Entry requirements for criminology degrees in Australia
By Amina AhmedPublished on
Is an ATAR the only way into a criminology degree? Not necessarily. Our student advisor Amina Ahmed compares entry requirements across undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including how previous study or relevant experience may be assessed.
Can you get into a criminology degree?
Criminology courses offer several ways in. Depending on the university and qualification level, your ATAR, vocational education and training (VET), previous university study or relevant experience can support your application.
But if you don’t meet the entry requirements, another shorter study option like single university subjects may help you work towards entry.
Allow me to explain the main entry requirements for criminology courses, plus how this other entry pathway option works.
Entry requirements for criminology degrees at a glance
Here are the main criminology qualification levels and their typical entry requirements.
Qualification | Typical entry requirements | Alternative entry options | Who usually applies |
|---|---|---|---|
Undergraduate certificate, diploma or associate degree | Year 12 or recognised prior study, depending on the course | Open Access subjects, vocational education and training (VET), enabling study or relevant experience may be accepted | People seeking an introductory qualification or pathway into a bachelor degree |
Bachelor of Criminology or related degree | Year 12, with an ATAR between 55 to 75 | Open Access subjects, VET, prior university study, enabling study or relevant experience | School leavers and people starting or changing careers |
Graduate certificate or graduate diploma | A bachelor degree, often in criminology, justice, law, social science or a related field | Relevant professional experience or equivalent prior learning may be considered | Graduates and professionals developing specialist knowledge or preparing for further study |
Masters degree | Related bachelor degree, honours or postgraduate study. Some courses also consider academic results and professional experience | An assessed combination of qualifications and relevant experience, depending on the course | Graduates and experienced professionals seeking advanced or specialised study |
Undergraduate entry requirements
Undergraduate certificates, diplomas and associate degrees
These short qualifications usually have more flexible entry requirements than a bachelor degree.
In most cases you can apply directly if you've either:
- completed Year 12; or
- completed or partially completed some previous study, like a Certificate IV or university course
If you didn’t finish Year 12 or haven’t tried any formal study before, your chosen university may also consider your work history as evidence that you’re ready for university study.
If you’re considering one of these entry-level qualifications as a pathway into a bachelor degree, it’s also worth considering Open Access subjects through Open Universities Australia. Many of these have no entry requirements and unlock access to a Bachelor of Criminology or similar. I’ll talk more about this option below.
Bachelor degrees
The most popular bachelor degree options in criminology are a Bachelor of Criminology or an arts, social science or law-related degree with a criminology major.
You can generally apply directly into these courses if you have:
- completed Year 12 with an ATAR of about 55 to 75
- completed vocational education and training (VET)
- completed previous higher education, including single subjects or a university preparation program; or
- relevant work and life experience
Some courses will also specify that you need to have studied English in Year 12. Alternatively, you may need to provide evidence that you meet the English language requirements.
Explore criminology bachelor degreesPostgraduate entry requirements
Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas
Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas in criminology and related fields require previous university study. Depending on the course, you may need a bachelor degree in criminology, justice, law, social science or a related area, with a specific grade point average.
You may also be able to apply with:
- between two to five years of relevant professional experience; or
- a combination of previous study and professional experience
Relevant experience typically means you’ve worked in an area like law enforcement, child protection, community welfare, corrections or law. The amount and type of experience required varies between courses and universities, so read the entry requirements for the specific qualification you’re interested in.
Masters degrees
Entry into a masters degree in criminology is also based on previous university study.
You can apply with:
- a bachelor degree in a related field, like criminology, criminal justice, law, social science, social work or human services
- a related graduate certificate or graduate diploma; or
- relevant professional experience alongside previous study, including work in policing, border protection, law, government or financial crime
You may also need to demonstrate strong academic results, where the course sets a minimum grade requirement.
For some courses, the level of your experience matters as well as the field. For example, the Master of Criminology offered by Macquarie University considers relevant experience to be senior sergeant level or above in the police force or senior management and above in the public service.
What you’ve already studied and the experience you have can reduce how much of the masters degree you need to complete. In some cases, that means you can finish the degree sooner.
Check the entry requirements for your chosen course, because the accepted qualifications, grades and experience differ between universities. You can also book a consultation with a student advisor to clarify the details.
Explore criminology masters degreesUniversities may consider your prior study, professional experience or both. Check the course outcome first, then confirm what evidence you’ll need to apply.
What if you don't meet the requirements?
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for your preferred course, there are other ways in – including through Open Universities Australia.
For criminology, completing Open Access Subjects is our most recommended pathway option, but you can visit our pathways into criminology guide to understand every option.
Complete Open Access subjects
I recommend this to: those who don’t meet the usual entry requirements for a bachelor degree, or who’d like to trial university study before committing to a qualification.
Open Access single subjects are individual university subjects without entry requirements.
By completing a set number of these subjects through Open Universities Australia, you can gain access to select criminology degrees from Griffith University, Macquarie University, La Trobe University and the University of New England.
Participating degrees may specify which subjects to take and the results you need.
How it works:
- Choose your preferred qualification through Open Universities Australia and check its approved pathway subjects.
- Complete the required subjects online and meet any minimum grade or grade point average.
- Apply for the degree, then ask whether your completed subjects may count as credit.
It’s really important to make sure you’ve selected the right subjects before you start on this pathway.
If it’s not clear, a student advisor like myself can help you figure this out.
Explore your study options through us
Start by comparing online criminology courses, including their qualification levels and entry requirements.
If you’re unsure which route fits your background, book a consultation with a student advisor for no-cost guidance on your options.
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 entry requirements for criminology
What is the easiest criminology degree to get into?
Criminology bachelor degrees from Griffith University, Macquarie University, La Trobe University and the University of New England are the easiest to get into, because you can enrol via Open Access single subjects through Open Universities Australia.
This means you can start studying without having an ATAR or meeting any other entry requirements.
Do I need specific Year 12 subjects to study criminology?
Generally, undergraduate criminology courses don’t require specific Year 12 subjects, although you may need to meet English language requirements. Your eligibility is more likely to depend on the course’s overall entry criteria than on the subjects you studied at school.
Postgraduate criminology courses are different, with some requiring previous university study in criminology or a related area.
Is it hard to get into a criminology degree?
Entry requirements vary between universities, but many undergraduate criminology degrees accept students who’ve completed Year 12 with an ATAR of around 55 to 75.
However, if you don’t meet the minimum entry requirements, there are other ways to get started. For some degrees, beginning with Open Access single subjects can be a straightforward way in, while helping you build your university study skills along the way.
Do online criminology degrees have different entry requirements?
Online delivery does not automatically mean easier entry.
Some online degrees use the same admission standard as on-campus study, while others offer Open Access or alternative pathways.
Check the exact online course page or speak to one of our student advisors, who are across all the ins and outs of your options.
Does criminology require science?
Generally, no. Criminology isn’t the same as forensic science. It focuses on understanding crime, criminal behaviour, justice systems and the social factors that influence offending.
For undergraduate criminology courses, you generally won’t need to have studied science.
