Southern Cross University

What you'll study

This three-year undergraduate program provides an interdisciplinary mix of law, criminology and justice studies. You will learn principles of the Australian legal system, criminal law and procedure, evidence and civil obligations alongside modules on crime prevention, corrections, policing, youth justice, human rights and justice policy. The curriculum emphasises practical skills — legal research, legal writing, interviewing and advocacy — together with critical analysis of social and policy responses to crime and disadvantage.

• Core law topics — foundations of Australian law, contract and tort principles, criminal law, evidence and procedure, legal research and writing.
• Justice and criminology topics — theories of crime, policing and investigative practice, corrections and rehabilitation, youth justice, victimology and restorative justice.
• Research and professional skills — research methods in social and legal contexts, ethics, interview and case management skills, dispute resolution and advocacy practice.
• Electives and specialisations — options typically include family violence, indigenous justice, cybercrime and digital evidence, public policy analysis, or community legal practice depending on campus offerings.
• Work-integrated learning — opportunities for placements, simulated legal clinics or partnerships with community organisations to build workplace skills and professional networks.

Entry requirements

Admission is based on secondary school completion or recognised equivalent; domestic applicants are generally assessed on their ATAR or through Southern Cross University’s alternative entry pathways, which may include work experience, vocational qualifications or approved enabling programs. Applicants without the standard academic entry may be eligible via a recognised pathway or mature-age entry.

International applicants must demonstrate equivalent secondary qualifications and meet English language requirements (for example, an accepted academic or English test result). Some campuses or particular streams may have additional selection conditions, so prospective students should consult the university’s admissions information for current guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a broad range of roles across the legal and justice sectors. Typical career pathways include:

• Paralegal, legal assistant or court support roles in law firms, government agencies and community legal centres.
• Community services, including roles in victim support, youth work, probation and parole, and offender rehabilitation services.
• Employment in policing and law enforcement support roles, or careers in corrections and custodial services.
• Policy and advocacy positions in government departments, non‑government organisations and peak bodies involved in justice reform, human rights or social policy.
• Further professional study — graduates commonly articulate into postgraduate professional law degrees or specialised masters to pursue admission as a practising lawyer or to develop advanced research and policy skills.

Why study at Southern Cross University

Southern Cross University offers a small-cohort, student-centred learning environment with a strong emphasis on practical and community-engaged learning in the legal and justice fields. The program draws on regional strengths in social justice and community services and provides opportunities for work-integrated placements and local partnerships that connect students to employers in government, health and community sectors.

The university’s campuses and teaching staff bring applied perspectives from law, criminology and social policy, and students benefit from tailored support services, legal skills workshops and access to simulated clinic experiences. For students seeking a flexible foundation in law and justice with clear pathways to professional practice or further study, the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies at Southern Cross offers a practical and multidisciplinary route.