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 crime and criminal justice from a range of disciplinary perspectives.

You will develop an understanding of a range of issues in contemporary criminology including definitions and representations of crime, the complex social, political, and individual factors that underpin criminal activity, the operation of the criminal justice system. We offer courses on policing, the courts, prisons and punishment, organised crime, transnational crime, drugs and crime, young people and crime and more.  The Bachelor of Criminology also has a strong focus on empirical methods and debates. This provides our graduates with valuable skills that translate across many career paths. 

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, criminal justice institutions, social work, the non-government sector, research, consultancy, 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, criminal justice institutions, social work, the non-government sector, research, consultancy, 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 analytical techniques and research skills for applied use in the fields of criminology and in social research;
3. critically evaluate scholarly theories, concepts and methodological approaches relating to all aspects of contemporary criminological inquiry;
4. critically evaluate criminal justice policies and practices from an informed interdisciplinary perspective; and
5. express complex ideas and arguments across multiple modalities of communication when engaging with a range of relevant audiences in a clear, effective, appropriate and ethical manner.

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.

Further Information

Students completing SOCR1001 - Foundations of Social Research; SOCY2038 - Introduction to Quantitative Methods; SOCY2043 - Introduction to Qualitative Methods; and CRIM3010 - Doing Criminology will effectively complete the Minor in Social Research Methods (SORM-MIN)

Students completing SOCR1001 - Foundations of Social Research; SOCY2038 - Introduction to Quantitative Methods; SOCY2043 - Introduction to Qualitative Methods; and CRIM3010 - Doing Criminology will effectively complete the Minor in Social Research Methods (SORM-MIN)

Admission Requirements

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 multi-strand 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 multi-strand 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 Advanced or equivalent
• MATH1005: ACT Mathematical Methods (major)/Further Mathematics/Specialist Mathematics (major)/Specialist Methods or NSW HSC Mathematics Advanced 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 Advanced 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 multi-strand science; ACT: a high standard in physics (major).

Adjustment Factors

Adjustment factors are additional points added to an applicant's Selection Rank (for example an applicant's ATAR). ANU offers adjustment factors based on performance and equity principles, such as for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. 

Selection Rank adjustments are granted in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustment factors and maximum 10 equity-based adjustment factors) can be awarded. 

You may be considered for adjustment factors if you have:

• applied for an eligible ANU Bachelor degree program
• undertaken Australian Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate
• achieved an ATAR or equivalent at or above 70
• not previously attempted tertiary study.

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:

48 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

CRIM1001 - Criminological Imaginations: Understanding Criminality (6 units)

CRIM1002 - Criminological Perspectives: Understanding Crime (6 units)

CRIM3001 - Professional Perspectives on Crime and Prevention (6 units)

CRIM3005 - Diversity and Crime: Equality in the Criminal Justice System (6 units)

CRIM3010 - Doing Criminology: Research and Practice in Crime and Criminal Justice (6 units)

SOCR1001 - Foundations of Social Research (6 units)

SOCY2038 - Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods (6 units)

SOCY2043 - Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods (6 units)

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

ANTH1002 - Culture and Human Diversity: Introducing Anthropology (6 units)

ANTH1003 - Global Citizen: Culture, Development and Inequality (6 units)

ASIA1025 - Asia and the Pacific: Power, diversity and change (6 units)

ASIA1030 - Asia and the Pacific in Motion (6 units)

ECON1101 - Microeconomics 1 (6 units)

ECON1102 - Macroeconomics 1 (6 units)

GEND1001 - Sex, Gender and Identity: An Introduction to Gender Studies (6 units)

GEND1002 - Reading Popular Culture: An Introduction to Cultural Studies (6 units)

HIST1209 - Terror to Terrorism: A History (6 units)

INDG1001 - Country, Kinship and Continuities: An Introduction to Australian Indigenous Studies (6 units)

INDG1002 - Resilience, Responsibility, and Resurgence: First Peoples' Experiences and Ways of Being (6 units)

INTR1021 - Understanding Peace and Conflict (6 units)

INTR1022 - Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution (6 units)

LING1001 - Introduction to the Study of Language (6 units)

LING1002 - Language and Society (6 units)

PHIL1004 - Fundamental Ideas in Philosophy: An Introduction (6 units)

PHIL1005 - Logic and Critical Thinking (6 units)

PHIL1008 - Introduction to Ethics (6 units)

POLS1002 - Introduction to Politics (6 units)

POLS1005 - Introduction to International Relations: Foundations and Concepts (6 units)

POLS1006 - Introduction to International Relations: Contemporary Global Issues (6 units)

SOCY1002 - Self and Society (6 units)

SOCY1004 - Economy and Society: Work, Care and Identity (6 units)

STAT1003 - Statistical Techniques (6 units)

STST1001 - Introduction to International Security Studies (6 units)

WARS1001 - War in the Modern World, 1789 to today (6 units)

A maximum of 30 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ANTH2017 - Culture, Social Justice and Aboriginal Society Today (6 units)

ANTH2130 - Violence and Terror (6 units)

BIAN2128 - Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology (6 units)

CRIM2000 - The Illicit Economy (6 units)

CRIM2002 - Organised Crime: Understanding the Underworld (6 units)

CRIM2003 - Controversies in Crime Control (6 units)

CRIM2005 - Alcohol, Drugs and Crime: Promoting Health and Preventing Consequences (6 units)

CRIM2006 - Young People and Crime: Developmental Criminology and its Discontents (6 units)

CRIM2007 - Order in the Courts: An Introduction to the Australian Judicial System (6 units)

CRIM2008 - Punishment and Society: An Introduction to Penology (6 units)

CRIM2009 - Corruption in our World (6 units)

CRIM2010 - Cybercrime: An Introduction (6 units)

CRIM2011 - Special Topics in Criminology (6 units)

CRIM2013 - Policing (6 units)

CRIM2014 - Introduction to Crime Science (6 units)

CRIM2015 - Targeted Violence: Criminological Approaches to Understanding and Prevention (6 units)

HIST2232 - Crime and Justice: Historical Dilemmas (6 units)

LING2105 - Forensic Linguistics: Language and the Law (6 units)

PHIL2020 - Theories of Social Justice (6 units)

POLS2100 - Genocide in the Modern World (6 units)

PSYC2011 - Introduction to Forensic and Criminal Psychology (6 units)

SOCY2026 - Excessive Appetites: Sociocultural Perspectives on Addiction and Drug Use (6 units)

SOCY2157 - Surveillance and Society (6 units)

A minimum of 6 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ANIP3003 - Australian National Internships Program A (6 units)

ANIP3005 - Australian National Internships Program B (12 units)

CRIM3002 - Corruption in Sport (6 units)

CRIM3003 - Criminology at the Scene 1 (6 units)

CRIM3004 - Criminology at the Scene - Extended (12 units)

CRIM3006 - Crime Prevention: Evaluation Theory and Practice (6 units)

INDG3001 - First Nations Peoples, the State and Public Policy in Australia (6 units)

LING3032 - Forensic Linguistics: Forensic Voice and Text Comparison (6 units)

POLS3036 - International Terrorism (6 units)

SOCR3001 - Data for Decision Making (6 units)

SOCY3001 - Research Internship (6 units)

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 6 units must come from completion of quantitative research skills courses from the following list, which may contribute towards meeting the requirements of a major, minor or specialisation in the Bachelor of Science:

BIAN3014 Research Design and Analysis in Biological Anthropology (6 units)

BIOL2001 Introduction to Quantitative Biology (6 units)

BIOL2202 Experimental Design and Analysis in Biology (6 units)

ENVS1003 Introduction to Environmental and Social Research (6 units)

ENVS2002 Environmental Measurement, Modelling and Monitoring (6 units)

PSYC2009 Quantitative Methods in Psychology (6 units)

PSYC3018 Advanced Research Methods (6 units)

Any 1000-, 2000- or 3000- level course from the subject area MATH- Mathematics or STAT- Statistics, with the exception of MATH1042

The 96 units must include:

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

Agricultural Innovation

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Biochemistry

Biodiversity Conservation

Biological Anthropology

Cell & Molecular Biology

Chemistry

Climate Science

Computer Science

Earth Science

Environmental Science

Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology

Geography

Human Biology

Human Evolutionary Biology

Indigenous Science and Knowledges

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:

Advanced Chemistry Specialisation

Advanced Mathematics Specialisation

Advanced Physics Specialisation

Advanced Quantitative Biology and Bioinformatics Specialisation

Applied Statistics Minor

Astronomy and Astrophysics Specialisation

Biochemistry Specialisation

Biodiversity Conservation and Management Minor

Biological Anthropology Minor

Biological Neuropsychology Minor

Biology Minor

Biomedical Science Specialisation

Chemistry Minor

Climate Science and Policy Minor

Climate Science Specialisation

Cognitive Psychology Minor

Computer Science Minor

Developmental Psychology Minor

Earth and Marine Science Minor

Earth Physics Specialisation

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

Marine Science Specialisation

Mathematical Physics Specialisation

Mathematics Minor

Microbiology and Immunology Specialisation

Neuroscience and Physiology Specialisation

Nuclear Science Minor

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 major, 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