Australian residents
International students
Intakes: 

2024: February, April, July

Duration: 
3 years
Location: 
City Campus
Fees: 

2024: A$14,900*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.
Apply

Overview

Explore impactful legal and social issues and solve real problems in the community with a Bachelor of Criminology at Victoria University (VU).

In this criminology degree, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to critique and understand the causes and politics of crime. You’ll develop an understanding of the roles of police, legal and social welfare organisations within the system.

By studying our program based in cutting-edge criminology, you’ll gain a basis of the socio-political and individual factors that lead to criminal activity and its complex interactions with the criminal legal system.

You'll study areas including:

  • crime and inequality
  • policing and offending
  • digital criminology
  • victimology
  • transnational crime
  • international crime
  • crime prevention
  • corporate crime.

You’ll study specialist criminology subjects as well as law subjects to give you a strong foundation. Plus, you’ll apply your learning to case studies and practical scenarios, preparing you for the workforce.

As a Bachelor of Criminology graduate, you’ll have a wide-ranging understanding of the complex criminal legal system and the interconnectedness of social welfare, law, correctional institutions, community and policing. Your tertiary education will put you in high demand in this sector, which recognises the need for a more educated workforce. 

Take advantage of VU’s criminology staff members’ strong ties to the Department of Justice, Victorian Police Department, Applied Security Science Partnership and many more.

Both your criminology and law studies have a strong focus on practical learning, covering case studies and real-world scenarios.

As a Bachelor of Criminology student, you also have the opportunity to participate in Department of Justice volunteer opportunities in Victoria’s legal and prison systems. 

In the third year of your criminology degree, you’ll apply all the skills and knowledge you’ve developed to a significant research project, known as a ‘capstone’ unit.

Working in small teams, you’ll collaborate on a research project relating to real cases and scenarios. At present, the final research project will focus on public opinions on bail within Victorian and Australia more broadly. You’ll collect, analyse and interpret data and write a final report – practising your skills and preparing to enter the workforce. 

From your second year of study, complement your criminology training and follow your interests by choosing two minor areas of study from these highly relevant areas:

Build a degree that suits your interests and career goals, backed by the solid foundational knowledge you’ll gain from your core criminology and legal subjects. 

Careers in criminology

Job opportunities are expected to boom in the next five years, with:

Key parts of the industry and profession, including Victoria Police, recognise the need for a more educated workforce. Your Bachelor of Criminology qualification will be widely recognised across many relevant areas, equipping you to embark on a fulfilling career in a variety of different areas. Some include:

  • government institutions
  • police work
  • community organisations
  • criminal legal institutions
  • intelligence officer
  • social work
  • crime analyst
  • policy officer.

 

Motives & meanings: solving & preventing crime

Motives & meanings: solving & preventing crime

Intrigued by the psychological and social implications of crime, and eager to be part of the solution, Dean Uelese chose VU's Bachelor of Criminology.

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Early intervention

Strong evidence shows that targeted early intervention programs for at-risk young people are a cost-effective way to reduce crime (Smart Justice).

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Criminology students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

- 96 credit points of First Year Core Studies
- 96 credit points of Professional Core Studies
- 96 credit points of Minor Studies

First Year

Year 2

12 credit points Minor 1 Unit 1

12 credit points Minor 1 Unit 2

12 credit points Minor 2 Unit 1

Year 3

12 credit points Minor 1 Unit 3

12 credit points Minor 1 Unit 4

12 credit points Minor 2 Unit 2

12 credit points Minor 2 Unit 3

12 credit points Minor 2 Unit 4

Minors

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Integrate conceptual understanding of criminology research, theory and practice with advanced specialist bodies of knowledge such as law and criminology;  
  2. Exhibit expertise and professional judgement in the application of criminological concepts to issues of law, security and justice in contemporary society;  
  3. Adapt theoretical knowledge applicable to the discipline by critically analysing and applying information with initiative and judgement in order to both anticipate and creatively solve problems and promote justice in authentic/contemporary professional, community settings; (including those that require cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills)  
  4. Communicate effectively to present clear and coherent independent expositions of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences;  
  5. Demonstrate personal and interpersonal competencies including organisational and collaborative skills necessary to operate within successfully in a team;  
  6. Exemplify professional ethics and accountabilities in their practice and a commit to ongoing professional development;  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Foundations at VU JYAC

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.

Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.

Apply

If you have questions, please get in touch:

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.