Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

If you’re curious about why people think, behave, and sometimes break the rules — and you want to make a real difference in communities — the Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Adelaide is built for you. Over four engaging years, you’ll explore the mind, human behaviour, and crime, blending theory with practical experience so you graduate not just with knowledge, but with confidence and a clear sense of purpose.

Curriculum Structure

First Year
Your first year sets the foundation. You’ll start by exploring how the criminal justice system works, with courses like Introduction to Criminal Justice and discussions around crime and justice. In psychology, you’ll uncover the basics of human behaviour and development. This is a year for asking questions, thinking critically, and learning to see the bigger picture — from individual behaviour to social systems and inequalities.

Second Year
In your second year, you’ll start connecting theory to real-world behaviour. Psychology courses explore lifespan development and research methods, while criminology dives into topics like forensic criminology and cybercrime. This is the year you start shaping your own interests, seeing how psychology and criminology intersect, and understanding how prevention, justice, and human behaviour all fit together.

Third Year
Year three is about going deeper and applying what you’ve learned. You’ll strengthen research and analytical skills in psychology and tackle advanced criminology topics like policing, corrections, and criminal systems. You’ll also get hands-on experience through internships or field placements, building real-world skills while connecting with organisations and potential employers.

Fourth Year
Your final year is where it all comes together. You’ll complete professional placements or internships in community, policy, or justice settings, putting your knowledge into action. Electives let you tailor your studies to your goals — whether that’s research, advocacy, frontline work, or policy development. By the end, you’ll graduate ready to make a meaningful impact or continue your journey in postgraduate study.

Focus Areas
Human behaviour and development, crime causation and prevention, justice systems, and societal impact.

What You’ll Gain
You’ll leave the program with strong critical thinking, research skills, and ethical understanding, alongside practical experience analysing behaviour and influencing justice and wellbeing in communities.

Professional Alignment
This double degree equips you with the core skills both psychology and criminology professionals rely on. Psychology gives you a solid foundation in human behaviour and research, while criminology prepares you for ethical, evidence-based work in justice, policy, and community settings.

Reputation and Employability
Studying at Adelaide University means learning at a world-class institution ranked in the top 100 globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. With strong graduate outcomes and a respected reputation, your degree carries weight with employers worldwide.

If you’re fascinated by people, motivated to create safer communities, and want a degree that blends understanding with action, this program gives you both the knowledge and hands-on experience to launch a meaningful career.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Psychology, Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Adelaide isn’t just about studying theory — it’s designed so you’re actively doing as you learn. From the very first years, you’ll build a solid understanding of human behaviour and the criminal justice system, and as you move through the program, you’ll start applying that knowledge in real-world settings. You’ll take part in structured internships with mental health and community organisations, and in your final year, you’ll complete a society and culture placement — experiences that give you hands-on practice, help you build professional connections, and clarify the kind of career you want after graduation. By the time you finish, you won’t just have learned about the field — you’ll have tackled real challenges and developed the confidence to step straight into roles in law enforcement, policy, advocacy, research, and more.

Some of the practical opportunities you’ll dive into include:

Internships in your third and fourth years with mental health or community organisations, giving you real professional experience and the chance to make valuable industry connections.
A final-year society and culture placement, where you’ll take what you’ve learned in the classroom and put it to work in community or organisational settings.
Electives tailored to your interests, so you can focus on the areas that excite you and align with your career goals.
Courses that build research, analytical, and data interpretation skills, giving you tools you can use in research or professional roles.

With these hands-on experiences woven throughout your degree, you won’t just graduate with knowledge — you’ll graduate with real-world experience and the confidence to take your next step.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the Bachelor of Psychology / Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Adelaide step into careers where understanding people and society truly makes a difference. This double degree prepares you to support individuals and communities, influence policy, and tackle complex social issues with confidence. Alumni go on to roles such as case manager, community corrections officer, policy officer, victim support officer, intelligence analyst, crime prevention officer, research assistant, court administrator, and more — all rooted in a strong foundation of psychology and criminology.

Here’s what that means for you:

Support for your career, from day one: The University’s Career Services team is there to help you shape your career path early. You’ll get access to job and internship listings, personalised career advice, workshops, and events to connect with employers. Even after graduation, you can tap into these resources for up to 12 months to keep building momentum.

Hands-on experience built into your degree: This double degree isn’t just about theory. You’ll have the chance to complete internships and placements, particularly in mental health and community organisations, giving you real-world experience and valuable industry connections before you even finish your studies.

Connections that matter: Adelaide University works closely with government, community, and industry partners, creating opportunities to meet people and organisations who value social impact, justice, and human behaviour insights. Whether through placements or networking events, you’ll be part of a network that can open doors to meaningful work.

Double the knowledge, double the options: Completing two degrees in four years doesn’t just expand what you know — it broadens where you can go. From law enforcement to policy, advocacy to research, combining psychology and criminology makes you a highly sought-after candidate for people‑centred, evidence-based roles.

Opportunities to go further: If you want to specialise, there are clear pathways. Many graduates continue with honours in psychology, which is essential for becoming a registered psychologist. Others pursue postgraduate coursework or research in forensic psychology, criminology, social policy, community health, or law-related fields. The University supports you every step of the way, with guidance for honours, master’s, and PhD programs, helping you build advanced expertise and open doors to higher-level roles or academic careers.

If you’re passionate about helping people, shaping systems, or understanding behaviour and justice at a deeper level, this double degree gives you a strong, meaningful foundation — and the University of Adelaide makes sure you have the support to transition smoothly from study to career.