Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

5 Years On Campus Dual-bachelors Program

Western Sydney University Parramatta

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Western Sydney University is an advanced dual degree that combines deep understanding of criminal behaviour with a rigorous legal education, preparing students for complex careers in justice, law reform, and public policy. Students study at the Parramatta campus in Western Sydney, New South Wales, gaining access to a dynamic learning environment with strong links to the justice system and legal profession.

This program is ideal for students who want to understand both why crime occurs and how law responds to it, while developing high-level legal research and analytical skills through an Honours-level law pathway.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students are introduced to foundational concepts in both criminology and law, building essential analytical and academic skills. Core study typically includes Criminal Law and Justice, Introduction to Criminology, and Legal Methods and Skills, helping students understand the structure of the legal system alongside the social and behavioural roots of crime.

Year 2

The second year expands legal knowledge through subjects such as Torts and Criminal Procedure, while criminology units explore crime patterns, theories of offending, and justice systems. Students begin connecting legal principles with real-world criminal justice issues, strengthening their ability to analyse evidence and legal arguments.

Year 3

By third year, students progress into more complex legal study including Constitutional Law and Evidence, alongside advanced criminology subjects focused on policing, punishment, and criminal behaviour analysis. This stage places strong emphasis on research skills and critical evaluation of justice policies.

Year 4

The fourth year introduces advanced legal reasoning through subjects such as Administrative Law and Equity and Trusts, while criminology studies focus on specialised areas like forensic criminology and crime prevention strategies. Students also begin Honours-level preparation, including research design and legal thesis development.

Year 5

In the final year, students complete advanced Honours law research alongside specialised electives in both criminology and law. The focus is on producing a substantial research thesis, advanced legal analysis, and applied understanding of justice systems, preparing graduates for professional or academic pathways.

Focus Areas

Criminal justice systems; legal theory and practice; criminological research and behaviour analysis; evidence and constitutional law; policing and corrections; law reform and policy development; forensic and investigative frameworks.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop advanced legal reasoning, criminological insight, and research capability, enabling them to critically evaluate crime, justice systems, and legal frameworks in both academic and professional contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The law component aligns with Australian legal education requirements, supporting pathways toward legal practice qualifications, while the criminology component enhances employability in justice, policing, policy, and research-related fields.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Western Sydney University is internationally recognised for strong graduate employability outcomes and social impact-focused education, with consistent performance in global rankings such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Western Sydney University develop hands-on legal and criminological skills through a strong focus on real-world application, professional practice, and industry engagement. Learning is not limited to lectures — students actively engage with legal problem-solving, criminal justice scenarios, and applied research projects that reflect real legal and social issues in Australia. Through structured Work Integrated Learning and interactive teaching environments, students gradually build the confidence to operate in professional legal and justice settings.

This is supported by purpose-built learning environments, practical tools, and industry-facing opportunities:

Moot Court: Students participate in simulated court proceedings, developing advocacy, argument construction, and courtroom procedure skills in a realistic legal setting.
Legal Clinics: Practical learning through supervised legal service environments where students engage with real or simulated client matters and community legal issues.
Westlaw & LexisNexis Legal Databases: Access to professional legal research tools used in the legal industry to analyse case law, legislation, and legal commentary.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Industry placements and experiential learning opportunities with courts, justice organisations, government agencies, and legal service providers.
Criminology Simulation & Case Analysis: Applied learning activities focused on criminal behaviour, justice systems, policing frameworks, and forensic-style case evaluations.
Parramatta Campus Learning Spaces: Dedicated law and justice teaching facilities designed to support collaborative learning, research discussions, and academic workshops.
Library & Research Resources: Extensive access to legal texts, criminology journals, and digital research databases supporting advanced academic investigation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at Western Sydney University are equipped to work at the intersection of justice, law, and crime analysis, with strong capabilities in legal reasoning, criminological insight, and evidence-based decision making. This dual honours qualification prepares students for competitive roles in both the legal system and criminal justice sector: allowing pathways into careers such as criminal lawyer, policy advisor, criminologist, legal officer, and compliance specialist.

Progression in this degree leads to strong professional mobility across courts, government agencies, and regulatory bodies:

University employment support services: Students benefit from WSU Careers support, including one-on-one career coaching, resume and interview preparation, employer networking events, and structured Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements connected to legal and justice sector organisations.
Employment outcomes & salary figures: Graduates typically enter roles with an estimated salary range of AUD 75,000 – 130,000, with higher earning potential in legal practice, government advisory roles, and senior criminal justice positions over time.
University–industry partnerships: Strong links with NSW justice agencies, legal aid organisations, law firms, courts, and criminal justice institutions provide students with practical exposure, internships, and real-world case experience during their studies.
Long-term accreditation value: The law component supports the academic pathway toward admission to legal practice in Australia (subject to completion of required professional training), while criminology expertise strengthens eligibility for roles in policing policy, corrections, and justice research.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates leave with advanced analytical, advocacy, and research skills, enabling them to interpret complex legal and criminal behaviour issues and contribute meaningfully to justice reform and policy development.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates may pursue postgraduate 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, policy leadership, and advanced criminal justice research.

Additional Information & Requirements

The minimum English language requirement for admission is an IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 82.
Applicants must have a minimum IB score of 24 to meet the academic entry requirements.
Applicants must have a minimum A Level grades of DDD to meet the academic entry requirements.
applicants must achieve a minimum ATAR score of 60 to meet the academic entry requirement for the program.
Students must meet all of the following criteria for admission:
Completion of at least 160 credit points of law study (or 140 credit points if two Summer subjects are undertaken); Demonstration of the likelihood of graduating with an Honours Weighted Average Mark (HWAM) of at least 70 at the time of graduation; or an Admission Average Mark (AAM) of at least 70 at the time of admission to the Honours program. Refer to https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/schools/sol/honours Opens in new window for details; Demonstration of satisfactory academic writing skills; Availability of a principal supervisor.
Students enrolling in these subjects may need to have a National Police Certificate and consent or prohibited employment declarations as they may be conducting their placement in circumstances where they work with minors. This would be managed on an as needs basis:
LAWS 4017 Access to Justice Clinic LAWS 3074 Judicial Internship LAWS 3077 Legal Internship LAWS 4012 First Nations Peoples' Access to Justice Clinic LAWS 3080 Street Law Clinic JUST 3011 Issues in the Criminal Justice System (corrective services field trip requirement) - Also records and identity check.
The following subjects require a visa for the relevant country and the ability to travel at specified time:
LAWS 3024 Foundations of Chinese Law LAWS 3025 Law, Culture and Entrepreneurial Innovation in India LAWS 3078 Legal, Economic and Social Transformation in Taiwan