Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Our Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice differs from the single Criminology major in Arts or Philosophy (Honours) for the following reasons:

• You'll learn about the importance of forensic science for justice.
• You'll demonstrate competence in the core research methodologies of the discipline (such as quantitative methods, statistical analysis, and qualitative approaches to research).
• You can choose to develop your mapping skills through taking an option unit. Mapping skills form an increasingly important part of crime analysis.
• You'll have the opportunity to take a work-integrated learning placement (for credit) in your final year.

Associate Professor Joe Clare is the Deputy Head of Research at the UWA Law School. He is a Criminologist, award-winning lecturer and researcher. He has worked in applied research roles for universities and governments in Australia and Canada, utilising his quantitative research expertise to contribute to policy and practice decisions in a range of criminal justice contexts. His research interests include applied evaluations, crime statistics, policing, crime prevention, and academic misconduct.

"I’m committed to evidence-based decision-making for emergency first responders and focused on using administrative data to make prevention-focused policy and practice decisions."
– Joe

1. Gain a solid understanding of contemporary issues in Criminology and Criminal Justice through this interdisciplinary degree. 
2. You’ll learn from world-leading academics with strong expertise and who are active researchers in the field. 
3. You’ll benefit from the Law Schools strong industry connections. 
4. This Bachelor’s degree is an ideal pathway into the Juris Doctor. 

• advise governments on issues relating to national / international / transnational criminality, crime prevention, policing, sentencing, corrective services, offender treatment, and offender risk assessment / management
• question current practices and find ways for improvement, while developing a broad range of employment-relevant skills, including the capacity to think critically, integrate theory and research into practice, and communicate effectively
• effectively locate, analyse, and critique contemporary criminal justice resources
• develop independent, evidence-based positions on contemporary criminal justice resources
• build a strong argument and formulate policy related advice

Associate Professor Hilde Tubex is the Director of Criminology at UWA. Her areas of expertise are comparative criminology, Indigenous peoples and the criminal justice system and criminalised women. Prior to joining UWA in 2011, Hilde worked at the Department of Corrective Services in WA as the Team Leader of Research and Evaluation. Before migrating to Australia, Hilde was an adviser to the Belgian Minister of Justice and the Council of Europe.

"Being a Criminologist is still the job of my dreams. It is challenging because there are no simple solutions to complex problems in crime and punishment but trying to explain and do something about it is what gets me out of my bed in the morning!"
– Hilde

The UWA Law School is ranked in the top 150 law schools in the world for Law and Legal Studies (QS 2024). You will join and contribute to 90 years of excellence: we are the first law school established in WA and the fifth oldest in Australia.

Our graduates include a Prime Minister, a Governor of Western Australia, State Ministers, Justices of the Supreme Court of WA, a Young Australian of the Year, Rhodes Scholars, and more.

While we have a long and proud history, we're also a closely-knit, creative and progressive Law School, fostering critical thought, ethical scholarship and practice, a deep connection to our Indigenous past and present, and supportive student culture based upon wellbeing and inclusion.

Dr Hayley Passmore is a lecturer in Criminology at the UWA Law School and has qualifications in child health, criminology and psychology. Hayley is dedicated to supporting the health of those in adult corrections and youth justice facilities, particularly those who are neurodiverse. Hayley has received international recognition for her research and its impact, including receiving a 2020 Churchill Fellowship, and was a 2022 WA Finalist for Young Australian of the Year.

“I’m passionate about using evidence to improve the health and wellbeing of people who are involved in the justice system – because prison health is public health.”
– Hayley

Dr Jade Lindley is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the UWA Law School whose research focuses on transnational crimes and their intersection with international law. Jade is particularly interested in transnational organised crime, with a focus on the criminal motivations to offend and the responses to control these crimes.  Jade has worked in state and federal level government in Australia and as a consultant for various international organisations around the world.  

“My research intersects with pertinent global issues relating to human, border, environmental and food security, several of which are within the scope of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.”
– Jade