Honours: how to apply
Eligibility
Each area has its own special application and entry requirements. It's imperative that you understand the special terms before applying. Failure to follow the requirements of your nominated honours area may result in your application being declined.
Note: if you wish to apply for more than one honours area in UNSW Science, you must complete separate applications for each nominated area.
Application steps
Depending on your category, there are three or four steps involved in the application process. Please note you must apply for the term you intend to commence Honours e.g. if you wish to start in Term 1 2025, you need to apply during the application period:
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Internal UNSW applicants in three-year undergraduate programs; all external applicants *1.
Step 1: Attend honours information events for the schools/areas you are interested in applying for (if applicable). Decide which honours area you would like to apply for.
Step 2: Continue to consult with the school that offers honours in your chosen area. Some schools allocate students to honours projects, other schools require students to arrange their own projects.
Step 3: Applications for the relevant term are open according to the On-time applications for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Coursework degrees dates. Note: International applicants and Domestic applicants will have different close dates.
Step 4: Submit a formal application for the program 4500 Science (Honours) or 4518 Psychological Science (Honours) by the deadline via “Apply Online”. Remember to choose “undergraduate” on Apply Online *2.
Note 1: External Psychology applicants don’t need to fill out the intention to undertake honours form. Only fill out the 4518 Psychological Science Honours application. Please view UNSW School of Psychology for more information.
Note 2: You will be asked to upload a copy of the “Intention to Undertake Honours” form with your Apply Online application.
Note 3: All Biomedical Sciences students must also fill out the “SBMS Honours Application”
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Internal UNSW students in "embedded" programs (honours is a compulsory part of the program).
Step 1: Attend honours information events for the schools/areas you are interested in applying for (if applicable). Decide which honours area you would like to apply for.
Step 2: Continue to consult with the school that offers honours in your chosen area. Some schools allocate students to honours projects, other schools require students to arrange their own projects.
Step 3: Please refer to the due dates on this website.
Biomedical Sciences applicants, see note *1
Note 1: All Biomedical Sciences students must fill out the “SBMS Honours Application”
Note 2: For Psychology Honours, please refer to the due dates and instructions here - Honours | School of Psychology - UNSW Sydney.
Honours Specialisations
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Term Intake Period
Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3
Deadline: Applications for Term 1 2025: 15 January 2025
Prior study requirement
3-year full-time bachelor degree specialising in Aviation.
WAM requirement
Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM).
Project/supervisor allocation
The student is responsible for arranging a supervisor and project before applying for Honours. However, the Honours Coordinator can help to facilitate discussions with a potential supervisor and you’re encouraged to contact them.
Contacts
School Office Honours Coordinator Room 210, Level 2 Old Main Building
Phone: 9385 5756
Email: Ask a question
Dr Mirjam Wiedemann
Phone: + 61 2 9348 1689
Email: m.wiedemann@unsw.edu.au
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Term Intake Period
Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3
Deadline: Applications for Term 1 2025: 15 January 2025
Prior study requirement
3-year full-time bachelor degree specialising in biotechnology, bioinformatics, genetics, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, or medical science fields.
WAM requirement
Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM) for overall degree and a minimum credit (65) WAM for stage three (final year) science subjects.
Project/supervisor allocation
The school allocates a supervisor and project to the student. You’re required to nominate a minimum of five supervisors in order of preference. Nominated supervisors must be academic staff in the School of BABS or approved external supervisors.
It’s expected that you introduce yourself and discuss projects with potential supervisors before nominating them on your application.
You’re strongly advised to consult the document ‘Honours Information Booklet’ for the list of supervisors and their honours research projects.
Contacts
Honours Coordinator Associate Professor Brendan Burns
Phone: 9385 3659
Email: brendan.burns@unsw.edu.au
Honours Admin Coordinator Julna Zhao
Phone: 9385 8915
Email: j.zhao@unsw.edu.au
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Term Intake Period
Term 1 and Term 3
Deadline: Applications for Term 1 2025: 15 January 2025
Prior study requirement
3-year full-time bachelor degree in any discipline.
WAM requirement
WAM requirement: Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM) for overall degree.
Project/supervisor allocation
List up to three potential supervisors and rank in order of preference on the application form.
You’re advised to consult the BEES Honours website for the list of supervisors and their honours research projects.
Contacts
School Office Honours Coordinator General Enquiry
Faye MoEmail: faye.mo@unsw.edu.au
Prospective students Contact
Dr David HutchinsonEmail: david.hutchinson@unsw.edu.au
Enrolled students Contact
Dr Mariana Mayer PintoEmail: m.mayerpinto@unsw.edu.au
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Term Intake Period
Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3
Deadline: Applications for Term 1 2025: 15 January 2025
Prior study requirement
3-year full-time bachelor degree specialising in chemistry, medicinal chemistry or nanoscience.
WAM requirement
Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM).
Project/supervisor allocation
The school allocates a supervisor and project to you. You’re required to nominate a minimum of three supervisors in order of preference.
It’s expected that you introduce yourself and discuss projects with potential supervisors before nominating them on their application. You’re strongly advised to consult the latest Honours Project Booklet found on the Chemistry website, via the 'Learn more' link below.
Contacts
School Office Honours Coordinator Ms Anne Ayres
Room 105, Dalton Building (F12)
Phone: 9385 4666
Email: a.ayres@unsw.edu.au
Dr Neeraj Sharma
Dalton 129
Phone: 9385 4714
Email: neeraj.sharma@unsw.edu.au
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Term Intake Period
Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3
Deadline: Applications for Term 1 2025: 15 January 2025
Prior study requirement
3-year full-time bachelor degree specialising in mathematics or statistics OR at least 30 units of credit in Level III Mathematics. For Quantitative Data Science stream, students must have 30UOC appropriate Level III mathematics, statistics, business, or computing courses, including at least 18UOC of mathematics or statistics.
WAM requirement
Minimum 70 weighted average mark (WAM) in stage three (final year) mathematics courses and a minimum 70 WAM in core stage three (final year) mathematics courses for the specialisation in which they will undertake Honours.
Project/supervisor allocation
You’re responsible for arranging a supervisor and project before applying for Honours.
Honours projects and course selection are divided into five streams and you need to consult with the appropriate stream coordinator before applying.
Contacts
Student Services Office Honours Coordinators Teaching Support Officer
Julie Hebblewhite
Email: j.hebblewhite@unsw.edu
Honours Director
Dr Amandine Schaeffer
Email: a.schaeffer@unsw.edu.au
Phone: (02) 9385 1676
Room: RC-4102Applied Honours
Dr Amandine Schaeffer
Email: a.schaeffer@unsw.edu.au
Pure Mathematics
Dr Lee Zhao
Email: l.zhao@unsw.edu.au
Statistics
Dr Gery Geenens
Email: ggeenens@unsw.edu.au
Quantitative Data Science
Dr Gery Geenens
Email: ggeenens@unsw.edu.au
Physical Oceanography
A/Prof Shane Keating
Email: s.keating@unsw.edu.au
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Term Intake Period
Term 1 and Term 3
Prior study requirement
3-year full-time bachelor degree specialising in materials science or related discipline (the latter will be considered on a case-by-case basis).
WAM requirement
Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM) for overall degree and a minimum credit (65) WAM for all Level II and III courses in the Materials Science major.
Project/supervisor allocation
The school allocates a supervisor and project to you. This is done as a formal process for the school’s honours student cohort in July.
Students should declare their MATS major by the end of Term 1 in order to be identified as a Materials Science student. An email with the honours research project list and information for the following Term 3 and Term 1, will be sent to Materials Science students in July.
Based on the project options, you’ll be required to nominate a number of supervisors/projects in order of preference. It’s expected that you introduce yourself and discuss projects with potential supervisors before nominating them on their application.
Contacts
School Office Honours Coordinator Rooms 137, Level 1
Hilmer Building E10
Phone: 9385 7298
Email: Ask a question
Dr Tushar Kumeria
Phone: 9065 4342
Email: t.kumeria@unsw.edu.au
*Bachelor of Engineering in Materials Science & Engineering (3131) students have a separate honours year project application process and should not follow this process.
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Term Intake Period
Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3
Deadline: Domestic applicants please apply by 24 November 2024 as SBMS Honours sends offers shortly after the UNSW Release of Results on December 12th. Late applications may be considered.
Prior study requirement
3-year full-time bachelor degree specialising in anatomy, pathology, physiology, pharmacology or other relevant science specialisation.
WAM requirement
Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM) for overall degree and a minimum credit (65) WAM for stage three (final year) relevant science subjects.
Project/supervisor allocation
You’re responsible for arranging a supervisor and project before applying for Honours.
You’re advised to consult the School of Biomedical Sciences (SBMS) Honours website for the list of supervisors and their honours research projects.
You need to fill out and attach this form to their Intention to Undertake Honours form.
Contacts
School Office Honours Coordinator Email or call Honours Administrator for an appointment.
Phone: 9065 6070
Email: sbmshonours@unsw.edu.au
A/Prof Lu Liu and Dr Daina Sturnieks
Email: sbmshonours@unsw.edu.au
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Term Intake Period
Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3
Prior study requirement
3-year full-time bachelor degree specialising in neuroscience.
WAM requirement
Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM)
Project/supervisor allocation
You are required to nominate 1 supervisor who agrees to supervise your honours year. It is expected that you introduce yourself and discuss projects with a number of potential supervisors in order to find this 1 supervisor who is best suited to supervise your honours year.
Please refer to the Neuroscience Projects and Neuroscience Honours Supervisors for a listing of available projects and supervisors.
Contacts
School Office Honours Coordinators Email:
sbmsneurhonoursadmin@unsw.edu.au
Phone: 9065 5578
Dr Teri Furlong (Neurhonours Convenor)
Dr Jennie Cederholm (Neurhonours Co-Convenor)
Phone: 9065 6070
Email: sbmsneurhonoursadmin@unsw.edu.au
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Term Intake Period
Term 1 and Term 3
Deadline: Applications for Term 1 2025: 15 January 2025
Prior study requirement
3-year full-time bachelor degree specialising in physics. Students are expected to have completed the UNSW courses PHYS3111 Quantum Mechanics; PHYS3113 Thermal Physics and Statistical Mechanics; and PHYS3114 Electrodynamics (or equivalent).
WAM requirement
Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM)
Project/supervisor allocation
The school allocates a supervisor and project to you. You’re required to nominate three supervisors in order of preference.
It’s expected that you meet with and discuss possible projects with potential supervisors before nominating them on your application.
You’re strongly advised to consult Physics Research Projects.
Contacts
School Office Honours Coordinator Room G06 Old Main Building
Phone: 9385 5969
Email: Ask a question
Dr Michael Schmidt
Phone: +61-2-9065 3045
Email: m.schmidt@unsw.edu.au
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Term Intake Period
Term 1
Prior study requirement
Completion of an APAC-accredited undergraduate or bridging sequence in psychology – either a Bachelor degree with a psychology major of at least 78 UOC, or a Graduate Diploma in Psychology.
WAM requirement
Admission is competitive and depends on the availability of School resources and is subject to academic performance, based on your Psychology Average (Distinction minimum). A Psychology Average of 75 is the minimum eligibility requirement but does not guarantee a place.
Refer to the School of Psychology website or University Handbook for information about the Psychology Average.
Project/supervisor allocation
Please review the information available on the School of Psychology website.
Contacts
School Office Honours Coordinators Phone: 9385 3041
Email: Ask a question
Prof Thomas Whitford / Dr Nathan Holmes
Prospective students contact the School Office
Enrolled students email honours.psychology@unsw.edu.au
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Term Intake Period
Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3
Deadline: Applications for Term 1 2025: 15 January 2025
Prior study requirement
3-year full-time bachelor degree specialising in Vision Science.
WAM requirement
Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM)
Project/supervisor allocation
You will need to arrange a supervisor and project before applying for Honours. You can do this by:
- Contacting the Honours coordinator by email or arranging a meeting in person to discuss your interests and to help you find a supervisor.
- Reviewing the SOVS Honours website for a list of supervisors and Honours research projects
- Visiting the SOVS Research Groups page and directly contacting potential supervisors
Contacts
School Office Honours Coordinator Rooms 3003, Level 3
Rupert Myers Building (North Wing)
Phone: 9385 4639
Email: Ask a question
Dr Daisy Shu
Email: daisy.shu@unsw.edu.au
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Term Intake Period
Term 1
Prior study requirement
3-year full-time bachelor degree specialising in Exercise Physiology, Physiotherapy, Nutrition and Dietetics, Pharmacy – contact Honours coordinator if other specialisation.
WAM requirement
Minimum credit (65) weighted average mark (WAM) for overall degree.
Project/supervisor allocation
You’re responsible for arranging a supervisor and project before applying for Honours.
You’re advised to consult the School of Health Sciences (SoHS) Honours for the list of supervisors and their honours research projects. You need to fill out and attach (this form) and attach to your Intention to Undertake Honours form.
Contacts
School Office Honours Coordinator Email Honours Administrator for an appointment.
Email: shsadmin@unsw.edu.au and m.lindley@unsw.edu.au
Martin Lindley
Email: m.lindley@unsw.edu.au
General enquiries
Term 1 2025
Please review Applications Steps - Category A and B for application deadlines.
- Please check the closing date for applications website.
- International Honours applications for T1 2025: Any T1 2025 applicants who are interested in Honours program to apply via Apply Online for 2026 and indicate that they would like to commence in T1 2025. Deadline is 30 December 2024.
- Note: Please refer to the relevant School for their application deadlines.
Students applying to Psychology Honours please see below.
Psychology only
Applications are now closed for Term 1 2025 intake.
Seek advice from the School of Psychology for more information.
Honours FAQs
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When you graduate from an Honours degree, there are four possible classes:
- Honours Class 1: mark of 85 or greater
- Honours Class 2 Division 1: mark from 75 to 84
- Honours Class 2 Division 2: mark from 65 to 74
- Honours Class 3 or Pass: mark below 65
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For students in all schools except for Physics and Psychology, there are three intakes per year (Term 1, 2 and 3) for both 4500 Bachelor of Science (Honours) and embedded honours (that is, Advanced Science, Advanced Mathematics). Honours in the School of Psychology will only commence once per year in Term 1 and the School of Physics will only commence twice per year in Term 1 and Term 3.
4518 Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hons) and the final year of 3632 Bachelor of Psychology (Hons) will only commence in Term 1.
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Not all Science schools allow students the option of doing Honours part-time so you should check with the school you are intending to do Honours with.
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If you are a Category A student, in other words, applying for 4500 – Science (Honours), the School will assess your application and the Admissions team will advise of the outcome. Please keep an eye on your emails during this time.
If you are a Category B student with Honours embedded into your program, the School will send you the outcome of your application. Staff at the Nucleus: Student Hub will add your Honours plan on your behalf so you can enrol into Honours courses. Please note that adding the Honours plan can only be done after you are accepted into Honours
If you are a Category B student with Honours embedded into your program, and are not eligible to commence Honours, you will receive an email to advise you of next steps. For instance, if you are missing program requirements we will advise you of the course(s) required to complete. If you do not meet the required WAM or have not met other requirements as set out by the School, further advice will be given to you.
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This will depend on your program and area of study. For instance, as a 3053 – Biotechnology (Honours) student, you must apply for BABS Honours.
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Yes, you will be considered a Category B student and will need to submit the Intention to Undertake Honours Form. This is because your eligibility to commence Honours is checked based on your progression, WAM and other requirements as set by the School. Additionally, a supervisor needs to be allocated to you depending on your project.
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You'll be able to enrol into your Honours courses after you have received an offer for your Honours year. When you receive your offer, you'll be advised on what courses to enrol into for each Term.