Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Laws

This double degree brings together criminology and law, and it's built for students who want to understand both why crime happens and how the legal system responds to it. You'll study the causes of offending, policing, courts, corrections and crime prevention alongside the full law curriculum, contracts, torts, criminal law, evidence, constitutional law and procedure. The two halves talk to each other constantly: a unit on sentencing policy sits next to one on statutory interpretation, and you'll be reading case law in the morning and evaluating crime data in the afternoon.

How the degree is structured

At Adelaide University, this double degree runs for 4.5 years of full-time study. Teaching is organised into semesters, with each unit carrying a set number of credit points. You'll complete core units in both disciplines, plus electives that let you specialise, maybe in forensic psychology, youth justice, or international criminal law. Because it's a double degree, you'll graduate with two qualifications: a Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Laws. The law component includes the Priestley 11 subjects required for admission to legal practice in Australia, so if you want to become a lawyer, you'll need to check with the university that your chosen electives meet those requirements.

Work-integrated learning is part of the deal. Criminology students often do placements with agencies like police, corrective services, or community legal centres, and law students can take clinical courses where they advise real clients under supervision. There's also a capstone unit in the final year where you bring both fields together, a research project or a professional placement that lets you apply what you've learned to a real problem. The university has links with government departments, courts and NGOs across South Australia, so placement options are practical, not theoretical.

What you'll learn

You'll graduate able to analyse crime trends, critique criminal justice policy, and argue a legal case. You'll know how to read a statute, brief a case, conduct criminological research, and write for different audiences, a judge, a policy adviser, a community group. You'll also pick up the softer skills that employers ask for: working in teams, managing complex information, and communicating clearly under pressure. The law half of the degree is recognised by the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council (LPEAC) as satisfying the academic requirements for admission, but you'll still need to complete practical legal training after graduation if you want to practise.

Who this suits

This is for you if you're curious about both sides of the justice system, you want to understand the social causes of crime and the legal rules that govern how society responds. It suits school leavers with strong grades, as well as mature-age students who've worked in policing, corrections, youth work or community services and want to formalise their experience. The double degree is demanding, so you should be ready for a heavy reading load and a mix of essays, exams and practical assessments. English proficiency is required: international applicants typically need IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, though law usually asks for 7.0–7.5. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programs are accepted as equivalents. Remember that the Department of Home Affairs sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, separate from the university's entry requirements.

As an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you graduate, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register, check there for the exact amount. The CRICOS course code for this double degree is 117912K. For unit lists, placement details, and admission deadlines, always confirm with the official university page.

• Lawyer or solicitor, in private firms, community legal centres, or government legal offices, after completing practical legal training and admission.
• Policy adviser, in state and federal departments such as justice, police, or corrective services, shaping criminal justice policy.
• Police officer or analyst, in state police forces, using criminological research to inform operational decisions.
• Corrections officer or case manager, in prisons and community corrections, managing offenders and rehabilitation programs.
• Youth justice worker, in youth courts, detention centres, or diversion programs, supporting young people in the justice system.
• Crime prevention officer, in local councils, NGOs, or community safety partnerships, designing and evaluating prevention initiatives.
• Legal researcher or paralegal, in law firms, courts, or legal aid commissions, supporting casework and policy development.
• Compliance or investigations officer, in regulatory bodies, financial institutions, or corporate integrity teams.

Australian industries that hire graduates include legal services, policing and law enforcement, corrective services, government administration, community legal centres, youth justice, and research organisations. The double degree also opens doors to further study, such as a master's in criminology or a practical legal training course.