Do you want to delve into an enthralling field that deals with the complexities of crime and responses to crime? Look no further.

Our program addresses the causes, politics and management of criminality from a range of disciplinary perspectives.

You will develop and understanding of a range of issues in contemporary criminology including definitions and representations of crime, victimization, policing, the criminal justice system, transnational crime, and restorative justice.

The ANU Bachelor of Criminology draws attention to the social dimensions of crime and deviancy and assesses the effectiveness and implications of crime control measures.

With a myriad of majors and minors, craft a science degree that is uniquely yours with the ANU Bachelor of Science.

You’ll have the opportunity to experiment in our state-of-the-art laboratories while being mentored by leading scientists. You’ll have the flexibility to go on fieldtrips, take your studies overseas, or try an internship.

Whether your passion lies in marine science or mathematics, physics or psychology, you’ll be able to explore your interests and follow your passions with our most flexible science degree.

Find out more about our science study areas, degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.

Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.

Employment Opportunities

In the Bachelor of Criminology you will learn about the drivers of crime and how society responds to it. The breadth of knowledge that you learn can be applied to many different industries and institutions. Graduates may find work in government, intelligence, correctional services, social work, journalism and policy making.

In the Bachelor of Criminology you will learn about the drivers of crime and how society responds to it. The breadth of knowledge that you learn can be applied to many different industries and institutions. Graduates may find work in government, intelligence, correctional services, social work, journalism and policy making.

Learning Outcomes

1. better understand the social conditions, forces and relations influencing crime and deviance, criminal justice system processes, and crime control interventions;
2. develop sophisticated analytical techniques and research skills for applied use in the field of criminology and in social research more generally;
3. critically evaluate theories, concepts and methodological approaches relating to all aspects of contemporary criminological inquiry; and
4. critically assess criminal justice policies and other social, cultural and legal responses to criminality and crime control from an informed interdisciplinary perspective.

Upon successful completion of a Bachelor of Science, graduates will be able to:

1. develop, apply, integrate and generate scientific knowledge in educational and professional contexts;
2. use a range of skills and methods to identify, analyse and respond to problems and issues;
3. convey and relate professional and disciplinary information and ideas to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways;
4. work and learn in both independent and collaborative ways with others to encompass diverse abilities and perspectives;
5. exercise personal, professional and social responsibility as a global citizen.

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

Domestic applicants

→ School leavers will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
• the co-curricular or service requirement, and
• any program specific requirements that are listed below.

→ Non school leavers:
a) will be assessed on:
• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,
b) Non school leavers who:
• complete a recognised Australian (or equivalent) post-secondary qualification, or
• complete one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) of an Australian (or equivalent) degree qualification, or
• complete an approved tertiary preparation course/program without undertaking any further study,
will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. Non school leavers must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency  
As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Prerequisites

There are no formal program prerequisites and many first-year science courses assume little specific knowledge. The exceptions are: 

• For many of the biology majors, chemistry is a requirement, therefore it is recommended that students have at least an ACT minor (but preferably a major) in chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in the biological streams of biochemistry and cell biology, microbiology and immunology, molecular genetics, animal and human physiology, and some parts of botany and neuroscience. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• CHEM1101: ACT major in Chemistry, or successful completion of a bridging course in chemistry, or multistrand science in NSW, or equivalent, is required. Chemistry is essential for all later-year courses in chemistry. A bridging course is available in February details can be obtained through science.enquiries@anu.edu.au
• MATH1003: Assumed knowledge: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent 
• MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/ Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent 
• MATH1013: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics Major - Minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent. Students with a good pass in ACT Mathematical Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics or equivalent will be considered 
• MATH1115: A satisfactory pass in ACT Specialist Mathematics double major or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 2 or equivalent. Students with excellent marks in either ACT Specialist Mathematics major-minor or NSW HSC Mathematics Extension 1 or equivalent may be permitted to enrol 
• PHYS1101: There is a corequisite of MATH1013/1115. See the entries above. There is no formal physics prerequisite but preparation is assumed and recommended. Recommended preparation is - NSW: a high standard in 2 unit physics or a multistrand science; ACT: a high standard in physics (major). 

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs,  please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Criminology flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 96 units must include:

42 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

CRIM1001 - Criminological Imaginations: Understanding Criminality

CRIM1002 - Criminological Perspectives: Understanding Crime

CRIM2001 - Doing Criminology: Research and Practice in Crime and Criminal Justice

CRIM3001 – Professional Perspectives on Crime and Prevention

CRIM3005 – Diversity and Crime: Equality in the Criminal Justice System

SOCY2038 - Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods

SOCY2043 - Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

6 units from completion of a course from the following list:

SOCY1002 Self and Society

SOCY1004 Analysing the Social World: An Introduction to Social Psychology

A minimum of 12 units from:

CRIM3002 – Corruption in Sport

CRIM3003 – Criminology at the scene

CRIM3004 – Criminology at the scene - extended*

CRIM3006 – Crime Prevention

ANIP3003 - Australian National Internships Program Internship A

ANIP3005 - Australian National Internship B

SOCY3001 – Research Internship

POLS3036 - International Terrorism

LING3032 - Advanced Forensic Linguistics: Forensic Voice and Text Comparison

A minimum of 24 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ANTH2130 - Violence and Terror

CRIM2000 - The Illicit Economy

CRIM2002 - Organised Crime: Understanding the Underworld

CRIM2003 - Controversies in Crime Control

CRIM2005 - Alcohol, Drugs and Crime: Promoting Health and Preventing Consequences

CRIM2006 - Young People and Crime: Developmental Criminology and its Discontents

CRIM2007 - Order in the Courts: An Introduction to the Australian Judicial System

CRIM2008 - Punishment and Society: An Introduction to Penology

CRIM2009 - Corruption in our world

CRIM2010 - Cybercrime: an introduction

CRIM2011 - Special Topics in Criminology

CRIM2013 - Policing

CRIM2014 - Introduction to Crime Science 

CRIM2015 - Targeted Violence: Criminological Approaches to Understanding and Prevention

HIST2232 - Crime and Justice: Historical Dilemmas

PHIL2020 - Theories of Social Justice

POLS2100 - Genocide in the Modern World

PSYC2011 – Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology

SOCY2026 - Excessive Appetites: Sociocultural Perspectives on Addiction and Drug Use

SOCY2157 - Surveillance and Society

A maximum 12 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ANTH2136 - Piracy: Property Wars from the High Seas to Anonymous

BIAN2128 - Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology

ENGL2081 - Australian Crimes: Crime narratives on page, stage and screen

GEND2021 - Trauma, Memory and Culture

HIST1209 - Terror to Terrorism: A History

HIST2238 - Human Rights in History

INDG1001 - Indigenous Peoples, Populations and Communities

LING2105 - Forensic Linguistics: Language and the Law

Note (*): CRIM3004 - Criminology at the scene – extended will be available only from 2021.

The Bachelor of Science flexible double degree component requires completion of 96 units, of which:

A maximum of 36 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

A minimum of 30 units must come from completion of 3000-level courses from the Science course list

A minimum of 96 units must come from completion of courses from the Science course list

The 96 units must include:

48 units from completion of one of the following Science majors:

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Biochemistry
Biological Anthropology
Cell & Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Earth Science
Environmental Science
Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology
Geography
Human Biology
Human Evolutionary Biology
Marine Science
Mathematical Economics
Mathematical Finance
Mathematical Modelling
Mathematics
Resource and Environmental Management
Physics
Psychology
Quantitative Biology
Quantitative Environmental Modelling
Science Communication
Statistics
Sustainability Studies
Water Science
 

Either:

24 units from the completion of one of the following Science minors / specialisations:

Abnormal Psychology Minor
Advanced Chemistry Specialisation
Advanced Mathematics Specialisation
Advanced Physics Specialisation
Advanced Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Specialisation
Applied Statistics Minor
Astronomy and Astrophysics Specialisation
Biology Minor
Biochemistry Specialisation
Biodiversity Conservation and Management
Biological Anthropology Minor
Biological Neuropsychology Minor
Biomedical Science Specialisation
Chemistry Minor
Climate Science and Policy Minor
Cognitive Psychology Minor
Computer Science Minor
Developmental Psychology Minor
Earth and Marine Science Minor
Earth Physics Specialisation Minor
Environmental Geology Specialisation
Environmental Policy Minor
Evolution and Ecology Specialisation
Forest Science and Policy Minor
Genetics Specialisation
Geochemistry and Petrology Specialisation
Geography Minor
Geophysics and Geology Specialisation
Human Ecology Minor
Mathematical Physics Specialisation
Mathematics Minor
Microbiology and Immunology Specialisation
Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation
Optics Specialisation
Philosophy and Science Minor
Physics Minor
Plant Science Specialisation
Professional Science Engagement Specialisation
Psychology Specialisation
Science Communication Minor
Social Psychology Minor
Soil and Land Management Minor
Sustainable Development Minor
Water Science and Policy Minor

24 units from completion of courses from the Science course list

Or:

48 units from completion of a second Science majors, listed above

A maximum of 12 units from completion of 1000-level courses may contribute towards meeting the requirements of two Science majors with common 1000-level course requirements.

In such cases, an equal number of units must come from the completion of additional courses from the Science course list.

Majors

Bachelor of Science Majors

Minors

Bachelor of Science Minors

Specialisations

Bachelor of Science Specialisations

Study Options