Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Dual-bachelors Program

Western Sydney University Parramatta

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws at Western Sydney University is a highly respected double degree that combines legal training with deep insights into crime, justice systems, and social behaviour, preparing students for impactful careers in law, policing, and justice reform. Studying at the Parramatta campus in Western Sydney, New South Wales, students benefit from a dynamic learning environment close to major courts, legal institutions, and government agencies.

This program is ideal for students who are passionate about understanding crime, society, and the law, and who want to build strong analytical, advocacy, and research skills for careers in the justice sector.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students build a strong foundation in both disciplines through introductory law and criminology studies. Core law units such as Legal Methods and Skills and Torts develop critical thinking and legal reasoning, while criminology units such as Introduction to Criminology explore the causes of crime and the structure of justice systems.

Year 2

The second year deepens legal knowledge with core subjects like Contracts and Criminal Law, while criminology studies expand into areas such as crime theory and criminal justice systems. Students begin connecting legal frameworks with real-world crime analysis and justice processes.

Year 3

By third year, students engage with more complex legal subjects such as Constitutional Law and Property Law, alongside criminology units focusing on policing, crime prevention, and justice policy. This stage strengthens analytical ability and applied understanding of law enforcement and legal systems.

Year 4

In the fourth year, students advance into specialised law units such as Administrative Law and Equity and Trusts, while criminology studies focus on advanced topics like criminal justice research and social justice issues. Students often begin engaging in research-based learning and practical legal analysis.

Year 5

The final year consolidates both disciplines through advanced law electives, honours-level criminology research, and capstone projects. Students refine their expertise in legal argumentation and criminological analysis, preparing for professional practice or postgraduate study.

Focus Areas

Criminal justice systems, legal reasoning and advocacy, criminological theory, policing and crime prevention, constitutional and administrative law, social justice and policy analysis.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop strong legal expertise combined with advanced understanding of crime and justice systems, enabling them to analyse legal issues, assess criminal behaviour, and contribute effectively to legal, policy, and law enforcement environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The law component aligns with academic requirements for progression toward legal practice in Australia (subject to further professional training), while the criminology component supports roles in justice policy, law enforcement agencies, and government advisory services.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Western Sydney University is recognised for strong graduate employability outcomes and practical, industry-connected learning, with global recognition in rankings such as the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education Impact Rankings for its commitment to social impact and career readiness.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws at Western Sydney University develop practical, career-ready skills through a strong mix of legal training, criminology practice, and real-world exposure to justice systems. Learning is built around hands-on experiences such as legal reasoning workshops, simulated court environments, and applied criminology projects that connect theory with real criminal justice challenges. Students also engage with industry-relevant tools and environments that mirror professional legal and investigative work:

Moot Court and legal simulation spaces: Practice courtroom advocacy, legal argumentation, and trial preparation in structured moot court environments designed to replicate real court proceedings.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Gain practical experience through placements and industry projects with legal institutions, government agencies, and criminal justice organisations.
Legal research tools & databases: Access professional legal platforms such as case law databases, statutory interpretation resources, and digital legal research systems used in the legal profession.
Criminology research projects: Participate in applied research exploring crime trends, justice policy, forensic evidence interpretation, and social impacts of crime.
WSU Library & digital learning systems: Use extensive academic collections, legal journals, criminology archives, and online learning platforms to support research and case preparation.
Industry engagement & field exposure: Attend guest lectures, seminars, and workshops led by legal professionals, criminologists, and justice sector practitioners.
Collaborative group assessments: Work in teams to analyse case studies, develop legal submissions, and present criminological research findings.

These experiences are supported by dedicated learning spaces across the Parramatta precinct and wider university network, ensuring students graduate with both academic knowledge and real professional capability.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws at Western Sydney University are prepared for impactful careers across law, justice, and policy, where understanding both legal systems and criminal behaviour is essential. This dual honours degree supports strong pathways into professional practice, research, and government advisory roles: leading to roles such as criminal lawyer, criminologist, policy analyst, legal officer, and compliance consultant.

This qualification positions graduates strongly within Australia’s justice and legal sectors:

University employment support services: Students access Western Sydney University Careers services, including personalised career coaching, employer networking events, internship opportunities, and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements linked with justice-sector organisations.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates typically enter early-career roles with estimated salaries in the range of AUD 75,000 – 130,000+, with higher earning potential as legal practitioners or senior criminal justice professionals.
University–industry partnerships: Strong collaboration with NSW courts, legal aid services, policing and corrections agencies, law firms, and public policy organisations provides students with real-world exposure and practical learning opportunities.
Long-term accreditation value: The law component supports the academic pathway toward legal practice admission in Australia (subject to further practical legal training), while criminology expertise adds strong value in justice policy, research, and law enforcement careers.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced skills in legal reasoning, criminological analysis, and evidence-based decision-making, enabling them to contribute effectively to justice reform, legal advocacy, and public policy development.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates may pursue advanced study such as a Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Criminology, or research degrees (MPhil/PhD), opening pathways into specialised legal practice, academia, and senior policy or justice leadership roles.