Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Swinburne University of Technology

Program Overview

A Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Swinburne University of Technology is designed for students who want to understand both the legal system and the causes, impact, and prevention of crime. It builds strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills for careers in law, justice, policing, and public policy.
Campus Location: Hawthorn (Melbourne) offers students access to modern learning spaces, legal skills training environments, and strong connections to industry and justice organisations.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Foundations of Law & Crime

In the first year, students are introduced to the Australian legal system and key principles of criminal justice. Core learning typically includes foundational units such as Foundations of Law, Introduction to Criminal Justice, and Criminology Concepts, helping students understand how law and society interact while building essential academic and legal skills.

Year 2: Core Legal and Criminology Knowledge

The second year focuses on deeper legal reasoning and criminal behaviour analysis. Students typically study units such as Criminal Law, Torts Law, and Criminological Theories, gaining a strong understanding of criminal responsibility, civil wrongs, and the social factors that influence crime.

Year 3: Advanced Legal Practice & Justice Systems

In the third year, students move into more complex legal areas and justice system operations. Learning may include Constitutional Law, Evidence Law, and Penology and Corrections, preparing students to understand courtroom processes, governance structures, and correctional systems.

Year 4: Specialisation & Applied Learning

Students begin applying their knowledge in practical contexts through advanced electives and justice-focused subjects such as Criminal Procedure, Forensic Studies, and Contemporary Justice Issues, along with experiential learning opportunities like mooting and case analysis.

Year 5: Professional Integration & Capstone Learning

In the final year, students complete advanced legal and criminology electives and a capstone project that integrates both disciplines. Subjects often include Advanced Criminal Justice Topics and Legal Practice Preparation, preparing students for professional pathways or further legal training.

Focus Areas:

Law, criminal justice systems, criminological theory, criminal law, constitutional law, evidence law, policing and corrections, legal research, justice policy, forensic and behavioural analysis.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates will be able to analyse legal problems, evaluate criminal justice systems, apply criminological theories to real-world issues, and communicate complex legal and social ideas effectively in professional contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws component is designed to meet academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria, supporting progression into Practical Legal Training (PLT). The criminology component strengthens understanding of justice systems, making graduates suitable for careers in both legal and criminal justice sectors.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Swinburne University of Technology is recognised globally in university rankings such as the QS World University Rankings, reflecting strong graduate employability, industry engagement, and teaching quality across professional programs including law and social sciences.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Swinburne University of Technology build practical, job-ready skills through a strong focus on real-world learning. The program blends legal training with criminology practice, allowing students to understand how laws are applied in justice systems while also analysing crime, behaviour, and social impacts. Learning takes place through interactive classes, simulated legal environments, research activities, and industry-connected experiences that mirror real professional settings.

Students also work with modern legal and criminology tools, engage in case-based learning, and develop their skills through teamwork, advocacy exercises, and applied research projects. This ensures graduates are confident in both legal reasoning and criminal justice practice before entering the workforce:

Moot Court & Advocacy Training: Students participate in simulated courtrooms to develop legal argument, public speaking, and litigation skills in a practical environment
Criminal Justice Simulations: Case-based learning activities replicate real policing, correctional, and justice system scenarios
Legal Research Tools: Access to professional legal databases such as LexisNexis and Westlaw for case law, legislation, and legal analysis
Criminology Research Methods: Use of data analysis and research software (e.g., SPSS and qualitative research tools) for studying crime patterns and justice issues
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Opportunities for internships and industry placements with legal services, courts, and criminal justice organisations
Swinburne Law Facilities: Dedicated law learning spaces including moot courtrooms and collaborative legal practice environments
Library & Digital Resources: Access to Swinburne Library’s extensive legal and criminology collections, e-journals, and research databases
Group-Based Legal Projects: Collaborative assignments that simulate real legal team environments and policy development tasks

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Swinburne University of Technology prepares graduates for impactful careers across the legal system, criminal justice agencies, and public safety organisations. Students develop strong legal reasoning, investigative skills, and an in-depth understanding of crime, justice systems, and social policy, equipping them to respond effectively to real-world legal and criminal challenges.

Typical career outcomes include: Solicitor, Criminal Justice Officer, Policy Adviser, Intelligence Analyst.

Career Support & Graduate Success:

Swinburne Careers & Employability Services: Students receive personalised career coaching, resume and interview preparation, employer networking events, internship support, and access to industry engagement programs that improve employability outcomes.
Practical Learning Opportunities: The program includes moot court experiences, criminology research projects, and applied criminal justice learning that connects theory with real-world legal and justice system practice.
Employment Outcomes: Graduates are well prepared for careers across legal practice, policing, corrections, intelligence agencies, government departments, and community justice organisations.
Median Salary Range: Graduates typically enter roles with salaries ranging from approximately AUD $65,000–$95,000+ per year, with strong long-term growth potential in both legal and criminal justice sectors.
University–Industry Partnerships: Swinburne maintains strong connections with law enforcement agencies, courts, government departments, legal organisations, and justice-related institutions, supporting internships, placements, and industry engagement opportunities.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Laws component provides the academic pathway toward admission to legal practice in Victoria, while the Criminal Justice and Criminology component strengthens expertise in crime analysis, justice policy, and law enforcement systems.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates are prepared for careers in criminal law, policing, corrections, intelligence analysis, policy development, youth justice, border security, and legal advisory roles within justice-focused organisations.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify as a lawyer in Australia. They may also pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM) or specialised qualifications in criminology, criminal justice, forensic studies, or public policy. Graduates interested in research or academia can progress to a Master by Research or PhD, building advanced expertise in law, criminology, and justice system reform.