Build your research skills in the business arena.
Research an area of business you are passionate about making a difference in, giving you the skills valued by employers and the confidence you need to launch into the business world.
Research an area of business you are passionate about making a difference in, giving you the skills valued by employers and the confidence you need to launch into the business world.
Under the supervision of experienced researchers, you will build your knowledge and understanding of a topic of interest to you.
This is an opportunity to join our rich and diverse student research community to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of issues facing organisations today.
At the end of your honours program, you could continue your research with further postgraduate study or a higher research degree.
In this program, you will:
- Develop and enhance your research skills
- Complete a thesis study that contributes to business knowledge
- Critically review literature to inform your own meaningful research
- Specialise in a business area of your interest
- Hone your communication skills
Specialisations
- Human resource management
- Information systems
- International business
- Management
- Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
- Tourism, leisure and event management
- Digital futures
Career opportunities
- Academic
- Government positions
- Corporate positions
- Consultancy
- 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.
- Potential applicants should have sustained a minimum GPA of 5.0 in their undergraduate degree.
- 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 University's capacity to provide appropriate supervision in the intended field of research.
Program structure
The Bachelor of Business (Honours) structure is usually as follows:
- a 48-unit coursework component (consisting of four 12-unit courses), and
- a 48-unit thesis component
Coursework component
Required courses (4) 48 units:
BUS512 Introduction to Research Concepts and Design
BUS513 The Literature Review
BUS514 Qualitative Research Methods
BUS515 Applied Quantitative Research Methods
Thesis component 48 units
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 12,000 to 20,000 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 Head, USC Business School.
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 96
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements and notes
To graduate from the Bachelor of Business (Honours) (96 units), a student is required to have completed:
- A 48 unit coursework component (4 x 12 unit courses), and;
- A 48 unit thesis component
Students are required to complete a literature review and detailed methodology by the end of the first semester for full-time students. Where part-time study has been approved in consultation with the Program Coordinator the literature review and detailed methodology is required to be completed by the end of the second semester.
Dissertation
This is a research thesis conducted over the full length of enrolment (e.g. full year of enrolment for full time students). Length is normally 15,000 to 18,000 words excluding references and appendices. 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 and Head of School, USC Business School.
Supervision and research
The Bachelor of Business (Honours) is supervised by a staff member with relevant research interests and expertise. Students are encouraged to attend the research seminars, 3-minute presentations, research conversation series, and research discussion groups with other research students online.
Oral presentations
Oral presentation is embedded in the supervision process. For example, the students will be asked by the supervisors to make an informal presentation of what they have done since their last meeting, whether they have any problem in the process of making a progress and so forth. This practice applies in their regular meetings with the supervisors online.