Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Criminology & Criminal Justice

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Criminology & Criminal Justice at University of New South Wales is a comprehensive double degree designed for students who want to work across social justice, welfare, and the criminal justice system. It suits students who are passionate about helping vulnerable communities while also understanding crime, law enforcement, and policy responses in depth.
Campus location: Kensington Campus, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In the first year, students build a strong foundation in both social work and criminology. Core learning areas include introductory studies in human behaviour, social systems, and the justice system, alongside foundational units such as Introduction to Social Work Practice, Understanding Society and Crime, and Criminal Justice in Australia. These subjects help students develop early insight into how social issues and crime intersect.

Year 2:
Students deepen their understanding of social policy and criminological theory while beginning applied learning. Typical study areas include Human Behaviour and the Social Environment, Criminological Theories, and Social Welfare Systems, supported by developing research and communication skills. This year focuses on linking theory with real-world social and justice challenges.

Year 3:
The third year shifts toward advanced practice and analytical thinking, with a stronger focus on intervention and justice responses. Students commonly study areas such as Case Management and Intervention Strategies, Crime Prevention and Policy, and Research Methods in Social Sciences. Practical perspectives begin to play a larger role in learning.

Year 4:
This year is more professionally focused, particularly for social work practice preparation. Students engage in advanced coursework such as Advanced Social Work Practice, Mental Health and Community Practice, and criminology electives related to policing, justice policy, or rehabilitation systems. Field education placements also begin to form a key part of learning.

Year 5:
The final year consolidates professional readiness through extended placements and advanced integration of both disciplines. Students typically complete Social Work Field Education (Honours level) along with advanced criminology and policy units that strengthen practice, leadership, and research capability. This year prepares graduates for direct entry into professional practice.

Focus areas:

Social work practice, criminological theory, community welfare, mental health and intervention, criminal justice systems, social policy, rehabilitation and reintegration.

Learning outcomes:

Graduates will be able to assess and support individuals and communities in need, analyse crime and justice issues using evidence-based approaches, and design interventions that improve social outcomes. They also develop strong professional, ethical, and research skills for practice in both social work and criminal justice settings.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The Social Work component is professionally accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), ensuring eligibility for recognised social work practice roles in Australia. The criminology stream aligns with industry expectations across justice, corrections, and policy sectors.

Reputation (employability rankings):

UNSW is consistently ranked among the world’s top universities (QS World University Rankings 2026), with strong graduate employability outcomes supported by industry-linked learning and professional placements.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Criminology & Criminal Justice at University of New South Wales gain hands-on experience by combining real-world social work placements with criminology-focused applied learning. Throughout the degree, students develop practical skills in interviewing, case assessment, community engagement, and justice system analysis through supervised field education, research-based projects, and collaborative learning environments. Training is supported by industry-standard tools and close engagement with community and justice organisations: this includes structured field education, simulation-based learning, and applied research work.

Professional field education placements: Students complete supervised placements in approved social service, justice, and community organisations, applying theory directly to real client and case environments.
Applied research training: Use of social science research methods and tools such as SPSS and NVivo to analyse crime trends, behavioural data, and policy outcomes.
UNSW Law & Justice learning environments: Access to moot courtrooms, simulated legal environments, and justice-focused teaching spaces that support criminology and legal reasoning skills.
Social work practice training: Structured practice labs and role-play simulations focused on counselling, crisis response, and case management preparation.
Research and policy centres: Engagement with institutes such as the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), supporting evidence-based learning in social justice and welfare policy.
Library and digital resources: Full access to UNSW Library collections, legal databases, criminology journals, and advanced digital research tools for assignments and projects.
Group-based learning projects: Collaborative case studies and policy analysis projects that reflect real-world multidisciplinary teamwork in justice and welfare settings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) / Criminology & Criminal Justice at University of New South Wales are prepared for frontline and policy-driven careers focused on social justice, community wellbeing, and the criminal justice system. This dual qualification equips students to work directly with vulnerable populations while also contributing to crime prevention and rehabilitation systems. Typical roles include: social worker, youth justice officer, case manager, and policy or community services officer.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

Career support services: UNSW Careers & Employability offers tailored career coaching, field placement support, employer networking events, and structured professional development programs designed to help students secure roles in social services and justice sectors.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates typically earn a median salary range of approximately AUD 70,000–100,000 per year, with strong demand across government, healthcare, and community service organisations.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from supervised field education placements and partnerships with hospitals, community organisations, youth services, correctional services, and government agencies, ensuring real-world experience before graduation.
Long-term accreditation value: The Social Work (Honours) component is professionally aligned with accreditation standards required for practice in Australia, ensuring strong recognition and long-term career mobility in social work and related fields.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates commonly progress into roles in child protection, family services, rehabilitation programs, disability support services, community justice initiatives, and rehabilitation-focused criminology roles.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this program, students can pursue postgraduate pathways such as a Master of Social Work (if seeking advanced standing or specialisation), Master of Criminology, Master of Public Policy, Master of Justice or Juris Doctor (JD), as well as Honours research or PhD study for careers in academia, advanced policy development, or specialist clinical and justice roles.