Honours: how to apply

Students learning in the Science facilities at the UNSW Kensington campus

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: 

  • 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: Term 2, 2024 applications are currently open until 31 March 2024.

    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. The application deadline is 15th November 2023

    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

  • 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: Term 2, 2024 applications are currently open until 15 April 2024.

    Biomedical Sciences applicants, see note *1

    Note 1: All Biomedical Sciences students must fill out the “SBMS Honours Application” 

    Note 2: Psychology Honours The application deadline is 15th November 2023

Honours Specialisations

  • Term Intake Period

    Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3

    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

  • Term Intake Period

    Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3

    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

  • Term Intake Period

    Term 1 and Term 3

    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

    You’re responsible for arranging a supervisor and project before applying for Honours.

    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
    Gary Truong
    Email: g.truong@unsw.edu.au

    Prospective students Contact
    Dr Laura Parker
    Email: l.parker@unsw.edu.au

     

    Enrolled students Contact
    Dr Mariana Mayer Pinto

    Email: m.mayerpinto@unsw.edu.au

  • Term Intake Period

    Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3

    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

  • Term Intake Period

    Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3

    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

    Associate Professor Chris Angstmann

    Email: c.angstmann@unsw.edu.au 
    Phone: (02) 9385 1354
    Room: RC-4076

     

    Applied 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

  • 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.

  • Term Intake Period

    Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3

    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

    Phone: 9065 5578 or 9065 0367

    Email: sbmshonours@unsw.edu.au

  • 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

     

  • Term Intake Period

    Term 1 and Term 3

    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

  • 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

  • Term Intake Period

    Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3

    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:

    Contacts 

    School Office Honours Coordinator

    Rooms 3003, Level 3  

    Rupert Myers Building (North Wing)  

    Phone: 9385 4639  

    Email: Ask a question

    Prof Mark Wilcox

    Email: m.willcox@unsw.edu.au

     

Term 2 2024

Please review Applications Steps - Category A and B for application deadlines 

Students applying to Psychology Honours please see below.

Term 2 2024

Psychology only

Applications will open soon.

Seek advice from the School of Psychology for more information. 

Honours FAQs

  • 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 
  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • 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.