Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Cyber Security
Deakin course code	D380
Faculty	Faculty of Arts and Education
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Online	Yes
Duration	4 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	091788E Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
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 combined course 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.

Need more flexibility in your studies? Take advantage of our flexible learning options and find the right balance for you. You can choose to study part-time or full-time, on campus or 100% online. You can also take advantage of Deakin’s trimester system and fast-track your degree by completing your combined course in a shorter time frame.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Cyber Security part of this double degree is professionally accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

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 analyst, security systems manager, security system developer/programmer, anti-virus software developer or computer forensic specialist.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

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.

Alternative exits

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

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.

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 Cyber Security students must pass 32 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 criminology course electives
- 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 10 credit points at level 1
Course requirements for both Bachelor of Criminology and Bachelor of Cyber Security 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

Bachelor of Criminology

Core 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

ACR206

Criminology in Action

ACR211

Crime Prevention and Security

ACR214

Inequality, Power and Justice

ACR304

Surveillance and Social Justice

ACR305

Crime, Terrorism and Security

ACR306

Careers in Criminal Justice

MAE266

Black Market Economics: Exploring the Underworld of Illicit Trade

Bachelor of Cyber Security studies

Core units

SIT010

Safety Induction Program (0) credit point

STP010

Career Tools for Employability (0) credit point

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.

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.

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

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.

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.

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.