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95% graduates employed
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Top 10 Catholic universities globally
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Top 40 young universities worldwide
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 4 locations
- Blacktown
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- North Sydney
- Blacktown
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- North Sydney
- Duration
- 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- UAC code
- 107020
- ATAR
- 60.00 for Blacktown
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025Applications open April 2025
Overview
Our Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice explores the causes of antisocial behaviour and develops the knowledge and expertise you’ll need to make a valuable contribution in the criminal justice sector. By studying this degree, you’ll understand the complex causes and impact of crime, and the legal and social policies that keep us safe. The course includes studies in forensic psychology, forensic science, cybercrime, border protection and biosecurity, understanding violence and trauma.
All criminology students will undertake a community engagement in third year. You’ll graduate prepared for a range of exciting career opportunities in areas such as cybersecurity, law enforcement, intelligence and investigation, correctional and rehabilitation services, and more.
Students who have completed 120 credit points with a grade point average of 5.75 and above may apply to complete an honours degree.
Professional experience
You will undertake a 40-hour placement associated with the criminal justice sector. You’ll receive intensive training in workplace approaches, practices and more before starting your placement, followed by a debriefing with a clinical education specialist.
Careers
- Policy advisor
- Reintegration worker
- Police (state, territory or federal)
- Immigration and border protection official
- Community corrections officer
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, a student must complete 240 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy that includes meeting minimum ATAR requirement.
International applicants must meet the English Language Requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent:
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
| NSW | Assumed knowledge: English (Standard) (Band 2) or English (EAL) (Band 3). |
| QLD | Assumed knowledge: English (3 & 4, C). |
| VIC | Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English. |
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.
Applicants with recent secondary education
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
For current year 12 students
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
For non-school leavers
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
ACU has partnerships with TAFE and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners or with ACU College, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.
Applicants with higher education study
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Understand your pathway options
Diploma in Criminology is a pathway
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
Further study
Students who have completed 120 credit points with a grade point average of 5.75 and above may apply to complete an honours degree.
Fees
Course costs
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Staff Profile
Dr Nathan Ryan
Lecturer, Thomas More Law School
Nathan Ryan is a researcher and lecturer at the Thomas More Law School, Melbourne. Nathan completed his doctorate at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University. His primary research area is in the investigation process in missing body homicide investigations with a focus on investigative interviewing to retrieve the spatial memory of suspects and patterns of hiding behaviour. Nathan has conducted research investigating both perceptions of rape trial testimony and conducted interviews with incarcerated domestic violence offenders. He has additional knowledge in the psychology of criminal behaviour, theory of policing and research methodology. In addition, he has conducted training programs in witness suggestibility and the psychology of offenders for the Queensland Police Service as part of their detective training program. Currently he is researching the impact of the prison visitation process on visitors.
Dr Shannon Dodd
Senior Lecturer in Criminology - Thomas More Law School
Shannon Dodd is a senior lecturer in Criminology in the Thomas More Law School, at Australian Catholic University. Her research background includes examining issues in Australia’s correctional system, including the use of body-worn cameras by custodial officers, people with disability in prisons, public support for the release of offenders on parole, and the increasingly punitive trajectory being taken in Australia with respect to offenders on bail and parole. Her research has also focused on the affective dimensions of public views, exploring how different emotions and mechanisms of emotion management may impact public views of criminal justice issues.
Shannon’s recent research has focused on the impact of enhanced compassion in judicial sentencing remarks on public punitiveness and criminal justice spending preferences, and the impacts of imprisonment for people with disability. In 2022, Shannon was also awarded funding from the Queensland Government to design and deliver an intervention aimed at young people in Townsville who steal cars to joyride.
Shannon’s research has been published both in Australia and internationally, in journals including Criminology and Criminal Justice, British Journal of Criminology, and International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology.
Before her academic career, Shannon was a solicitor in private practice.
Testimonial
When I started to explore different career options, I was immediately interested in studying criminology and criminal justice. I have always been drawn to true-crime movies and documentaries. They made me question why people engage in offending behaviours and what we, as a community, can do to aid their rehabilitation. I am really looking forward to undertaking the 40-hour industry placement in my third year of study. That is a valuable experience that is unique to ACU’s criminology degree.