Honours is a prestigious year of undergraduate study, which will provide you with the opportunity to challenge and extend on the knowledge developed in your bachelor's degree and achieve an honours qualification.
An honours qualification in social and political sciences not only carries weight in academic circles but is also highly valued in the fields of criminology, sociology, political economy, government and international relations and anthropology. In these industries, research experience and strong critical thinking skills are in high demand. Honours provides a unique opportunity for students to explore their potential by conceiving and executing an independent project within our five core research themes: health, markets, governance, inequality, and environment, culminating in the production of a thesis. This thesis constitutes an original contribution to knowledge and stands as a significant accomplishment and highlight of your undergraduate degree and can open the door to further research, such as a Master's by research or a PhD.
More information about honours can be found on the understanding honours page.
If you are interested in pursuing an honours year in Social and Political Sciences in 2025, please apply by 15 January, 2025.
The first step should be to review the specific entry requirements for your desired Honours program. To qualify for admission to honours, you need to complete a major in the intended subject area with an average mark of 70% or above.
Whether you are enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies, the process of applying for honours is the same. Honours in both cases is an “appended” degree, which you do after you have finished other degree requirements. Please note it is no longer “embedded” in the BA/BAS.
For students enrolled in the BA, more information can be found under Bachelor of Arts (Honours).
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree apply by filling out this form: Combined Bachelor of Advanced Studies honours application.
Interdisciplinary units allow students to broaden their knowledge of the social sciences as a whole, learning different ways of understanding human experience and how they fit together. This will enrich the disciplinary knowledge you already have and add important new concepts and methods to your research toolkit.
The 2025 Anthropology Honours program requires:
What you’ll study
Semester 1:
And one of these two options - chosen in consultation with your supervisor:
Semester 2:
The 2025 Socio-Legal Studies Honours program requires:
What you’ll study
Semester 1:
And one of these options – chosen in consultation with your supervisor:
Semester 2:
The 2025 Criminology Honours program requires:
What you’ll study
Semester 1:
Semester 2:
The 2025 Sociology Honours program requires:
What you’ll study
Semester 1:
And one of these options – chosen in consultation with your supervisor:
Semester 2:
The 2025 Government and International Relations Honours program requires:
What you’ll study
Semester 1:
And one of these two options – chosen in consultation with your supervisor:
Semester 2:
The 2025 Political Economy Honours program requires:
What you’ll study
Semester 1:
Semester 2:
The next step is to find a supervisor for your thesis project. You will need to provide an expression of interest from your potential supervisor or Honours Coordinator with your application.
If you have discipline-specific questions about honours or honours projects, get in touch with a coordinator below.
Honours Coordinators:
