Program Overview

Foundation Studies prepares you for a successful transition to degree-level study, providing a pathway to the first year of study of a bachelor’s degree at Murdoch University.

This course is suited to you if you:

• Need an entrance qualification for Murdoch University
• Want to accelerate your university preparation after Year 11, or equivalent
• Want to change your degree stream after Year 11, or equivalent

Course Structure
For Foundation Studies you will complete eight units over two study periods, studying a combination of core and elective units. The units you will undertake will be determined by your chosen degree. All students must complete the two English units and at least one unit from each Discipline Group.

Each unit of study builds concepts from an introductory level through to university entrance level. The units are designed to develop your learning techniques as well as bridging gaps in your unit knowledge.

• English
  • Essential Australian Studies
  • Introduction to Academic Communication
• Mathematics
  • Introductory Mathematics
  • Mathematics for Science
• Science and Technology
  • Information Technology for Academic Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
• The Arts
  • Introduction to Media
  • Media Production
• Business and Legal Studies
  • Accounting
  • Management
  • Economics

Leading to: Bachelor of Criminology / Bachelor of Communication
Combine a Bachelor of Criminology degree with a Bachelor of Communication to gain skills and ways of thinking that will really give you a competitive edge in your career. You could pursue a career in criminology or use your knowledge to become a crime journalist.

You’ll investigate criminal behaviour, the science behind crime and legal studies while learning from industry experts as you fine-tune your presentation, language and writing skills.

You can customise your degree to suit your interests – and your career aspirations. With your Bachelor of Criminology, you can choose to major in Legal Studies, Criminal Behaviour, Crime Science or White Collar and Corporate Crime. Your Bachelor of Communication allows you to major in Journalism, Strategic Communication and Global Media and Communication.

3 reasons to study a combined degree in Criminology and Communication at Murdoch

• Choose from a range of majors, including two majors available only at Murdoch – Crime Science and White Collar and Corporate Crime.
• Learn the latest real-world techniques and policies, with course input and guest lectures by forensic experts from PathWest, ChemCentre, WA Police, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Coroner’s Office in your Criminology degree.
• Work with organisations on real projects as part of your Communication degree through our Work Integrated Learning program. Some of our students have interned with Lifeline, RAC Arena and The Salvation Army.

What you’ll learn
Build the knowledge and skills you need to meet your career or study goals. Here are some of the things you’ll learn:

• Crime scene investigation
• Children and crime
• Communication strategy and planning
• Broadcasting and digital newsgathering
• Communicating global issues