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.
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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 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
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 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
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.auProspective students Contact
Dr Laura Parker
Email: l.parker@unsw.edu.auEnrolled 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
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
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-4076Applied 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
Dr Amandine Schaeffer
Email: a.schaeffer@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
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: 9385 8195
Email: SOMShonours@unsw.edu.au
Dr Trevor Lewis
Phone: 9065 9730
Email: t.lewis@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’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 your application.
Please refer to the Neuroscience Projects and Neuroscience Honours Supervisors for a listing of available projects and supervisors.
Contacts
School Office Honours Coordinators John Redmond
Email:
Phone: 02 9065 6070
Dr Jennie Cederholm & Dr Teri Furlong
Email: neurhonoursadmin@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 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 Julian Berengut
Phone: 9385 7637
Email: julian.berengut@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
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
Prof Mark Wilcox
Email: m.willcox@unsw.edu.au
General enquiries
Term 1 2024
Intention to Undertake Honours in Science is now open.
The application deadline is 1st December 2023. Late applicants may be considered.
Students applying to Psychology Honours please see below.
Term 1 2024
Psychology only
For students applying for Psychology Honours, please complete the following Intention to Undertake Honours form.
The application deadline is 15th November 2023.
Application steps
Depending on your category, there are three or four steps involved in the application process:
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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: Term 1, 2024 applications are currently open until 1st December 2023.
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”
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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: Step 3: Term 1, 2024 applications are currently open until 1st December 2023.
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 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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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.