Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Criminology and Social Change, is designed for students interested in crime, criminal behaviour, policing, justice, security and the social factors that influence crime. The major examines why crimes are committed, how society defines and responds to crime, global crime problems, cybercrime, policing systems, security issues and the development of policies and systems to prevent crime.

Key benefits include:

• Study criminology within a broader Bachelor of Arts framework.
• Develop critical and creative reasoning, communication, collaboration, problem-solving and self-management skills.
• Examine contemporary areas including cybercrime and security.
• Gain exposure to social change and public policy.
• Access Work Integrated Learning opportunities, including placement, internship or industry-linked projects.
• Work with community, civil society and industry partners through the Skills and Strategies for Social Change unit.
• Build knowledge applicable to criminal justice, corrections, community services, public policy and related fields.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Bachelor of Arts consists of 300 credit points, combining core subjects, Criminology and Social Change major units and electives. The published 2026 indicative structure includes the following.

Year 1:

• Technology and Society – ART10002
• Fundamentals of Criminology – CRI10002
• Crime in a Globalised World – CRI10003
• Elective units

Year 2:

• Skills and Strategies for Social Change – ART20003
• Crime, Deviance, and Conformity – CRI20003
• Policing: Systems and Practice – CRI20001
• Cybercrime and Security: Global Perspectives – POL20021
• Elective units

Year 3:

• Changemakers in Action – ART30004
• Youth Justice and Crime – CRI30010
• BA Professional Practice – ART30005
• Corrections: Systems and Practice – CRI30002
• The Politics of Public Policy – POL30010
• Elective units.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The relevant specialisation is:

Criminology and Social Change.

The wider Bachelor of Arts currently offers other majors including:

• Climate and Social Justice
• Criminology and Social Change
• Ethics and Technology
• Indigenous Studies
• Literature and Creative Writing
• Perspectives on Globalisation
• Politics, Power and Technology
• Screen Studies and Popular Culture.

Programme Highlights

Major highlights include:

• Dedicated study of criminology and social change.
• Exploration of crime causes, criminal behaviour and society's response to crime.
• Study of policing systems and practices.
• Global crime and security perspectives.
• Cybercrime and security.
• Youth justice.
• Corrections systems and practice.
• Public policy.
• Social-change campaigns and practical collaboration.
• Work Integrated Learning opportunities.
• Optional six-month or 12-month professional placement.
• Development of transferable communication, collaboration, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne specifically identifies potential career opportunities including:

• Case manager
• Community development officer
• Welfare worker
• Campaign coordinator
• Journalist
• Public policy analyst
• Corrections officer.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current Swinburne listing identifies the programme under CRICOS code 088388C and provides Semester 1 and Semester 2 study options. The current published international fee information is for 2026, while the page also lists 2027 commencement dates.

Swinburne's Informed Choices information identifies capabilities relevant to the course, including:

• visual and auditory processing;
• endurance and fine motor skills;
• cognition and information processing;
• critical thinking and analysis;
• digital literacy;
• verbal and written communication;
• social interaction;
• numeracy; and
• collaboration and teamwork.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500, to study this CRICOS-registered bachelor degree. Swinburne advises students to accept their offer and obtain their Confirmation of Enrolment before applying for the student visa.

Key requirements include:

• Valid passport.
• Swinburne Letter of Offer.
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Evidence of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Evidence of English proficiency where required.
• Evidence of sufficient financial capacity where required by the Department of Home Affairs.
• Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
• Any additional documents requested through the Department of Home Affairs Document Checklist.