-
95% graduates employed
-
Top 10 Catholic universities globally
-
Top 40 young universities worldwide
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Honours)
Course information for - 2025 entry
Offered at 4 locations
- Duration
- 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- CRICOS Code
- 108635A
- Fees (first year)*
- $32000
- Start dates
- February 2026, July 2026, February 2027, July 2027
Overview
Our Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Honours) explores in depth the causes of anti-social behaviour. With this degree, you will develop the knowledge and expertise to make a valuable contribution in the criminal justice sector.
Understand the complex causes and impact of crime, and the interactions of the legal and social policies that regulate society. In the fourth (honours) year, you will craft a research project of your choice, using skills in research practice and methodologies to construct a significant piece of real-world, socially useful research.
Subjects include forensic psychology, forensic science, cybercrime, border protection and biosecurity, understanding violence and trauma, as well as research-specific skills and methodologies. All students will undertake a community engagement in third year.
Graduate with well-developed research and analytical skills and prepared for exciting career opportunities in cybersecurity, law enforcement, intelligence and investigation, correctional and rehabilitation services and more.
Note: The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice is offered with and without honours. The honours program takes four years and has a higher ATAR, as you’ll be expected to complete an honours thesis reflecting advanced research skills as part of your degree. It is particularly suited to students who have a strong scholarly interest in criminology and see their future in research and/or policy. The three-year, non-honours degree is suitable for students who see their future in policing, corrections or some other part of the criminal justice sector.
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 and researcher
- 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 (Honours), a student must complete 320 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Exit Points
Students will be able to exit the Honours program with the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice award on completion of the required 240cp for that course.
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 |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | English (Standard) (Band 3) or English as an Additional Language (EAL) (Band 4) |
| Queensland | English (4, SA) at year 12 level |
| Victoria | Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 25 in any other English. |
Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.
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
Fees
Course costs
- Unit fee: $4000
- Average first year fee: $32000
- Estimate total cost: $128000
The Tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.
Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.
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.
Staff Profile
Dr Adie Teshome
Lecturer, Thomas More Law School
Dr Teshome is a Lecturer in Law and Criminology, and Coordinator of the Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice (Vic) program at the Thomas More Law School. Prior to joining ACU, Dr Adie held academic positions at Monash University, and La Trobe University. He received his doctorate in 2018 from Monash University. His thesis is on the legal response to vulnerability to human trafficking from source country perspectives. Dr Adie is a qualified lawyer (admitted to practice law in Ethiopia and worked as a Public Prosecutor) having successfully completed his LLB from Addis Ababa University. Adie’s research expertise lies in various legal issues including contemporary human exploitation, human trafficking, modern slavery, forensic psychology and criminal law and criminal justice. Dr has received several recognitions for his teaching excellence.
Dr Kanij Fatima
Lecturer in Criminology - Thomas More Law School
Dr Kanij Fatima, is a lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Thomas More Law School, Australian Catholic University.
She has completed her PhD in Human Trafficking and International Law at the School of Law, La Trobe University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law, a master’s in law, and a graduate degree in international law with a focus on human rights. Before commencing her PhD candidature, she worked in the Bangladesh Judiciary as a Joint District Judge/ Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate for 8 years. She has advanced skills in legal research (in both civil and criminal matters, and both domestic and international laws), as well as relevant teaching experience. She is a British Chevening scholar and AUSAID scholar. Her research interests are human and organ trafficking, human rights, domestic violence and migrants, money laundering, and other transnational crimes.
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.