Bachelor of Arts (Professional)
Majoring in Criminology
80.0
Semester 1 intake
Choose your major
Climate and Social Justice
Be ready to make your mark on a greener, more equitable future by developing a critical understanding of the social impacts of climate change.
Criminology
Learn why crimes are committed, how society defines crime and treats criminals, and what social factors and motivations can lead to criminal behaviour.
Ethics and Technology
Examine the use of data-harvesting by private corporations and governments and the plethora of resulting ethical issues – from privacy and surveillance to human rights, equity and security.
Indigenous Studies
Delve into Indigenous ways of being and doing, which are increasingly appreciated not only their historical value, but also for their place in contemporary society.
Perspectives on Globalisation
Learn how globalisation has transformed our society. Understand international relations. Develop cultural competency skills and open your mind to world cultures.
Politics, Power and Technology
Question political structures and how new media technology has created opportunities for democratic mobilisation and participation, while opening up new ways to corrupt democratic processes.
Professional and Creative Writing
Learn to harness the power of words to tell compelling stories that inform and inspire the world. Explore the traditional and latest methods to hone your writing practice.
Screen Studies and Popular Culture
Chart the history of screen technologies and use your creativity and initiative to anticipate what the future of entertainment will be.
Overview
Build your confidence to make a difference and benefit from our unique industry partnerships with a 12-month paid work placement as part of your degree. Apply your knowledge and critical thinking into your desired industry and grow your network to mark on the world (and its future) before you graduate.
Your major
Learn why crimes are committed, how society defines crime and treats criminals, and what social factors and motivations can lead to criminal behaviour. You'll examine the systems and practices within policing, global crime problems, cyber-crime and security issues – plus, how to analyse trends, formulate policies and create systems to help prevent crime.
Your industry experience
Bolster your CV with real industry experience through our guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity – a placement, internship or industry-linked project. In the Skills and Strategies for Social Change core unit, you'll collaborate with students and community, civil society and industry partners to create real campaigns for social change.
Skills you’ll learn
- Conceptual understanding
- Critical and creative reasoning
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Self-management
Your career opportunities
- Case manager
- Community development officer or welfare worker
- Campaign coordinator
- Journalist
- Public policy analyst
- Corrections officer
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Why Swinburne?
Top 400 for arts and humanities
5 stars for overall experience
5 stars for teaching quality
#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary
-
"I secured a 12-month placement with the Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner. Being able to undertake government work as a part of my bachelor has given me a head start that most other universities can’t offer."
Jared , Bachelor of Arts (Professional) with majors in Criminology and Sociology
Qualifications
Successful completion of:
- the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate Year 12 qualification.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.
Successful completion of:
- the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate qualification or International Baccalaureate.
Non-Year 12 qualifications, Foundation Year and qualifications undertaken overseas will not be accepted.
Course prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65%
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Apply for a pathway course
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts (Professional) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 375 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
- 4 Core units
- +
- 8 Major units
- +
- 10 Elective units
- +
- 4 Work placement units
- =
-
4-year bachelor degree
What your course could look like
Units are listed in a proposed sequence. However this can be amended depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Technology and Society
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
ART10002 |
|
Fundamentals of Criminology
Major unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI10002 |
|
Elective
Elective unit , 12.5 credit points |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit , 12.5 credit points |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FOR10001 |
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Skills and Strategies for Social Change
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
ART20003 |
|
Global Crime
Major unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI20002 |
|
Elective
Elective unit , 12.5 credit points |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit , 12.5 credit points |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Policing: Systems and Practice
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CRI20001 |
|
Deviance Difference & Conformity
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SOC20020 |
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Professional placement - 12 months | |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit , 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A – Humanities
Academic unit , 25.0 credit points |
SOC20018 |
|
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit , 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement B – Humanities
Academic unit , 25.0 credit points |
SOC20019 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Changemakers in Action
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
ART30004 |
|
BA Professional Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
ART30005 |
|
Youth Justice and Crime
Major unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI30010 |
|
Elective
Elective unit , 12.5 credit points |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Corrections: Systems and Practice
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
CRI30002 |
|
Cyber Crime and and Security
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
POL30018 |
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
|
2023 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$15,142
Total fee* ($AUD)
$56,782.50
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$31,000
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$326
Fees are estimates only
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply to 2023 unit enrolments for HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Note: There is a 10 per cent discount for on-time payments of your student contribution if you pay a minimum of A$500.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2023 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
Apply through VTAC
International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.