Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws

This double degree offers a highly valued career path in criminology and law. 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. The Bachelor of Laws program satisfies the academic degree requirements for admission to practice as an Australian lawyer. Students will engage in collaborative face-to-face problem and case-based learning, will be supported by online learning materials, and will participate in authentic assessment to develop knowledge and skills.

Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws

Duration

Full Time: 5 Years (Available Part Time)*

Next Start Date

04 March 2024

22 July 2024

Closing Date

Campuses
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Parramatta South UAC 725036 Campbelltown UAC 725034
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Domestic Student Fees
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Indicative annual fee from $11,885

Additional Information

Program Code: 2766

CRICOS Code: 084080M

Criminology and Laws at Western

Areas of focus in the Bachelor of Criminology 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, and cultural depictions of crime and contemporary debates in criminology. The degree addresses the criminalisation of disadvantage through race, class, disability and gender, with a focus on the nexus between social and criminal justice. This will equip students with the specialist skills and knowledge that a new graduate would need on entering the workforce or on proceeding to advanced study. The Bachelor of Laws provides students with a broad progressive legal education with a strong practical orientation to the law. Students develop skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, research, communication, collaboration, self-management, and ethical and professional awareness and judgement. Students will also develop skills in legal advocacy, negotiation, and legal technology and extend their professional and learning experiences through work integrated learning, clinical placement and international exchange engagements. Widen your skills by combining our accredited law degree with criminology. The law degree will provide you with the professional legal skills and knowledge required by the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) for admission to legal practice. Work with our Western Sydney University Justice Clinic, providing a much-needed community service. Get on-the-ground experience of legal drafting, court advocacy, client advising, oral communication, negotiation and mediation. Commencing law students also have the chance to mix their university studies with quality work experience through the Coleman Greig cadetship program. The Criminology degree focuses on social and cultural definitions of criminality and reactions to it. Topics include criminology as a discipline; types and cultural depictions of crime; victimisation; crime prevention strategies and debates; law enforcement and surveillance; adult and juvenile justice; institutions and practices. Note: Criminology subjects are offered at Bankstown, Penrith and Parramatta campuses and Law subjects are offered at both Campbelltown and Parramatta campuses. Travel between campuses will be required in order to complete your core subjects.
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Accreditation

Our graduates from the Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws are eligible to apply to the Legal Profession Admission Board for admission to legal practice in NSW after undertaking prescribed practical legal training.

What you can expect to study

The program structure is outlined in our handbook. Here you can view all of the subjects you will be studying.

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:

  • Solicitor or Barrister
  • Community development worker
  • Casework and case management
  • Policy adviser
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Alumni

"Criminology introduces schools of thought. The law degree provides learning experiences that prepare students for the legal industry."

— Ross Tesoriero, Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws

B Psychological and Social Sciences

Entry requirements for domestic students

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website. Find out more here.

Admission

  • Recommended studies: HSC English standard (2 units) or equivalent.

Special Requirements Prerequisites

Students enrolling in these subjects 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. This would be managed on an as needs basis:

  • LAWS 3074 Judicial Internship
  • LAWS 4017 Access to Justice Clinic
  • LAWS 3077 Legal Internship
  • LAWS 4012 First Nations Peoples' Access to Justice Clinic
  • LAWS 3080 Street Law Clinic
  • JUST 3011 Issues in the Criminal Justice System (corrective services field trip requirement) also records and identity check.

The following subjects require a visa for the relevant country and the ability to travel at specified time:

  • LAWS 3024 Foundations of Chinese Law
  • LAWS 3025 Law, Culture and Entrepreneurial Innovation in India 
  • LAWS 3078 Legal, Economic and Social Transformation in Taiwan

Please consult the handbook for more information.

B Psychological and Social Sciences

Entry requirements for international students

**The Part-time option is not available to International Students on a Student Visa.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Admission

  • Recommended studies: HSC English standard (2 units) or equivalent.

Special Requirements Prerequisites

Students enrolling in these subjects 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. This would be managed on an as needs basis:

  • LAWS 3074 Judicial Internship
  • LAWS 4017 Access to Justice Clinic
  • LAWS 3077 Legal Internship
  • LAWS 4012 First Nations Peoples' Access to Justice Clinic
  • LAWS 3080 Street Law Clinic
  • JUST 3011 Issues in the Criminal Justice System (corrective services field trip requirement) also records and identity check.

The following subjects require a visa for the relevant country and the ability to travel at specified time:

  • LAWS 3024 Foundations of Chinese Law
  • LAWS 3025 Law, Culture and Entrepreneurial Innovation in India 
  • LAWS 3078 Legal, Economic and Social Transformation in Taiwan

Please consult the handbook for more information.

Indicative annual fee

UG Direct

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is one that is subsidised by the Commonwealth and applicable only to Domestic students. This means that the Australian Government pays part of your fees towards your program, therefore reducing your program fees, and the remaining amount is paid by you, this is considered your Student Contribution.

To work out how much your Student Contribution will be before you study, you will first need to find out the Student Contribution band your subjects fit into based on their general discipline area.

You can then calculate your student contributions to work out the total amount of your contribution.

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a range of loans introduced by the Australian Government from 2005 to provide fee payment assistance to eligible students. Loans are for Australian citizens studying in Australia or overseas. Permanent residents who hold a humanitarian visa are also eligible if studying in Australia.

If eligible you may be able to defer all or part of your Student Contribution through the HECS-HELP loan program. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP if undertaking studies overseas.

New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent resident visa (other than an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) are generally not entitled to HECS-HELP assistance. If you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident your Student Contribution amount must be paid in full by the census date.

However, the Australian Government has passed new legislation that changes the way some New Zealand citizens, who hold a Special Category Visa (SCV), studying in Australia will pay their fees. More information is available on the Changes to fees for New Zealand Citizens webpage.

Find out more about HECS-HELP

Find out more about OS-HELP

Apply as a Domestic Student

If you are a domestic student, you can apply through our Western Application system which is free of charge.

Domestic students are:

  • Australian Citizens
  • New Zealand Citizens
  • Australian permanent residents
  • Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders

Scholarships

Western Sydney University recognises and rewards students who demonstrate community engagement, outstanding academic ability and superior leadership skills. Donor-funded scholarships are also available, providing support for students based on both academic achievements and equity considerations. There are also scholarships available for specific degrees. 

UG Direct

Apply as an International Student

If you are an international student, you can apply for free through our international student application system or through an agent representative.

International students are:

  • Not an Australian citizen;
  • Not a New Zealand citizen; and
  • Not a permanent resident of Australia.

If you are an international student completing the Australian HSC, IB or NCEA, apply direct via UAC International.

Admission to Western Sydney University is on the basis of meeting minimum academic and English language requirements. For more information about tuition fees and other costs, visit the Fees and Costs page.

Scholarships

When you apply to Western, you’re automatically assessed for a Scholarship, no additional application required! We’re offering multi-year scholarships (for up to 3 years) valued at $6,000 or $3,000 and even 50% off tuition fees. Scholarships are awarded on academic merit.

B Education (Early Childhood)

FAQs

We've gathered common questions to provide you with quick, clear answers about this program. Whether you're exploring admission requirements, details about the degree or career prospects, you'll find valuable insights here. If you need more information, our support team is ready to assist you on your journey to Western. You can find their details below.

You will study both Law and Criminology subjects each semester. However, if you follow the recommended sequence for the double degree you will likely finish the Criminology component first.

The best pathway for this double degree would be to start in the Bachelor of Criminology, build a competitive GPA, and then apply to transfer into the double degree. The credit from the Criminology degree would carry across to the double degree.

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Want to know more?

We're here to provide clarity.

If you're uncertain about your study journey, enquire about our program today and gain the confidence to move forward.

Australian students
1300 897 669

International students
+61 2 9852 5499

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Kingswood campus

OTHER STUDY OPTIONS

Bachelor of Advanced Science

Full Time: 3 Years (Available Part Time)*

Bachelor of Business

Full Time: 3 Years (Available Part Time)*

Bachelor of Business (Pathway to Teaching Secondary)

Full Time: 3 Years (Available Part Time)*

Bachelor of Science

Full Time: 3 Years (Available Part Time)*

The tuition fees quoted above are the fees for the normal full-time study load of the program (80 credit points) per annum. International students will be subject to a variable fee regime; i.e. enrolled students will be required to pay fees during their program based on the approved fee for each calendar year. Fee changes (if any) will occur at 1 January each calendar year. Students who extend their program past the normal finish date of the program will be required to pay additional fees based on the prevailing fee level. Western Sydney University is a multi-campus institution. The University reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary. Students should be aware of the possibility of change of location for the whole or part of programs for which they enrol and should plan for the need to travel between Western Sydney campuses.