Bachelor of Criminology

VU course code: LBCR | CRICOS: 102415F | Level of study: Undergraduate

ATAR

Not required

Duration

3 years full time or longer for part time

Delivery mode

In Person

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

City Campus

All start dates

A young man looks up in awe at a colonial prison building

Overview

Turn your curiosity about crime into a meaningful career with a Bachelor of Criminology at Victoria University (VU).

In our Bachelor of Criminology, you’ll develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to critically examine crime, justice, and the operation of the criminal justice system. You’ll explore why people commit crime by examining the social, political, cultural, psychological, and economic factors that influence offending behaviour.

Through practical learning and real-world case studies, you’ll gain experience identifying crime-related problems and developing evidence-based policy reform recommendations to create meaningful change.

You’ll study specialist criminology subjects alongside law and justice-focused units, including:

crime and inequality
policing and offending
victimology
digital criminology
transnational and international crime
early intervention and crime prevention
corporate crime
environmental crime
justice policy and reform.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Integrate conceptual understanding of criminology research, theory and practice with advanced specialist bodies of knowledge such as law and criminology;

Exhibit expertise and professional judgement in the application of criminological concepts to issues of law, security and justice in contemporary society;

Adapt theoretical knowledge applicable to the discipline by critically analysing and applying information with initiative and judgement in order to both anticipate and creatively solve problems and promote justice in authentic/contemporary professional, community settings; (including those that require cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills)

Communicate effectively to present clear and coherent independent expositions of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences;

Demonstrate personal and interpersonal competencies including organisational and collaborative skills necessary to operate within successfully in a team;

Exemplify professional ethics and accountabilities in their practice and a commit to ongoing professional development;
: Take advantage of VU’s criminology staff members’ strong ties to the Department of Justice, Victorian Police Department, Applied Security Science Partnership and many more.
Both your criminology and law studies have a strong focus on practical learning, covering case studies and real-world scenarios.
As a Bachelor of Criminology student, you also have the opportunity to participate in Department of Justice volunteer opportunities in Victoria’s legal and prison systems.
: In the third year of your criminology degree, you’ll apply all the skills and knowledge you’ve developed to a significant research project, known as a ‘capstone’ unit.
Working in small teams, you’ll collaborate on a research project relating to real cases and scenarios. At present, the final research project will focus on public opinions on bail within Victorian and Australia more broadly. You’ll collect, analyse and interpret data and write a final report – practising your skills and preparing to enter the workforce.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

No minimum ATAR required

This course does not have a minimum ATAR requirement for entry. Read the entry criteria for this course below.

Why ATAR is not applicable

You do not need an ATAR score to apply for this course. Instead, you need to have successfully completed secondary school and to meet any requirements outlined below. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their ATAR, age, education or socioeconomic background.

Entry criteria

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:

Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)

an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE

an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of a single unit of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.

Admission criteria

Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Justice or Police Administration, Corrections, Legal support, Human Services or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
: Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students

(A) Past Higher Education Study
(includes a bridging or enabling course) 6 7.1%

(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study 7 8.2%

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
<5 <5

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
NA NA

(C) Recent secondary education
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
67 78.8%

(D) Work and Life experience 0 0.0%

International students <5 <5

All students 85 100%

"<5" – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category.
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.

Applicant background	Number of students	Percentage of all students
(A) Past Higher Education Study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	6	7.1%
(B) Past vocational education and training (VET) study	7	8.2%
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the impact of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	<5	<5
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	NA	NA
(C) Recent secondary education Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration alone, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)	67	78.8%
(D) Work and Life experience	0	0.0%
International students	<5	<5
All students	85	100%

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

VU Early Entry

If you're currently in Year 11 or 12, our exclusive VU Early Entry program comes with a Conditional Offer to the course of your choosing*, a personalised course plan, special events, exclusive discounts and access to one-on-one course advice.

*Conditions apply.

Learn more about VU Early Entry

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Criminology students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

96 credit points of First Year Core Studies
96 credit points of Professional Core Studies

96 credit points of Minor Studies

Units

Choose two relevant minor areas of study

After you are accepted into your course, you will need to enrol in your course units.

During enrolment, use your course delivery plan to understand the structure and requirements of your course.

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

Demand for criminology graduates continues to rise across justice, policy, corrections, policing and community sectors. You’ll graduate with the critical thinking, analytical, research and communication skills needed to make a genuine impact across a wide range of careers.

Work with offenders and within justice systems in law enforcement, justice institutions and community corrections facilities. For example:

working in early intervention with at-risk youth to prevent offending and reoffending
designing and delivering programs for rehabilitating offenders
supporting individuals transitioning from custody back into the community.

Policy, research and justice reform, including working in government and research bodies such as justice departments, crime statistics agencies, or victims of crime services.

Victim support services and advocacy, such as supporting victim-survivors through court processes, safety planning and advocacy or working in domestic and family violence services.

Start dates

Melbourne

On campus – Melbourne City Campus

Course starts 27 July 2026

Applications close 19 July 2026

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information on this page, please note that dates are subject to change. Some courses may close early due to an earlier start date or there being limited places available.