Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) is an additional year of full-time undergraduate study following completion of the Bachelor of Arts (or equivalent). It provides high-achieving students an opportunity to develop research skills in the subject area of their major by undertaking advanced-level coursework and conducting a supervised but independent research project. The honours year adds greater depth to the Bachelor of Arts and provides a pathway to higher degree by research (e.g., PhD) studies. Honours graduates are sought after by employers who value their superior research, analytical, and communication skills.

The honours year serves as both a capstone to the undergraduate degree and preparation for higher degree by research (e.g., PhD) studies. For some students, honours represents the culmination of their formal education—an opportunity to broaden their intellectual horizons, refine their research, analytical, and communication skills, and develop the personal and professional abilities needed to complete a major project. For others, honours is the first step towards a career as a professional researcher or academic.

Students complete: 

• ‘seminar’ units of study relevant to their research project as specified for the chosen subject area; and
• a substantial independent research project on an approved topic of their choice, culminating in the submission of a thesis of 15 - 20,000 words, depending on the subject area. Students work on their thesis throughout the course, under the supervision of an academic staff member with expertise in the chosen area. The research should identify an area for investigation which makes a relevant contribution to knowledge. 

Admission criteria

Applicants must have:

• completed the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Education from the University of Sydney, including a major or program in the proposed honours subject area with a minimum weighted average mark (WAM) of 65, or an equivalent qualification; and
• met any admission requirements specified for the proposed honours subject area (e.g., a higher minimum WAM, completion of specific units of study).
  • Most honours subject areas in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences require a minimum WAM of 70 in the relevant major or program for admission.
    

Admission is subject to the availability of appropriate supervision. Admission in Semester 2 is not possible in certain subject areas. Admission to joint honours (in two subject areas) requires additional approval.

Students interested in undertaking Honours should contact the relevant subject area’s Honours Coordinator during the final semester of enrolment in the Bachelor of Arts (or equivalent). Information on the application process is available on the Honours page.

Degree structure and requirements

For detailed information on degree rules and requirements, please refer to the course resolutions.

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours), students must complete 48 credit points, comprising:

• 4000-level or higher units of study in an honours subject area listed in the Table A Subject Areas or Table S Subject Areas.

Requirements and units of study are listed in the honours unit of study table for the relevant subject area.

Contacts and further information

Honours

Please contact the Honours Coordinator in the relevant subject area for discipline-specific information.