Bachelor of Criminology and Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Macquarie University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Criminology and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University is an interdisciplinary double degree that combines legal education with a deep understanding of crime, justice systems, and criminal behaviour. Delivered at the Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde), it is ideal for students interested in careers in law, policing, corrections, policy development, or criminal justice reform.

Curriculum structure

First Year

In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in both law and criminology, learning how legal systems operate alongside the study of crime and society. Core units such as Foundations of Law and Criminal Law are studied alongside Introduction to Criminology, helping students understand legal principles, crime theory, and justice systems from multiple perspectives.

Second Year

In the second year, students deepen their understanding of core legal areas while expanding criminology knowledge. Law units such as Torts, Constitutional Law, and Contracts are combined with criminology subjects like Crime, Media and Culture and Crime and Social Order, allowing students to explore how law responds to crime in society.

Third Year

The third year focuses on advanced legal study including Property Law, Administrative Law, and Equity, alongside criminology units such as Criminal Justice Systems and Youth Crime and Justice. Students begin applying both legal reasoning and criminological theory to real-world justice issues and case studies.

Fourth Year

In the fourth year, students engage with higher-level legal subjects such as Corporations Law, Evidence, and Jurisprudence, while criminology electives explore areas such as policing, punishment, and criminal policy. This year strengthens analytical thinking and applied understanding of law enforcement and justice systems.

Fifth Year

The final year integrates advanced legal electives and criminology capstone studies, allowing students to specialise in areas such as forensic criminology, criminal justice reform, or corporate crime. Students complete advanced legal training and criminology research projects that prepare them for professional practice or postgraduate study.

Focus areas

Criminal law, criminology, justice systems, policing, corrections, constitutional law, evidence law, criminal behaviour, crime theory, public policy, legal ethics, social justice

Learning outcomes

Develop advanced legal reasoning and criminological analysis skills, understand crime, justice, and legal systems in depth, conduct interdisciplinary research, communicate effectively in professional settings, demonstrate ethical and critical thinking, and apply legal and criminological knowledge to real-world justice issues.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT). The criminology component provides strong preparation for careers in justice, policy, and research roles within government and criminal justice organisations.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Macquarie University is internationally recognised for strong graduate employability and interdisciplinary teaching. It is consistently ranked in global systems such as the QS World University Rankings, with strong performance in Law & Legal Studies and Social Sciences disciplines.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning in the Bachelor of Criminology and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University is designed to help students understand crime, justice systems, and legal practice through direct, applied learning. Students build practical skills by combining legal training with criminology-focused analysis of real-world crime patterns, justice policies, and institutional responses. Learning takes place through a mix of simulated legal environments, research-led teaching, and industry-connected experiences at the Wallumattagal Campus (North Ryde), supported by professional tools used in both law and criminology fields:

This hands-on learning approach is strengthened through structured opportunities that connect theory with real practice:

PACE (Professional and Community Engagement): Students work on real projects with community organisations, justice agencies, and industry partners, applying legal and criminological knowledge to real social and legal issues.
Moot Court & Legal Skills Programs (Macquarie Law School): Students develop advocacy, negotiation, and courtroom reasoning skills through simulated trials and dispute resolution exercises.
Criminology Research Training: Students engage in analysing crime data, justice system trends, and social policy using research methods commonly applied in criminology and social science investigations.
Legal Research Databases & Digital Tools: Training in professional legal research platforms such as case law databases and legislation systems used in Australian legal practice.
Social Science Data Analysis Tools: Exposure to criminology-relevant analytical tools (such as statistical and qualitative research software used in social science research and crime analysis).
Macquarie University Library & Digital Resources: Access to extensive law reports, criminology journals, government reports, and specialist research databases supporting both disciplines.
Case-Based and Scenario Learning: Group projects based on criminal law cases, justice policy evaluation, and interdisciplinary legal-criminological problem solving.
Industry and Justice Sector Engagement: Guest lectures and networking opportunities with legal professionals, criminologists, policy experts, and justice system practitioners.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Criminology and Bachelor of Laws at Macquarie University are well prepared for careers in the justice system, legal profession, and crime and policy-related sectors. With combined expertise in legal reasoning and criminological analysis, graduates can pursue roles such as criminal lawyer, policy advisor, corrections officer, intelligence analyst, or criminologist working in government and research organisations.

This interdisciplinary qualification is highly relevant to modern justice and security challenges, and Macquarie University supports strong employability outcomes through:

Macquarie University PACE (Professional and Community Engagement): Provides structured real-world experience with justice agencies, legal organisations, government departments, and community groups, allowing students to apply criminology and law in professional contexts.
Career and Employment Services: Offers personalised career planning, internship support, employer networking events, interview preparation, and access to graduate recruitment programs across legal and justice sectors.
Industry Partnerships: Strong links with criminal justice agencies, courts, legal firms, correctional services, government policy bodies, and research organisations support professional exposure and networking opportunities.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Insights: Graduates entering legal and justice-related roles in Australia typically start around AUD $60,000–$85,000 per year, with higher earning potential as they progress into legal practice, senior policy roles, or specialist criminology and investigative positions.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The law component satisfies academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training), while criminology studies provide strong grounding for careers in justice policy, law enforcement, and postgraduate research pathways.
Graduate Outcomes: Students graduate with strong analytical, legal, and investigative skills that are highly valued in courts, government agencies, law firms, policing organisations, and policy institutions.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. They may also pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Criminology, Master of Public Policy, or research degrees including honours and PhD pathways in law, criminology, or justice studies to specialise further in their chosen career direction.