Honours degrees

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Towards the end of the first semester in third year, high performing students may be invited to join an honours program. This means they can continue studying for a fourth year and gain an honours qualification.

Honours courses are available across business and law, health sciences, humanities and science and engineering.

As part of the program, students conduct a major project that continues over two semesters.

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Ready to pursue an honours degree?

Here are some frequently asked questions.

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Why study an honours degree?

Bachelor honours degrees prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional work, research and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.

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What are the admission requirements?

Admission to an honours program is at the discretion of the manager of the honours programs, who considers each application on the basis of academic record.

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What is the course structure?

An honours degree is one-year of full-time study, comprising an independent research project structured across two units of study.

Stand out from the crowd

The research project undertaken in an honours course develops a student’s core research skills including experimental design, data collection and analysis, critical scientific analysis and reporting. Students are able to focus their research on a field of specialisation related to their bachelor degree.

The completion of the project demonstrates to potential employers an ability to work independently, and plan and carry out a complex body of work within defined deadlines.

My Honours year was essentially a condensed version of my current PhD project – I am producing an exegesis and historical fiction novel that explores the testimonies of accused witches from Orkney, Scotland, during the 17th century. The degree taught me how to research and construct an argument in a short period of time. Throughout my Honours year I also learnt how to answer a single research question in two ways: through a miniature thesis and a creative project.

Ashleigh Angus, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) graduate