Criminology is an interdisciplinary field devoted to the study of crime, deviance, social control and the legal system. Over the past 50 years, criminology has evolved into a rich, broad-based discipline, no longer narrowly focused on crime and punishment. Contemporary criminological scholars investigate a broad range of topics including justice, conflict, risk, security, insurance, policing, governance and regulation. Criminology is shaped not only by scholars in law, philosophy, psychology and sociology, but also those in history, politics, economics, architecture, cultural studies, and other interdisciplinary fields.
The major stream in Criminology will provide you with an advanced understanding of crime and justice issues in contemporary society. At UNSW we use an interdisciplinary approach that integrates disciplinary knowledge from Sociology, Psychology, History, Law and Policy Studies, to provide a critical and theoretically informed understanding of crime and the justice system, criminal law and procedures, criminological research methods, as well as a range of current issues with respect to social control, juvenile justice, human rights, regulation, and penal policy. A major stream in Criminology pairs well with a minor stream in Politics and International Relations or Sociology and Anthropology.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
September 2026
Kensington Campus
UNSW Sydney, High St,
Kensington,
New South Wales,
2052, Sydney, Australia
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
June 2027
Kensington Campus
UNSW Sydney, High St,
Kensington,
New South Wales,
2052, Sydney, Australia
Before applying for a degree, you should first check that we recognise your secondary/tertiary education qualification. This can include:
Secondary education qualifications
Higher education study
Diploma and other post-secondary studies
Foundation studies
an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia
an International Baccalaureate Diploma
a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.
International ATAR
75.0
UNSW Foundation Studies GPA
6.9
Great Britain General Certificate of Education (GCE A levels)
10.0
All applicants must present a minimum of two Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry Scores are calculated from the best two, three, or four A2 Level subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2 and E=1.
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
27.0
Entry criteria is based on scores required for entry into UNSW in 2024 and are only applicable if the Diploma has been completed. Students currently attempting the IB Diploma or Bilingual Diploma can apply directly to UNSW or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) (after 2016)
1130.0
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) based on the total of evidence-based reading and writing and mathematical test scores. Must be provided in conjunction with evidence of successful completion of senior secondary studies.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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