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Your research can help create a healthier society.

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Global leaders in health education

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    The University is ranked top 20 globally in the world for QS World University Rankings 2024.

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    The University is ranked in the top 50 of the world’s best research universities. All our research is ranked at world standard or above.

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Overview

Extend your knowledge of your undergraduate degree with a stand-alone Honours year in your subject area expertise. This course is available to students who have already completed their studies in this study area.

The Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program equips students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to produce high-quality research. 

Gain an in-depth understanding of an aspect of your field and make a meaningful contribution to the field of knowledge. An honours degree can also launch a fulfilling career in research and academia and provides a common pathway to a PhD.

During this one-year degree, you will:

  • learn how to plan, conduct and write up a research project, under the guidance of senior research scholars
  • develop transferable skills and graduate attributes such as critical thinking, time management and communication
  • push the frontiers of knowledge, develop and prove your critical abilities, and expand your career prospects.

Important information

This course is available to returning students who commenced their Bachelor of Health Sciences (pass) degree in 2017 or prior and to external students who completed a Bachelor of Health Sciences (pass) degree or equivalent at another institution. 

Entry into honours is competitive and based on students' past academic performance. A Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65 is required to be eligible to apply for honours.

Honours year in psychology

If you have completed the Psychology major within the Bachelor of Health Sciences 3 year degree program, and wish to pursue a career as a practicing registered psychologist in Australia, you need to seek enrolment in the fourth year Honours Program within the School of Psychology - either at the University of Sydney or other universities offering the Australian Psychology Accreditation Councils (APAC) fourth year course.

The Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) year is not accredited by APAC only the Psychology major for Years 1-3 is accredited by APAC and makes you eligible to apply for the fourth year Psychology Honours Program (normally offered only by psychology departments/schools within universities or private colleges of psychology training in Australia). 

For more information on the fourth year Honours in Psychology at the University of Sydney and how to apply, please see the School of Psychology website.

Shared pool

Admission, fees and how to apply

Depends on your qualification, citizenship status

The details on this page based on your selections are a guide only, and are subject to change.

English language proficiency

Find out if you need to prove English language proficiency (depends on your country of origin and educational background).

Your fee

How to apply

You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information. 

 

Application dates

Applications open - 21 October of the preceding year

Applications close - 15 January of the commencing year

Offers - 31 January of the commencing year

Due to the limited number of places available in this course, applications may close earlier if the course is full.

We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.

Starting date

Semester 1 (February)

You can apply online via the application portal. When you are ready to apply, select the ‘Apply’ button on this course page. Visit the How to apply page for other important information. 

Application dates

Applications open - 21 October of the preceding year

Applications close - 15 January of the commencing year

Offers - 31 January of the commencing year

Due to the limited number of places available in this course, applications may close earlier if the course is full.

We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - check the scholarships website for details.

Starting date

Semester 1 (February)

What you'll study

The honours program includes lectures and seminars in addition to individual research project supervision meetings.

Honours subject areas can vary according to discipline and methodological approach. In Health Sciences, topics may focus on a particular area of healthcare practice or a topical health issue. Other projects may examine interventions or strategies that aim to improve health outcomes.

To get an idea of the previous honours projects in Health Sciences, please view our examples of health sciences honours projects.

Units of Study Table

Admission requirements

Domestic and international applicants

To qualify for admission to the Honours year a candidate must have:

  • qualified for the award of, or been awarded, the pass degree in Bachelor of Health Sciences, the University of Sydney; OR
  • qualified for an award or been awarded an equivalent degree from within the University of Sydney; OR
  • qualified for an award or been awarded an equivalent degree from another university; AND
  • * a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65.

Credit for previous study

For more information about the University’s credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.

Graduate opportunities

Our graduates can be found in a broad range of careers and roles including:

  • health promotion
  • policymaking
  • project and case management
  • consultancy
  • logistics and procurement
  • insurance
  • business development
  • marketing
  • public relations.
Future study options

An honours degree from the Faculty of Health Sciences can also help improve your weighted average mark (WAM) for entry into graduate programs, and a successful honours result can be a pathway to PhD study.

Start your journey at the University of Sydney

Domestic students

International students

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To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.