Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Criminal Justice), University of South Australia (UniSA). 2025 information for Australian students

This degree is only available to Australian students

You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:

Australian or New Zealand Citizen
Australian Permanent Resident (including Humanitarian Visa holders)

Australian students

Start Date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Program Code
MBAA

SATAC Code
444605 (Internal)

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
Commonwealth Supported

Entry Requirements
Selection Rank (Internal): 65.00 (for 2024)
Selection Rank (Guaranteed): 65.00 (for 2025)
TAFE/RTO (Guaranteed): DIP
View full entry requirements

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education

Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent

AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
- Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR

Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above

OR

Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None
View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Courses in the Criminology and Criminal Justice major are delivered via UniSA Online, therefore the major is not available to students wishing to study in Australia on a student visa.

Aim

The Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Criminal Justice) qualifies individuals who will have advanced knowledge and skills across multiple dimensions relevant to the field of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Content & Structure

Students will study a range of Criminology and Criminal Justice courses that cover topics such as the criminal justice system, offender rehabilitation and desistance, policing investigations and intelligence, globalised crime, youth justice, and Aboriginal Australians, policing and the criminal justice system. The approach taken to the study of criminology will include an emphasis on diversions and restorative justice, providing insights into ways that the criminal justice system is experienced by people, how it can be analysed and improved to address contemporary social challenges.

Graduates will have a second Arts major to expand their technical, analytical and communicative skills essential for practice in the professional environments and further learning in a culturally diverse global marketplace.

Students will complete 108 units of study comprising 9 units of core courses, 36 units of an Arts specialisation, 36 units of a second Arts major, 18 units of a minor, and 9 units of electives.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

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From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Truth, Lies and Being Human	HUMS 1060	4.5	Note(s): 1
UO Understanding Crime and Criminology	BEHL 1035	4.5	Note(s): 6
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 2,3,5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Intercultural Communication	LANG 1054	4.5	Note(s): 1
UO The Criminal Justice System	JUST 1018	4.5	Note(s): 6
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 2,3,5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
UO Corrections: Offender Rehabilitation and Desistance	JUST 2011	4.5	Note(s): 6
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 2,3,5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 4
OR
Professional Directions Program 1	COMM 2098	4.5	Note(s): 4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
UO Policing Investigations and Intelligence	JUST 2013	4.5	Note(s): 6
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Minor		4.5	Note(s): 2,3,5
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 4
OR
Professional Directions Program 2	COMM 2099	4.5	Note(s): 4
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
UO Globalised Crime	JUST 3010	4.5	Note(s): 6
UO Youth Justice	JUST 2014	4.5	Note(s): 6
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
UO Crime, Gender and Sexuality	JUST 3009	4.5	Note(s): 6
UO Aboriginal Australians, Policing and the Criminal Justice System	SOCU 2019	4.5	Note(s): 6
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1
Major 2		4.5		Rule(s): 1

Majors, Sub-majors & Minors

French Studies

Italian Studies

Japanese Studies

Psychology

Creative Writing and Literature

Applied Linguistics

Sociology

History and Global Politics

Cultural Studies

Law, Policy and Politics

Aboriginal Studies

Criminology and Criminal Justice
Rules & notes

Rules

1. Students are required to complete their second major from: Aboriginal Studies, Applied Linguistics, Creative Writing and Literature, Cultural Studies, Languages, History and Global Politics, Law, Policy and Politics, Psychology, or Sociology. Students who wish to complete a major or minor learning area from the list of available university major and minor options should contact the Program Director for approval and enrolment advice.

2. Students intending to undertake a Master of Teaching (Secondary) should consult with their program director for a schedule of recommended courses.

3. International student visa holders cannot select Criminology and Criminal Justice as a specialisation or major.

Notes

1. This course is one of two core courses that provide a foundation for the program.

2. A minor consists of four courses (18 units), two of which are generally Level 1 (Introductory) and two at Level 2 (Intermediate).

3. The Hawke Ambassador International Volunteer Experience course can be chosen in place of the minor sequence and is equivalent to 18 units. Students who choose this option will swap their first year (Level 1 Introductory) minor sequence to Elective 1 and Elective 2. Students can then choose to study the Hawke course in their second year (Level 2 Intermediate). Students will be required to complete the two available Level 2 Intermediate course options at second year in the opposite study period to undertaking the Hawke course.

4. Students complete either Electives or Professional Directions Program courses 1 and 2. Students may be directed to complete English Language courses in place of their electives.

5. Students are advised to select their minor from within the majors offered by the MBAA Bachelor of Arts.

6. The Criminology & Criminal Justice courses are available online only. Students are advised to contact the Program Director for enrolment advice.

7. The Justice & Society Study Tour course can be chosen in place of an elective course as part of this program. Additional fees apply for the study tour component of this course, and enrolment is conditional upon successful application in a competitive Expression of Interest process as well as successful completion of 36 units.