Why Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice?
What impact does crime have on society? What intervention strategies exist, and what challenges arise in the pursuit of justice?
Our Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice prepares you to think critically about crime and shape the criminal justice sector. Develop an understanding on the complex causes and nature of crime. Contribute to key discussions on criminal behaviour and societal responses. Understand the impact of crime on society – and learn how to develop strategies for effective interventions.
Discover how to influence policy and contribute to informed decision-making with a major in Politics. Learn how you can be part of the solution by shaping policies that create lasting, meaningful change.
Overview
Explore the social and behavioural science of criminology with Adelaide University’s Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Informed by contemporary criminal justice issues and the latest developments, our degree will develop your understanding of the criminal justice system, policing, crime and punishment in modern society. You’ll also gain a detailed understanding of policy and practice in Australian politics, with emphasis on the factors that shape government policies.
Discover how agencies across police, criminal courts, corrections, and victim and offender support services collaborate to detect, prevent and respond to crime while also supporting victims.
With a major in Politics, you’ll sharpen your understanding of political systems, ideologies, institutions and processes. Investigate key topics like power, freedom, identity, equality, human rights, social justice, marginalisation and political activism.
Key features
Investigate causes of crime and deviance.- Explore policing and crime prevention techniques.
- Build core knowledge of Australian criminal law.
- Develop an in-depth understanding of contemporary political theory and practice.
- Learn from world-leading academics.
- Graduate career ready by completing an internship in an area of your interest.
What you'll learn
With our Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice program, majoring in Politics, you’ll learn about the major institutions in the criminal justice system – including the role of government agencies and social institutions in developing policies and practices of punishment.
You’ll focus on current sector issues and contemporary approaches to practice, graduating with specialised knowledge in:
- Criminal justice
- Pathways into crime
- Crime problems in Australia
- Research methods in criminology
- The Australian system of government
- Restorative justice and diversion
- Police investigations and intelligence.
Throughout your studies, you’ll investigate policing, crime, punishment and crime control, and factors that shape government policies in Australian politics. You’ll study contemporary issues in criminology, the Australian electoral democracy and cyber-politics.
In your final year, you'll have the chance to explore career pathways and connect with community and industry partners in an internship that aligns with your future aspirations.
Majors
The Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice is also available with majors in:
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 66 units for Core courses, and
- 48 units for one Major from Majors, and
- 12 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 18 units for Electives
Complete 66 units comprising:
- 18 units for all Common core, and
- 48 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 1
|
Course code
AUXX1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 2
|
Course code
AUXX2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
UG Common Core 3
|
Course code
AUXX3000
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Politics
|
Course code
POLI4000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Politics
|
Course code
POLI1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policy and Practice in Australian Politics
|
Course code
POLI2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
The Politics of Exclusion
|
Course code
POLI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Passions and Interests: The History of Greed
|
Course code
SOCI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environment and Citizenship
|
Course code
POLI3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Australian Electoral Democracy
|
Course code
POLI3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyberpolitics
|
Course code
POLI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Politics
|
Course code
POLI4000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Politics
|
Course code
POLI1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Policy and Practice in Australian Politics
|
Course code
POLI2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
The Politics of Exclusion
|
Course code
POLI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Australian Electoral Democracy
|
Course code
POLI3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Cyberpolitics
|
Course code
POLI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environment and Citizenship
|
Course code
POLI3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Passions and Interests: The History of Greed
|
Course code
SOCI2001
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Politics
|
Course code
POLI4000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Politics
|
Course code
POLI1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policy and Practice in Australian Politics
|
Course code
POLI2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
The Politics of Exclusion
|
Course code
POLI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Passions and Interests: The History of Greed
|
Course code
SOCI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environment and Citizenship
|
Course code
POLI3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Australian Electoral Democracy
|
Course code
POLI3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyberpolitics
|
Course code
POLI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 12 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Politics
|
Course code
POLI4000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Politics
|
Course code
POLI1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policy and Practice in Australian Politics
|
Course code
POLI2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
The Politics of Exclusion
|
Course code
POLI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Passions and Interests: The History of Greed
|
Course code
SOCI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environment and Citizenship
|
Course code
POLI3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Australian Electoral Democracy
|
Course code
POLI3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyberpolitics
|
Course code
POLI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 18 units comprising:
- 18 units from University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Crime Problems in Australia
|
Course code
LAWS1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Criminal Justice
|
Course code
CRIM1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Politics
|
Course code
POLI4000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM1002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Explaining Crime and Deviance
|
Course code
CRIM1003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Australian Politics
|
Course code
POLI1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policing and Crime Control
|
Course code
CRIM2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Policy and Practice in Australian Politics
|
Course code
POLI2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Professional Pathways and Destinations 2
|
Course code
SOCI2019
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
The Politics of Exclusion
|
Course code
POLI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Passions and Interests: The History of Greed
|
Course code
SOCI2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Penology and Corrections
|
Course code
CRIM2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship
|
Course code
CRIM3003
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Environment and Citizenship
|
Course code
POLI3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Australian Electoral Democracy
|
Course code
POLI3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Contemporary Issues in Criminology
|
Course code
CRIM3000
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Cyberpolitics
|
Course code
POLI3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Criminal Law and Criminal Process
|
Course code
LAWS3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
A degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice majoring in Politics will position you well to pursue a range of career options across various sectors, including law enforcement, government, policy-making and social services. You might find yourself in support roles, working to improve outcomes for victims, offenders and communities. You may step into an advisory position, guiding reforms in criminal justice and influencing policy. Perhaps you’ll go into investigative or analytical roles, bringing insight and expertise to law enforcement or security settings. Whatever you choose, your skills will be sought after across a variety of government bodies, community organisations and service providers.
Potential careers may include roles in the following sectors:
- Policing
- Security and intelligence
- Correctional services
- Court administration
- Parliamentary advising
- Crime analysis
- Advocacy
- Policy development/analysis.
Industry trends
With the Australian public administration and safety sector to create over 53,000 new roles over the next three years (Australian Labour Market Insights, 2023), there has never been a better time to enhance your skills or start a rewarding career in criminology and criminal justice.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
