Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology
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Overview
The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology is the only double degree of its kind in Victoria. Offering the unique combination of an accredited law degree with a specialised education in the causes of crime (Criminology) and the fallout of crime (Criminal Justice), this course arms you with the advanced skills to solve complex legal problems in an increasingly complex society.
You'll explore all aspects of law, including commercial and intellectual property law, and learn how to communicate with both legal and non-legal audiences. Delve into the differences and similarities between local and global criminality, and discover traditional approaches to crime along with emerging trends.
On completion, you’ll be able to evaluate the main causes of crime, assess the consequences of crime on victims and the community, critically evaluate situations and their legal ramifications, and demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to practice law.
This degree is ideal for those who want to specialise in criminal prosecution, criminal defence or government policy development.
Apply early and ATAR-free
Apply to our Early Entry Program and secure an offer for your dream Swinburne course before Year 12 exams – no ATAR needed. Because you can’t put a number on potential.
Your industry experience
Work Integrated Learning is a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. In this double degree, you'll complete law-related professional experience placements at organisations in Australia or overseas. You'll also be introduced to the practical aspects of legal practice through moot court scenarios and advocacy exercises. And in Crime, Society and Culture (LAW30025), you’ll team up with other students to work on a problems-based project briefed to you by an industry partner.
Skills you’ll learn
- Navigate the Australian legal system
- Analyse legal issues and disputes
- Communication
- Criminal justice and criminology research
- Cultural awareness
Your career opportunities
- Solicitor
- Legal counsel
- Lawyer
- Law enforcement officer
- Intelligence or crime analyst
- Investigator
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Professional accreditations
Why Swinburne?
Ranked Top 200 in Law
Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023Ranked Top 150 in Law
ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 202279.8% of UG students were satisfied with the teaching practices
80.6% of UG graduates found employment within 4 months of completing their course
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Dual award for future lawyers
Accelerate into your legal career.
Swinburne law students are the only students in Victoria who are eligible to be admitted to legal practice on the day they graduate.
To accelerate your learning, you’ll be able to enrol in a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice through Leo Cussen Centre for Law during the final year of your Bachelor of Laws. This dual award program provides the requisite training to practice law, cutting months off the time it takes to become a lawyer.
Qualifications
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
- completion or partial completion of a degree.
Guaranteed Entry ATAR
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You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.
If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject adjustments, equity schemes or other factors.
Subject adjustments:
- A study score of 25 in any Business, any Humanities, any LOTE or Psychology equals 2 aggregate points per study.
- A study score of 30 in any Business, any Humanities, any LOTE or Psychology equals 3 aggregate points per study.
Overall maximum of 12 points. Subject adjustment points are applied to the aggregate, not the ATAR.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.
*Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12 or equivalent overseas qualification.
This will be assessed at the time of your application. If you would like further information, contact your education agent or get in touch with our team.
Course prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Apply for a pathway course
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology requires students to complete units of study to the value of 475 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
What your course could look like
This is the indicative sequence for Semester 1, 2025 only. You are advised to use the study plan template available via your student portal in conjunction with your course planner to plan your studies. Sequence may also vary depending on advanced standing and exemptions. The unit offering information is correct at the time of publication, however changes may occur.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Introduction to Australian Law and Statutory Interpretation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10010 |
|
Torts 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10014 |
|
Criminal Law and Procedure
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10015 |
|
Torts 2
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10025 |
|
Legal Writing
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10026 |
|
Contract Law 1
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10028 |
|
Contract Law 2
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10029 |
|
Evidence
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20009 |
|
Administrative Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20010 |
|
Trade Marks and Related Rights
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20011 |
|
Federal and State Constitutional Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20012 |
|
Property Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20013 |
|
Land Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20014 |
|
Legal Technology and Innovation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20040 |
|
Copyright
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20043 |
|
Patents and Designs
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30011 |
|
Equity and Trusts
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30012 |
|
Company Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30013 |
|
Legal Practice and Professional Conduct
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30015 |
|
Civil Procedure and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30029 |
|
Professional Experience in Law 1
Core unit , 150 hours placement |
LAW10016 |
|
Professional Experience in Law 2
Core unit , 150 hours placement |
LAW20018 |
|
Professional Experience in Law 3
Core unit , 150 hours placement |
LAW30016 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Crime, Deviance, and Conformity
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI20003 |
|
Victims, Justice and the Law
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20048 |
|
Family Violence
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30031 |
|
Fundamentals of Psychology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
PSY10008 |
|
Fundamentals of Criminology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI10002 |
|
Policing: Systems and Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI20001 |
|
Corrections: Systems and Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI30002 |
|
Youth Justice and Crime
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
CRI30010 |
|
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
FOR10001 |
|
Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
FOR30001 |
|
Law and Social Science
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW10022 |
|
Crime and Punishment in the International Context
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20031 |
|
Technological Advances in Dealing with Crime
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW20032 |
|
Criminal Justice Capstone Project
Core unit , 12.5 credit points |
LAW30025 |
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Option 1 | |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A – Law
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
LAW20021 |
|
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement B – Law
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
LAW20022 |
Tuition fees
We're in the process of finalising fees for 2026 enrolments. Please check back in late October 2025 for the latest updates.
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Finances
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree, Unilink course or select postgraduate courses at Swinburne and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
Apply through VTAC
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.