Bachelor of Social Science (Criminology) - Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Wollongong

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Social Science (Criminology) – Bachelor of Laws at the University of Wollongong is a 5-year double degree that blends a strong foundation in legal studies with a deep understanding of crime, justice systems, and social behaviour. Students can study at the Wollongong Campus or the UOW Sydney CBD Campus, giving flexibility while preparing for a career in law, criminal justice, policy, or related fields.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In the first year, students build core academic foundations in both law and social science. You’ll typically begin with subjects such as Foundations of Law, Introduction to Criminology, and Legal Process and Analysis, alongside social science research basics. This year is designed to develop critical thinking, academic writing, and an understanding of how legal and social systems interact.

Year 2
Year 2 moves into core legal principles and criminology theory. Students study areas such as Torts, Criminal Law, and Crime, Deviance and Society, while also exploring introductory justice system frameworks. The focus is on building analytical skills and understanding how law operates in real-world contexts.

Year 3
In the third year, learning becomes more specialised with subjects like Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Criminal Justice Systems. Criminology studies deepen through topics such as crime prevention strategies and social research methods. Students begin connecting legal reasoning with real criminal justice challenges.

Year 4
This year focuses on advanced law and applied criminology. Students typically engage with Equity and Trusts, Property Law, and advanced criminology electives that examine complex issues such as policing, punishment, and rehabilitation. There is a stronger emphasis on case analysis and practical legal problem-solving.

Year 5
The final year consolidates professional readiness through advanced law electives and capstone-style learning. Students may undertake Law electives, Criminal Justice Policy analysis, and practical legal training components. The year is designed to prepare graduates for entry into legal practice pathways or postgraduate legal training.

Focus Areas

Criminal justice systems, legal reasoning and practice, criminological theory, public and constitutional law, social policy and research methods, crime prevention and rehabilitation.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop strong legal analytical skills, a deep understanding of crime and justice systems, and the ability to evaluate social issues through evidence-based research. They are prepared to apply legal knowledge in professional, policy, or justice-related environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The law component is designed to meet the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training). Graduates may pursue pathways toward becoming solicitors, policy advisors, criminologists, or roles within the criminal justice system.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Wollongong is recognised globally for strong graduate employability and research impact, consistently ranked in the QS World University Rankings among leading universities worldwide. Its Law and Social Sciences disciplines are well regarded for industry engagement and practical learning outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Wollongong, the Bachelor of Social Science (Criminology) - Bachelor of Laws is designed around learning by doing, where you don’t just study law and crime theory — you actively practice it in realistic, professional settings. Students build legal reasoning, research capability, and criminological insight through hands-on tasks that mirror real legal and justice-system environments. You’ll engage with real case scenarios, collaborate in team-based legal problem solving, and develop practical skills using professional tools and academic support systems that prepare you for both courtroom and fieldwork environments:

connecting classroom theory to professional legal and criminology practice :

Moot Court & Advocacy Training : students practice courtroom procedure, oral advocacy, and legal argumentation in simulated court environments that mirror real legal proceedings
Legal Research Platforms : access to professional legal databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis for case law, legislation analysis, and legal research assignments
Criminology Fieldwork & Research Methods : applied learning through crime analysis projects, social research methods training, and justice system investigations using real-world data
Work-Integrated Learning & Internships : opportunities to engage with legal institutions, community organisations, and justice-related workplaces to gain professional experience
Law Clinics & Practical Legal Experience : participation in supervised legal service environments where students observe and contribute to real client-focused legal work
Group-Based Legal Problem Solving : collaborative case studies, negotiation exercises, and policy analysis tasks that replicate law firm teamwork structures
UOW Library & Legal Resource Hub : extensive access to law reports, criminology journals, and digital legal collections supporting advanced research and case preparation
Simulation-Based Learning Activities : interactive exercises including dispute resolution, sentencing discussions, and criminal justice scenario simulations

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the University of Wollongong’s Bachelor of Social Science (Criminology) - Bachelor of Laws are prepared to step directly into the legal and justice workforce with strong analytical, advocacy, and policy skills. You’ll be equipped to understand both the legal system and the social causes of crime, which opens doors across courts, government, and justice-focused organisations. Many graduates move into roles such as criminal lawyer, policy advisor, court officer, or criminologist working in research or public safety: building careers that sit at the intersection of law, society, and justice reform.

Career pathways (typical roles): Criminal Lawyer, Policy Officer (Justice & Corrections), Court Services Officer, Criminologist / Research Analyst
University support for employment: University of Wollongong Careers & Employability Service provides career coaching, resume development, interview preparation, and access to internship and graduate job listings
Work-integrated opportunities: structured placements, internships, and industry-linked learning experiences with legal and justice-sector organisations in Australia
Industry connections: engagement with legal profession networks, government justice agencies, and community legal services through university-facilitated programs and placements
Professional recognition: the law component is designed to support the academic pathway toward legal practice (subject to completion of required professional legal training such as Practical Legal Training after graduation)
Graduate outcomes (salary context): law and justice graduates in Australia typically see starting salaries in the approximate range of AUD $65,000–$85,000, with significant growth potential as legal professionals gain admission and experience in practice areas such as criminal, corporate, or public law
Long-term value: a combined criminology and law degree strengthens both legal reasoning and social justice expertise, making graduates highly adaptable across public sector, legal practice, and policy development roles

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this double degree, graduates can continue into postgraduate study such as the Juris Doctor (JD) or Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice to qualify for legal admission in Australia. Many also pursue Honours or Master’s-level study in law, criminology, or public policy to specialise further in areas like criminal justice reform, international law, or forensic criminology, strengthening pathways into senior legal, academic, or government advisory roles.