Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Criminology & Criminal Justice

Skills and knowledge to change people’s lives.

Male student at the UNSW campus Kensington

Overview

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Criminology & Criminal Justice is a five-year double degree that will equip you with the skills, experience and knowledge to interpret how people and complex social issues influence real-life events. The program looks at the big picture of crime and complex social issues by bringing together cross-faculty knowledge from UNSW Law & Justice and UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture.

Through innovative teaching that focuses on real-world case studies and experiences outside the classroom, you’ll gain critical insights into all aspects of the justice and social systems. The social work courses will teach you to understand people and how to help them through challenging times, such as homelessness, addiction, abuse, mental illness, poverty, ageing and discrimination. Your criminology courses will draw from psychology, sociology, law, philosophy and cultural studies to help you better understand crime and criminality.

Key features

A one-of-its-kind accredited social work program
UNSW School of Social Sciences offers the only accredited social work program in Australia that integrates Honours into your undergraduate degree. Our leading academics guide you through a dynamic, evidence-informed and collaborative program designed to help you make a positive impact at all levels of society. From counselling and advocacy to community work, research and policy development, learn how to make a real difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Practical experience
Translate what you learn in the classroom into practice. You’ll go beyond lectures through a range of experiential 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.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
During the last two years of the degree, you’ll gain hands-on experience in our field education program. You’ll complete two diverse placements in metropolitan and rural Australia or overseas in our partnering countries. You’ll have the opportunity to apply classroom learning in real-life situations for a total of 70 days per placement. In the Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, you can also undertake an internship with a range of criminal justice agencies and not-for-profits through our Criminology Work-Integrated Learning Placement course.

Honours program
Once you’ve completed all program requirements, you’ll graduate with Honours. As part of the Honours requirement, you'll complete either a piece of independent research as a thesis or an advanced practice portfolio.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

The only accredited social work program in Australia that integrates Honours into your undergraduate degree
Be supported by our diverse, open and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community.
Learn through research-informed teaching
Gain a breadth of knowledge in the highest-ranking criminology program in NSW (Excellence in Research for Australia Report 2018)
Prioritise career success – UNSW won the Australian Financial Review’s Most Employable Students Award in 2023
Benefit from strong industry links and partnerships
Access world class alumni connections
Join a global top 50 university (QS World University Rankings, 2023)
Join a community that’s part of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities

Program Code

4034

CRICOS Code

082207F

Campus

Kensington

UAC Code

422403

Total Units of Credit (UOC)

240

Indicative Enrolments

138

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Entry requirements

2021 Lowest Selection Rank

2021 A levels

2021 IB Diploma

2021 Lowest ATAR

72.8

The 2022 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2022.

The 2022 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subject. 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 2022 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2022. It is to be used as a guide only.

The 2022 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.
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.

See more

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 advisors to discuss your path to UNSW.

Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer 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.

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:

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.

International direct entry

I studied in:

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:

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Select from the options below

Which applies to you?

Program structure

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Criminology & Criminal Justice is a five-year program consisting of 38 courses.

The program includes:

23 Social Work core courses
6 Criminology core courses
6 Social Science core courses
3 Criminology electives

Full program structure

Each university year at UNSW has three terms and an optional summer study period.

Some courses need to be studied in your first and second year, so you’re prepared for courses that can only be studied in later years. You can study full-time or part-time. Depending on how you plan your study load, you can fit two or three courses into a term and one course in a summer term.

Below is an example of what you could study in a standard five-year, full-time study plan.

First year

4 Social Work core courses
2 Criminology core courses
2 Social Science core courses

Second year

5 Social Work core courses
3 Criminology electives

Third year

2 Social Work core courses
3 Criminology core courses
3 Social Science core courses

Fourth year

5 Social Work core courses
1 Criminology core courses
1 Social Science core courses

Fifth year

7 Social Work core courses

Social Work Field Education

In the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) there are two Field Education courses (placements):

1. Social Work Practice Level 3 Placement
Level 3 Placement is a 70-day placement that starts at the end of January and runs four days a week (Monday – Thursday) until early June.

2. Social Work Practice Level 4 Placement
Level 4 Placement is a 70-day placement that starts at the beginning of July and runs four days a week (Monday – Thursday) until mid-November.

Download Sample Program

Go to the handbook

Future careers

You'll graduate with 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.

UNSW's Bachelor of Social Work is one of the most highly regarded social work programs in Australia. Our graduates receive industry accreditation from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Studying Social Work at UNSW opens the door to a range of career options across many sectors, including private and government agencies, social welfare support organisations and community groups. Our strong partnerships and placement opportunities will elevate your industry recognition and employability upon graduation.

The Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice integrates career readiness training through our Criminology Capstone course, Criminology in Practice, alongside mentoring programs, job-seeking modules, and professional career support opportunities. In this course, you'll draw together key concepts, themes and debates in criminology and apply them to current issues. You'll graduate with a portfolio of work that touches on eight contemporary themes within criminology.

Potential careers

Policy analyst and adviser
Research officer
Project manager and research designer
Social worker

Future careers

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) qualify for membership to the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

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 apply?

Apply now

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 more information visit our international applicant 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. Read more.

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Fees & Scholarships

2023 Indicative First Year Full Fee

$15,140*

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.

2023 Indicative First Year Fee

S38,685*

2023 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree

$199,565*

*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.

Explore scholarships

Top 50

Worldwide

QS World University Rankings, 2020.
Most

Employable Graduates

AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
Leading

Innovation

#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

"I chose social work, despite having the marks to get into Psychology, or Medicine, or Law, because it was something I really cared about. I really liked that the UNSW degree was so practical and skills based. "

Tahlia Trijbetz

Case Manager | Mental Health

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