Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws
2024 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws |
| Deakin course code | D335 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Business and Law |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong) |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 5 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS course code | 060431B Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
Students and Applicants to Geelong Waterfront Campus | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Indicative student workload
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Gain a broad understanding of all major areas of the law while exploring the underlying drivers behind criminal behaviour. As a graduate of Deakin's Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws you will earn two in-demand degrees that complement each other and the dual expertise to see crime and law from a unique perspective.
Learn from leading academics who are experts in their field. Explore the latest concepts, ideas and approaches from inside the industry and benefit from networking with and learning from real-world connections.
A distinctive feature of Deakin's accredited Bachelor of Laws is its focus on practical learning. In addition to being guided through the latest theory and topical case studies by criminology and law academics who are true subject matter experts, you will also be challenged to apply your skills in real-world settings at the Deakin Law Clinic. Working on real cases, you will address criminal justice issues alongside industry professionals.
Want a significant career advantage with combined knowledge in law and criminology?
Study criminology and law and gain broad theoretical and applied knowledge and skills relevant to the forms, causes, meaning and prevention of crime. This directly relates to policy development and policing matters.
Through the combination of sound legal training with real-world experience and work-integrated learning, you will develop key skills, such as problem solving and analytical thinking, in studying all major areas of law, including:
- contract law
- tort law
- property law
- constitutional law
- equity and trusts
- criminal law and procedure
- administrative law.
In the criminology stream, study the relationship between criminal behaviour and sociology, the impact of mental health, education and substance abuse. Find out what drives criminal behaviour, and how to develop systems and programs to prevent it from happening.
Interested in studying through an international lens? Take advantage of our global study itinerary, which includes the prestigious Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong and Vienna, and options to study one or more elective units at an overseas institution.
Indicative student workload
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Professional recognition
Deakin's Bachelor of Laws is designed to satisfy the academic qualifications necessary for admission to the legal profession. In Victoria these have been set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to satisfying the academic qualifications, a person seeking admission to the legal profession in Victoria is required to have satisfactorily completed certain practical legal training requirements and must be considered a fit and proper person to be admitted to the legal profession.
Requirements for admission in jurisdictions outside Australia vary. Please check the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.
Matched with criminology, you will have a broader understanding of the criminal justice system than most other graduates, making you a highly desirable candidate when entering the legal sector.
Career opportunities
As a graduate, you can choose to pursue a career as a lawyer, or take on business and management roles in a range of corporate and private organisations and government agencies. Upon completion of your degree and the additional practical legal training, you will be qualified to work as a solicitor or barrister in a variety of legal fields.
With criminology expertise, opportunities also exist within state and federal police, ASIO (Australia’s national security service) and various correctional services, community services and private security industries.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Alternative exits
| Bachelor of Criminology (A329) | |
| Bachelor of Laws (M312) |
Course Learning Outcomes
Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of each of the single degrees.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws students must pass 40 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Criminology
- 6 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points of course elective units (criminology units)
- 4 credit points of course elective units (from the Bachelor of Arts major sequences)
- a minimum of 6 credit points of Faculty of Arts units at level 3
- 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws
- 18 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) or practical course elective units (as outlined in the Bachelor of Laws)
- 5 credit points of course elective units
- a minimum of 14 credit points at levels 2 and 3
- Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Criminology and Bachelor of Laws must be satisfied
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Course structure
Compulsory 0-credit point unit
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin
Units
The 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Criminology (A329) include:
- at least 12 credit points of Criminology units (including the core units ACR101, ACR102, ACR201, ACR202, ACR301 and ACR302)
- At least 6 credit points at level 3 including ACR301 and ACR302;
- 4 credit points of elective units available from within the Bachelor of Arts major sequences. Please refer to A310 Bachelor of Arts for a list of Faculty of Arts and Education units.
The 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws (M312) include:
- 18 credit points of core units
- 1 credit point of WIL/practical/experiential course elective unit (as outlined in the Bachelor of Laws)
- 5 credit points of law elective units^ from a specified list
^Law electives are offered on a yearly rotational basis. Not every unit is offered every year
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, and their study discipline or your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.