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Why study with us?
With more than 150 years of experience, the University of Sydney Law School is one of the world’s leading law schools, ranked 14th in the world in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Our staff are acclaimed legal educators, world-renowned researchers and venerated practitioners.
In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in Semester 1, 2021.
This course will be available to study remotely for students commencing in Semester 1, 2021. Please note that some units of study that are not essential to completing the degree may not be available to be studied remotely.
Note: The University intends to offer as many units of study as possible in a remote as well as face-to-face learning method of delivery in Semester 1, 2021 and subject to ongoing border closures and public health orders impacting attendance on campus, in Semester 2, 2021. However, some units of study and courses require students to study in-person at the relevant University of Sydney campus/es and host locations for placements and will not be available remotely.
About this course
Gain a critical understanding of criminology through a broad selection of interdisciplinary units delivered by some of Australia's leading criminologists. Designed for anyone with an interest in crime, punishment and criminal justice, the Criminology program addresses contemporary questions about crime and control within theoretical and policy contexts.
Scholarships
The John O’Brien Scholarship is available for high achieving students in the Master of Criminology. To find out more visit our Scholarships website.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission requirements’ section on this page.
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
As many units of study are taught intensively, admission and enrolment in individual units may be possible year round.
Closing dates:
Semester 1 - 11 February of the commencing year
Semester 2 - 15 July of the commencing year
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (March) and Semester 2 (August)
You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information.
Standard closing dates
Semester 1 - 31 January of the commencing year
Semester 2 - not available to international students
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines may apply - check the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (March)
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Criminology complete 24 credit points, which is equivalent to 4 units of study. There is one compulsory unit of study, Explaining Crime. The remaining units of study can be selected from a wide range of electives.
Refer to the University of Sydney Law School Handbook for further details regarding the award requirements.
Visit the Sydney Law School website for the most up-to-date postgraduate unit of study timetable.
View unit of study descriptions using the link below.
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants based on merit, according to the following admissions criteria. Admission to candidature for the Graduate Diploma in Criminology requires a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney; or an equivalent qualification.
If you are not ready to commit to undertaking the Master of Criminology but have an interest in studying our coursework units, you can start with a Graduate Diploma in Criminology (GradDipCrim), which consists of four units of study. On successful completion, you may apply for transfer to the master’s degree, which requires a further four units of study.
Criminology draws on many disciplines and has many applications. People who have studied criminology work in a number of areas and for a host of organisations. While it would be rare to see a job advertisement for a criminologist, you will find criminologists hard at work in the following places: Criminal justice agencies; Non-criminal justice state agencies; Government policy and politics; Border protection and intelligence agencies; Local government; Research institutions; Non-government organisations (NGOs); Consumer groups and advocacy organisations; Private companies; Universities.
