Bachelor of Criminology/ Bachelor of Laws

The University of New England offers a flexible approach to the study of law. UNE boasts one of Australia's largest law schools outside a capital city, as well as being an early adopter of innovative technology in the delivery of its law programs. The Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board of NSW for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW and mutual recognition legislation extends admission to other Australian jurisdictions.

Studying law in conjunction with another discipline gives you the potential to take an interdisciplinary approach in both your studies and in your future employment.

Graduates of this double degree will have a highly developed understanding of the law and its relationship with the principles underpinning criminology eg forensic science, the criminal process and the sociology of deviance.

Bachelor of Criminology with Honours: Students who have attained a Credit average in the Criminology component with at least Distinction standard in 18 credit points at 300 level in criminology including CRIM344 Criminology and Justice Systems may be admitted to end on honours in Criminology via the Bachelor of Criminology with Honours.

Law component: After completion of academic qualifications there are a range of employment options from which to choose. Graduates who wish to be admitted to practice as a solicitor, barrister or legal practitioner anywhere in Australia will also have to undertake a course of professional legal training (PLT). This can consist of approximately half a year's full-time training, undertaken internally or externally, or of equivalent part-time training. In some jurisdictions, it may be possible to do articles of clerkship instead. Because the system adopted varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, enquiries should be made to the admission authority in the state or territory in which you intend to practice: this is usually a committee of the Supreme Court of that State or Territory or a special body set up to administer admissions to the legal profession. Additional information can be found on the School of Law page.

Students who complete the Honours Pathway may be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Laws with Honours. To be admitted to the Honours stream, candidates must have completed 72 credit points of law units at UNE with a grade point average (GPA) of 5.5 or better.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. BCrim component: demonstrate an understanding of the causes and consequences of crime within Australia, including the role that the media, legal system, geographical distances and social inequalities play in shaping our understanding of crimes;
2. demonstrate an understanding of the major criminological and sociological theoretical perspectives that explain both crime and deviance. Critically analyse, consolidate and apply this theoretical understanding to practical criminological scenarios with a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and a wider knowledge base;
3. demonstrate the practical use of criminological research and study within the criminal justice system to apply research methods and practical skills to their theoretical knowledge of the criminal justice system;
4. demonstrate a critical understanding of the Australian Criminal Justice System and the key institutions within this system, the key local and international political and social changes that have shaped the progression of the Australian Criminal Justice System, in particular, the degree explores how justice is impacted by social inequalities that affect vulnerable and over-represented populations;
5. demonstrate an ability to understand and critically evaluate criminological literature, including policy and government documents and media articles to locate, evaluate and apply information from a variety of academic and non-academic sources in an appropriate manner;
6. examine criminological research drawing on knowledge of disciplines related to criminology, from either sociology, social work, law, psychology or forensic science; and
7. apply academic writing skills and communicate oral and written findings in an appropriate form and at an appropriate level.
8. LLB component: demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental areas of law prescribed by the admitting authorities; a wide range of legal and theoretical concepts, values, and principles; and have an awareness of international law, and an appreciation of Indigenous legal issues;
9. communicate in an effective and persuasive manner an argument, advice or opinion that is clear, coherent and logically sustainable, to both legal and non-legal audiences, both orally and in writing;
10. demonstrate an awareness of global legal, political and social perspectives;
11. demonstrate an ability to design a research strategy and access legal resources including using practical applications that respond to the factual, legal, theoretical and policy issues, to achieve a considered outcome that represents an evaluation of the data generated;
12. demonstrate an appreciation that the law will change and the need for both self-directed and professional legal education that seeks to ensure the currency of legal knowledge;
13. demonstrate an ability to identify issues and apply legal knowledge and principles to complex problems and projects, with a view to constructing relevant, creative and ethically appropriate responses;
14. demonstrate an ability to apply principles of professional and social responsibility in formulating considered responses to ethical issues that require an analysis and evaluation of a diverse range of values, norms and behaviours in the professional, societal and global contexts;
15. demonstrate an ability to engage with others in a way that respects diverse opinions and perspectives to achieve relevant and efficient outcomes that reflect the contribution of all those involved; and
16. demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and analyse law's effect on society and, where appropriate, develop arguments for reform.
17. LLB with Honours students: demonstrate a sound knowledge of the fundamental areas of law prescribed by the admitting authorities; a wide range of legal and theoretical concepts, values and principles; and have an awareness of international law and an appreciation of Indigenous legal issues;
18. communicate in an effective and persuasive manner an argument, advice or opinion that is clear, coherent and logically sustainable, to both legal and non-legal audiences, both orally and in writing;
19. demonstrate an awareness of global legal, political and social perspectives;
20. demonstrate an ability to design a research strategy and access legal resources including using practical applications that respond to the factual, legal, theoretical and policy issues, to achieve a considered outcome that represents an evaluation of the data generated;
21. demonstrate an appreciation that the law will change and the need for both self-directed and professional legal education that seeks to ensure the currency of legal knowledge;
22. demonstrate an ability to identify issues and apply legal knowledge and principles to complex problems and projects, with a view to constructing relevant, creative and ethically appropriate responses;
23. demonstrate an ability to apply principles of professional and social responsibility in formulating considered responses to ethical issues that require an analysis and evaluation of a diverse range of values, norms and behaviours in the professional, societal and global contexts;
24. demonstrate an ability to engage with others in a way that respects diverse opinions and perspectives to achieve relevant and efficient outcomes that reflect the contribution of all those involved;
25. demonstrate an ability to critically reflect upon and analyse law's effect on society and, where appropriate, develop arguments for reform;
26. conceive, plan and implement an independent programme of legal research that could take a theoretical, comparative or an interdisciplinary approach;
27. develop and present an oral summary of an independent programme of legal research; and
28. produce a written thesis that demonstrates original thinking, a high level of research skills and the ability to write critically.

The Bachelor of Criminology is an interdisciplinary degree that may lead to a career in policy advice and development; policing and corrections; crime prevention; juvenile justice and child welfare; security industry; crime intelligence services; drug and law support services; environmental and industry regulation.

The Bachelor of Laws is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board of NSW for admission as a legal practitioner in NSW and mutual recognition legislation extend admission to other Australian jurisdictions. Upon completion of the LLB, graduates may complete a period of practical legal training (PLT) and be qualified to apply for admission as an Australian Lawyer. After admission you are then eligible to apply for a practising certificate as a solicitor from the Law Society of NSW or undertake further studies to obtain a practising certificate as a barrister from the Bar Association of NSW.

Additionally, a law degree is relevant to a large range of careers including: working in legal aid agencies, advocacy organisations, commercial firms, government departments, banking, commerce, management and a wide range of businesses.

All domestic students apply through the link below

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International