Issues in the Criminal Justice System requires a corrective services field trip and also records and identity check
LAWS 3024 Foundations of Chinese Law, LAWS 3025 Law, Culture and Entrepreneurial Innovation in India, and LAWS 3078 Legal, Economic and Social Transformation in Taiwan require a visa for the relevant country and the ability to travel at specified time
Note: The Part-time option is not available to International Students on a Student Visa

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of this degree, you can look forward to a broad range of exciting career opportunities in different sectors and industries. Below are some examples of the possible careers you can pursue with this degree:

Community development worker
Police officer
Casework and case management
Correctional officer
Youth worker
Policy development

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units18 units

HUMN1041

People, Place and Social Difference

Core — 10 credit points

CULT1017

Understanding Society

Core — 10 credit points

CULT2005

Ethics in the Social Sciences

Core — 10 credit points

CULT3025

Prisons, Punishment and Criminal Justice

Core — 10 credit points

CULT3013

Gender, Crime and Violence

Core — 10 credit points

CULT3001

Applied Social Research

Core — 10 credit points

HUMN2078

Curiosity Didn't Kill the Cat: Researching towards Social Change

Core — 10 credit points

CULT1005

Crime, Deviance and Society

Core — 10 credit points

CULT1024

Introduction to Criminal Justice

Core — 10 credit points

BEHV1021

The Individual in Society

Core — 10 credit points

HUMN1060

Introduction to Indigenous Australia: Peoples, Places and Philosophies

Core — 10 credit points

BEHV2008

Mental Health in the Community

Core — 10 credit points

CULT2018

Crime Prevention and Drugs

Core — 10 credit points

CULT3024

Crime, Media, Culture

Core — 10 credit points

CULT3007

Contemporary Social Issues and Professional Practice

Core — 10 credit points

CULT2017

Youth Justice and Practice

Core — 10 credit points

CULT3018

Perspectives in Criminology

Core — 10 credit points

HUMN2070

First Peoples and Criminal Justice

Core — 10 credit points

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission criteria for the Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)?

To be admitted, students must have completed at least 160 credit points of law study (or 140 credit points if two Summer subjects are undertaken), demonstrated the likelihood of graduating with an Honours Weighted Average Mark (HWAM) of at least 70, or an Admission Average Mark (AAM) of at least 70 at the time of admission, demonstrated satisfactory academic writing skills, and have availability of a principal supervisor.

What career opportunities are available after completing this degree?

Graduates can pursue a broad range of career opportunities including roles as a Solicitor or Barrister, Community development worker, Casework and case management professional, and Policy adviser.

Where can I study the Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)?

The program is offered at two campuses: Parramatta South Campus and Campbelltown Campus at Western Sydney University.

Does this degree qualify me to practise as a lawyer in Australia?

Yes, the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) program satisfies the academic degree requirements for admission to practice as an Australian lawyer.

Are there any special requirements for certain subjects in this program?

Yes, students enrolling in subjects such as Access to Justice Clinic, Judicial Internship, Legal Internship, and Street Law Clinic may need a National Police Certificate and consent or prohibited employment declarations due to placements involving minors. Additionally, subjects like Foundations of Chinese Law, Law, Culture and Entrepreneurial Innovation in India, and Legal, Economic and Social Transformation in Taiwan require a visa for the relevant country and the ability to travel at specified times.

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!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $50,000 to $65,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $65,000 to $85,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $85,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Police OfficerIntelligence AnalystPolicy Officer – Crime and JusticeCorrections OfficerYouth Justice Worker

Key Skills

Critical analysis of crime theories and criminal behaviourResearch design, data collection, and quantitative/qualitative analysisPolicy evaluation and evidence-based policy developmentUnderstanding of Australian criminal law and the justice systemRisk assessment and offender management frameworks

Full Course Overview

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Bachelor of Criminology

About This Course

Available Locations

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Entry Requirements

Where this takes you

Accreditation & Migration

Units of Competency

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

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