Bachelor of Criminal Justice

VU course code: ABCJ | CRICOS: 088599C | Level of study: Undergraduate
3 years full time or longer for part time
Hybrid
Footscray Park
16 February 2026
08 February 2026
 Bachelor of Criminal Justice students.
Overview

Overview

Ready to create real change in your community? A career in criminal justice starts here.

The Bachelor of Criminal Justice equips you with the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to make a meaningful impact on community safety and social justice. 

You'll examine how crime, law and inequality intersect, including the role of mental health, trauma, substance use, poverty and systemic disadvantage.

Through the study of criminal justice theories, human rights and ethical frameworks, you’ll explore how systems like policing, courts and prisons operate and how policy, practice and reform can shape fairer and more effective outcomes.

Designed for those who want to support individuals involved in the justice system, influence policy or address the root causes of crime, this course develops your critical thinking, communication and professional capability.

In your final year, you’ll complete an industry placement that prepares you for a range of impactful careers, including:

  • police and law enforcement
  • prisons and corrections
  • courts and legal services
  • youth justice
  • community support and advocacy.

Join a future-focused degree that puts justice, people and purpose at the heart of your learning and your career.

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

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 Criminal Justice students will be required to complete 288 credit points in total consisting of:

  • 96 credit points First Year Core units;
  • 192 credit points Professional Core studies including 24 credit points Capstone studies;

Units

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

Your qualification will be widely recognised in areas including:

  • police work and law enforcement
  • community legal settings
  • security and intelligence organisations
  • corrections
  • community courts
  • youth justice
  • community services.

Possible job titles include:

  • police officer or correctional officer
  • customs or border-force officer
  • public service administrator
  • court administrator
  • corrections worker
  • community justice worker.

Salaries

Use Job Outlook to find average salaries in Australia for various criminal justice-related professions:

Professional accreditation/Industry recognition

Community Correctional Services

This degree is accredited by the Victorian State Community Correctional Services