Bachelor of International Studies (Honours)

The Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) enables students to conduct research and complete a thesis in line with the major they completed in their three-year Bachelor of International Studies or equivalent. This course will develop the interdisciplinary expertise to understand, and work effectively on, matters of international scope that cross disciplinary and linguistic boundaries. 

Students select from one of three alternative sets of seminar units depending on the nature of their thesis topic: in Social Science, History, or Languages and Cultures. Each provides training in critical analysis and the application of theoretical approaches to case studies. The thesis will be completed under the guidance of a dedicated supervisor, giving students an opportunity to explore a specific research question.

Degree structure and requirements

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) degree, students must complete 48 credit points in total, comprising:

• 12 credit points in seminar units of study
• 36 credit points in thesis units of study

More information can be found on the Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) course resolutions and units of study page. 

Honours

The honours year is both a preparation for postgraduate study and a capstone to an undergraduate degree. For some students, honours is the culmination of their formal education, an experience that extends their intellectual range, hones their abilities in research, analysis, and communication, and helps them develop the body of personal and professional skills needed to see a major project through to completion. For other students, honours is the first step on the path to careers as professional researchers and academics.

Honours admission requirements

To qualify for admission to the Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) degree, students must:

• have completed the requirements for a Bachelor of International Studies (or equivalent) including a major in the proposed honours subject area at the University of Sydney, or equivalent studies at another institution which include the equivalent of 24 credit points of undergraduate language study; and 
• have a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 70 or equivalent or a higher mark in the proposed honours subject area; and
• meet any other requirements for honours entry set by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. 

Please note that the Social Science seminar units SSPS4402 and SSPS4403 are only offered in Semester 1. 

Requirements and units of study for Honours can be found on the Bachelor of International Studies (Honours) units of study page.