Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Make a meaningful difference to communities and advocate for social justice with Adelaide University’s 100% online Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Examine crime and the criminal justice system, growing your interdisciplinary knowledge across criminology, law, politics and sociology. Explore topics like policing investigations and intelligence, human rights and social justice, offender desistance, and rehabilitation and justice in practice. Learn about current issues including cybercrime, the over-representation of minority groups in the justice system, crimes related to gender and sexuality, and how policing practices affect Aboriginal Peoples.

Study police investigative and intelligence gathering techniques through custom-made feature films. Tailor your degree to your career interests by choosing a minor in psychology, social policy, community health, public health or ageing and disability.

Help people navigate the justice system and better understand what influences criminology and criminal justice today.

In this 100% online degree, you’ll learn from industry experts, including current and former police officers, high-ranking detectives, criminal justice specialists and researchers working in partnership with the Australian Institute of Criminology. Study the same methods and assessment techniques used by industry and apply analytical skills to real-world scenarios.

Recognise the causes and effects of crime, how systems are falling short and how to advocate for a more just society. Gain the skills to administer and enforce criminal justice from an industry-informed degree backed by the latest research.

Graduate equipped for a highly rewarding career in rehabilitation, reintegration, community advocacy or corrections.

Recommended study pattern

Year1

UO Critical Approaches to Online Learning (SOCI3014) Or free elective

UO The Criminal Justice System (CRIM1005)

UO Understanding Crime and Criminology (CRIM1007)

UO Psychology Concepts (PSYC1017)

UO Social Problems and the Law (CRIM1006)

UO Sociological Perspectives (SOCI1011)

UO Policing Investigations and Intelligence (CRIM2004)

Program elective course

Year2

UO Criminal Law in Context (LAWS2010)

UO Working with Community (SOWK2010)

UO Corrections: Offender Rehabilitation and Desistance (CRIM2003)

UO Youth Justice (CRIM2005)

UO Social Research Methods (SOCI2017)

UO Human Rights, Crime & Social Justice (SOCI2018)

Program elective course

Program elective course

Year3

UO Cybercrime and Digital Evidence (CRIM3004)

UO The Psychology of Crime and Violence (CRIM3005)

UO Crime, Gender and Sexuality (CRIM3007)

UO Aboriginal Australians, Policing and the Criminal Justice System (CRIM2006)

UO Victimology (CRIM3006)

UO Globalised Crime (CRIM3008)

UO Justice in Practice (CRIM3009)

Program elective course

Program electives:

UO Integrated Communication Planning (COMM3003)

UO The Social World (SOCI1012)

UO Sociology of Gender and Intimacy (SOCI3017)

UO Politics and Citizenship in Australia (POLI1013)

UO Australian Social Policy (POLI2014)

UO Managing Decision Making (BUSI3031)

UO International Management Ethics and Values (BUSI3030)

UO Strategic Management (BUSI3033)

UO Organisational Leadership (BUSI3032)

UO Health Psychology (PSYC3027)

UO Psychology 1A (PSYC1019)

UO Psychology 1B (PSYC1020)

UO Social and Community Psychology (PSYC2022)

UO Aboriginal Australians and Psychology (PSYC1021)

Award requirements

Students must complete 24 subjects including 5 electives.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $53,057

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Adelaide University is Australia’s new major university, delivering an accessible, contemporary and future-focused teaching and learning experience.

Adelaide University’s range of 100% online undergraduate and postgraduate programs is designed by experts and shaped by industry, with world-class research informing your learning. Experience flexible study, tailored student support when you need it, and on-demand learning resources. Join a vibrant community of online learners and launch your next move.

Learn more about Adelaide University

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

8

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

10

Successful completion of at least 6 months full-time study (or equivalent part-time) in a higher education award program.

Completion of a secondary education qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

Completion of an award from a registered training organisation (RTO) at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.

• Completion of an Adelaide University approved enabling, pathway or bridging program; OR
• A competitive result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT); OR
• Successful completion of an Adelaide University online literacy and numeracy test and have relevant work experience; OR
• Qualify for special entry.

English language entry requirements for International students only.

In addition, international students who speak English as an additional language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at Adelaide University. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

IELTS Overall 6.5

IELTS Reading 6

IELTS Listening 6

IELTS Speaking 6

IELTS Writing 6

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