Law vs criminology: which should I study?
By Luan KoayPublished on
Considering a career in crime prevention, but not sure if you should study law or criminology? This guide from student advisor Luan Koay will help you understand the key differences, study pathways and career outcomes for each discipline.
Trying to decide between law or criminology?
If you’re interested in law enforcement, crime prevention, policy or criminal law, you may be weighing up law and criminology. I often speak with students trying to work out which will give them the right study experience and career options.
A law degree is generally more structured and can lead to careers that require a legal qualification, including practising law. Criminology offers more flexibility in what you study and can prepare you for roles focused on crime, justice and prevention, including working as a criminologist.
There are plenty of ways to build a career in the justice system with either qualification. This guide compares the study experience, entry pathways and career outcomes to help you decide which path suits you best.
A quick glance comparison
Here’s a high-level breakdown of the difference between law and criminology:
Law | Criminology | |
Learning outcomes | A rigorous understanding of the legal system including the criminal justice system Opportunity to specialise in criminal law The prerequisite knowledge required to undertake Practical Legal Training, such as a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (enabling you to practice law) Skills development in logic, analysis, and application of the law | A rigorous understanding of the criminal justice system Research, analysis and evaluation skills, as they apply to criminal justice or criminology Understanding of theories of crime prevention, drawing from sociology and anthropology |
Main qualification for entering the workforce | A Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor. Further practical legal training is also required to practise as a lawyer. | A Diploma of Criminology or Bachelor of Criminology. Further study might be needed if you want to specialise in a particular field (e.g. forensics). |
Typical study duration | 3-4 years depending on the qualification (or around 6 years if continuing your studies to become a lawyer) | 2-3 years depending on the qualification |
Workload/Flexibility | Often involves substantial reading, case analysis and written assessments. | Varies by course, but includes a mix of reading, practical assessments and group projects. |
Flexibility | Can often be studied online, part-time or one subject at a time, although the degree structure is usually more prescribed. | Can often be studied online, part-time or one subject at a time, with more choice in qualification type and electives. |
Career outcomes | A wide range of outcomes from entry level to senior and executive management, including: Lawyer (such as a criminal defence lawyer or prosecutor)* Crime prevention policy specialist Legal or regulatory adviser Compliance manager Police officer* | A wide range of outcomes but you cannot work in formal legal roles. Some possible careers include: Criminologist Crime prevention/rehabilitation specialist Case manager Court officer Intelligence analyst Police officer* |
*You will need additional training for this.
Understanding law
Studying law teaches you how laws are created, interpreted and applied. You’ll typically explore areas like criminal, contract, constitutional and administrative law while also learning how to interpret legislation, research legal issues and apply legal principles to different situations.
Law degrees are structured programs that have high study loads and can have high entry requirements. The most common qualification options are a Bachelor of Laws or, for graduates from another discipline, a Juris Doctor.
You can also begin with a shorter qualification or individual subjects before progressing into a degree. It’s a good idea to explore what law degree option is best suited to your goals.
A law degree may suit you if you:
- want to pursue a career where a law qualification is required. This is especially important if you specifically want to be a criminal defence lawyer or prosecutor. Studying law can also give you an edge when pursuing court-related fields.
- enjoy reading and interpreting texts, as well as demonstrating your writing skills.
- are comfortable with a more rigid format for study with set degree structures/mandatory courses.
- are prepared for a significant study commitment over several years.
Read more about the different qualification options in our law degree guide.
Understanding criminology
When you study criminology you explore crime and criminal behaviour, including why crime occurs, how it affects society and how the criminal justice system responds. You may also explore areas like policing, corrections, crime prevention and criminal law.
You can begin with individual subjects, certificates or diplomas, but many criminology-related careers require a qualification at a degree level. A Bachelor of Criminology or Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice are both popular options.
Course content can vary, so it’s worth comparing the subjects offered to find the criminology degree that aligns with the areas you’re most interested in.
A criminology degree may suit you if you:
- want to explore criminal justice through a multi-disciplinary approach
- enjoy study that involves analysis, critical reading, philosophy and developing arguments. This is an area where creative thinking and problem solving are both encouraged
- are keen to specialise in the field of criminology, but want to have some flexibility in the exact career options you have once you graduate.
The key differences
Let’s get into the key differences between law and criminology courses, to help you make your choice:
The entry requirements
Law has higher entry requirements than criminology. This is partly because law has more applicants competing for a limited number of places. If you’re applying for direct entry with an ATAR, you might need a score in the 90s, whereas for criminology, scores are more typically in the 60s.
There are alternative pathways into both available through Open Universities Australia, though criminology generally offers a wider range of flexible entry options.
Study style
Criminology has more interpretation and creativity than law, which is more analytical and logical. Sociology, anthropology and philosophy all play a role in criminology, whereas law requires a more rigid understanding of the legal system, and applying it to different contexts.
Flexibility
Law degrees tend to have a more structured curriculum than criminology degrees. If you’re studying a qualifying law degree, you’ll need to complete a set of compulsory law subjects, which leaves less room for electives.
Criminology qualifications also have core subjects, but more opportunity for you to structure the degree around your interests.
Career outcomes
There are some career outcomes that require you to have a law degree. If you want to practice as a criminal lawyer or work in prosecution or some roles in the courts, you will need a law degree. And if you want to become a criminologist, you will need a criminology degree.
On the other hand, you can study in either field to access jobs in criminal justice policy, case management, crime prevention or academia.
Which option is right for you?
With a better understanding of the differences between studying law and criminology, you can decide which option is right for you.
You should choose to study law if:
- You want to practise law, maybe as a criminal defence lawyer or prosecutor, or use legal knowledge to help others and influence change
- You like learning about systems and have a good head for logic, facts and analysis
- You’re able to commit to a longer and more rigid degree structure
- You’re comfortable with at least three years of study
You should study criminology if:
- You’re interested in how crime and punishment operate in society, from a sociological, psychological or anthropological perspective
- You want to work with people affected by the criminal justice system, including prisoners or victims of crime as a case manager or within the prison system
- You want the freedom to explore electives across related study areas to find your niche
- You thrive with more interpretive, critical modes of study.
Can you study law or criminology online?
Yes, you can study both law and criminology 100% online, including through Open Universities Australia.
Some degrees offer you the opportunity to complete professional placements in your local area so that you can develop your networks, but you can choose to avoid this if you prefer. In-person study in law often doesn't become mandatory unless you want to become a lawyer and go on to complete Practical Legal Training after your degree.
Through us, you also have access to a wider range of ways to get started. Depending on the course, this could include studying individual subjects, beginning with a shorter qualification or applying through an alternative entry pathway if you don’t meet the usual degree requirements.
Learn more about what it’s like to study law online or study criminology online.
Or feel free to reach out to myself and my fellow student advisors if you’d like to chat more about the differences.
Explore your study options through us
Compare law courses and criminology courses to compare qualifications from leading Australian universities.
Or if you're still weighing up your options, try Help Me Choose for personalised course recommendations.
About the author
FAQs about law vs criminology degrees
Can a criminology degree lead to a career in law?
Yes, a criminology degree can be a useful foundation for pursuing a career in law – and you can even study a double degree in criminology and law.
Criminology degrees can equip you with important knowledge of the criminal justice system, how criminality occurs and is prevented in society, and the psychology behind criminal activity, all of which are useful and relevant to a career in criminal law.
But you will need to also get a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor if you plan to practice as a lawyer or prosecutor.
Is criminology easier to study than law?
Criminology isn’t necessarily ‘easier’ to study than law, but it does have a different study style and approach. Law degrees are relatively rigid in terms of subject selection, order, and the prerequisites you need to progress and they require more intensive reading.
Criminology is less rigid, which means a lot of the study is based around understanding, analysing and interpreting theory, which can let you be more creative and independent in your thinking.
Which degree offers more career options?
Technically, a law degree offers more career options than criminology, because it can lead to legal practice, including in areas like criminal law, while also being useful in many non-legal roles. There are still plenty of job options from a criminology degree, but it won’t qualify you to practice law.
Which degree is better for becoming a detective or investigator?
Criminology is the better choice for becoming a detective or investigator, because it focuses more on the specifics of crime and prevention in society, including understanding how and why crime exists, approaches to prevention and rehabilitation, supporting victims of crime and more.
Don’t forget that a career in law enforcement may need you to do further compulsory study as well, depending on the role.
Can you study law and criminology at the same time?
Yes, you can study law and criminology at the same time through a combined bachelor degree. This can be a good option if you want to understand crime and the justice system while also gaining a law qualification, though it will take about five years of full-time study, because you complete more subjects overall.
Your other option is to look for a law or criminology degree that includes electives from the other discipline.
Can you move from criminology into law later?
Yes, you can move from criminology to law later through a postgraduate program like the Juris Doctor, which builds on your existing undergraduate qualification.
A Juris Doctor typically takes two to three years of full-time study and can provide the academic qualification you need to pursue legal practice.
