- Program summary
- Program overview
- Career opportunities
- Special features
- Entry requirements
- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and articulation
- Program structure
- Program requirements and notes
- Classes of honours
- Enquiries
Program summary
Award abbreviation: BSocSc(Hons)
Duration: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Fee type 2010: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places, international fee-paying places
USC program code: AR402
CRICOS code: 058120B
Program overview
The Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) program enables you to continue your undergraduate studies at a higher level by specialising in any one of a range of social science areas. Honours disciplines include:
- Community Work
- Counselling
- Environmental and Planning Studies
- Human Services
- Politics and International Relations
- Social Work
- Sociology
Throughout the program, you will develop the ability to design and complete a research project relatively independently within a given time-frame. This style of independent learning can give you an advantage when seeking employment.
An honours degree is also the main pathway to further postgraduate study, particularly research-focused study.
Honours research supervision is offered by academic staff with experience in a wide range of research areas. The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has more information about current honours projects, and ideas for honours research topics.
Career opportunities
Some government departments and large corporations give preference in their undergraduate recruitment to honours graduates. In many cases, honours graduates may be appointed at a higher salary level.
Career opportunities can also be found in academia, as the honours program provides the necessary foundation for further postgraduate studies.
Special features
- opportunity to specialise in an area of vocational interest and to consolidate research skills
- provides a pathway to further research-based postgraduate study
- signals an ability to work independently
- demonstrates an ability to identify problems in design methods, to research and to write a significant report
- provides qualifications to work as a project leader
Entry requirements
Students must have completed a Bachelor of Social Science, 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.
A good 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 Faculty's capacity to provide appropriate supervision. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
Program structure
The Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) structure is usually as follows:
- a 48 unit coursework component (consisting of a combination of courses weighted from 12 to 24 units), and
- a 48 unit thesis component
Satisfactory participation in the Faculty Honours Seminar is also required.
If completing your honours program part-time over two years, the first year will normally comprise coursework and the second will be dedicated to your thesis.
Coursework component
Coursework comprises a mix of:
- ART411 Learning Choices
- reading courses based on a program of supervised reading
- existing courses in the chosen area of study, with additional prescribed reading and assessment
- dedicated honours courses, or
- relevant courses through other universities
Thesis component
The thesis component consists of a sustained scholarly project developed from the research proposal a student submits with their honours enrolment application.
The nature and topic of the thesis component is determined by the student's interests, the interests of potential supervisors and the availability of appropriate supervision.
The research proposal accompanying the honours enrolment application is normally two to three pages in length. It includes an outline of the research topic, its rationale, and an indication of the research methodology, and should refer to relevant literature in the topic area.
The completed thesis is normally 15,000–25,000 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 Dean.
Enrolment and fees
- In any semester, standard full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL **
- In any semester, standard part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL **
- The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date
- Commonwealth supported students pay student contributions
- Students who are not Commonwealth-supported pay full tuition fees
** EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL
Program requirements and notes
Faculty Honours Seminar Program
The University’s Honours Seminar Program helps build an honours research culture within USC, and provides opportunities for honours students from across the University to meet. At least one oral presentation at the Faculty’s honours seminars is a requirement of the Bachelor of Social Science (Honours).
Examination
All coursework is normally graded internally. A copy of your thesis will be sent to two independent examiners, one of whom is normally internal and the other of whom is external to the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Assessment requirements
To be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours), students are required to pass both the coursework and thesis components of the program. Satisfactory participation in the Faculty’s honours seminars, including completion of at least one oral presentation, is also required.
Classes of honours
The degree is awarded in one of the three classes:
- Class 1
- Class 2 (awarded as Division 1 or Division 2)
- Class 3
The class of honours awarded may not be more than one grade higher than the grade for the thesis. For example, if you receive a ‘Credit’ grade for your thesis, you may not be awarded the honours degree at a higher level than Class 2 Division 1, regardless of the average mark.
Enquiries
Program Leader
Dr Donna Weeks
Honours Coordinator
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Tel: +61 7 5459 4603
Email: dweeks@usc.edu.au