B Psychological and Social Sciencestestiminal-block
    Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws

    Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws

    Duration5 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    AUD 27,268 / Year
    Next IntakeJuly 20, 2026
    Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws

    About

    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.

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    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.

    English Program Requirements

    All international students must have a good command of written and spoken English.

    If your first language is English or if you can provide satisfactory evidence that English was the medium of instruction in your secondary or tertiary studies (secondary or tertiary studies completed within 2 years at the time of your commencement at Western Sydney University), you may be considered as meeting the requirement of proficiency in English.

    If English is not your first language or was not the medium of instruction in your secondary or tertiary studies, you are required to demonstrate your proficiency in the English language by achieving a prescribed level in an approved English examination or test before you can receive a full offer of a place.

    IELTS (Academic version)

    6.5 overall score
    Minimum 6.0 in each subtest

    TOEFL Internet-based score

    Total score 82
    Writing 21, Speaking 18, Reading 13, Listening 13

    Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

    58 overall
    No communication skills less than 50

    Career

    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

    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

    Fee Information

    Tuition Fee
    27,268 / year
    Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws
    Western Sydney University
    Western Sydney University
    Australia

    Australia, Sydney