Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology
Swinburne Online - Online delivery only
Overview
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology is a trailblazing degree and was the first of its kind in Victoria to examine both the causes of crime (criminology) and its fallout (criminal justice).
This course covers local and global criminality, traditional approaches and responses to crime, along with emerging trends and practices in the field.
You’ll also learn about the international dimensions of criminal justice as well as the technological advances impacting the sector.
Are you in high school?
Back by popular demand: A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student. See what uni is really like with hands-on workshops, presentations and more across different study areas.
Skills you’ll learn
- Effective communication
- Criminal justice and criminology research
- Cultural awareness
- Writing persuasively
- Digital awareness
- Critical thinking
Your career opportunities
- Criminologist
- Correction Officer
- Policy Advisor
- Police Officer
- Security Advisor
- Customs and Border Protection 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?
80.6% of UG graduates found employment within 4 months of completing their course
79.8% of UG students were satisfied with the teaching practices
74.5% of UG students were satisfied with the overall experience
78.2% of UG students were satisfied with their skills development
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Study with Swinburne Online
With Swinburne Online, the learning experience is 100% online and studied at your own pace. Our courses are built for the jobs of the future with a focus on collaboration and our flexible learning environment empowers you to study on your own terms. They are developed by leaders in the field and taught by professionals with industry experience.
Qualifications
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
- Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates IV (completed), Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees)
- Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry upon completion of the STAT test.
Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne.
Course prerequistes
- 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 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
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.
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.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
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Bachelor of Psychological Sciences - Swinburne Online delivered
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Bachelor of Laws (Swinburne Online delivered)
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Bachelor of Social Science - Swinburne Online delivered
How credit points work
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology students must complete 300 credit points comprising:
- 17 Core Units of Study (212.5 credit points)
- 7 units of other studies (up to 87.5 credit points) comprising of a major, minor/s or electives
Students may not complete more than 125 credit points (normally 10 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Learning and Communicating Innovative Business Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
COM10011 |
|
Fundamentals of Criminology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI10002 |
|
Policing: Systems and Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI20001 |
|
Global Crime
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI20002 |
|
Corrections: Systems and Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI30002 |
|
Youth Justice and Crime
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI30010 |
|
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
FOR10001 |
|
Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
FOR30001 |
|
Introduction to Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10021 |
|
Law and Social Science
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10022 |
|
Criminal Law and Process
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10024 |
|
Sentencing
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20030 |
|
Crime and Punishment in the International Context
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20031 |
|
Technological Advances in Dealing with Crime
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20032 |
|
Criminal Justice Capstone Project
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30025 |
|
Brain and Behaviour
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
PSY10007 |
|
Deviance, Difference & Conformity
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
SOC20020 |
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$16,992
Total fee* ($AUD)
$50,976
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$35,520.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
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.
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.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
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.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 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 20 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!
Please note: This online course is not available to on-shore international students holding a student visa.