A student who has completed all the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts, or another qualification which the BA Management Committee agrees is equivalent, may be accepted for admission to the Honours program provided a sufficiently high standard has been achieved in fulfilling the requirements for the Bachelors Degree.
Admission requirements
Applicants must normally have achieved a GPA of 5.25 in 27 units of upper level topics in a major sequence to be eligible to apply for admission to an honours degree in the related program of study. This does not apply for admission to an honours degree in Biological Sciences or Psychology.
For admission in to the Biological Sciences Honours program applicants must hold with a minimum GPA of 5.0 a Bachelor level qualification with a Major or Specialisation in a relevant Biological Sciences discipline.
For admission in to the Psychology Honours program applicants must hold a Bachelor level qualification with an APAC (Australian Psychology Accreditation Council) accredited study sequence in Psychology, normally completed within the last 10 years. Selection is based on academic merit with applicants ranked for offer based on performance in second and third year Psychology topics.
Individual programs of study may also require specific topics as prerequisites for admission to the Honours degree. These requirements are included in the description of the relevant program of study below.
Students who do not meet the above criteria may still apply for admission to the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and their case will be assessed on its individual merits. In some circumstances admission may be approved if applicants do not meet normal minimum entry requirements.
Students may apply to undertake an honours degree in two programs of study. This normally requires 9 units of coursework topics in each of the two programs of study and an 18 -unit thesis topic, either singly or jointly supervised.
Course aims
The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree builds on the aims and learning outcomes of the Bachelor of Arts degree. It aims to provide students with further depth and breadth of knowledge in their area of study, increase knowledge, theoretical understanding and study skills to undertake original academic work with a theoretical and/or professional outcome to an advanced level, and extend advanced skills in academic writing and the presentation of research.
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of the Honours degree students will be able to:
- evaluate the underlying academic principles, skills and concepts in their area of study at an advanced level
- undertake independent research at an advanced level
- critically evaluate and analyse complex issues and deploy evidence in support of a research thesis, which includes interpreting and applying ethical considerations
- communicate their findings clearly, in both oral and written form, to an advanced level
- model an enhanced appreciation of ethical values.
Program of study
To qualify for the Honours degree, a student must complete satisfactorily 36 units of study as specified. Students are normally expected to complete the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) within one year of full-time study or two years’ of part-time study. Under exceptional circumstances students may be permitted to extend the duration of the Honours program with the approval of the Course Coordinator.
An honours program may be undertaken in the following:
