Begin your research journey in social science.
This program gives you the opportunity to research an area you’re passionate about. You’ll build your research skills with the support of a Faculty of Arts, Business and Law academic with relevant research interests and expertise in your chosen area of study.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
This program gives you the opportunity to research an area you’re passionate about. You’ll build your research skills with the support of a Faculty of Arts, Business and Law academic with relevant research interests and expertise in your chosen area of study.
Learn to critically review relevant published literature and undertake useful and meaningful research. You are empowered to design and conduct a thesis study to contribute to social science research. Join our research student community and attend the Faculty’s fortnightly research seminar, thesis seminars and discussion groups with other research students.
You develop your presentation skills and deliver at least two lectures on your research progress. At the end of your honours program, continue your research with further postgraduate study or a higher research degree.
Specialisations
Counselling; development studies; geography; human services; Indigenous studies, politics and international relations; social work; sociology; sustainability.
Admission 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 of 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 in the intended field of research.
Career opportunities
Depending on the research area selected, academia, government / corporate positions in applied sociology, community and welfare services, policy development, public administration.
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 Research Methods in Arts and Social Science
- 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.
Classes of honours
The degree is awarded in one of the three classes:
- Class I
- Class IIA
- Class IIB
- Class III
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 IIA, regardless of the average mark.
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
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 96
Program requirements and notes
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.