Honours
The BA (Honours) degree is an advanced and specialised course of study requiring a higher standard of performance than for the pass degree. It enhances students' ability to acquire advanced skills of analysis, to develop original ideas, and to apply innovative solutions to complex problems. The BA (Honours) involves one additional year of study at fourth-year level. Students may specialise in one area of study (Pure Honours) or two (Combined Honours). Entry to the Honours degree must be approved by the School(s) concerned and the Faculty of Arts.
Students can undertake an Honours program in Political Science, International Studies or Public Policy and Management.
Course Information
The prerequisites for entry to fourth-year honours in Political Science or International Studies are:
- Completion of all the requirements for the BA;
- Completion of a major in Political Science or International Studies; and
- An average grade over the second/third year subjects within the major equivalent to at least an H2A (75%).
The prerequisites for entry to fourth-year honours in Public Policy and Management are:
- Completion of all subjects for BPPM third year; and
- An average grade of H2A or higher in the BPPM third year.
For further information on Honours eligibility, entry requirements, application procedures, course structure and subject outlines, refer to the Honours section of the Arts Faculty website.
Course Structure
Students undertaking pure honours in Political Science complete:
- Political Science Thesis (37.5 points);
- One compulsory subject: Social Science Research Seminar (12.5 points); and
- Four honours subjects in Political Science (totalling 50 points).
Students undertaking pure honours in International Studies complete:
- International Politics Thesis (37.5 points);
- Two compulsory subjects: International Politics (25 points) and Social Science Research Seminar (12.5 points); and
- Two honours subjects in International Studies (totalling 25 points).
Students undertaking honours in Public Policy and Management complete:
- Public Policy and Management Thesis (37.5 points);
- Two compulsory subjects: Social Science Research Seminar (12.5 points) and Organisations and Management (12.5 points); and
- Three honours subjects in Public Policy and Management (totalling 37.5 points).
Students undertaking combined honours in Political Science complete:
- Political Science Thesis (37.5 points);
- One compulsory subject Social Science Research Seminar (12.5 points);
- One elective honours subject in Political Science (12.5 points); and
- Three honours subjects in the combining program (totalling 37.5 points).
or
- Honours thesis in the combining program (37.5 points);
- Two honours subjects in the combining program (totalling 25 points); and
- Three elective honours subjects in Political Science (totalling 37.5 points).
Students undertaking combined honours in International Studies complete:
- International Politics Thesis (37.5 points);
- One compulsory subject Social Science Research Seminar (12.5 points);
- One elective honours subject in International Studies (12.5 points); and
- Three honours subjects in the combining program (totalling 37.5 points).
or
- Honours thesis in the combining program (37.5 points);
- Two honours subjects in the combining program (totalling 25 points);
- One compulsory honours subject International Politics (25 points); and
- One elective honours subject in International Studies (12.5 points).
Human Research Ethics
Honours students undertaking research that involves interviews and/or questionnaires may need to submit an ethics application to the School Human Ethics Advisory Group (HEAG). Such an application needs to be approved BEFORE commencing your research. It is recommended that honours students aim to submit their ethics applications either to the April SHEAG meeting or, for mid-year entry, the October SHEAG meeting. For further information, consult your supervisor, and refer to the Melbourne Research Office Human Ethics site.
Research Supervision
The School's Research Supervision page provides information on academic staff research and supervision areas.
University Policy Documents
For information on University policies and guidelines in connection with your studies, please refer to the Academic Services Policy page.