Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Discover your passions through exploration. Simultaneously develop research skills as you design and conduct a thesis study to contribute to arts research, with the support of a supervisor with interest and expertise in your chosen area of study.
Specialisations include Creative Writing and Publishing, Criminology and Justice, English, Geography, History, International Studies, Japanese Studies, Journalism, Psychology, Screen Media, Sociology, Sustainability - Society, Theatre and Performance
In this program you will:
- Learn to critically review relevant published literature and undertake useful and meaningful research
- Develop presentation skills, attend thesis seminars and join discussion groups with fellow students
- At the end of your honours program, continue your research with further postgraduate study or a higher research degree
Location
CRICOS code
Duration
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.Indicative fees
Indicative 2025 fees (A$)
CSP Annual fee / Estimated total feeQTAC code
Start
- Semester 1
- Semester 1
- Start
-
- Semester 1
- Semester 1
- Delivery mode
-
- Blended Learning
- Total units
- 96
- Duration
- 1 year 1 year
- CRICOS code
- 026637D
- UniSC program code
- AR401
The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) structure is usually as follows:
- a 48 unit coursework component (consisting of a combination of courses weighted from 12 to 24 units), and
- a 48 unit thesis component.
Satisfactory participation in the School's honours seminars, including completion of at least one oral presentation, is also required.
If completing the honours program part-time over two years, the first year will normally comprise coursework and the second will be dedicated to your thesis.
Coursework component
Coursework comprises a mix of:
- compulsory coursework focusing on methods and methodology (ART411 Quantitative Research Methods Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review)
- reading courses based on a program of supervised reading
- existing courses in the chosen area of study, with additional prescribed reading and assessment
- dedicated Honours courses, or
- relevant courses through other universities
Thesis component
The nature of the thesis component is determined by the topic, the area of study and the supervisor in conjunction with the Head of School. The University's Honours Seminar Program helps build an honours research culture within UniSC and provides opportunities for honours students from across the University to meet. At least one oral presentation at the School's honours seminars is a requirements of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours).
Classes of honours
The degree is awarded in one of the three classes:
- Class I
- Class IIA
- Class IIB
- Class III
The class of honours awarded may not be more than one grade higher than the grade for the thesis. For example, if you receive a Credit grade for your thesis, they may not be awarded the honours degree at a higher level than Class IIA, regardless of the average mark.
Enrolment and fees
- In any semester, standard full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL **
- In any semester, standard part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL **
- The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date
- Commonwealth supported students pay student contributions
- Students who are not Commonwealth supported pay full tuition fees
** EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL
Note: Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Arts, or a related degree, from a recognised higher education institution, with at least eight courses in the area of study of their thesis topic. A high level of achievement in the intended area of study must be demonstrated. These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry.
Enrolment is contingent upon the School's capacity to provide appropriate supervision.
Entry requirements
For entry into most USC undergraduate degree programs, you need to have completed a minimum level of education similar to successful completion of Australian Year 12 with good grades.
Further studies, for example, a semester or more at college or university, can also be considered for entry and may give you credit transfer towards a degree.
Some examples of upper secondary qualifications and a guide to the minimum grades that USC will consider are listed here. These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Some programs may require higher grades. Alternative qualifications may also be considered on a case by case basis.
If your qualification (grouped by country) is not listed, send the qualification transcripts with your application form to the International Office for assessment.
English language requirements
You will also need to meet the English language requirements for this program. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may be able to enrol in our English Language Programs to reach the required level for most of UniSC’s programs (exceptions apply to non-standard English requirement programs).
- Recommended prior study
- English
Honours Seminar Program
The Honours Seminar Program helps to build an honours research culture within UniSC and provides opportunities for honours students from across the university to meet.
At least one oral presentation at the Honours Seminar is a requirement of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours).
Examination
All coursework is normally graded internally. A copy of your thesis will be sent to two independent examiners, one of whom is normally internal and the other of whom is external to the University of the Sunshine Coast
- CSP estimate
- A$15,136 - 2023 Fees
- Annual tuition fee (A$, 2025)
- A$26,800
- Estimated total tuition fee (A$, 2025)
- A$26,800