Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Criminology

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Monash University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Criminology (5 years, on-campus) at Monash University (Clayton Campus, Melbourne, Australia) is a powerful double degree designed for students who want to understand both the legal system and the science behind crime, justice, and social behaviour. It suits students interested in careers in law, criminal justice, policy, policing, human rights, or legal reform.

This program develops graduates who can analyse crime from both a legal and criminological perspective, preparing them to work in complex justice systems where law, society, and policy intersect.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in law and criminology. You will typically study Foundations of Law and Legal Practice, Legal Reasoning, alongside criminology units such as Introduction to Criminology and Crime, Justice and Society. This year develops core understanding of legal systems and the social causes of crime.

Year 2

Year 2 strengthens legal and criminological analysis through core subjects. Law studies often include Contracts and Criminal Law, while criminology expands into Understanding Crime and Deviance and Criminal Justice Systems. Students begin linking legal principles with real-world crime patterns and justice responses.

Year 3

At this stage, students move into more advanced legal reasoning and criminological theory. Law units may include Torts and Constitutional Law, while criminology explores Youth Crime, Policing Studies, or Penology and Punishment. This year deepens analytical thinking about justice systems and legal accountability.

Year 4

Year 4 focuses on specialised law subjects and advanced criminology topics. Law studies often include Administrative Law and Equity and Trusts, while criminology includes areas such as Forensic Criminology, Cybercrime, or Criminal Behaviour Analysis. Students begin applying legal frameworks to complex criminal justice issues.

Year 5

The final year integrates advanced legal study with criminology specialisation. Law units such as Evidence Law and advanced electives prepare students for professional practice, while criminology includes higher-level research or capstone units focused on crime policy and justice reform. Students graduate with a strong interdisciplinary understanding of law and crime.

Focus Areas

Criminal law, criminological theory, forensic studies, policing and security, cybercrime, human rights law, criminal justice policy, victimology, and legal reform.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop strong legal reasoning and criminological analytical skills, enabling them to evaluate crime, justice systems, and legal frameworks critically. They gain the ability to understand both the legal application of justice and the social causes of criminal behaviour.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Law (Honours) component is accredited toward admission to legal practice in Australia after completing Practical Legal Training (PLT). The Criminology degree is widely recognised in justice, policy, and law enforcement sectors, supporting careers in government and criminal justice organisations.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Monash University is consistently ranked among the top global universities for Law and Social Sciences (QS World University Rankings), with strong graduate employability outcomes across legal and justice-related professions. Its criminology and law graduates are highly regarded in courts, government agencies, policing organisations, and policy institutions.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Monash University, the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Criminology (Clayton Campus) gives you practical, real-world exposure to how legal systems operate alongside criminal justice research and policy analysis. You won’t just study crime and law in theory—you’ll actively work with case materials, legal databases, and criminological research tools to understand how justice decisions are made and how crime is investigated, prevented, and responded to in society. The program blends courtroom-style legal training with applied criminology learning, supported by Monash’s law facilities, research centres, and industry-linked learning environments.

Experiential learning is delivered through hands-on legal practice, research-based criminology work, and real-world justice system engagement:

Monash Law Clinics : supervised real-client legal work where students develop practical skills in legal advice, case preparation, and advocacy
Moot Courtrooms (Clayton Law Facilities) : simulated court environments for practising legal argumentation, trial procedures, and advocacy skills
Westlaw / LexisNexis Legal Research Platforms : professional legal databases used for case law analysis, statutory interpretation, and research assignments
Criminology Research Training : applied learning using crime data analysis, case studies, and justice system evaluation methods
Monash Criminology Academic Expertise & Research Networks : engagement with criminology research focusing on policing, crime prevention, and justice policy
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Opportunities : internships and placements with legal organisations, government justice departments, and community agencies
Group-Based Case Study Projects : collaborative analysis of criminal cases, justice policy problems, and legal-criminological scenarios
Sir Louis Matheson Library & Law Library Resources : access to legal texts, criminology journals, case databases, and digital research tools
Monash Justice and Society-Related Research Centres : exposure to real-world policy research and criminal justice reform discussions
Simulation-Based Learning Activities : mock trials, sentencing exercises, and crime investigation scenario analysis

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Criminology at Monash University are well-prepared for careers across the justice system, legal sector, government, and policy organisations. They develop a strong ability to understand both the legal foundations of justice and the social and behavioural factors behind crime, making them valuable in roles that require analytical thinking and real-world problem solving.

Typical career pathways include: criminal lawyer, policy advisor, criminologist, court officer, or corrections and justice system analyst.

: Career outcomes are supported by Monash’s strong employability networks and justice-sector connections

Monash Career Connect : personalised career coaching, internship placements, employer networking events, and graduate recruitment support
Monash Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) : structured opportunities with legal firms, courts, government justice departments, and community legal organisations
Justice Sector Industry Links : engagement with courts, legal aid services, policing bodies, and public policy organisations supporting internships and graduate pathways
Legal Practice Accreditation Pathway : Law (Honours) provides a pathway to legal admission in Australia after completion of Practical Legal Training (PLT)
Criminology Career Pathways (Government & Justice Sector) : strong alignment with roles in criminal justice agencies, corrections, intelligence, and policy development
Graduate Employment Outcomes (Monash benchmark) : Monash law and social science graduates consistently achieve strong employment rates within months of graduation
Median Salary (Australia benchmark) : combined Law and Criminology graduates typically start around AUD $70,000–$90,000, with higher long-term earning potential in legal practice, government advisory, and senior justice roles

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, students can progress into Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify as a practising lawyer in Australia, or pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM) or Master of Criminal Justice.

Students may also continue into advanced criminology or justice-focused research degrees such as a Master of Criminology, Master of Public Policy, or PhD in Law or Criminology, opening pathways into academia, policy leadership, and specialised justice research careers.