Bachelor of Science (Honours)
A challenging and rewarding year of additional study.
Honours is a one-year program building on your undergraduate degree. It is a pathway to further studies in research higher degrees such as a PhD.
You will integrate what you learned in your undergraduate degree with advanced studies in a specialised field while working on an exciting piece of original research.
Course structure
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) is a 100-point program (equivalent to eight 12.5-point subjects) made up of advanced coursework and research project components. Each stream has a different mix of coursework and research.
The Bachelor of Science (Honours) program is taught through the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Melbourne School of Psychological Science, or the Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences depending on the research stream.
Course components
There are two components to the honours program:
1. Advanced coursework component
Advanced coursework will provide opportunities for you to learn more about a particular area of interest and expand on the theoretical basis of your research work.
You will develop expertise in the broad scientific field(s) where your research project is placed, including the methodology and the use of scientific literature in your specialist area of study.
2. Research project component
The research component gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and technical skills in a supervised research project. You will develop skills in experimental design, project implementation and the communication outcomes of a research project.
You will develop your technical and data acquisition skills, problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities for research. This will help you with your communication skills and the application of appropriate risk assessment and ethical approval processes.
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) you must:
- Have completed a three-year undergraduate degree with at least two years in science or technology areas of study
- Have completed at least 50 points at third year level in science or technology areas of study (or equivalent)
- Have achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65% in your undergraduate degree
- Meet the specific requirements for the discipline area or research project you apply for.
Selection is subject to linking you with the appropriate project and supervisor to maximise your experience. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of your application in accordance with the Admission and Selection into Course Policy.
How to apply
To apply for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) your application must be tailored to the discipline area or research project you are interested in. The application process can vary between disciplines.
Contact the relevant school or department for information relating to supervisors and project availability before submitting your application.
Current University of Melbourne students apply through:
Non-University of Melbourne students apply through:
Faculty of Science streams
Application deadlines
| Start year entry | Mid-year entry |
|---|---|
| 30 November | 31 May |
Late applications may be accepted if places are available. If accepted, start-year applications received after the deadline will receive an outcome prior to 31 January. Geography will not accept late applications.
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Biosciences
Availability:
- Start year and mid-year entry
- Part time study available: No
Application process:
- Applicants must arrange a supervisor and a research project: Search for suitable research topics in our Supervisor and Project Directory. Read more about finding a supervisor and project.
- Complete the BioSciences Supervisor and Research Allocation Form and submit with the online application
- Current students: Apply for the course via my.unimelb
- Non-University of Melbourne students: Apply for the course via Study
Further information:
Note: all applicants require a completed supervisor allocation form.
-
Chemistry
Availability:
- Start year and mid-year entry
- Part time study available: No
Application process:
- Applicants are required to nominate a supervisor and research project within their online application. Not all academic staff are available to supervise students.
- Chemistry Research Group leaders information
- Current students: Apply for the course via my.unimelb
- Non-University of Melbourne students: Apply for the course via Study
Further information:
-
Earth Sciences
Availability:
- Start year and mid-year entry
- Part time study available: No
Application process:
- Applicants are required to nominate a supervisor and research project within their online application.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate staff member prior to applying. - Earth Sciences Research project information.
- Current students: Apply for the course via my.unimelb
- Non-University of Melbourne students: Apply for the course via Study
Further information:
-
Ecosystem Science
Availability:
- Start year and mid-year entry
- Part time study available: No
Application process:
- Applicants are required to arrange a supervisor and a research project.
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Science Supervisor Directory
- Ecosystem Science Research Themes
- Complete the Honours Supervisor and Research Allocation Form and submit with the online application
- Current students: Apply for the course via my.unimelb
- Non-University of Melbourne students: Apply for the course via Study
Further information:
Note: all applicants require a completed supervisor allocation form
-
Geography
Availability:
- Start year entry only.
- Part time study available: No
- Only applications submitted prior to the deadline will be assessed.
Application process:
- Applicants are required to arrange a supervisor and a research project:
- School of Geography Research Themes
- School of Geography Research Projects
- Complete the Honours Supervisor and Research Allocation Form and submit with the online application
- Current students: Apply for the course via my.unimelb
- Non-University of Melbourne students: Apply for the course via Study
Further information:
Note: all applicants require a completed supervisor allocation form
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science streams
Application deadlines
2021 Application deadlines for start-year entry:
- First round applications close Saturday 31 October 2020
- Second round applications close Monday 25 January 2021
How to apply
Visit the How to apply website.
- Anatomy and Neuroscience
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- General Practice
- Medical Biology (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute)
- Medicine
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Optometry and Vision Sciences
- Oral Health Science
- Otolaryngology (Hearing Sciences)
- Paediatrics
- Pathology
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Physiology
- Population and Global Health
- Psychopharmacology (Psychiatry - Austin Health)
- Surgery (Austin Health)
Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences Stream
Application deadlines and how to apply
Psychology Honours applicants should visit Fourth Year Psychology on the Study Hub for a detailed application process. The process and key dates below do not apply to you.
-
Psychology
Availability:
- Start-year entry only
Applications and further information:
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Science Streams
Application deadlines
The application closing date for formal applications is the end of November each year.
Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
How to apply
Applicants are required to arrange a supervisor and a research project, and provide these details through the completion of an Expression of Interest Form (EOI). Once the EOI is complete, then a formal online application can be submitted.
Visit the How to apply website for further information.
-
Agricultural Science
Availability:
Start-year entry only
Part time study available: No
Application process:
- Applicants are required to arrange a supervisor and a research project.
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Research Areas and Staff.
- Complete the Expression of Interest Form and submit with your online application.
- Current students: Apply for the course via my.unimelb
- Non-University of Melbourne students: Apply for the course via Study
Further information:
-
Animal Science and Management
Availability:
Start year entry only
Part time study available: No
Application process:
- Applicants are required to arrange a supervisor and a research project.
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Research Areas and Staff.
- Complete the Expression of Interest Form and submit with your online application.
- Current students: Apply for the course via my.unimelb
- Non-University of Melbourne students: Apply for the course via Study
Further information:
-
Food Science
Availability:
Start year entry only
Part time study available: No
Application process:
- Applicants are required to arrange a supervisor and a research project.
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Research Areas and Staff.
- Complete the Expression of Interest Form and submit with your online application.
- Current students: Apply for the course via my.unimelb
- Non-University of Melbourne students: Apply for the course via Study
Further information:
-
Veterinary Bioscience
Availability:
Start year entry only
Part time study available: No
Application process:
- Applicants are required to arrange a supervisor and a research project.
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences Research Areas and Staff
- Complete the Expression of Interest Form and submit with your online application
- Current students: Apply for the course via my.unimelb
- Non-University of Melbourne students: Apply for the course via Study
Further information: