Bachelor of Criminology

VU course code: | Level of study:

Fees

Fee type for this course: Full fee

Location

Applications closed

A young man looks up in awe at a colonial prison building

Overview

Turn your curiosity about crime into a meaningful career with a Bachelor of Criminology at Victoria University (VU).

In our Bachelor of Criminology, you’ll develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to critically examine crime, justice, and the operation of the criminal justice system. You’ll explore why people commit crime by examining the social, political, cultural, psychological, and economic factors that influence offending behaviour.

Through practical learning and real-world case studies, you’ll gain experience identifying crime-related problems and developing evidence-based policy reform recommendations to create meaningful change.

You’ll study specialist criminology subjects alongside law and justice-focused units, including:

crime and inequality
policing and offending
victimology
digital criminology
transnational and international crime
early intervention and crime prevention
corporate crime
environmental crime
justice policy and reform.

: Take advantage of VU’s criminology staff members’ strong ties to the Department of Justice, Victorian Police Department, Applied Security Science Partnership and many more.
Both your criminology and law studies have a strong focus on practical learning, covering case studies and real-world scenarios.
As a Bachelor of Criminology student, you also have the opportunity to participate in Department of Justice volunteer opportunities in Victoria’s legal and prison systems.
: In the third year of your criminology degree, you’ll apply all the skills and knowledge you’ve developed to a significant research project, known as a ‘capstone’ unit.
Working in small teams, you’ll collaborate on a research project relating to real cases and scenarios. At present, the final research project will focus on public opinions on bail within Victorian and Australia more broadly. You’ll collect, analyse and interpret data and write a final report – practising your skills and preparing to enter the workforce.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

Entry criteria

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

Choose two relevant minor areas of study

After you are accepted into your course, you will need to enrol in your course units.

During enrolment, use your course delivery plan to understand the structure and requirements of your course.

Fees & scholarships

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

Demand for criminology graduates continues to rise across justice, policy, corrections, policing and community sectors. You’ll graduate with the critical thinking, analytical, research and communication skills needed to make a genuine impact across a wide range of careers.

Work with offenders and within justice systems in law enforcement, justice institutions and community corrections facilities. For example:

working in early intervention with at-risk youth to prevent offending and reoffending
designing and delivering programs for rehabilitating offenders
supporting individuals transitioning from custody back into the community.

Policy, research and justice reform, including working in government and research bodies such as justice departments, crime statistics agencies, or victims of crime services.

Victim support services and advocacy, such as supporting victim-survivors through court processes, safety planning and advocacy or working in domestic and family violence services.