Bachelor of Criminology

Make a career out of crime

Criminology is the study of crime and deviance – seeking to understand the causes of crime, the extent and consequences of crime, as well as methods of crime prevention.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Criminology prepares you to think critically about crime and the criminal justice sector, as you:

  • examine criminal and anti-social behaviour
  • debate the causes and consequences of crime
  • investigate policing and crime prevention techniques
  • question justice and corrections systems
  • learn how to conduct research on emerging threats, such as cybercrime, organised crime, and terrorism.

Where could it take you?

Criminology graduates are empowered to pursue a wide range of different employment opportunities. You may choose to work in an operational role in the criminal justice system, or within one of the critical external organisations supporting the sector. You may follow a path into other professional settings, such as policy-making, research, analysis or education. You could combine your degree in criminology with other degrees, majors or minors, to pursue a career in law, forensics or psychology, amongst others.



  • Investigate the causes of crime and deviance
  • Influence how crime is understood and portrayed in the media
  • Learn from world-leading academics

Entry Requirements

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Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 324931
2023 CSP ATAR 65.25
2023 CSP IB 24
Guaranteed Entry Score - ATAR 70
Guaranteed Entry Score - IB 25.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February and July
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Certificate IV or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Your application will be ranked according to the level of the award. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 58.4
Median ATAR to receive an offer 70.25
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 96.7
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 65.25
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 74.95
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 97.5
Minimum eligibility score 65
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    18 22.5%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study <5 N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    <5 N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    55 68.8%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    <5 N/A
    International students <5 N/A
    All students 80 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

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Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $13,930

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

Our graduates will go on to a wide range of rewarding careers. Many find employment amongst the various operational professions that make up the criminal justice system, such as in policing, security, intelligence, corrections and court administration.

Elsewhere, graduates choose employment across the vast array of other hands-on and critical welfare and support roles that enhance outcomes for victims, offenders and the community at large. Other graduates take on policy-making, research, education or entrepreneurial roles for a diverse cast of employers including Commonwealth, state or local government agencies, universities, schools and various other training or service providers.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Counsellor;  Police Officer;  Statistician;  Intelligence Officer;  Jury Consultant;  Parliamentary Adviser;  Parole Officer;  Correctional Officer;  Court Officer;  Crime Analyst ...

Degree Structure

Students can take a major or minor in: 
  • Forensic Medicine (minor only)
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Public Health

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Testimonial

A thirst for knowledge does not diminish with age... if anything it grows as the years pass.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Wednesday, 20 Mar 2024