The Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)/Criminology & Criminal Justice is a five-year double degree that will equip you with the skills, experience and knowledge to interpret how people and complex social issues influence real-life events. The program looks at the big picture of crime and complex social issues by bringing together cross-faculty knowledge from UNSW Law & Justice and UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture.  

Through innovative teaching that focuses on real-world case studies and experiences outside the classroom, you’ll gain critical insights into all aspects of the justice and social systems. The social work courses will teach you to understand people and how to help them through challenging times, such as homelessness, addiction, abuse, mental illness, poverty, ageing and discrimination. Your criminology courses will draw from psychology, sociology, law, philosophy and cultural studies to help you better understand crime and criminality.

Key features

A one-of-its-kind accredited social work program
UNSW School of Social Sciences offers the only accredited social work program in Australia that integrates Honours into your undergraduate degree. Our leading academics guide you through a dynamic, evidence-informed and collaborative program designed to help you make a positive impact at all levels of society. From counselling and advocacy to community work, research and policy development, learn how to make a real difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Practical experience
Translate what you learn in the classroom into practice. You’ll go beyond lectures through a range of experiential learning opportunities such as real-world case studies, visiting courts and prisons and hearing first-hand from the people involved in the justice system through guest presenters and other engagement opportunities.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
During the last two years of the degree, you’ll gain hands-on experience in our field education program. You’ll complete two diverse placements in metropolitan and rural Australia or overseas in our partnering countries. You’ll have the opportunity to apply classroom learning in real-life situations for a total of 70 days per placement. In the Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, you can also undertake an internship with a range of criminal justice agencies and not-for-profits through our Criminology Work-Integrated Learning Placement course.

Honours program
Once you’ve completed all program requirements, you’ll graduate with Honours. As part of the Honours requirement, you'll complete either a piece of independent research as a thesis or an advanced practice portfolio.