Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Murdoch University Australia

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology at Murdoch University is a comprehensive double degree that combines legal training with a deep understanding of crime, justice systems, and human behaviour. It is designed for students who are interested in law, criminal justice, policy, and understanding how society responds to crime in real-world contexts.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:
In the first year, students build a strong foundation in both law and criminology through introductory units such as Foundations of Law, Criminal Justice System, and Criminology: Crime and Society. This stage focuses on understanding how legal systems operate in Australia while introducing key ideas about crime, deviance, and social justice. Students also begin developing academic writing, legal reasoning, and research skills.

Year 2:
In Year 2, learning becomes more specialised with units such as Torts Law, Criminal Law Principles, and Introduction to Research Methods in Criminology. Students begin to analyse legal responsibilities, criminal liability, and evidence while also exploring how crime is measured and studied in society. This year strengthens analytical thinking and introduces case-based learning.

Year 3:
Year 3 focuses on deeper legal and criminological analysis through subjects such as Constitutional Law, Penal Systems and Justice, and Crime Prevention and Policy. Students begin to connect legal frameworks with real-world justice issues, including policing, corrections, and rehabilitation systems.

Year 4:
In the fourth year, students engage in advanced legal study and criminology integration with units such as Advanced Criminal Law, Evidence Law, and Contemporary Issues in Criminology. This stage emphasises courtroom reasoning, policy evaluation, and applied justice research, preparing students for professional-level thinking.

Year 5:
The final year consolidates learning through advanced electives and capstone-style units such as Mooting and Advocacy, Criminal Justice Research Project, and Law in Practice. Students apply their knowledge to real-world legal and criminological problems, strengthening their readiness for legal practice or justice-sector careers.

Focus Areas:

Law, criminal justice systems, criminology theory, criminal behaviour, legal research, advocacy, evidence law, policy development, policing and corrections.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates will be able to analyse legal systems, evaluate criminal behaviour, apply legal reasoning, conduct criminological research, and communicate effectively in legal and justice environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Laws component is accredited by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA), supporting the academic pathway toward admission to legal practice in Australia.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Murdoch University is internationally recognised and listed in major global university rankings such as the QS World University Rankings, reflecting strong teaching quality, graduate employability, and industry-connected learning outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Murdoch University, students in the Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology gain hands-on experience from day one by combining legal training with real-world criminal justice learning. Instead of relying only on theory, you’ll build practical skills through legal practice experiences, courtroom simulations, and criminology-focused investigations that reflect how the justice system actually works in Australia. You’ll also learn to analyse crime, evidence, and legal problems using professional tools and industry-informed approaches that prepare you for real careers in law and justice:

In practice, this means you’ll develop your skills through structured learning environments and industry-connected experiences:

SCALES Community Legal Centre: Gain real client experience by working on legal matters under supervision, helping with legal advice, research, and case preparation in a professional setting.
Moot Court & Advocacy Training: Build courtroom skills through simulated hearings, legal argumentation exercises, and mooting competitions that strengthen advocacy and public speaking.
Criminology Research Projects: Work on applied criminology assessments exploring crime trends, justice policy, and offender behaviour using real-world data and case studies.
Forensic Science Laboratories: Develop practical skills in scientific analysis through lab-based learning focused on evidence handling, interpretation, and investigative techniques.
Simulation-Based Learning: Engage in scenario-based exercises that replicate policing, criminal investigation, and legal decision-making environments.
Legal Research Training: Use professional legal research databases and resources to analyse legislation, case law, and legal precedents used in Australian courts.
Industry-Connected Learning: Learn from academics and practitioners with real experience in law, criminology, and justice sectors through guest lectures and applied projects.
Murdoch Library & Legal Resources: Access extensive legal texts, criminology research materials, and academic databases to support in-depth study and assignments.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology at Murdoch University prepares graduates for careers at the intersection of justice, law, and crime prevention. This degree builds strong legal capability alongside a deep understanding of criminal behaviour, justice systems, and public policy, enabling graduates to work in both courtroom and criminal justice environments. Typical career pathways include Solicitor, Criminal Lawyer, Policy Officer, and Criminologist:

Graduates are equipped to contribute to legal practice, policing, corrections, government policy, and community justice organisations where analytical thinking and justice expertise are essential:

Career Support Services: Murdoch’s Careers and Employability team provides access to the myMurdoch Career Portal, employer networking events, internships, CV and interview preparation, and personalised career coaching to support successful entry into graduate roles.
Industry & Justice Sector Learning: Students gain practical exposure through engagement with the SCALES Community Legal Centre and justice-focused learning experiences that connect legal study with real-world criminal justice practice.
Professional Accreditation Value: The Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA), providing a clear pathway toward admission as a legal practitioner, while criminology studies strengthen employability in justice and policy sectors.
Graduation Outcomes & Skill Development: Graduates develop advanced legal reasoning, criminal justice analysis, research skills, and advocacy capabilities through mooting, legal clinics, and criminology research projects.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Range: Graduates typically enter roles in legal practice, government agencies, corrections, courts, and policy organisations, with starting salaries generally around AUD $65,000–$95,000 per year, with higher earning potential as experience and specialisation increase.
Long-Term Career Value: This combination is highly relevant in modern justice systems, supporting careers in criminal law, prosecution, forensic policy, corrections, rehabilitation services, and justice reform initiatives.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this program, graduates can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a lawyer in Australia. They may also pursue postgraduate study such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Criminology, or specialised qualifications in criminal justice, forensic studies, or public policy. For those interested in research or academic pathways, progression into a PhD is also available, allowing deeper exploration of law, crime, and justice systems.