Why study Law and Criminology at UNE?

Studying law and criminology empowers you with the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact in the world. With law, legal issues, crime, criminal justice and criminal behaviour impacting every area of society, undertaking study in this field can lead to diverse and rewarding career pathways. 

UNE is known for the quality of our law and criminology courses, delivered by leading academics. We received 5 stars for Student Support, Full-Time Employment and Overall Experience in Law and Paralegal Studies in the 2023 edition of the Good Universities Guide (undergraduate). We offer law and criminology courses and majors at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. 

Our law and criminology expertise is unique. UNE has a specialist understanding of regional, rural and remote issues — not just those in metropolitan areas. Our School of Law is the largest of its kind outside a capital city in Australia, plus we are home to the Centre for Rural Criminology, a world-first hub of collaborative international research on all aspects of rural crime. 

We focus on developing your practical capabilities with opportunities to gain technical research skills and by working directly with industry partners, so you can graduate job ready. And with most of our courses available for study online, you can blend your study with your lifestyle, wherever you are in the world. 

Explore our Law and Criminology disciplines and courses now. 

Courses by study level

  • Bespoke Graduate Certificate: design your own 4 unit postgraduate course and have your work experience recognised in the process.
  • ‘Fundamental’ Bespoke Course: choose two, three or four fundamental units from a traditional degree. If you are planning a new direction, or adding a new set of skills to your portfolio, you may want to start with this option. These units provide a foundation, or a ‘base camp’, to return to if you want to later progress to a full degree.
  • ‘Advanced’ Bespoke Course: choose two, three or four advanced units from a full degree. This is a great strategy for staying current in your field, or advancing your knowledge.
  • ‘Critical Content’ Bespoke Course: choose two, three or four units from any of the available units in a degree to create a Critical Content Bespoke Course. This option lets you get the knowledge you need without the time and cost of a full degree.
  • ‘Mix and Match’ Bespoke Course: combine two, three or four units from different degrees and disciplines to design your mix and match Bespoke Course. This option lets you diversify your knowledge.

Why study with us?

UNE law student Breezy Altman studies on her laptop while commuting by train

The intellectual challenge of studying law appealed to me, as I was eager to enhance my problem-solving skills and develop my practical understanding of my society and its functions.

Breezy Altmann, Bachelor of Laws

Law and Criminology Careers

By studying law and criminology, you will be positioned to take advantage of the increasing demand for qualified law and criminology professionals across the private and public sector. A law and/or criminology qualification can help future proof your career in:

  • legal aid agencies, advocacy organisations and commercial law firms
  • government departments
  • policy development
  • crime prevention and criminal justice
  • legal support services
  • policing and corrections
  • regulation.

A five-star experience

2024 Overall Experience Good University Logo

Five Stars,
18 Years in a Row

UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 18 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience

Good Universities Guide 2007-2024
2024 Student Experience Good University Logo

No.1 in NSW for
Student Experience

QILT (government-endorsed) ranks UNE as the top public NSW uni for Student Experience

QILT Student Experience Survey
2024 Teaching Quality Good University Logo

Five Stars for
Teaching Quality

UNE rates among the top 20 per cent of universities in Australia for Teaching Quality

Good Universities Guide 2024

What happens next?

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1. Decide on your course

Got any questions about a course you would like to study? Don’t hesitate to contact us, our Future Student team is standing by to help.

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2. Apply

2024 applications are now open. The application process only takes 20 minutes to complete. Don’t delay, apply now!

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3. Receive an offer, enrol and start studying

Your start date is based on the study period you choose to apply for.