Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Criminology / Bachelor of Cyber Security combines two complementary areas: understanding crime, criminal behaviour and justice systems, and protecting digital systems, networks and information.
• Students learn how technology is used to predict, detect and respond to criminal behaviour while also developing technical cyber security capabilities.
• The programme combines criminology, law, psychology, policing and corrections with programming, networking, cyber security, malware analysis and cyber security policy.
• Students develop practical skills in cyber security testing, cyber security strategy, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and criminal justice research.
• The Cyber Security component is professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).
• Swinburne currently highlights Top 150 in Law in the ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022, #1 in Australia for Computer Science and Engineering in ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025, and #1 in Victoria for Graduate Employability and Salary according to the QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024.
• The double-degree structure is particularly relevant for students interested in cybercrime, digital investigations, intelligence, law enforcement, cyber security consulting and government security roles.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current indicative 2026 structure contains 400 credit points.

Criminal Justice and Criminology core units, 200 credit points:

• Fundamentals of Criminology – CRI10002
• Introduction to Forensic Psychology – FOR10001
• Introduction to Law – LAW10021
• Law and Social Science – LAW10022
• Criminal Law and Process – LAW10024
• Brain and Behaviour – PSY10007
• Policing: Systems and Practice – CRI20001
• Global Crime – CRI20002
• Sentencing – LAW20030
• Crime and Punishment in the International Context – LAW20031
• Technological Advances in Dealing with Crime – LAW20032
• Deviance, Difference & Conformity – SOC20020
• Corrections: Systems and Practice – CRI30002
• Youth Justice and Crime – CRI30010
• Advanced Topics in Forensic Psychology – FOR30001
• Criminal Justice Capstone Project – LAW30025.

Cyber Security core units, 100 credit points:

• Web Development – COS10005
• Introduction to Programming – COS10009
• Technology in an Indigenous Context Project – COS10025
• ICT Inquiry Project – ICT10022
• Network Administration – TNE10005
• Networks and Switching – TNE10006
• ICT Project A – ICT30017
• ICT Project B – ICT30018.

Cyber Security major, 100 credit points:

• Malware Analysis – COS20030
• IT Security – COS30015
• User Experience Design Project – ICT20025
• ICT Innovation Project – ICT30016
• Network Routing Principles – TNE20002
• Network Security and Resilience – TNE30009
• Secure Remote Access Networks – TNE30012
• Cyber Security Ethics, Law and Policy – LAW30030.

The course therefore covers three interconnected areas:

• Criminal justice and criminology
• Cyber security and information technology
• The intersection between technology, crime, law, ethics and policy.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Cyber Security component is specifically identified as a Cyber Security major.

There is no separate list of alternative Cyber Security specialisations published for this double degree. The programme combines:

• Criminal Justice and Criminology
• Cyber Security

Programme Highlights

• 4-year undergraduate double degree.
• 400 credit points.
• 16 Criminal Justice and Criminology core units.
• 8 Cyber Security core units.
• 8 Cyber Security major units.
• Cyber Security professional accreditation by the Australian Computer Society.
• Practical cyber security and ICT projects.
• Criminal Justice Capstone Project.
• Study of crime, policing, sentencing, corrections and youth justice.
• Study of programming, networking, malware, network security and secure remote access.
• Cyber Security Ethics, Law and Policy provides a direct connection between the two disciplines.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• CRICOS registered for international students.
• Current course code: BB-CJCCYB.
• Current CRICOS code: 111769E.

Career Outcomes

The combined qualification can lead to career opportunities across criminal justice, government, intelligence and cyber security.

Criminal justice and criminology-related roles include:

• Law enforcement officer
• Intelligence analyst
• Crime analyst
• Investigator
• Corrections officer
• Offender rehabilitation roles
• Victim support roles
• Government policy writer.

Cyber security-related roles include:

• Cyber security analyst
• Cyber security penetration tester
• Security consultant
• Information security officer
• Network or systems administrator
• Cyber security specialist.

The combination is particularly relevant to emerging areas such as:

• Cybercrime analysis
• Digital security
• Intelligence and threat analysis
• Government and national-security environments
• Cybercrime policy
• Law enforcement technology
• Security consulting.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The course is currently marked by Swinburne as “in transition”. This is an important consideration for applicants because the course code, title, units and content may change.
• Current course code: BB-CJCCYB.
• Current CRICOS code: 111769E.
• Current duration: 4 years full-time.
• Current location: Hawthorn.
• Current credit requirement: 400 credit points.
• Current English requirement: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, no band below 6.0.
• Cyber Security is accredited by the Australian Computer Society.
• Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning are assessed individually.
• Students cannot complete more than 175 credit points, normally 14 units, at introductory level.
• A unit can only be counted once; where units overlap between majors/minors, an approved alternative must be selected.
• The maximum academic credit currently permitted is 250 credit points, normally 20 units, subject to the discipline-specific limits.
• International Student visa holders in Australia must study full-time and on campus.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require the Australian Student visa, subclass 500, to study this CRICOS-registered programme in Australia.

Key requirements include:

• Enrolment in an eligible registered course.
• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Satisfying the Genuine Student requirement.
• Providing financial evidence where required by the visa application/document checklist.
• Providing approved English-language evidence where required.
• Complying with Student visa conditions.

Genuine Student requirement:

The Genuine Student requirement applies to Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024. Applicants must demonstrate that studying in Australia is the primary reason for applying for the Student visa.

The online application includes questions covering:

• Current circumstances and ties.
• Why the applicant wants to study the selected course in Australia with the selected provider.
• Understanding of the course and living/studying requirements.
• How completing the course will benefit the applicant.
• Any other relevant information.