By studying law and criminology at UNE, you will gain a broad portfolio of knowledge and skills to future proof your career in a wide variety of professions. In this comprehensive program of study, you will develop contemporary skills in how to write for, research, argue and apply the law, combined with an advanced understanding and capabilities in contemporary criminology topics and issues. Benefiting from UNE’s regional, rural and remote legal and criminology expertise, you will graduate with broad knowledge and specialist skills for greater career flexibility.

Why study the Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Laws with UNE?

Learn from UNE’s highly experienced School of Law, Australia’s largest law school outside a capital city, and benefit from the expertise of UNE’s Centre for Rural Criminology, a world-first hub of collaborative international research. This double degree will equip you with a broad portfolio of knowledge in legal and criminology issues and will help you to gain the practical skills you need to become an agile professional in both fields.

World-class teaching staff, a thriving research culture and unique perspective on regional, rural and remote legal and criminology issues will provide you with access to an engaging program of study and specialist skills that employers are looking for.

You will gain the experience and skills to address legal and criminology matters in both regional and urban contexts, enabling you to step into a courtroom, undertake research and understand complex legal, crime and justice issues. You will also develop the sought-after practical skills to future proof your career.

What makes our course different?

A focus on integrating your academic knowledge into the real world of work work will help you develop advanced skills in law and criminology. You will have opportunities to:

• Gain valuable skills in how to write for, research, argue and apply the law to benefit you in a broad range of occupations in evolving legal areas.
• Build a solid foundation in critical thinking, communication, problem solving, resilience, flexibility, perseverance and research skills — skills in high demand by a wide range of employers.
• Develop broad skills and knowledge in legal and criminology issues related to regional, rural and remote Australia, not just metropolitan areas.
• Gain versatile knowledge to apply to new legal careers which are emerging as a result of new technology developments.
• Apply your professional judgment and knowledge of the ethical responsibilities associated with a law degree including an understanding of international and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
• Develop your skills in communicating in a clear and strategic way and apply your professional judgment and knowledge of the ethical responsibilities associated with a criminology and law degree.
• Learn from leading researchers — UNE is a pioneer in the research of rural crime, and is home to the Centre for Rural Criminology, a world-first hub of collaborative international research, which seeks to understand all aspects of rural crime in order to help build safe and resilient communities.
• Apply your developing criminology knowledge and skills to the workplace through our Work Integrated Learning unit. Additionally, through the unit CRIM312 Professional Practice in Criminology you will have the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge learned throughout your degree by working directly with an industry partner such as the New South Wales Police Force to solve criminological problems.
• Choose from a wide range of specialised criminology unit choices.
• Learn to understand and critically evaluate the various agencies of the criminal justice system and explore possible alternative strategies.
• If you are a high-achieving student, you may choose to undertake Honours in criminology or law. This pathway can lead you to higher degree research opportunities and enhance your career options.

By choosing UNE, you are choosing an industry leader in the provision of online lifelong learning. Year after year, our students award UNE the maximum 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support in The Good Universities Guide.

To qualify for the two awards a candidate must pass units to the value of 240 credit points comprising:
Bachelor of Criminology component: 96 credit points with not more than 36 credit points at 100-level and at least 36 credit points at 300-level;
Bachelor of Laws component: 144 credit points with not more than 48 credit points at 100-level and at least 36 credit points at 300-level or higher.

To qualify for the award with Honours a candidate must pass units to the value of 144 credit points with not more than 48 credit points at 100-level, at least 36 credit points at 300-level and at least 36 credit points at 400-level or higher including LAW490 and LLM500.

• Bachelor of Criminology component
• Bachelor of Laws component

See UNE Handbook for more details. The Handbook contains detailed course information designed for enrolled students, including course plans, exit awards, intensive schools, and work placement requirements.

A combination of law and criminology expertise allows you to pursue a variety of career pathways or add significant value to your current role. By giving you a breadth of real-world skills, this degree gives you the opportunity to focus on what matters most – safeguarding your career and choosing the direction you want to take. Career options include working in:

• legal aid agencies, advocacy organisations and commercial law firms
• government departments
• policy advice and development
• crime prevention
• juvenile justice and child welfare
• drug and law support services
• environmental and industry regulation.

Please note, to be admitted to practice as a solicitor, barrister or legal practitioner in Australia, you will need to undertake a course of practical legal training (PLT).

For direct admission into undergraduate courses offered by UNE you must have completed an educational qualification considered to be at least equivalent to completion of Year 12 in Australia.

An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.5, with a minimum sub-band of 6.5 for writing and no other sub-band less than 6.0, or TOEFL IBT score of 91 with no less than 22 in writing and no less than 20 in listening, speaking and reading.