Amina Ahmed

Student advisor specialising in criminology courses

Connect with Amina 

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.

Amina would love to talk to you about:

Amina reveals how she found her own path through study

What did you study at university?

I’m currently completing the final two units of a Bachelor of Business Management. I started university in 2019 originally studying a Bachelor of Education. When Covid arrived, I worked in health for a while and later at a university. It helped me realise I liked working in education and wanted to stay in a university environment.

I work full time and study full time, so as soon as I finish work, I get straight into study. I really want to get this degree done!

What led you to start working for Open Universities Australia?

I worked in a similar role within a university, so I knew I liked supporting students with the careers they had in mind and being part of their journey.

Being a student myself makes it a lot easier to talk to students. I know what live sessions and group discussion boards are like, and I also understand how it feels to work full time while studying.

I also enjoy working in the support team, where I help existing students continue their journey after enrolment.

What’s your favourite part about helping students?

I love being there from the beginning, helping students take the next step towards their future goals.

During welcome calls for new students, I always ask how they’re feeling. Many are studying for the first time, returning after a long break or changing careers. They can be scared about what study will be like. We’re there to explain what to expect, calm those nerves and remind them, “We’re here to support you.” Before you know it, they’re feeling more confident.

Why are you passionate about helping students who are interested in studying criminology?

I’ve always been interested in youth justice and psychology, so I love talking with students about criminology and the subjects they can explore.

I speak with students who already work in related fields like youth justice or as police officers and want to upskill. Others work in the courts and want to build their knowledge without going into law. There are plenty of young students and career changes who are fascinated by criminology too.

A lot of students start with a single subject because they haven’t studied for a while or don’t have an ATAR. Some use single subjects as a pathway into a degree. Many also work full time and need flexible online study. I enjoy helping them understand their options and find a way to start that suits where they are.

Open Universities Australia student advisor Amina Ahmed

Blogs by Amina Ahmed

Alternative pathways into a criminology degree

There’s more than one way into a criminology degree. Student advisor Amina Ahmed explains the available criminology pathways and how to find one that suits your circumstances.

Entry requirements for criminology degrees in Australia

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.

Psychology vs criminology: which career is right for me?

Our criminology student advisor Amina Ahmed breaks down the differences between these two fields, helping you figure out which one feels like the right path for the kind of work you want to do.

Criminology vs criminal justice: what’s the difference?

Comparing criminology vs criminal justice? Both fields explore crime and society, but from different angles. Here, we compare what you’ll study, where each can lead and which path may suit you.