Honours Overview

Description

Criminology is an interdisciplinary subject area that has emerged from the attention distinct disciplines have paid to offenders and offending. Study in this discipline develops important skills in research, critical thinking, analysis, teamwork, and communication.

Honours in Criminology is designed to increase understanding of important theoretical perspectives, while also developing key practical skills relevant to work in or with government and non-government organisations (e.g. policy development and implementation). Through close attention to policy, research, and the examination of critical current issues and debates, students will expand and deepen their specialist knowledge gained in the Criminology major, and develop advanced-level research and critical thinking skills.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate coherent and advanced knowledge of key theories, concepts and issues in criminology; (2) demonstrate a broad understanding of relevant criminological research methodologies; (3) synthesise literature and research findings with intellectual independence to provide understanding of complex criminological challenges; (4) apply their knowledge, research and writing skills in order to design and execute an original criminology research project; and (5) demonstrate understanding of theoretical concepts in criminology through both cognitive and technical skills.

Entry requirements

Enrolment in the BPhil or a weighted average mark of at least 70 per cent in the Level 3 units of the Criminology major, or equivalent, as determined by the relevant board.

Intake periods

Beginning of year and mid-year

Courses

Honours in Criminology can be taken as a specialisation in the following degrees:

No study plans found for this course. Check your chosen major, see study plans or contact your student advising office for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2
N/A
not available in 2026 – may be available in 2027 or 2028
NS
non-standard teaching period
Take all units (42 points):
AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit requirements
S1 LAWS4112 Dissertation (Criminology) Part 1
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-CRIMN Criminology (ID 4623)
S2 LAWS4113 Dissertation (Criminology) Part 2
Prerequisites
Unit(s) LAWS4112 Dissertation (Criminology) Part 1 (ID 7885)
NS LAWS4260 Intersections of Law, Policy and Governance
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-LWSOC Law and Society
or HON-BSLAW Business Law
or HON-CRIMN Criminology
Incompatibility
Enrolment in
Unit(s) LAWS5260 Intersections of Law, Policy and Government
Enrolment in
Unit(s) LAWS6260 Intersections of Law, Policy and Government
N/A LAWS4511 Introduction to Criminological Research (Part A)
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-CRIMN Criminology
N/A LAWS4512 Introduction to Criminological Research (Part B)
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
HON-CRIMN Criminology
NS LAWS5223 Theories for Contemporary Criminal Justice
Prerequisites
For Master of Public Policy
or Graduate Certificate of Public Policy students without a recognised Law degree: LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions.
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:

Students are encouraged to select suitable units in other UWA Schools should they be unable to find any relevant LAWS5XXX or LAWS6XXX units to take as their elective.

AvailabilityUnit codeUnit nameUnit requirements
S1 LAWS5165 Public International Law
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
20820 Juris Doctor
and Successful completion of
LAWS4101 Foundations of Law and Lawyering
and LAWS4102 Criminal Law
and LAWS4103 Contract
and LAWS4104 Property
and LAWS4106 Torts
and LAWS4108 Foundations of Public Law
and LAWS4110 Interpretation

or Enrolment in
HON-LWSOC Law and Society
or HON-CRIMN Criminology
or 20500 Master of Laws
or 20320 Graduate Diploma in Law
or 21520 Master of International Law
or 21320 Graduate Diploma in International Law
or 21550 Master of Taxation Law
Incompatibility
LAWS5224 Foundations of Public International Law
S1 LAWS5215 Risk Regulation
Prerequisites
For JD students:
Successful completion of
LAWS4101 Foundations of Law and Lawyering LAWS4102 Criminal Law LAWS4103 Contract LAWS4104 Property Law LAWS4106 Torts LAWS4107 Land Law LAWS4108 Foundations of Public Law
and LAWS4110 Legal Interpretation
or LAWS4109 Legal Theory and Ethics For non-JD students without a legal background:
Successful completion of
LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions No prerequisites for non-JD students with a legal background
NS LAWS5226 International Human Rights LawNone
NS POLS5501 The Politics of Public Policy
Incompatibility
LAWS5214 Public Policy
NS, S1, S2 SVLG5001 McCusker Centre for Citizenship Internship
Prerequisites
The vast Majority of students - No prerequistes
or Enrolment in
20820 Juris Doctor and the following units ( LAWS4101 Foundations of Law and Lawyering
and LAWS4102 Criminal Law .
and LAWS4103 Contract
and LAWS4104 Property
and LAWS4106 Torts
and LAWS4109 Legal Theory and Ethics
)
Incompatibility
for Juris Doctor students: LAWS5174 Legal Internship
NS, S1, S2 WILG5001 Work Integrated Learning Internship Program
Prerequisites
Completion of 24 points of post graduate units and approval from the unit coordinator.