Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at University of Adelaide combines professional legal education with an in-depth understanding of crime, justice systems, and social responses to offending. Campus: Adelaide, South Australia. Ideal for students interested in law, criminal justice, public policy, law enforcement, or advocacy, the program develops expertise in legal reasoning, criminological research, crime prevention, and justice reform while providing an honours-level legal qualification.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students begin by building foundations in both law and criminology through subjects such as Introduction to Criminal Justice, How Law Works, and Torts. They also explore the social dimensions of crime through Crime Problems in Australia, Explaining Crime and Deviance, and Law, Government and Community, developing an understanding of legal institutions, crime patterns, and ethical issues in justice systems.

Year 2:
The second year introduces students to the operation of justice systems and constitutional frameworks through Policing and Crime Control, Constitutional Law, and Business and the Law. Studies in Penology and Corrections, Contract, International Law, and Fundamentals of Social Research strengthen analytical, legal, and research capabilities while examining crime control, punishment, and global legal systems.

Year 3:
Students deepen their expertise through advanced units including Contemporary Issues in Criminology, Property Law, and Criminal Law. They also undertake Equity and Trusts and Administrative Law, developing sophisticated legal reasoning skills while examining contemporary challenges facing criminal justice systems and public administration.

Year 4:
Practical and professional development becomes a key focus through the Criminology and Criminal Justice Internship, providing valuable industry experience. Students also study Corporate Law and Becoming a Lawyer, gaining insight into legal practice, professional ethics, and career pathways within both legal and criminal justice sectors.

Year 5:
In the final year, students undertake advanced capstone experiences including the Future Law Project, Civil Dispute Resolution, and Evidence. These subjects integrate legal research, advocacy, dispute resolution, and evidence analysis, preparing graduates for professional legal practice and leadership roles within justice-related fields.

Focus Areas

Criminal Law, Criminology, Criminal Justice Systems, Crime Prevention, Policing, Corrections, Legal Advocacy, Public Policy, Evidence and Dispute Resolution.

Learning Outcomes

Develop advanced legal reasoning and advocacy skills; analyse crime and criminal behaviour using criminological theory; evaluate justice policies and institutions; conduct legal and social research; communicate effectively in professional legal and justice settings; and apply ethical decision-making to complex societal challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Law component covers the core areas of legal knowledge required for legal practice in Australia, including the Priestley 11 subjects. Graduates can progress to Practical Legal Training to meet admission requirements for legal practice.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Adelaide is consistently recognised among Australia's leading universities and is a member of the prestigious Group of Eight. Its law programs are highly regarded for academic excellence, research strength, and graduate employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at University of Adelaide gain practical experience by combining legal training with the study of crime, justice systems, and public policy. Throughout the degree, students engage with real-world legal and criminological issues through case analysis, research projects, collaborative learning activities, and exposure to contemporary criminal justice challenges. The program is supported by the University's extensive legal and social sciences facilities, helping students develop both professional and research skills relevant to legal practice and criminal justice careers:

Moot Court facilities: Students develop advocacy, negotiation, and courtroom communication skills through simulated legal proceedings and practical law exercises.
Honours research experience: The honours component provides opportunities to undertake advanced independent research on legal, criminological, or criminal justice topics under academic supervision.
Criminology and Criminal Justice research projects: Students analyse contemporary issues such as crime prevention, policing, corrections, criminal law, and justice policy through applied research activities.
Collaborative case studies and group projects: Many courses incorporate team-based investigations of legal and criminal justice issues, reflecting professional practice environments.
Legal research databases and digital resources: Students access professional legal research platforms, online law libraries, academic journals, legislation databases, and case law repositories used throughout the legal profession.
Barr Smith Library: One of Australia's largest academic libraries, providing extensive collections in law, criminology, public policy, and social sciences, alongside dedicated research and study spaces.
Research institutes and centres: Students benefit from exposure to research conducted across the University's law, criminology, and social science research communities, informing contemporary teaching and learning.
Industry engagement opportunities: Guest lectures, seminars, and networking events with legal practitioners, policy experts, justice professionals, and researchers help students connect academic learning with professional practice.
Digital learning platforms: Students utilise advanced online learning systems, legal research tools, and digital collaboration technologies to support coursework, research, and professional skill development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at University of Adelaide develop a unique blend of legal expertise and in-depth knowledge of crime, justice systems, and criminal behaviour. This combination equips graduates with the skills to analyse complex legal and social issues while preparing them for careers in both the legal profession and the broader justice sector. Graduates commonly pursue roles such as criminal lawyer, policy advisor, corrections or justice officer, and criminology researcher.

By combining professional legal training with specialised criminology knowledge, graduates gain a competitive advantage in a range of justice-related careers:

University employability services: The University of Adelaide’s Career Services team supports students through career counselling, employability workshops, networking events, internship guidance, mentoring programs, and employer engagement initiatives that help students build professional experience and career readiness.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates entering legal, justice, and public sector professions in Australia typically achieve starting salaries ranging from AUD $70,000 – $120,000, with median earnings commonly between AUD $90,000 – $110,000, depending on their role, sector, and level of professional experience.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from strong connections with law firms, courts, government departments, justice agencies, community legal centres, and research organisations through practical projects, industry engagement activities, guest lectures, and networking opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value: The Bachelor of Laws (Honours) fulfils the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, while the criminology and criminal justice qualification provides specialised expertise relevant to law enforcement, corrections, policy development, and justice administration.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced capabilities in legal reasoning, criminal justice analysis, research, advocacy, and policy evaluation, enabling them to contribute effectively across legal, government, and justice-related professions.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this degree, graduates may undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner or continue their studies through postgraduate programs such as a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Criminology, Master of Public Policy, Master of Criminal Justice, or research-focused MPhil and PhD pathways in law, criminology, criminal justice, or related social science disciplines.