Australian residents
International students
Intakes: 

2023: February, May, July

Duration: 
3 years
Location: 
Footscray Park
Fees: 

2023: A$13,700*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.
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Overview

Prepare for a fascinating career in the justice system or community welfare, with VU's Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Psychological Studies.

You'll gain a strong understanding of the factors that contribute to criminal behaviour. You'll also learn about the legal, political and community responses to social dislocation and disorder.

Our expert lecturers deliver a clear overview of:

  • criminal justice systems
  • ethics
  • crime investigation
  • law and governance.

Your psychology studies will give you insight into the factors that underpin human behaviour and development.

You'll graduate equipped with analytical and problem-solving skills needed for roles in criminal justice, police and welfare systems.

If you choose to continue on to postgraduate studies in psychology, you’ll be able to take up professional training at VU’s Psychology Clinic, providing supervised psychology services to the community.

The Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Psychological Studies is accredited by the Australian Psychological Accreditation Council (APAC). APAC is an independent, not-for-profit, quality and standards organisation.

At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.

Course e-Brochure

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Careers

Graduate ready for a career in these rewarding areas:

  • justice sector (for example, victim support officer, investigator)
  • health and community services (for example, child protection worker)
  • policy development and related services.

Further study

After graduation, you may choose one of these paths towards a psychology career, or a senior role in justice or welfare:

  • apply for Honours in Psychology, then pursue postgraduate studies in such fields as Forensic and Clinical Psychology
  • undertake postgraduate studies in Criminal Justice/Criminology
  • pursue further professional training in the justice or welfare sectors.

Salaries & job prospects

Find information for relevant jobs on the government job-data site, Labour Market Insights:

Volunteer opportunities

Victoria's Department of Justice has a number of volunteer opportunities for people who want to help in Victoria's court, legal and prison systems.

Combining psychology, justice & community welfare

VU offered me plenty of opportunities to gather real-life experience through placements, seminars and interaction with lecturers who were actively working in the industry.

Anna-Lena Reiber — Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Psychological Studies
Anna-Lena's story

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Psychological Studies students will be required to complete 288 credit points in total consisting of the following: 

  • 264 credit points of Core studies units including 24 credit points of Capstone Studies.

  • 24 credit points of Psychology Elective studies as required by APAC accreditation. 

First Year Core

Year 2

Plus

12 credit points of Psychology Electives from the list below

Year 3

Plus

Or

Plus

12 credit points of Psychology Electives from the list below

Psychology Electives

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Articulate and apply the principles of responsible, accountable and ethical practice required to work in a range of criminal justice and psychological professions;  
  2. Demonstrate a critical analysis and application of key theoretical areas in psychology and criminal justice;  
  3. Generate, organise and undertake research into relevant aspects of criminal justice and psychology;  
  4. Apply skills in independent research, theoretical analysis and critical evaluation in criminal justice and psychology;  
  5. Advocate, dispute and negotiate with professional competence using a range of well developed communication and interpersonal skills; and  
  6. Communicate clearly and effectively and in a socially and culturally responsible manner.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

International Foundations at VU (Extended) JQAH

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU JQAG

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.

Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.

Apply

If you have questions, please get in touch:

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.