Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Psychological Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Newcastle

Program Overview

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why people commit crimes, how victims are affected, or how justice systems decide what’s fair, this degree brings those questions together in a really practical way. By blending criminology with psychological science, you’ll learn how human behaviour works at both an individual and societal level — and how that knowledge is used to respond to crime in the real world. It’s a great fit for curious thinkers who care about fairness, people, and making a genuine difference, whether that’s through frontline work or further study.

Year 1:
Your first year is all about building strong foundations. You’ll be introduced to criminology and victimology while also learning how psychologists study the mind and behaviour. Courses like measuring behaviour and understanding psychological science help you make sense of how people think, feel and act — and how those patterns show up in crime and justice settings. Expect plenty of discussion, real case examples and your first steps into research thinking.

Year 2:
Things really start to connect in second year. As you explore criminal justice theory, you’ll also dive into how the brain processes information, how personality develops, and what happens when behaviour becomes disordered. This is where you begin to see the bigger picture — how cognition, social context and mental health influence behaviour, and how justice systems respond to those complexities.

Year 3:
By your final year, you’re working at a much more applied level. You’ll study criminal law and justice in depth while sharpening your research skills and choosing advanced psychology topics like social or developmental psychology. Many students engage in practical projects or placements, giving you the chance to work with real data, real scenarios and real professional expectations — the kind of experience that makes graduation feel like a natural next step, not a leap.

What you’ll focus on:
You’ll develop a strong understanding of criminal behaviour, justice systems and human cognition, while gaining practical research skills that can be used across psychology, criminology and community-based work.

What you’ll graduate able to do:
You’ll know how to apply psychological ideas to legal and social issues, analyse crime from multiple perspectives, and confidently interpret research — skills that are valued in justice, policy, and human services roles.

Professional pathway:
The degree meets key foundational requirements set by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC). If becoming a registered psychologist is your goal, this program gives you the academic base you’ll need before moving into postgraduate training.

Why Newcastle matters:
Studying at the University of Newcastle, consistently ranked among the world’s top universities, means your degree carries real weight with employers. Graduates go on to work across criminal justice, community services and human support roles — fields where understanding people truly matters.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Here’s a warm, human-focused description of the Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Psychological Science at the University of Newcastle — centred on how you’ll learn by doing, not just by listening:

Studying this combined degree means you’ll be building real skills that employers notice by actually applying what you learn. The program is designed around hands-on, project-based learning where theory meets real-world contexts — you won’t just read about criminal behaviour and human psychology, you’ll practise analysing it. As part of your journey, you’ll engage in career-ready experiences shaped around authentic settings, working with real data, real people, and real challenges in research and criminal justice-related fields. These experiences help you grow confidence, professional habits, and clarity about the kind of work you want to do after you graduate:

Below are the real experiential learning opportunities this program offers based only on what the official program page lists:

Applied, project-based learning embedded in core courses so you practise using criminology and psychology knowledge in realistic contexts.
Career-ready placement opportunities where you can seek placements with research labs, external agencies and industry partners to build workplace experience.
Access to psychology research labs and equipment that let you practise psychological science techniques hands-on.
Engagement with the University of Newcastle Psychology Community Clinic, giving you exposure to applied psychological work.
Pre-professional courses each year that include guest lectures from field professionals and problem-based workshops to prepare you for real-world practice.

If you want to graduate with more than just academic understanding — with experience you can talk about in interviews and on your CV — this degree really builds that into your student journey.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the Bachelor of Criminology and Psychological Science step out with a practical understanding of crime, human behaviour, and social systems — a combination that opens doors across justice, community, and research-focused roles. Many go on to work as criminology or policy officers, case workers, research assistants, or roles within government and community organisations where understanding behaviour really matters.

Here’s what this means for you:

Career-ready support at Newcastle: You’ll have access to the University of Newcastle’s Careers Service, including career coaching, resume and interview support, and the CareerHub platform where students find internships, placements, and graduate roles.
Real-world preparation: The degree is designed to build applied skills in analysis, research, and critical thinking — the kinds of skills employers look for in justice, social services, and policy environments.
Industry and community connection: Through course content grounded in real social and justice systems, students gain insight into how criminology and psychological science operate in professional settings such as government agencies, community services, and research organisations.
Recognised outcomes: Graduates are well prepared for entry-level roles across criminology, psychology-related fields, and broader human services, or for using the degree as a foundation for further professional study.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, many students choose to continue their studies at the University of Newcastle through honours or postgraduate pathways. Depending on your interests and academic performance, you could progress into honours study, psychology-focused postgraduate programs, or further specialised coursework in areas related to criminology, behavioural science, or research. This degree is often used as a strong stepping stone for students aiming to deepen their expertise or work toward professional or research-oriented careers in the social and behavioural sciences.