Criminology degrees explained: understand your study options
By Amina AhmedPublished on
There are a range of criminology degrees to choose from in Australia. This guide compares each of the main qualifications so you can get a clearer idea of which one might suit you best.
Criminology qualifications at a glance
There are several ways to study criminology at university. What you choose will depend on whether you meet the entry requirements and where you want your studies to take you.
This table gives you a quick overview of the main qualification options before we explore each one in more detail.
Qualification | What it usually covers | Typical duration | Common outcome | May suit you if |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Undergraduate certificate, diploma or associate degree | An introduction to university study in criminology | 6 months to 2 years full time | Entry into a related bachelor degree, sometimes with credit | You want a shorter starting point or don't meet bachelor degree entry requirements |
Dedicated criminology bachelor degree | Crime, justice systems, policy and research | 3 years full time | Criminology, justice or law enforcement roles | You want criminology to be your main undergraduate focus |
Bachelor degree with a criminology major | Criminology within a broader arts or social science degree | 3 years full time | Criminology roles or careers drawing on your broader degree | You want to study criminology while keeping room for other interests and career directions |
Double degree including criminology | Substantial study in criminology and another discipline | 4-5 years full time | Careers that draw on criminology and your second discipline | You want to build expertise across two fields and keep more career paths open |
Graduate certificate or graduate diploma in criminology | Focused postgraduate criminology study | 6 months to 1 year full time | Professional development or further postgraduate study | You already have prior study or experience and want to build your criminology knowledge |
Master of Criminology | Advanced theory, research, evaluation and policy | 1 year full time | Specialist roles, applied research or further study like a PhD | You want advanced criminology knowledge and skills |
What qualifications can you study in criminology?
Undergraduate certificate, diploma or associate degree
These shorter qualifications can be a stepping stone into a criminology bachelor degree, particularly if you don’t meet the entry requirements for the degree you want to study.
- An undergraduate certificate is the shortest option, with the lowest entry requirements.
- A diploma gives you more time to build your knowledge and adjust to university study.
- An associate degree is a longer qualification again, usually taking around two years full time and covering more of the discipline.
They can be worth considering if you have a lower ATAR, didn’t finish Year 12 or are returning to study after some time away. Depending on the course you choose, your completed subjects may also count as credit towards a related bachelor degree, reducing how much study you need to complete later.
For a closer look at these options and other ways into a degree, read our guide to pathways into criminology.
Dedicated criminology bachelor degrees
A dedicated criminology degree makes crime, justice and society the main focus of your undergraduate study.
You’ll explore areas like criminological theory, research methods, justice systems, social policy and responses to crime, preparing you for roles across law enforcement, criminal intelligence, corrections, policy and community services.
Degree names can vary between universities. Some courses are called a Bachelor of Criminology, while others are called a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice. These are still single bachelor degrees focused on criminology and related justice studies, rather than double degrees.
Our guide to criminology vs criminal justice explains the differences between the two fields, which can help you decide whether you’d prefer to focus on just criminology or study both together.
For a closer look at what a Bachelor of Criminology involves, explore What is a Bachelor of Criminology?
A general bachelor degree with a criminology major
You don’t have to dedicate your whole degree to criminology. A criminology major lets you make it a key part of a broader degree, like a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Social Science, while also giving you the freedom to study other areas like politics or sociology.
This can suit you if you want to keep your studies broader, you're not quite settled on what you want to do just yet, or you’re interested in criminology but don’t want it to be your only focus.
When comparing courses, check how many criminology subjects the major include. The trade-off is that you’ll usually get more choice across your degree, but less depth in criminology itself.
Double degrees combining criminology with another area
A double degree combines substantial study in criminology with another discipline. It can suit you when both fields support the work or further study you want to do.
Common study areas to combine in a double degree with criminology include:
- Psychological science
- Cyber security
- Business
- Political science
- International relations
A double degree will take longer to complete than a single bachelor degree (usually 4 to 5 years full time instead of 3) but it’s still quicker than completing two separate degrees. Because you’re fitting two disciplines into one program, you’ll generally spend more time on core subjects and have less room for electives.
Before you apply, compare how many subjects the course includes from each discipline, and whether the overall structure includes the subjects that matter most to you.
Postgraduate qualifications in criminology
Postgraduate criminology study is usually for people who already have a degree or relevant professional experience and want to deepen their knowledge, specialise, or move into more advanced policy, research or justice-related work.
- A graduate certificate is the shortest option and can suit you if you want to build specialist knowledge in criminology or criminal justice without committing to a longer qualification.
- A graduate diploma gives you more substantial specialist study. Depending on the course, it might help you develop expertise in a particular area of justice, such as gendered violence, or build your research skills for further study.
- A Master of Criminology offers more advanced and comprehensive study, and can suit you if you want to deepen your professional expertise, develop higher-level research and analytical skills, or prepare for further research study such as a PhD. Read more about this in our guide what is a Master of Criminology?
Some graduate certificates and diplomas can also count towards a masters degree, so it’s worth checking whether the courses are designed to connect before you enrol.
Which criminology qualification is right for your goals?
Once you understand the different study options available within criminology, you’re ready to compare courses to find the one that best suits your situation.
To narrow things down, here are some questions I suggest you ask yourself:
- Do I want criminology to be the main focus of my degree, or do I want to keep other options open?
- Am I looking for a qualification that helps me enter the field, or one that builds on study or experience I already have?
- Do I need to work towards meeting any entry requirements, or am I eligible to apply now?
- How much time do I want to commit to study?
If you’re weighing up whether the commitment will pay off in the long run, read is a criminology degree worth it?
What should you consider before choosing a criminology qualification?
Courses with similar names can still offer quite different study experiences, so overall it’s worth paying attention to these things:
Qualification structure
Check whether criminology forms the whole degree, a major or part of a double degree. Compare the number of relevant subjects, compulsory components and room for electives.
Course content
Look closely at the subject list to see what the course actually lets you explore. Compare how much focus it gives to areas like crime theory, research, policy and criminal justice, as well as the electives and specialisations available.
Career fit
Think about the kind of work you may want to move into and whether the qualification supports that direction. Some roles in policing, corrections and the courts also have separate recruitment, training or experience requirements, so it’s worth checking these before you choose a course.
Study mode and flexibility
Check whether the course is offered on-campus, online or combines both study modes (most courses available through us will be 100% online). How to study criminology online explains more about how online study works. Also compare full-time and part-time options, start dates and any practical requirements.
Fees and funding
How much a criminology degree costs will vary by course, university, study load and whether you are eligible for a Commonwealth supported place, HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP. You can look at the indicative fees on any course page to get an idea.
Further study and career outcomes
Think about what you want to do after the course. If you have a particular career or postgraduate study goal in mind, check whether the qualification will help you get there.
Compare likely directions in criminology jobs and career pathways.
How can you get started in criminology?
- Start browsing available criminology courses
- Check that you meet the entry requirements for criminology
- Explore the alternative pathways you can take if you don’t
- Learn about what it’s like to study criminology online
- Get help finding out which online criminology course is best suited to your goals
Book a consultation with a student advisor to get free one-on-one support.
Explore your criminology study options through us
Browse the criminology qualifications that are available online through Open Universities Australia. We help you choose the right option and enrol, while you'll study directly with your chosen university.
About the author
Amina Ahmed
Student advisor specialising in criminology courses
Amina Ahmed is passionate about helping students explore criminology. In the trenches of both full time work and study herself, she brings enthusiasm and reassurance to the students she supports. She loves helping students shift from early nervousness in their first conversations towards confidence as they progress through their studies.
FAQs about criminology degrees
Do all criminology degrees cover the same core topics?
No. Many courses cover crime, justice systems, research and social responses to offending. However, the balance can vary between theory, policy, criminal justice and applied research. Compare each criminology course’s curriculum, including its core subjects and electives, before deciding which degree best supports your interests.
Can I specialise in a particular area of criminology during my degree?
Sometimes. A bachelor degree may let you explore an area through criminology electives, a major or a named specialisation. Postgraduate courses can offer more focused study. I always recommend checking the subjects listed to get a good sense of what you’ll learn in a particular course.
Can I double major in criminology and another discipline?
Yes, there are various double degrees available that combine criminology with other disciplines including psychological science, cyber security, business, political science or international relations.
Can I transfer between criminology degrees or universities?
Sometimes. You may receive credit when completed university subjects match the new course. The receiving university decides how much credit to grant and which subjects remain. Ask for a credit assessment before changing courses, because the result can affect your remaining study time and cost.
If you’re thinking of taking this route, your best first step is to book a consultation with a student advisor, who can help you understand the ins and outs before you apply.
Will employers care which university my criminology degree comes from?
Not necessarily. While some employers may favour particular educational backgrounds, a lot more factors other than your degree are usually considered in hiring decisions. Course content, research training, applied learning and relevant experience may all influence how well your background fits a position.
Compare the degree against the work you want rather than relying only on the university name.
