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.
- We are ranked 2nd in Australia and 27th globally for Social Sciences. UNSW is ranked #4 in Australia for Arts and Humanities according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- The only accredited social work program in Australia that integrates Honours into your undergraduate degree
- You’ll double your impact by studying social work alongside a criminology & criminal justice specialisation.
- 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 2024
- Benefit from strong industry links and partnerships
- Access world-class alumni connections
- Introduction to the Australian Association of Social Workers
- Join a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 2025)
- Join a community that’s part of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities