Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor of Forensic Science

The Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor of Forensic Science prepares students to respond to the changing nature of crime in the 21st century by addressing the realities of crime and forensics in an increasingly digital and transnational age. Students develop a skill set that combines enabling sciences, social sciences, in-depth understandings of forensic science and crime in the context of their chosen specialisations in both components of the course.

This course provides students with a thorough understanding of how forensic science and criminology can solve and prevent crime. This is a hands-on course using world-class facilities that are modelled on operational laboratories.

This degree combines theory and practice to address industry needs for an applied approach to criminology and specifically addresses the increasingly digital and transnational dimensions of crime. Students work with data sets, tools, problems and cases used in industry and contributed by UTS partners to be work-ready.

In the Bachelor of Criminology students are able to select from a standard major or an extended major:

Standard majors - Forensics, Data Analytics, or Justice and Legal Studies.

Extended majors - Data Analytics & Research, or Digital Forensics

In the Bachelor of Forensic Science students are able to select from 4 majors: Chemistry, Biology, Crime Scene Investigation, or Digital Forensics.

The course is offered primarily on campus, but individual subjects include aspects of asynchronous self-paced learning, synchronous online activities, collaborative learning and activities on campus, and industry engagement via site visits and/or guest speakers.

Pathways: The service of commissioned officers and those who have completed agency training courses is recognised as part of the basis for admission and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for fast-tracking of degree completion.

Course aims

The aim is to produce professional forensic scientists with highly adaptable scientific skills accompanied by a thorough grounding in social theory, methods and practice. This is a course with strong links to industries such as the federal and state police services, national and international forensic institutions, and government laboratories.

Innovation and Transdisciplinary program

Transdisciplinary Electives at UTS Employers tell us the skills our graduates acquire from undertaking a Transdisciplinary Elective sets them apart from the crowd. That’s why we have embedded this program into every undergraduate degree. All you need to do is choose the Elective that inspires you the most. Transdisciplinary Electives integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines, allowing you to approach complex problems from a range of perspectives. By combining methods and insights from various disciplines, transdisciplinary learning often leads to breakthrough ideas and creative innovations that may not be possible within the confines of a single discipline. If you find yourself rapt by the world of innovation – you can pair your core degree with a Diploma in Innovation, graduating with two qualifications in the same timeframe. In both instances, you’ll work on a real-world challenge presented by an industry partner organisation – partners who often create career pathways for our graduates. * Excludes students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation.

Study plan

Below is the typical program for students completing the course full-time, and part-time.

Please make a selection:

First year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Introduction to Criminology	98000	6
Foundations of Law	70102	8
Principles of Forensic Science	65242	6
Cell Biology and Genetics	91161	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Crime Data: Analysis and Interpretation	98001	8
Forensic Imaging	65312	6
Forensic Statistics	35255	6
Molecular Biology	91132	6

Second year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Research Methods for Social Sciences	98003	8
Criminalistics	65316	6
Chemistry 1	65111	6
Design, Data, and Decisions	33116	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Indigenous Perspectives on Crime and Justice	98002	8
Complex Cases	65314	6
Chemistry 2	65212	6
Human Anatomy and Physiology	91400	6

Third year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Self and Society	52670	6
Crime Scene Investigation	65342	6
General Microbiology	91314	6
Select 6 credit points from the following:		6
24cp Electives Choice (Criminology)	cbk92043	24

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Emerging and Contemporary Issues in Crime and Criminology	98004	6
Forensic Intelligence	65313	6
DNA Profiling	91137	6

Fourth year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Policy Evaluation: Local and International Approaches	98005	6
Select 12 credit points from the following:		12
24cp Electives Choice (Criminology)	cbk92043	24

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Criminology Industry Project	98006	16
Forensic Genotyping Technologies	65318	6

First year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Introduction to Criminology	98000	6
Foundations of Law	70102	8
Principles of Forensic Science	65242	6
Chemistry 1	65111	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Crime Data: Analysis and Interpretation	98001	8
Forensic Imaging	65312	6
Forensic Statistics	35255	6
Chemistry 2	65212	6

Second year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Research Methods for Social Sciences	98003	8
Criminalistics	65316	6
Organic Chemistry 1	65202	6
Analytical Chemistry 1	65306	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Indigenous Perspectives on Crime and Justice	98002	8
Complex Cases	65314	6
Organic Chemistry 2	65508	6
Analytical Chemistry 2	65409	6

Third year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Self and Society	52670	6
Crime Scene Investigation	65342	6
Design, Data, and Decisions	33116	6
Select 6 credit points from the following:		6
24cp Electives Choice (Criminology)	cbk92043	24

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Emerging and Contemporary Issues in Crime and Criminology	98004	6
Forensic Intelligence	65313	6
Chemical Criminalistics	65544	6

Fourth year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Policy Evaluation: Local and International Approaches	98005	6
Medicinal Chemistry	65001	6
Select 6 credit points from the following:		6
24cp Electives Choice (Criminology)	cbk92043	24

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Criminology Industry Project	98006	16
Select 6 credit points from the following:		6
24cp Electives Choice (Criminology)	cbk92043	24

First year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Introduction to Criminology	98000	6
Foundations of Law	70102	8
Principles of Forensic Science	65242	6
Chemistry 1	65111	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Crime Data: Analysis and Interpretation	98001	8
Forensic Imaging	65312	6
Forensic Statistics	35255	6
Chemistry 2	65212	6

Second year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Research Methods for Social Sciences	98003	8
Criminalistics	65316	6
Cell Biology and Genetics	91161	6
Analytical Chemistry 1	65306	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Indigenous Perspectives on Crime and Justice	98002	8
Complex Cases	65314	6
Analytical Chemistry 2	65409	6
Advanced Imaging and Specialist Recovery	65323	6

Third year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Self and Society	52670	6
Crime Scene Investigation	65342	6
Design, Data, and Decisions	33116	6
Select 6 credit points from the following:		6
24cp Electives Choice (Criminology)	cbk92043	24

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Emerging and Contemporary Issues in Crime and Criminology	98004	6
Forensic Intelligence	65313	6
Major Scene Investigation	65322	6

Fourth year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Policy Evaluation: Local and International Approaches	98005	6
Select 12 credit points from the following:		12
24cp Electives Choice (Criminology)	cbk92043	24

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Criminology Industry Project	98006	16
Homicide and Human Remains Investigation	65321	6

First year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Introduction to Criminology	98000	6
Foundations of Law	70102	8
Principles of Forensic Science	65242	6
Network Fundamentals	41092	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Crime Data: Analysis and Interpretation	98001	8
Forensic Imaging	65312	6
Forensic Statistics	35255	6
Programming Fundamentals	48023	6

Second year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Research Methods for Social Sciences	98003	8
Criminalistics	65316	6
Digital Trace and Identity	65325	6
Design, Data, and Decisions	33116	6

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Indigenous Perspectives on Crime and Justice	98002	8
Complex Cases	65314	6
Cybersecurity	48730	6
Digital and Cyber Crime	65326	6

Third year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Self and Society	52670	6
Crime Scene Investigation	65342	6
Cryptography	41900	6
Select 6 credit points from the following:		6
24cp Electives Choice (Criminology)	cbk92043	24

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Emerging and Contemporary Issues in Crime and Criminology	98004	6
Forensic Intelligence	65313	6
Digital Forensics	48436	6

Fourth year

Autumn session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Policy Evaluation: Local and International Approaches	98005	6
Select 12 credit points from the following:		12
24cp Electives Choice (Criminology)	cbk92043	24

Spring session	Subject Code	Credit PointsA credit point is the unit of measure of workload for individual subjects.
Criminology Industry Project	98006	16
Web Monitoring and Investigations	65327	6

Course fees

For relevant fee information, please choose from the following:

Local student

All students at UTS pay tuition fees to contribute towards the cost of their studies.

In 2024 all offers made to domestic undergraduate students will be for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP), which means that the Australian government makes a substantial contribution towards the cost of your education, and you pay the balance through student contributions.

The amount you pay depends on your area of study and the number of credit points (cp) in which you enrol. At UTS 48 credit points is considered to be one Equivalent Full Time Study Load (EFTSL).

The table to the right shows the amount a student can expect to pay for one year of full-time study (1.0 EFTSL).

Students can choose to pay their student contribution upfront, or if eligible, can defer their fees through HECS-HELP.

In addition to tuition fees, students are required to pay a Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The purchase of textbooks and other course materials may also result in additional cost.

You can calculate your student contribution as a percentage of the amounts shown on the table. Fee rates are divided into four bands covering broad discipline areas. It is important to note that a particular subject within a course may fall within a different band.

For example, if you are enrolled in a 6-credit point Architecture subject, your contribution would be 6/48 x $9,314 = $1,164.

Student contribution amounts for 2025 commencing students

2025 student contribution - Area of Study	Amount for 48 cp
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications and Society and Culture	$16,992
Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science	$13,241
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual & Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science and Pathology	$9,314
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing or Foreign Languages and Agriculture	$4,627

International student

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students can be found using tuition fees search.

Tuition fees must be paid in advance each session and are subject to annual increase. Fees for future year(s) published in fees search, whilst unlikely to change, are estimates only. UTS makes every effort to provide up to date future year(s) fee estimates and to limit any changes, however, UTS reserves the right to vary fees for future year(s) at any time.

For this course, the cost per credit point for 2025 is $1007. The total credit points are 192.

All international students should familiarise themselves with the following documents:

Protocol on refund of fees for international students - contains the refund of fees information for international students.
Tuition Protection Service - designed to ensure that students receive the tuition they have paid for

In addition to tuition fees, students may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). Textbooks and other course materials will also result in additional costs.

UTS Alumni save 10%: alumni.uts.edu.au/advantage

For further information on costs related to your study at UTS, visit the international students' fees information page.

Careers

Career options include police officer, law enforcement agent, corrections officer, border force officer, customs officer, crime prevention analyst, policy analyst, community justice/development worker, government worker, evaluator, cyber security analyst, fraud prevention analyst, digital fraud prevention analyst, intelligence officer, ICT security specialist, security consultant.

Chemistry major: Criminalist, trace evidence specialist, explosive specialist, analytical chemist, toxicologist, clinical or regulatory toxicologist, analytical technician.

Biology major: DNA specialist, forensic scientist, molecular research scientist, hospital scientist, pathology technician, forensic anthropologist, forensic pathology technician.

Crime scene investigation major: Scene-of-crime officer, team leader in investigations, fire investigator, trace evidence specialist, forensic scientist, analyst.

Digital forensics major: Digital forensic scientist or analyst, e-Discovery analyst, cyberthreat intelligence analyst, fraud investigator, information security analyst, malware analyst.

Course structure

Course structure explained

Students complete 192 credit points comprising:

Criminology core subjects (72 credit points)
Forensic Science core subjects (42 credit points)
Forensic Science major subjects (54 credit points)
Criminology elective subjects (24 credit points)

Course completion requirements

Requirement	Credit Points
STM91629 Core subjects (Criminology)	72
STM91630 42cp Core subjects (Forensic Science) BCrim BForSc	42
CBK91230 Major choice (Forensic Science)	54
CBK92043 24cp Electives Choice (Criminology)	24
Total	192

Additional information

Course duration

The course is offered on a four-year, full-time or eight-year, part-time basis.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.

Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.

International students

Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.

Check to see if there are additional admission requirements for this course.

Additional information relating to this course, including the ATAR profile of domestic students who commenced this course in Autumn 2022, is located under UTS' admissions requirements, alongside information relating to the commencing student cohort who were enrolled in this course past the Autumn 2022 census date.
If you don't meet the admission requirements for this course, there may be alternative pathways to help you gain admission.

Inherent requirements

Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course. For more information about inherent requirements and where prospective and current students can get assistance and advice regarding these, see the UTS Inherent requirements page.

Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course.

UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.

For course specific information see the Bachelor of Global Studies, Bachelor of Sustainability and Environment and Bachelor of Criminology Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.

ATAR and selection ranks

To find out further information regarding ATAR and selection ranks from previous applicants who received an offer to this course, please visit our Admissions Stats Tool

Assumed knowledge

Any two units of English, Mathematics, any 2 units of Science (Biology and Chemistry recommended).

Year 12 adjustment factor scheme

To see a list of courses where HSC subjects provide adjustment factors, please refer to the Year 12 adjustment factors page.

Recognition of prior learning

For those with backgrounds in law enforcement, defence and corrections, their prior learning and experience is recognised.

Scholarships and prizes

Scholarships

For International Studies and Science - 2 students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For International Studies and Science - 2 students

UTS: Handbook

See the Bachelor of Criminology Bachelor of Forensic Science in the UTS: Handbook for comprehensive course details.

Information for international students

Find out about support services, the Australian education system, accommodation and more to help you get the most out of your study at UTS.

Domestic students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

admission requirements for this course.
These can be found on the overview tab and there may also be additional entry requirements
required levels of English proficiency for the course you're interested in.
recognition of prior learning guidelines if you've undertaken previous study that might be credited towards your course at UTS.

How to apply

Domestic applicants can apply via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (opens an external site)

UAC code(s): 609166 (Autumn session)

Make a note of the relevant UAC code before starting the UAC application.

Intake

Autumn Session 2025

Important dates

NOVEMBER 2024
1	Closing date for change of preferences (November Round 1)
8	UAC offers released (November Round 1)
14	Closing date for change of preferences (November Round 2)
21	UAC offers released (November Round 2)
28	Closing date for change of preferences (December Round 1)

DECEMBER 2024
5	UAC offers released (December Round 1)
18	UTS Info Day
18	Closing date for change of preferences (December Round 2)
23	UAC offers released (December Round 2)

JANUARY 2025
2	Closing date for change of preferences (January Round 1)
9	UAC offers released (January Round 1)
16	Closing date for change of preferences (January Round 2)
23	UAC offers released (January Round 2)
30	Closing date for change of preferences (February Round 1)

FEBRUARY 2025
3 - 14	Autumn session orientation
6	UAC offers released (February Round 1)
7	Closing date for change of preferences (February Round 2)
13	UAC offers released (February Round 2)
17	Autumn session commences (main calendar)
27	Closing date for change of preferences (March Round 1)

MARCH 2025
3	Last day to enrol for Autumn session
6	UAC offers released (March Round 1)
20	Autumn census date – last day to withdraw from subjects or apply for leave of absence

Need more information?

Ask UTS

Scholarships, prizes and awards

Scholarships

For International Studies and Science - 2 students

Only for international students

For all domestic students

Only for Aboriginal Australian or Torres Strait Islander students

Prizes and awards

For International Studies and Science - 2 students

International students

Before you apply

Here are a few important things for you to check out before you apply:

admission requirements for this course.
These can be found on the overview tab and there may also be additional entry requirements.
required levels of English proficiency for the course you’re interested in.
recognition of prior learning guidelines if you’ve undertaken previous study that might be credited towards your course at UTS.

You can meet an international student advisor at one of our events worldwide to ask questions and submit an application.

Important dates

Visit the UTS Handbook for full academic dates. Visit essential information for international students for the application closing dates.