University: The University of Western Australia

Degree: Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Criminology

School Subjects: Diploma in Human Resources with Psychology

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Initially, I considered majoring in Psychology. However, having realised that I wasn’t fully prepared for the extensive reading and writing it required, I researched other options, including Criminology. I discovered that studying Criminology shared some similarities with Psychology but with more of a focus on crime – which I found even more fascinating. This ultimately led me to choose Criminology as my major.

Content

Criminology covers a broad range of topics. It’s not just about studying criminals; it involves learning the psychology behind criminal behaviour, sociology, the role of crime in society, the historical development of justice systems, and even forensic sciences and more.

Some of the units I took included Crime and Society – LAWS1110, which explored how crime is defined and controlled, Mysteries of Forensic Science – FNSC2200, which introduced forensic techniques used in criminal investigations, and Psychology: Behaviour in Context – PSYC1102, which examined the psychological factors influencing criminal actions. These units provided insight into both the theoretical and practical aspects of crime and justice. Personally, I enjoyed learning about the psychological aspects of crime and exploring the different types of support that could be provided if more resources were available. As the Criminology content is so diverse, I recommend students take time to explore different career paths within Criminology to understand where your degree can take you.

Like other pre-law majors (i.e. Business Law and Law and Society), the amount of reading required is significant – especially with essay-based assessments/assignments. In tutorials, which are your weekly classes where you consolidate your learning from lectures, you typically form groups to discuss questions posted on the Learning Management System (LMS) before class. A representative from each group (whoever decides to volunteer) then shares the discussion points with the class. Tutorial marks are awarded for participation, so I recommend getting confident in answering and asking insightful questions, as these can be easy marks if you put in a bit of effort.

I also recommend using your elective spaces to choose subjects that you are interested in, which don’t necessarily have to be directly tied to your major. For example, I took some Fine Arts units in my 1st year and pursued Japanese units in my 2nd and final year. Doing enjoyable (and relatively easy) electives alongside your chosen major will lessen your overall workload and make uni life more breezy. You can also use your elective spaces for internship units like McCusker and Work Integrated Learning (WIL). These units are an ungraded pass or fail (meaning you’ll take them for credit, and it won’t impact your WAM) and are a great opportunity to build your portfolio. Having practical experiences like these is highly beneficial to see what kind of career your major can take you to.

Assessments

Your workload varies depending on the units you take each semester. Typically, each unit includes a weekly tutorial that lasts around 2 hours, although some final-year (level 3) units can go up to 3 hours. I recommend using timetable allocation to schedule your classes in a way that minimises the number of days you have to go into uni to have a good balance between study, part-time work, and hobbies.

The types of assessments depend on the level of the unit. Group assignments and presentations are common in most level 3 units, which can be challenging for students who struggle with public speaking. On the other hand, level 1 and 2 units typically involve essay writing on topics discussed in lectures. Tutorial participation also plays a key role in your overall grade, as it often accounts for 10%-20% of it. Although this may not seem like much, these can be easy marks, so being well prepared prior to tutorials and speaking up at least once in class can make a huge difference to your final grade.

A Point to Note

A gripe I have with this major is how disconnected students can feel. As most units only require you to come in once a week for a tutorial (which goes on for a maximum of 2 hours), it’s difficult to form friendships or build a strong sense of community. This can be a problem, as group work isn’t emphasised until level 3 units, which makes networking with peers or working with familiar people even more challenging.

Work Experience

For any major, it’s always good to find work experience/internships to go alongside your learning. I recommend using university-sourced programs like McCusker (which is what I did) and WIL to save you the hassle of searching for one on your own. My advice for students is to take any opportunity available, even if it’s unpaid. If your main goal is to gain experience while in uni, focusing on building a well-rounded CV is significantly more important than negotiating for a paid role. Every experience adds value to your career development, which becomes crucial when you apply for clerkships and graduate roles, as recruiters value internships and work experience far more than perfect grades.

Advice for Future Uni Students

Research your options thoroughly and plan ahead to ensure you have a clear path before and after graduation. Searching up and talking to others about possible internships, postgraduate studies, or careers after finishing undergrad is all invaluable. Having an early understanding of the career opportunities available in Criminology will help you make informed decisions and avoid feeling lost later on.