Key facts
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2023 close 25 June 2023
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Gain a broad understanding of all major areas of the law while exploring the underlying reasons behind criminal behaviour. As a graduate of Deakin's Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws you'll earn two in-demand degrees that complement each other and the dual expertise to see crime and law from a unique perspective.
Be guided through the latest theory and topical case studies by criminology and law academics who are true subject matter experts and actively contribute to their fields.
You will also be challenged to apply your skills in real-world settings at the Deakin Law Clinic. Working on real cases, you'll address criminal justice issues alongside industry professionals.
Want a significant career advantage with combined knowledge in law and criminology?
Study criminology and law and gain broad theoretical, applied knowledge and skills relevant to the forms, causes, meaning and prevention of crime. This directly relates to policy development and policing matters.
A distinctive feature of Deakin's accredited Bachelor of Laws is its focus on practical learning. Through the combination of sound legal training with real-world experience and work-integrated learning, you'll develop key skills, such as problem solving, analytical thinking and ethical reasoning across all major areas of law, including:
* contract law
* tort law
* property law
* legal practice and ethics
* constitutional law
* criminal law and procedure
* administrative law.
In the criminology stream, study the relationship between criminal behaviour and sociology, the impact of mental health, education and substance abuse. Find out what drives criminal behaviour, and how to develop systems and programs to prevent it from happening.
Learn from leading academics who are experts in their field. Explore the latest concepts, ideas and approaches from inside the industry and benefit from networking with and learning from their real-world connections.
Interested in studying through an international lens? Take advantage of our global study itinerary, which includes the Chinese Commercial Law study tour, the International Alternative Dispute Resolution study tour to the United States, the prestigious Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong and Vienna, and options to study one or more elective units at an overseas institution.
Course information
- Award granted
Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws
- Year
2023 course information
- VTAC code
1400415301 - Waterfront (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400515301 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400615301 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)- Deakin code
- D335
- CRICOS code?
- 060431B Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws, students must attain a total of 40 credit points consisting of 16 credit points from the Faculty of Arts and Education and 24 credit points from the Faculty of Business and Law, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, MAI010 Academic Integrity Module. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. Most students choose to study 4 units per trimester, and usually undertake 2 trimesters each year.
16
Credit points from the Faculty of Arts and Education
24
Credit points from the Faculty of Business and Law
40
Total credit points
Compulsory 0-credit point unit
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
- MAI010 Academic Integrity Module
Units
The 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Criminology (A329) include:
- at least 12 credit points of ACR coded units (including the core units ACR101, ACR102, ACR201, ACR202, ACR301 and ACR302)
- At least 6 credit points at level 3 including ACR301 and ACR302;
- 4 credit points of elective units available from within the Bachelor of Arts major sequences. Please refer to A300 Bachelor of Arts for a list of Faculty of Arts and Education units.
The 24 credit points from the Bachelor of Laws (M312) include:
- 18 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points of law elective units^, including 1 credit point of an experiential unit from the WIL/Practical Elective Units list.
^Law electives are offered on a yearly rotational basis. Not every unit is offered every year
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Students and Applicants to Geelong Waterfront Campus
Travel between campuses will be required to complete this combined degree. The Bachelor of Laws degree will be taught at Waterfront campus and the Bachelor of Criminology degree will be taught at the Waurn Ponds Campus.
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Additional course information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. The minimum expected workload for a Law unit will normally be around 150 hours, which includes attendance at class, reading, completion of any assessment, and preparation for the exam.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
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Entry requirements
Current or recent Year 12
If you are currently studying Year 12 or completed Year 12 in the previous two years and have not attempted higher education or VET/Polytechnic study since, your selection is based on the following.
VCE Prerequisite subjects
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection consideration.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Higher education study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of higher education after secondary schooling, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
Weighted Average Mark (WAM)
Successful completion of 4 credit points or more at an accredited higher education institution with a minimum WAM of 60 or equivalent.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
If you have not successfully met the WAM requirements for this course, you will need to achieve at least 60 in the STAT (Multiple Choice) to be considered for this course. Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test results for entry into Deakin University here.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
VET study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your secondary education and subsequent academic records as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
To be considered for this course you will need to achieve at least 60 in the STAT (Multiple Choice). Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test results for entry into Deakin University here.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago or did not finish Year 12, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 25 in English other than EAL or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
To be considered for this course you will need to achieve at least 60 in the STAT (Multiple Choice). Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test results for entry into Deakin University here.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Selection adjustments
Subject adjustment
A study score of 35 in English other than EAL, any History, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Australian Politics, Global Politics, Psychology or Sociology equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in English other than EAL, any History, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Australian Politics, Global Politics, Psychology or Sociology equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Access and equity
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you’re from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.
Admissions information
Learn more about this course and others that Deakin offers by visiting VTAC for more information. You can also discover how Deakin compares to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning by visiting the ComparED website.
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enables Deakin to consider disadvantageous circumstances you may have experienced and their impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you're from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements.
You can also find out about different entry pathways into Deakin courses if you can't get in straight from high school.
Finally, Deakin is committed to admissions transparency. As part of that commitment, you can learn more about our first intake of 2023 students (PDF, 354.0KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose to study as each unit has its own costs. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
Applications for Trimester 1, 2024 open in August. Each year, thousands of students prepare for uni with the help of Deakin support services. We offer a huge range of support, including one-on-one consultations, webinars, online resources and events throughout the year.
Direct applications are open for applicants who are not currently in Year 12, including:
- recent Year 12 students who completed secondary education in the past two years
- applicants with work and life experience
- applicants with TAFE study
- applicants with higher education study.
Please note: If you’re applying for more than one course, you need to apply through VTAC.
Entry pathways
View pathways into the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws with our pathways finder.
Alternative exits
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
- Call us: 1800 693 888 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
- Live Chat: Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
- Submit an online enquiry
- Help hub find common and trending questions and answers
Careers
Want a degree that’s more than just a qualification? Our industry connections, world-class facilities and practical approach to learning are just some of the reasons why Deakin students graduate confident and ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.
Career outcomes
As a graduate, you can choose to pursue a career as a lawyer, or take on business and management roles in a range of corporate and private organisations and government agencies.
Opportunities also exist within state and federal police, ASIO (Australia’s national security service) and various correctional services, community services and private security industries.
Professional recognition
Upon finishing your degree, you’ll have satisfied the university component of becoming an Australian lawyer set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB).
In addition to completing an approved law degree, to be admitted to the legal profession, you will need to work for one year as a supervised legal trainee, or undertake an approved practical legal training (PLT) course.
Matched with criminology, you’ll have a broader understanding of the criminal justice system than most other graduates, making you a highly desirable candidate when entering the legal sector.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of each of the single degrees.
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Footnotes
** QS World University Rankings by Subject 2018