Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security

Course summary for international students

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online
Length	4 year full-time
Fee paying annual fee - commencing 2026	$42,600 for 1 yr full-time AUD
CRICOS code	091788E Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Level	Undergraduate
VTAC codes	1400310033 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), International full-fee paying place 1400510033 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place
Deakin course code	D380
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7

Course sub-headings

Course overview

In our increasingly digital world, cyber security is a significant challenge for individuals and businesses alike. This course will equip you with an understanding of the major drivers of criminal behaviour, along with the industry-relevant skills to tackle what is quickly becoming a critical threat to society. You will gain expertise in securing data and data communications, as well as investigating and providing solutions to cybercrime.

Develop strong practical and theoretical knowledge, with an emphasis on assessing cyber security in a working environment, developing security solutions for businesses, and understanding the ethical and legal implications of risk management.

You will have access to specialised cyber security labs with state-of-the-art tools, putting you at the cutting edge of cyber security and criminology research.

Are you ready to join the fight against cybercrime?

Designed in conjunction with leading organisations in the field, including Victoria Police and the Australian Crime Commission, this double degree will equip you with in-demand industry skills valued by employers.

The unique partnership of criminology and cyber security provides you with a thorough understanding of the motivations, causes and consequences of crime, as well as the technical skills and cyber security literacy to help prevent and combat cybercrime and cyber terrorism.

Get practical learning with our careers-focused units, which allow you to bridge theory with practice and better understand how criminological thinking applies across industries and sectors.

You will have access to our brand-new specialised capstone project and co-working space, which offers you an inspiring environment to collaborate with your teammates. As part of your cyber security stream, you will undertake two capstone units – allowing you to develop solutions to real-world problems from industry and learn agile project management methods widely used across industry.

Our past students have collaborated on capstone projects such as:

is my smart home secure enough?
virtual penetration testing lab
one-time pad (OTP) VPN
voice-activated password security
secure Australian online voting system.

The course focuses on developing skills in digital forensics, information security, penetration testing, security operations, threat intelligence and vulnerability assessment.

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security is professionally accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS) and is recognised for specialist cybersecurity accreditation. This course is also recognised internationally for entry to professional practice by other accrediting bodies through the Seoul Accord.

Fees and charges

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

Learn more about international student fees.

Career opportunities

Promising career opportunities await in the areas of both criminology and cyber security. As a graduate, you may find employment in areas such as government agencies, state and federal police, security and intelligence agencies, research and policy development, correctional services, community services, and private security and consultative industries. You will also be equipped for more technical roles such as security operations analyst, security systems manager, security system developer/programmer, anti-virus software developer, penetration tester or cyber security specialist, to name a few.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Criminology (A329)	Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Cyber Security (S334)
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Review and analyse major social science theories and key criminological concepts, theories and technical knowledge relating to crime and criminal justice issues, including the causes and consequences of crime, ways of responding to crime, media representations of crime, core debates in policing, security and surveillance, as well as broader issues of policy and politics, inclusion and exclusion, governing and governance, security, social justice, citizenship and human rights.	Develop a broad, coherent knowledge of the IT discipline including its dynamic environment, with detailed knowledge of project management principles and in depth knowledge in IT Security. Design, develop and implement IT systems and software, and associated policies and procedures for optimal use and apply industry standards and best practice in one or more specialised areas of IT. Acquire in-depth knowledge and skills to develop, implement and manage security solutions for systems, networks, and data according to industry-accepted standards and best practice.
Communication	Effectively communicate the findings and analyses of criminological concepts, theories and technical knowledge, in a selection of written, digital and oral formats, to a range of audiences.	Communicate in a professional context to inform, explain and drive sustainable innovation through cyber security, utilising a range of verbal, graphical and written methods, recognising the needs of diverse audiences.
Digital literacy	Employ a range of generic and specialist criminal justice-specific digital communication technologies to apply criminological knowledge and conduct social and criminological research and deliver reports and presentations to a diverse range of audiences within and outside the field.	Use digital technologies, platforms, frameworks and tools from the field of cyber security to generate, manage, process and share digital resources and solutions.
Critical thinking	Analyse and critically evaluate theoretical approaches to crime problems and current policies and practices of governments and criminal justice practitioners and professions in the context of broad social change, new crimes, new responses and an increasing responsibility for preventing and controlling individual and complex crimes at local, state, national and international levels.	Critically analyse information provided to inform decision making and evaluation of plans and solutions associated with the field of cyber security.
Problem solving	Employ initiative and creativity in conjunction with accepted evidence-based criminological methods to generate innovative and pragmatic approaches and solutions to complex problems in the areas of individual crime, complex and organised crime, the criminal justice process, questions of justice and injustice, local, national and international policing, surveillance, privacy and technology, and domestic and international crime and security issues.	.Apply cognitive, technical, and creative skills from cyber security to understand requirements and design, implement, and operate solutions to real-world and ill-defined computing problems.
Self-management	Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a continued commitment to learning and skill development, as a reflective practitioner, while working in the criminological field.	Work independently to apply knowledge and skills to new situations in professional practice and/or further learning in the field of cyber security with adaptability, autonomy, responsibility, and personal accountability for actions as a practitioner and a learner.
Teamwork	Work and learn collaboratively with others in the criminology field and from different disciplines and backgrounds while still maintaining responsibility for their own learning.	Work independently and collaboratively to achieve team goals, contributing knowledge and skills from cyber security to advance the teams objectives, employing effective teamwork practices and principles, and comprehending distinct workplace roles and their functions.
Global citizenship	Analyse and address criminological issues in the domestic and global context as a reflective scholar and practitioner, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and the application of the highest ethical standards.	Apply professional and ethical standards and accountability in the field of cyber security, and engage openly and respectfully with diverse communities and cultures.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security, you must pass 32 credit points. This includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
16 credit points from the Bachelor of Criminology
- 6 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points of criminology course elective units
- 4 credit points of course electives from Arts courses
- a minimum of 6 credit points of art coded units at level 3
16 credit points from the Bachelor of Cyber Security
- SIT010 Safety Induction Program (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
- 13 credit points of core units
- 3 credit points of Cyber Security capstone units
A maximum of 12 credit points at level 1
A minimum of 10 credit points at level 3
course requirements for both Bachelor of Criminology (A329) and Bachelor of Cyber Security (S334) must be satisfied

Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Course structure

Bachelor of Criminology

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

Units

ACR101

Introducing Crime and Criminology (also offered in Trimester 3)

ACR102

Introducing Crime and Criminal Justice

ACR201

Issues in Criminal Justice

ACR202

Explaining Crime

ACR301

International and Comparative Criminal Justice

ACR302

Criminology Research

Plus at least six credit points from the list below:

ACR203

Crime, Victims and Justice

ACR204

Crime, Media and Justice

ACR216

Careers in Criminology and Criminal Justice

ACR211

Crime Prevention and Security

ACR214

Inequality, Power and Justice

ACR304

Digital Criminology: Technologies of Crime and Control

ACR305

Crime, Terrorism and Security

ACR314

Organised Crime

MAE266

Black Market Economics: Exploring the Underworld of Illicit Trade

Bachelor of Cyber Security

Compulsory 0-credit point units

To be completed in the first trimester of study:

STP010

Career Tools for Employability (0 credit points)

Units

SIT102

Introduction to Programming

SIT111

Computer Systems

SIT182

Real World Practices for Cyber Security

SIT192

Discrete Mathematics

SIT232

Object-Oriented Development

SIT202

Computer Networks and Communication

SIT223

Professional Practice in Information Technology #

SIT218

Secure Coding

SIT282

Computer Forensics and Investigations

SIT324

Malware Analysis

SIT327

Network Forensics

SIT384

Cyber Security Analytics

SIT379

Ethical Hacking

Cyber Security capstone

SIT374

Team Project (A) - Project Management and Practices

Plus, two (2) credit points from the following capstone options:

SIT378

Team Project (B) - Execution and Delivery

SIT306

IT Placements and Industry Experience

SIT344

Professional Practice

# Corequisite of STP010 Career Tools for Employability (0-credit point compulsory unit)

It is important to ensure your course plan meets the course rules detailed above. Students should contact Student Central for assistance with course planning, choosing the right units and understanding course rules.

Equipment requirements

The learning experiences and assessment activities within this course require students to have access to a range of technologies beyond a desktop computer or laptop. Students will be required to purchase minor equipment, such as small single board computers, microcontrollers and sensors, which will be used within a range of units in this course. This equipment is also usable by the student beyond their studies. Equipment requirements and details of suppliers will be provided on a per-unit basis. The indicative cost of this equipment for this course is AUD$500.

For information regarding hardware and software requirements, please refer to the 'Bring your own device (BYOD) guidelines' via the School of Information Technology website in addition to the individual unit outlines in the Handbook.

Admission criteria

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

If you don't meet the academic entry requirements as outlined in the tabs below, or haven't completed Year 12, or don't hold any relevant qualifications, the STAT (Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test) Multiple Choice (MC) may be an option for you to meet course entry requirements.

Academic requirements

Academic requirements - Higher education study

If you’re currently studying Year 12, or completed Year 12 in the last two years, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

Year 12 prerequisite subjects

Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL

ATAR

Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with an unadjusted ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent

Academic requirements - Higher education study

If you have undertaken higher education studies after secondary schooling, you will need to meet all the following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

successful completion of at least two bachelor level or above units (AQF Level 7 or equivalent)

Academic requirements - VET study

If you have undertaken any Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, you will need to meet at least one of following criteria to be considered for admission to this degree:

completion of a certificate IV or higher in a related discipline
completion of a diploma or higher in any discipline
at least 50% completion of a diploma or higher in a related discipline

Academic requirements - Work and life experience

If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago, or did not finish Year 12, and have not undertaken any further study, you may be considered for admission to this degree based on your work, volunteer and/or life experience.

Submit a personal statement outlining your motivation to study, previous education and employment history, and how this course can assist your career aspirations or progression. Think of it as a job application cover letter – it should be relevant and demonstrate your commitment and interest in this course or study area.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 20 in any other English
IELTS overall score of 6 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning. We're also committed to admissions transparency. Read about our first intake of 2026 students (PDF, 879KB) – their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.

Not sure if you can get into Deakin? Discover the different entry pathways we offer and study options available to you, no matter your ATAR or education history.

Credit for prior learning - general

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer. Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

Alternative exits

Bachelor of Criminology (A329)
Bachelor of Cyber Security (S334)

Articulated courses

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (A400)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) (S470)

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Work experience

This course includes a compulsory work placement with an approved host organisation to take your learning beyond the classroom and prepare you to be work and career ready. Work Integrated Learning units offered in this course provide you with the opportunity to develop your professional networks and work practices while completing your degree.

Elective units may also provide additional opportunities for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.