Criminology

“When I took the unit 'Crime and Society' with Dr Joe Clare, it was really interesting: my preconceptions that I had around what crime is, who the criminal is and how crime interacts with society, versus the facts - what it is in reality - and learning that I found really thrilling.”

--Tamara, current student

• Boosts analytical, critical, problem solving skills and project management.
• Regarded highly by future employers in wide range of sectors: business, law, government, semi-government.
• Leads to higher earnings and better career advances.
• Increases admission chances of highly-sought graduate degrees domestically and internationally, including the Juris Doctor and the Master of Business Administration (MBA).

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

The world has a lot of room for improvement, but all those challenges won't fix themselves. What they need is new talent, new perspectives and new drive. What they need is you.

Here are five courses that will give you the tools and experience you need to get out there and make a difference. 

The UWA Law School is certified by the Australian Law School Standards.

1. It's interdisciplinary and varied: in the Criminology major you'll take units from a wide range of areas, including Law, Psychology, Finance, Anthropology and Sociology, Geography and History.

2. It's fascinating: learning about crime and criminal law is interesting. From understanding the criminal justice system to tracking the history of crime and punishment in Britain, you'll be constantly surprised and intrigued along the way.

3. It's practical: whether you're majoring in Criminology itself, or taking it as a second major, it works well in combination with Psychology, Law and Society and History in particular.

4. It's well regarded by employers: you'll develop the capacity to think critically, integrate theory and research to practice, and communicate effectively in written and oral forms, all of which are excellent skills to have upon graduation.

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

• An understanding of the breadth of issues in contemporary criminology and the criminal justice system.
• How to critique crime and criminal law.
• Transferable creative thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

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

"When I tell people I majored in Criminology, the first thing they often say is, 'Like SVU?' Contrary to popular belief, the Criminology major doesn’t entail dusting a crime scene for fingerprints, nor sitting down to chat with the likes of Hannibal Lector. However, I will say that the degree has been extremely eye-opening and compelling in its own right."

Follow Ava through a day in her life as a criminology student.

Interested in forensic anthropology? Find out how forensic investigators solve crimes. 

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

Employers seek graduates with a breadth of knowledge from multiple complementary areas. Have you considered taking a second major to increase your skills and experience?

Criminology pairs well with these other majors:

• Anthropology and Sociology: study culture, social behaviours and systems of meaning in human societies
• Law and Society: pair a knowledge of crime with a holistic understanding of legal systems. 

The UWA Law School is ranked in the top 150 law schools in the world for Law and Legal Studies (QS 2023). You will join and contribute to 90 years of excellence: we were 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.