Course overview
You’ll explore the meaning of crime and justice to graduate with a highly-regarded law degree from one of Victoria’s leading law schools. Deakin’s Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws brings together two independent degrees in an attractive five-year combined course.
Deakin Law School has been ranked among Victoria’s top three law schools by the prestigious QS World University Rankings (2014). Our Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is designed to produce first-class commercial lawyers and provides studies in each of the major areas of legal practice, with an emphasis on practical legal skills training.
Combining law with criminology means you’ll gain broad theoretical, applied knowledge and skills concerning the meaning of crime; the forms, causes and consequences of crime; the different institutions and processes involved in preventing and controlling crime; policy development, policing and security; and related fields.
Our Bachelor of Laws satisfies the university requirements to become an Australian Lawyer, as set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to completing an approved LLB degree, you’ll be required to work as a legal trainee for one year, or to undertake a practical legal training course.
In the criminology stream you’ll learn about the various theoretical approaches that shape our understanding of crime in contemporary society. You’ll become familiar with the criminal justice system, crime prevention and security, criminal and civil law, the laws of evidence and crime prevention.
As a graduate you can choose to pursue a career as a lawyer, or to take on business and management roles in a range of corporate and private organisations and government agencies. Opportunities exist within state and federal police, ASIO (Australia’s national security service) and various correctional services, community services and private security industries.
Read MoreKey dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 2 2025 close 22 June 2025
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Laws
- Deakin code
- D335
- CRICOS code?
- 060431B
- 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.
Units
Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws D335
Notes:
(i) From 2014, most Criminology ASL coded units have been replaced with Criminology ACR coded units.
(ii) Continuing Criminology students who commenced prior to 2014 to contact Student Support Office for re-enrolment advice and to review Course Plans.
(iii) Law electives are offered on a yearly rotational basis. Not every unit is offered every year.
Level 1
Trimester 1
Plus one (1) Criminology elective unit chosen from Faculty of Arts and Education units
Trimester 2
Plus one (1) Criminology elective unit chosen from Faculty of Arts and Education units
Level 2
Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Level 3
Trimester 1
Plus one of the following:
Trimester 2
Plus one (1) Criminology elective unit chosen from Faculty of Arts and Education units
Level 4
Trimester 1
Plus one (1) Law elective unit
Plus two (2) units from the following:
Trimester 2
Level 5
Trimester 1
Plus three (3) Law elective units
Trimester 2
Choose four (4) Law elective units
Elective units
Elective Criminology units
Students are able to complete up to four credit points of study in any Faculty of Arts and Education unit. Students may also wish to note that the following units, ACR210, ACR211, ACR212, and ACR213 rotate between Trimester 1 and Trimester 3.
*ACR210, ACR211 are offered in Trimesters 1 and 3 in alternating years; Trimester 1 2014, 2016, Trimester 3 2015, 2017.
**ACR212, ACR213 are offered in Trimesters 1 and 3 in alternating years; Trimester 3 2014, 2016, Trimester 1 2015, 2017.
Elective Law units
#MLT code denotes study tour version of the unit
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.
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
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.
Entry requirements
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, 2026 open in July. 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.
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
Pathways
View pathways into the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws with our pathways finder.
Alternative exits
Contact information
Faculty of Arts and Education
Tel 03 5227 3379 or 03 5227 2477 Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
artsed@deakin.edu.au
Faculty of Arts and Education: Course Director
Chad Whelan, +61 3 522 72594, chad.whelan@deakin.edu.au
Contact the Course Director for matters relating specifically to the academic content of this course - all enrolment related queries must go to the Student Support Office.
Faculty of Business and Law - student advisers
Tel 03 9244 6555
Email buslaw@deakin.edu.au
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.
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