Program summary

Highlights

• Opportunity to specialise by undertaking research in an area of interest
• A pathway to further research-based postgraduate studies
• Career opportunities can be found in academia, government or large corporations

Continue your business undergraduate studies at a higher level and specialise in an area of interest.

In this program you develop an independent style of learning, combined with advanced knowledge in a specific research area. This academic background can give you an advantage in the employment market. An honours program is the main pathway to further postgraduate study, particularly research-focused study. Your studies are supervised by a Faculty of Business academic who has relevant research interests and expertise in your field of study. There is a thesis component.

Specialisations

Accounting; financial planning; human resource management; information systems; international business; management; marketing; tourism, leisure and event management.

Career opportunities

Depending on the research area selected: academia, government/corporate positions in business management, human resource management, marketing management, market research, international business, computing, systems analysis.

Admission requirements

Students must have completed a Bachelor of Business, or a related degree from a recognised higher education institution, with at least eight courses in the area of study that will form 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. Importantly, enrolment is contingent upon the Faculty's capacity to provide appropriate supervision.

Program structure

The Bachelor of Business (Honours) structure is usually as follows:

• a 24-unit coursework component (consisting of two 12-unit courses), and
• a 72-unit thesis component

Coursework component

Coursework comprises:

• Research Methodology
• a reading course in the relevant area

Thesis component

A research project is conducted over the full year of enrolment, resulting in a thesis. The nature and topic of the thesis is determined by the student's interests, the interests of potential supervisors and the availability of appropriate supervision.

Students are required to complete a literature review and detailed methodology by the end of the first semester for full-time students, and the end of the second semester for part-time students.

The completed thesis is normally 10,000–17,000 words in length. The required length is determined by the precise nature of the research, in consultation with the supervisor and subject to the approval of the Dean.

Program requirements and notes

Faculty Honours Seminar Program

The University’s Honours Seminar Program helps build an honours research culture within USC, and provides opportunities for honours students from across the University to meet. Students are required to attend the Faculty’s fortnightly research seminar and thesis seminar with other research students, and will be required to present a minimum of two oral presentations on the progress of their studies.

Typically, the first oral presentation will occur after the formulation of the research project, while the second presentation will take place prior to formal preparation of the thesis.

Assessment and 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.

To be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Business (Honours), students are required to pass both the coursework and thesis components of the program. Satisfactory participation in the Faculty’s honours seminars, including completion of at least two oral presentations, is also required.

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.

Classes of Honours

The degree will be awarded in one of the three classes:

• Class 1
• Class 2 (awarded as Division 1 or Division 2)
• Class 3

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, you may not be awarded the honours degree at a higher level than Class 2 Division 1, regardless of the average mark.

Enquiries

Faculty of Business
Tel: +61 7 5430 1221
Email: businessinfo@usc.edu.au

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