Study Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Criminal Justice) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

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Entry requirements Degree overview Career outcomes How to apply Study experience

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 Permanent 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

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Admissions
Student Profile

Entry Scores
2025 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 65.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,C
TAFE/RTO: DIP
View Guaranteed Entry Info
2024 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 65.00
TAFE/RTO: Dip
View full entry requirements

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.
Recent secondary education ATAR profile

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

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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.

Degree overview

Enhance your employment prospects and diversify your skillset by studying criminology and criminal justice along with a second major in Arts. This will develop your capabilities to explore and apply diverse ways of thinking, which is highly regarded by employers.
Engage with community and industry partners, undertake a placement and seek mentoring opportunities through the Professional Directions Program.
Gain international experience with a Global Experience study tour.
Study at a university ranked No.1 in SA for Graduate Careers in the Humanities¹.
UniSA is ranked No.1 in South Australia for Graduate Skills in Arts and the Humanities².
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities³, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
Use this degree as a pathway to further study, including the Master of Social Work.

¹ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23, Humanities, Culture and Social Sciences – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Postgraduate). SA public universities ²ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Humanities, Culture and Social Sciences – Skills Development Indicator (Undergraduate). Public universities. ³UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #46, 2022 THE Young University Rankings, Ranked #29, 2021 QS Top 50 Universities Aged Under 50.

Snapshot

As a student studying the Criminology and Criminal Justice major, you will explore the social and behavioural science of criminology, and examine contemporary criminal justice issues across diverse communities locally and globally.

Informed by the latest thinking and most up-to-date developments in criminology and criminal justice, you will

Develop an understanding of the criminal justice system in specialised areas such as offender rehabilitation, restorative justice and diversion, globalised crime, youth justice, and police investigations and intelligence.
Gain insight into cutting-edge developments in criminal and social justice from academics with extensive research and industry experience.
Discover how the criminal justice system is experienced by people, and how it can be analysed and improved, to address contemporary social challenges.

You will also graduate with transferable skills in expert writing, presentation, digital, communication, research and problem-solving skills that are highly regarded by prospective employers.

Learn more about how to tailor your Arts degree to suit your interests in humanities and social sciences and diversify your knowledge.

What you'll learn

This degree delves into the criminal justice system and the impacts of globalisation on crime. You will 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:

offender rehabilitation
desistence theory
restorative justice and diversion
globalised crime
youth justice
crime, gender and sexuality
police investigations and intelligence.

You will also develop transferable skills in critical thinking, research capabilities, and written and oral communication skills.

This degree allows you to select two majors, ensuring you graduate with broad knowledge of two areas of interest. You can choose a second major from the following:

In addition to your two majors, you will also be required to complete two core courses, four courses from a selected list of minors, and Professional Directions Program 1 & 2 or two electives.

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Degree structure

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.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Why Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Criminal Justice)

This degree increases your employment prospects by enabling expertise in two areas of interest. The criminology and criminal justice specialisation will encourage you to analyse the inner workings of the criminal justice system and explore ways of tackling contemporary social challenges. You’ll also learn about the human side of criminology and criminal justice, deepening your understanding of diverse social and behavioural dimensions.

Employers look for graduates who can apply their knowledge and skills to real industry challenges. With a strong focus on applied learning, you’ll learn the same principles and approaches used in current criminology and criminal justice practice - you’ll be ready to hit the ground running, no matter what area you choose to work in.

You can engage with community and industry partners, undertake a placement and seek mentoring opportunities as part of your studies through the Professional Directions Program. You can also gain international experience through Global Experience study tours.

By choosing one major and one minor, you could continue your studies with a Master of Teaching. Find out more about becoming a teacher before you select your courses.

Online study

Part, or all, of this degree can be studied online. With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle. You can:

study online, including accessing videos and course resources
participate in an interactive online learning environment
submit your assignments and get feedback online
use discussion forums for team work and communication

Please note that for some degrees, some on-campus attendance (such as to attend seminars, workshops or examinations) and/or placements may apply. Any requirements like this are detailed on individual course pages.

This could be you

UniSA’s Bachelor of Arts is taught by world-class educators and researchers and enables you to pursue two areas of academic interest at once. Hear from UniSA student Luke Heathorn and Program Support Coordinator Louis Everuss on what it's like studying our Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Career outcomes

Your career

With the industry experiencing steady job growth, there are diverse career opportunities for criminology and criminal justice professionals. Many roles are found in government agencies including law enforcement and intelligence, social welfare and correctional services, but there are also opportunities to work in the private sector and with not-for-profit organisations.

As a graduate, you may pursue you career in criminology and criminal justice in roles such as:

policy development officer
crime prevention officer
case manager
law enforcement officer
child protection officer
correctional services officer
security officer
youth support worker
intelligence officer
criminology research officer.

With additional qualifications, you may choose to work in teaching, academia or policy research and development.
Further career pathways are also available depending on your combination of majors.

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Alternative Pathways

There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

UniSA College Diploma in Social Sciences
UniSA College Undergraduate Certificate in University Studies (Social Sciences)
SAIBT Diploma of Arts

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

UniSA Excellence Scholarships

$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.

Learn more

UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship

Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

academic counselling
personal counselling
social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
career services and mentoring
Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.

When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your program director

I am Director of the Bachelor of Arts Programs, Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, and Fellow of the Advanced Higher Education Academy, UK.

My academic background is in Languages and Applied Linguistics (BA Hons, PhD), following extensive experience in clinical practice across a range of health and medical domains in Australia. My work places a strong focus on developing reciprocal, trusting relationships in my teaching, mentoring and engagement with students, and in my research in partnership with colleagues, community and industry. My teaching and research inform each other. I coordinate and teach core courses in the Bachelor of Arts, and my research focuses on language and communication in professions and organisations in various contexts. These include state and nationally funded projects in health care, aged care, education, counselling, and policing.

The upshot is that our Bachelor of Arts program develops each student’s interests, strengths and aspirations, enabling each student to explore and prepare for a wide range of career and life goals. The unique double major structure combines theory and practice with real-world experience to develop strong interdisciplinary skills that are highly valued by industry, government and community.

Dr Fiona O'Neill

Program Director

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Dr Fiona O'Neill

Program Director

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Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.

The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.

There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.

If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.

You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.

If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Undergraduate

The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.

Postgraduate

Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.

As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.