Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1, 2 & 3
- Duration
- 3 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
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Kensington
- Codes
- UAC code 422350
- Program code 3422
- CRICOS code 038415G
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ATAR/2025 lowest selection rank
- 80.0 View all admission criteria
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2026 Indicative first year full fee
- $16,500*
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2026 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $51,000*
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2026 Indicative first year full fee
- $50,500*
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2026 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $159,000*
Entry Requirements
Fees
Fees
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Innovative teaching
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Cross-faculty program
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Career support
Application closures for 2026
Undergraduate programs for 2026 intakes are closed for New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) applications. Applications for postgraduate programs remain open. Find out if this closure applies to you.
Join us at Info Day
Thursday, 18 December | 12–4pm | Kensington campus
Join us on campus to get personalised advice on your study options before UAC preferences close. Info Day is the perfect opportunity to get all of your last minute questions answered, the day ATARs are released.
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- Double degrees
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
- FAQs
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice overview
The UNSW Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice is ranked #1 in Australia for Criminology and Criminal Justice program (EduRank, 2024). It is a three-year full-time or six-year part-time equivalent undergraduate criminology degree designed to critically explore the causes of crime, deviance, criminal behaviour, social control, and the legal system. After you’ve completed the degree, choose to expand your knowledge in postgraduate studies or dive into an abundance of career opportunities in crime and justice roles within Australia and across the globe.
In this criminology and criminal justice degree, you’ll explore the big picture of crime and learn from different faculties including the School of Law, Society and Criminology, and the School of Social Sciences. Gain critical insights into all aspects of the criminal justice system through innovative teaching that focuses on real-world case studies and experiences outside the classroom.
Criminology and criminal justice are growing fields with increasing opportunities to create change in communities affected by crime and the social structures and systems that influence and respond to it. You’ll develop an understanding of historical and current issues, including drug policy, human rights, sexual and alcohol-related violence, organised crime, and Indigenous mass incarceration. You'll also learn about key institutions in the criminal justice system including the police, courts, and prison, and the impact they have on the community.
Why study the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UNSW?
World-class scholarship
Learn from the minds of expert academics from our law & justice faculty. We’re at the forefront of research and industry knowledge at UNSW Law & Justice, ranked #1 in Australia and #12 globally for law and legal studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025). Gain a breadth of knowledge in a Criminology program that is ranked #1 in Australia for Criminology and Criminal Justice program (EduRank, 2024) and brings together knowledge from the School of Law, Society and Criminology and School of Social Sciences.
Crime and justice research networks
Through seminars, conferences, workshops and internship opportunities, you’ll have the chance to engage with UNSW’s world-leading research centres and build your profile within the justice sector. UNSW is home to the Centre for Crime, Law and Justice (CCLJ), Gendered Violence Research Network (GVRN), Australian Human Rights Institute, Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) and Kirby Institute.
Exclusive career support
Graduate career-ready with UNSW Law & Justice’s in-house careers service, dedicated to helping our students' best position themselves to secure a rewarding job at the end of their studies. The service includes a range of resources and workshops to help students maximise their employability including viewing jobs boards, interview preparation, resume and cover letter writing.
Global student opportunities
UNSW is one of Australia’s most international universities. Student exchange is a great way to immerse yourself in another culture and discover perspectives and global experiences with over 300 hosts across 38 countries.
Gain practical experiences
Translate what you learn about crime prevention in the classroom and put it into practice. You’ll go beyond lectures through a range of practical learning opportunities such as real-world case studies, visiting courts and prisons and hearing first-hand from the people involved in the justice system through guest presenters and other engagement opportunities.
Want to see more from UNSW Law and Justice?
Admission requirements for criminology and criminal justice
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- The 2025 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2025.
- The 2025 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
- The 2025 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2025. It is to be used as a guide only.
- The 2025 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
*The Lowest ATAR to which an offer was made, for this program, is based on a UNSW Gateway Early Conditional Offer.
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At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
Assumed knowledge
None
Adjustment Factors
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
Admission pathways
Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our Future Student Advisers to discuss your path to UNSW.
Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students who attend Gateway schools, live in a low-socioeconomic area based on IRSAD and IEO indexes of SEIFA criteria, or are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person. It adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides early offers and early conditional offers to UNSW.
Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.
TAFE Pathways Program
This degree is eligible for the TAFE Pathways Program. If you've completed a qualification under a relevant TAFE Training Package, you may be eligible for credit transfer. For more details, including this program's TAFE Pathway study plan, visit UNSW TAFE Pathways Program.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
International direct entry
Information for applicants with CBSE, HKDSE or Singapore A Levels Qualification
Calculating your CBSE Score:
Awarded by CBSE, average percentage marks across English or Hindi, and your best four remaining subjects. Where marks are given as a range, the mid-point for that range is used e.g. 75 to 80 = 77.5.
Calculating your HKDSE Score:
Entry requirements are based on the aggregate of the best 5 achieved category A subjects (category B and C subjects are not considered).
For subjects other than Citizenship and Social Development: level 5**=7 points, level 5*=6 points, level 5=5 points, level 4=4 points, level 3=3 points, level 2=2 points, level 1=1 point, Level U=0 point.
For subject Citizenship and Social Development: Attained=2 points, Unattained=0 point. Citizenship and Social Development will only be counted towards the aggregate if the 2 points awarded for Attained ranks among the student’s best five scoring subjects.
If Mathematics Compulsory Part and Extended Part (Module 1 or 2) are both presented, both scores can be counted.
Calculating your Singapore A Levels:
Due to significant changes to the GCE A-Level Curriculum and University Admissions Score (UAS) calculation effective 2026, UNSW assessment is currently under review.
Note: Entry requirements published on this page are correct as of the day of publication and may change without notice.
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
Admission pathways
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
UNSW is introducing a new academic calendar from 2028.
We are moving to a new flex-semester calendar. What does this mean for your studies?
What you’ll learn in the criminology and criminal justice program
Program structure
The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice is a unique cross-faculty program taught by specialised schools in UNSW Law & Justice and UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture. Build your skillset, confidence and career opportunities through interactive experiences and work-integrated learning.
Across three years full-time, or equivalent part-time duration, you’ll study 16 courses in Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Sciences, and a further eight elective courses from a wide range of specialist Criminology subject areas. Through experiential learning and applied social research and policy analysis, you’ll learn career-ready skills by:
- Developing grant applications
- Completing policy analysis, quantitative and qualitative social research and independent research projects
- Conducting crime safety audits
- Going on field trips to visit prisons, courts and other agencies in the justice system.
High-achieving students who complete the degree may be eligible to undertake an Honours year. The Honours Program in Criminology provides students with the opportunities to achieve a significant piece of criminological research and graduate well-prepared for a research or policy career.
Full program structure
The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice structure brings together interdisciplinary courses designed to explore your interests and investigate a broad range of topics from different perspectives. You'll study courses that bring together knowledge from law, philosophy, psychology, sociology, history, politics, economics, architecture and cultural studies.
- Crime, Politics and the Media
- Indigenous Perspectives in Criminal Justice
- Young People and Juvenile Justice
- Violence and Victimisation
- State Crime and Human Rights
- Restorative Justice
- Psychology and Law
- Issues in Drug Policy
- The Criminal Trial
- Public Health and Corrections
- Criminology Work Integrated Learning Placement
| First year | Second year | Third year |
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Practical learning and work integrated opportunities
You have the opportunity to gain hands-on training and strengthen your professional experience through industry placements and internships. Our Criminology Work-Integrated Learning Placement course can match you with a range of criminal justice agencies or not-for-profits. Some opportunities include work experience placements with Corrective Services NSW, Department of Justice, NSW Police, Youth Justice and various NGOs working with at-risk and criminal justice-involved people.
Career outcomes in criminology and criminal justice
You'll graduate with a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and interdisciplinary skills applicable to a diverse range of career opportunities in government agencies, private corporations and the education sector. You'll learn to think expansively about issues and develop skills such as ethical and social responsibility, policy analysis and research methods critical to success across many fields.
As a criminologist, you can apply your skills to make a difference in crime prevention, law enforcement, corrective services, terrorism, cybercrime, policy design and more.
The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice integrates career readiness training, alongside mentoring programs, job-seeking modules and professional career support through our exclusive Careers Service. This ensures students are best positioned to secure themselves a rewarding job at the end of their studies.
Potential criminology and criminal justice careers
- Academia
- Border Security and Intelligence
- Community Corrections Officer
- Court Registrar
- Criminologist
- Cybercrime
- Fraud and Crime Prevention
- Harm Reduction and Primary Prevention
- Intelligence Officer
- Investigations
- Law Enforcement and Corrective Services
- Policy Analyst
- Policy Design and Advising
- Political Advisors and Regulatory Bodies
- Research and Analysis
- Risk Assessment and Management
- Victims Support Services
- Youth Justice Casework
Our reputation can open doors
We believe that university is about more than what you learn in the classroom. A UNSW Law & Justice degree focuses on balancing theoretical studies and hands-on learning in the criminal justice system to prepare you for the workforce.
Our students are recognised as the most employable students for six years in a row (Australian Financial Review (AFR) Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025). Our students build professional portfolios through proximity and partnerships with some of Australia's most influential figures in crime and justice. We’ll help you unlock industry connections for placements and work experience and tap into rewarding careers in the criminal justice system.
Graduating from the widely respected Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at a prestigious Go8 university like UNSW will open a world of opportunity that could take you anywhere — Australia and beyond.
Double degree options and future study pathways
Studying a combined program can give you a broad and cross-disciplinary education. Merge your interests to enhance your career prospects and explore our double degree options below.
Double degree options
How to apply
Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.
On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For details, visit the international admissions information page.
*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. For details, visit the under 18 international students page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 4
*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.
The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
Frequently asked questions about criminology and criminal justice
What’s the difference between criminology and criminal justice?
Criminology focuses on exploring the nature and causes of crime, including the motivations behind criminal behaviour and prevention strategies. Criminal justice focuses on the network of government and private organisations who are responsible for managing, punishing and rehabilitating offenders.
What subjects do you need for criminology?
There isn’t any assumed knowledge required to study a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. However, if you're considering this degree, you might find humanities subjects particularly helpful. These include human society and its environment (HSIE), legal studies, society and culture or community and family studies (CAFS). These subjects can provide useful context and foundational understanding for criminology studies.
Can I become a police officer with this degree?
Yes, a criminology degree offers a strong foundation for a career in law enforcement. It equips you with valuable skills in understanding criminal behaviour, applying theoretical frameworks and analysing complex situations which are crucial to police work. However, you must also meet the specific entry requirements set by the local jurisdiction. This may include holding a valid driver’s licence, passing a fitness test, passing psychological and medical assessments and not having a criminal record.
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QS World University Rankings, 2024–2026
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AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020–2025
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