About

If you love watching true crime documentaries, this course is for you.

As a student of criminology, you’ll dive into the world of criminal behaviour, illicit drugs, arms or counterfeit goods and learn how to create industry-standard solutions to local and global crime problems.

You’ll get to study selected true crime stories where immersive journalism practices have uncovered new evidence and changed the course of investigations. This will give you an understanding of police practices and help you uncover the motivations which result in young people encountering the criminal justice system. Importantly, you will also analyse these topics from the worldviews, histories and standpoints of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. You’ll consider how these histories continue to impact Indigenous youth in the criminal justice system today.

You’ll learn from experts who have worked in the field of corrective services, counter terrorism and transnational crime, giving you real-world knowledge from highly experienced professionals. This will set you up with a practical skillset and assist with your job readiness upon graduation. You’ll also have the freedom to tailor half of your course based on your interests by taking electives you’re passionate about.

This course will gear you towards a future where your knowledge will help provide actionable solutions in relation to crime and make a lasting difference to our society. You’ll join a cohort of graduates who work in various areas of the criminal justice system, such as victim support, intelligence analysts, and corrections programs.

What will you learn?

Criminal Behaviour: What defines criminal activity? Which factors put people at risk of developing criminal behaviour? Unpack these questions and learn about how these relate to the criminal justice system.
Policing: Learn about policing issues, crime statistics, the history of the police and where the future of policing lies in Australia.
Illicit Markets: How do counterfeit goods, illicit drugs and global illicit markets impact the world? Learn about their impact on a local and global scale.
Juvenile Crime: Learn about the motivations that may result in young people encountering the criminal justice system.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Non-Year 12 entry

Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.

Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant, relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered. All students must demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Read our Applying and Enrolling FAQs.

The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

Year 12 entry

VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent. Minimum ATAR requirements may apply.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne, for general information about admission process

Credit arrangements

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for credit.

Applicants who have completed a Diploma in a related discipline may be eligible for credit of up to 8 units; the equivalent of a third of the course. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit of up to 16 units.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Speak to a Course Consultant about applying for RPL.

Diploma entry pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and provides advanced standing to the second.

Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree but in most instances you may receive up to 8 unit credits.

Our Course Consultants will step you through the process of entry and credit using previous study.

English Program Requirements

English language tests

International students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency before enrolling into a Swinburne Online degree by undertaking one of the following English language tests; The International English Language Test Score (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score.

IELTS

IELTS have over 1,000 testing centres worldwide and run testing throughout the year. Use the IELTS worldwide search to find a testing centre near you.

TOEFL

The TOEFL test is administered worldwide through a network of testing centres. Use the TOEFL Testing Location Search to find a testing centre near you.

Minimum entry score: IELTS

Overall 6.5
With no band below 6

Minimum entry score: TOEFL

Paper Based: 550 (With a written English score of 5)
Internet Based: 79 (With no individual band below 18)

Test results

Once you have received your test results simply contact us via our online application form or by contacting our Course Consultants on 1300 069 765.

Career

Launch a career you’re passionate about

The Bachelor of Social Science – Criminology prioritises your readiness to succeed come graduation through industry connections embedded in your degree:

Professional Teaching: You will be taught by professionals with experience in not-for-profit and corrective services and knowledge of counter terrorism and security. Learn from experts with practical, real-world experience who are ready to share their knowledge with you.
Networking: Develop professional connections with your peers as you collaborate on projects and learn industry level skills.
Create Crime Prevention Initiatives: In this course you’ll develop practical skills to create proactive crime prevention strategies which will help prepare you for any role relating to crime prevention and correction.

Criminologist

Specialise in your interests; such as law enforcement, victim support, preventing crime or offender rehabilitation.

Intelligence Analyst

Help to monitor developments in social, cultural, political or military matters to assist with Australian national security.

Parole Case Manager

Help individuals meet their court or parole conditions and keep them connected to community services and programs to assist with their rehabilitation.

Community Development Officer

Use your knowledge of social science to help address issues facing communities and work to find solutions to problems facing various groups.

Corrections Officer

Ensure the security of inmates and staff inside prisons, help to supervise activities and play a key role in maintaining safety.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

1,490 / per unit