Criminology - A2008

Criminology is the study of crime and social control. Crime – how we define it, how we understand its causes, and the ways we respond to it – provides a window into a society’s challenges, values and aspirations.

What is a Bachelor of Criminology?

The Bachelor of Criminology is a specialist degree that equips you with the professional skills, specialist knowledge and key capabilities relevant to careers in a wide range of Criminology-related fields. You’ll explore the local, national and global aspects of crime and justice, and become familiar with a range of lenses for understanding and assessing the impact of society’s changing responses to crime and justice.

Jobs with a Criminology degree?

You’ll be prepared to work in a broad range of professional domains, including: the Police Force, the Courts system, the Office of Corrections, Department of Justice, Anti-Corruption organisations, Attorney-General’s Departments, Community Legal Centres, Human Rights Organisations, International Criminal Justice Organisations, a range of private companies responding to issues of crime, and a range of non-governmental organisations in which Criminology specialist skills will provide a key competitive advantage.

At a glance

Course Details

Location
  • On-campus at Clayton: Full time
Duration
  • 3 years (full time)
Start date
First Semester (February)
Second Semester (July)
Qualification
Bachelor of Criminology
Course Handbook

What will you learn?

In this course, you will:

  • Gain an understanding of victimisation and perpetration, inequality and its impacts, and approaches to understanding crime.
  • Learn about the mechanisms of the criminal justice system, including police, courts and corrections.
  • Develop informed, independent thinking and problem solving skills: identify credible evidence; analyse the impact of policy; and develop solutions to real-world problems of crime and justice.
  • Expand your knowledge of specific areas of criminology such as sexual violence, gendered violence, punishment, criminal justice processes, marginalisation, drugs, cybercrimes, risk and surveillance, victimisation and perpetration, youth crime and crime prevention and transnational justice practices.

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements (International students)

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

At the time of enrolment in a course at Monash University, you must be at least 17 years of age.

View all minimum age requirements.

All Monash undergraduate courses require you to have successfully completed a minimum of an Australian Year 12 qualification (or equivalent) and achieve the required academic entry score. Most Monash faculties generally use your most recent studies for admission however other guidelines may apply where your prior qualification may be considered.

Entry requirements for each qualification level are as follows:

All Monash undergraduate courses require you to satisfy English entry requirements in one of the following ways:

If your English test does not meet the above scores you may want to consider Monash English. Some Monash courses however do not accept Monash English.

The English measures outlined above must be completed within 3 years prior to the Monash course commencement date (other time limitations may apply as outlined in the Admission to Coursework Courses and Units Procedure). If you have completed several measures of English proficiency over a period of time, the highest valid measure will be accepted.

Monash University reserve the right to ask students to complete an English test to meet English course requirements upon request.

Further information can be located at English language requirements.

International students applying for a visa need to satisfy English requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs where these requirements and acceptable English tests differ from Monash University.

All Monash University undergraduate courses require you to have previously studied and achieved required Australian level standards in specific subject known as prerequisite subjects.

You must satisfy the following prerequisite subject requirements for this course:

*If you have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification you will be required to meet the prerequisite subject requirements that are equivalent to the VCE prerequisite subject requirements specified above.

Courses with maths and science prerequisite subjects

If the course you are applying for requires maths and/or science as prerequisite subjects, you can meet the requirements in the following ways:

  • Australian Year 12 or International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme:

    You must meet the maths and/or science prerequisite subject required for your chosen course as specified above (if applicable).

  • Other qualifications recognised by Monash:

    If you have completed maths and/or science subjects in the relevant discipline at the required grade level, it is assumed that you have knowledge equivalent to the Australian Year 12 (VCE equivalent) prerequisite subject required for your chosen course. It is strongly recommended that you check that you have covered the assumed knowledge required for your course by completing the Assumed Knowledge Skills Analysis.

    This online activity includes multiple-choice questions based on your prior studies and helps you identify areas for revision, so you can start your course feeling confident and prepared. Once you accept your Monash offer and set up your student account you can complete the Assumed Knowledge Skills Analysis before starting your course.

These guidelines do not apply to the Bachelor of Medical Science or Doctor of Medicine, or to courses that require a tertiary-level Physiology unit: Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) (Graduate Entry), and Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) and Master of Pharmacy (Graduate Entry).

Alternative pathways

If you don't satisfy the requirements for direct entry consider these pathway options.

Entry requirements for Monash University are subject to change.

The course structure and progression map can be viewed in the Handbook.

See also: Arts course maps

Partner with another course

Double degree courses allow you to study towards two different degrees at the same time, and graduate with two separate qualifications. And because a required subject in one course can count as an elective in the other, our double degrees take up to two years less than if you studied for the two degrees separately.

Making the application

Future students

Semester one (February)

Apply directly to Monash using course code A2008

Apply

Semester two (July)

Apply directly to Monash using course code A2008

Apply

Current Monash students

You may apply to transfer from another Monash course. Transfers are a competitive process. You may apply mid-year for available courses however consideration will be given as to whether you will be able to follow your course progression.

Please note that if you apply for a course transfer, you should still enrol in your current course as if you were continuing so as not to jeopardise your enrolment in the Faculty if your transfer application is unsuccessful. More about Course Transfer.

Self assess for credit eligibility

Check for study credit using the "Credit search" link on the Credit for prior study page.

Fees

Fees are subject to change annually.

International fee

Fees are per 48 credit points which represents a standard full-time course load for a year. The fees for 2026 are:

A$44,600

Scholarships

We offer over 360 types of scholarships, valued at up to $280,000. Some scholarships offer one-off payments while others continue for the length of your course. Learn more about Monash Scholarships.

Other fees

The Student Services and Amenities Fee applies to some students each calendar year.

Enrolment Obligations

International students enrolling in a CRICOS-registered course can study no more than one third (33%) of their course by distance and/or online learning. Students must enrol in at least one unit that is not by distance and/or online in each compulsory study period unless the student is completing the last unit of their course. See standard 8.19 and 8.20 of National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018.

CRICOS code: 096756F

HEAR FROM OUR GRADUATES

“My criminology degree helped me build strong research, analytical, and communication skills. More than that, it gave me a deeper understanding of social systems and human behaviour, which has been so valuable in my work within the criminal justice system. Having my degree enabled me to complete a student placement at Community Corrections which led me to a job as a case manager.”

HEIDI LESTER

Bachelor of Criminology (2022); Case Allocation Coordinator, County Court of Victoria.

Why study Criminology at Monash?

  • Top 1% in the world

    Monash is highly ranked for humanities and social sciences, placing us in the top 1% worldwide and offering you a globally recognised education.

  • Global University

    With students from over 170 countries, and a presence in Australia, Italy, Malaysia, India, Indonesia and China, you’ll benefit from a truly global education.

  • Unique overseas study experiences

    Explore criminal justice worldwide with exclusive field trips. Other opportunities include study tours, exchange, and the Global Immersion Guarantee: Two weeks studying in one of a variety of destinations, with airfares and accommodation covered as part of your degree.

  • Internships

    Discover industry internships locally and abroad and gain hands-on experience while earning degree credits. Previous internships include the Department of Justice and Community Safety, the Refugee Legal Centre, and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine.

  • Criminology Student Association

    Join a vibrant community of criminology enthusiasts at Monash! Engage in academic seminars, social gatherings, skill-building workshops, networking with industry experts, and social justice initiatives. Explore endless opportunities tailored to your interests and passions.

  • World leading academics

    This course is delivered by a team of outstanding teachers and researchers. With its own advisory board, the Bachelor of Criminology draws on the perspectives of industry experts, meaning you’ll benefit from exposure to current industry insights, developments and networks.

International course guides

If you are an international student and wish to find out more about our courses, entry requirements, studying at Monash and more, please download our international course guides below.

International Study Grants

International study grants

International Study Grants valued at up to $10,000