Please select an option that best suits your study status:
The combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies is for students commencing an undergraduate study, including recent high school leavers, non-recent school leavers and mature-age entry. It is also for current University of Sydney students who decide to continue to a fourth year by transferring from the single bachelor’s degree into the combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
This degree can be taken in combination with a three-year liberal studies, and some professional or specialist bachelor's degrees. Find out about combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies courses.
This degree enables you to:
Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
---|---|---|---|
Major 1 | Major 1 | Major 1 | Major 2 |
Core/elective | Open Learning Environment unit | Major 1 | Major 2 |
Core/elective | Elective | Elective | Advanced coursework |
Minor/Major 2 | Minor/Major 2 | Minor/Major 2 | Advanced coursework |
Major 1 | Major 1 | Major 1 | Advanced coursework |
Core/elective | Open Learning Environment unit | Major 1 | Advanced coursework |
Core/elective | Elective/ Major 2 |
Elective/ Major 2 |
Project |
Minor/Major 2 | Minor/Major 2 | Minor/Major 2 | Project |
** Please note this course structure is indicative only and subject to change.
If you have completed a qualifying bachelor’s degree at the University of Sydney or another institution, taken a break, and wish to return to study to complete honours or advanced coursework, including a 4000-level project in your chosen field, you can apply to enter the Bachelor of Advanced Studies.
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies is an additional year of intensive study that complements your prior studies and deepens your expertise in your chosen field. It can increase your employment prospects or enable you to pursue further research.
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies can be completed in one of two ways:
If you choose the advanced coursework pathway, you will extend your knowledge and critical thinking skills through challenging coursework and an advanced project. This is an opportunity to experience work outside the classroom by collaborating on a substantial real-world project in a professional, community or entrepreneurial setting.
In 2020, students will need to select one discipline area when applying for the Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Coursework). Options will include: Business, Humanities, Science and Social Sciences.
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) is an additional year of intensive study that high achieving students may undertake after completing an undergraduate degree.
If you choose to pursue the honours component, you will undertake:
It will vary depending on the discipline you choose.
Through an honours component you will learn vital research skils and open the pathway to a higher degree by research, such as a master's by research or a PhD and equip you with attributes for a range of careers.
Under the guidance and mentorship of an academic supervisor, you'll select a thesis topic and identify your method of research. This prepares you to write your thesis so that it makes an argument based on rigorous study and empirical assessment.
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) is available to students who have completed an eligible bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or another institution and are returning to study.
The below information applies to current University of Sydney students.
If the above does not apply to you, check the other honours degrees that we offer.
Bachelor's degree | Combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies | Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Coursework) | Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) | |
Duration | 3 years | 4 years | 1 year | 1 year |
Major |
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Minor (or for some courses, a second major) | ![]() |
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Open Learning Environment | ![]() |
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Electives | ![]() |
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Exchange (available) | ![]() |
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Advanced coursework | ![]() |
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Substantial project | ![]() |
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Honours (available) | ![]() |
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The above table applies to the courses listed above. *A second/double major is not available in Design Computing.
Honours enables you to build on the foundations of your undergraduate degree by choosing a research project that could be a life-changing opportunity to become a subject matter expert in a specialised area. Under the supervision of internationally recognised research staff, you’ll have the chance to develop significant insights and make your own meaningful contribution to a field of knowledge.
The type of honours you undertake depends on your individual study circumstances.
Please refer to the information above about Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) or the FAQ's below.
Available to students who meet the Honours admission criteria who are undertaking a combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree with an eligible bachelor's degree (e.g. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Economics), Bachelor of Design Computing, Bachelor of Visual Arts or Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Science.)
Certain bachelor's degrees offer you the opportunity to complete an Honours program embedded within the duration of the degree by selecting appropriate units of study and/or achieving the specified average mark. Find out more. All engineering undergraduate degrees from 2015 include an embedded honours year in your chosen discipline. You do not need to apply for the honours program.
Stand-alone or appended honours is an additional program that you complete after you have finished your undergraduate degree. Find out more.
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) and combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) will replace the traditional appended honours degrees in those degrees that can be combined with the Bachelor of Advanced Studies (eg. liberal degrees, Bachelor of Design Computing etc). The appended honours degrees will be gradually phased out.
Who does this apply to?
You can still achieve an Honours award:
Interested in getting a feel for research? Offered during your semester break, summer research programs are a great way to gain research experience and an insight into research process while working alongside our leading scientific researchers.
The Charles Perkins Centre is committed to delivering real world solutions to some of humanity’s greatest health challenges: obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and related conditions. Our summer scholarships provide students an exclusive opportunity to join the Centre’s mission and undertake paid research with leading academics in world-class facilities. We offer a number of high-achieving students enrolled in any undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program the opportunity to learn valuable research skills and learn from senior researchers.
Each year, Sydney Nursing School offers up to 10 summer scholarships to provide currently enrolled students an opportunity to learn about nursing and midwifery research, to develop research skills and to encourage exploration into further research studies. Summer Scholars will work on a project under the supervision of one of our leading researchers for a four-week full-time period over summer (140 hours between January and February).
Science research projects are available in most disciplines for a duration of between 4-6 weeks over the Summer holiday period (November-February). The program is open to both current University of Sydney students as well as students from other Australian universities.