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Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

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Extend your undergraduate degree and attain a higher qualification. Honours  study offers you a greater understanding of your discipline and is the first step towards a higher degree (Masters or Doctorate) by research. You will develop your research skills, your capacity for informed, conceptual thinking, and learn to write at a more abstract and theoretical level.

Students are welcome to make an appointment with the course co-ordinator to structure a program of study.

Course Essentials

How to apply

We are currently accepting applications for this course. Applications close on 25 January 2013

Methods of applying:

  • You can apply direct to VU

Please note that part-time study may not be available at all campuses.

Already a VU student?

You can transfer into this course through our internal transfer process.

For more info contact the
College of Arts

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Careers

 

Honours graduates:

  • ·         have an advantage in employment over a graduate with an undergraduate degree
  • ·         meet the standard prerequisite for entry to a Master by Research or PhD, at Victoria University and universities across the world
  • ·         complete a research project, which may be published
  • ·         expand their career options with demonstrated research skills

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

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Course Objectives

The primary functions of this course are to:

  • To provide students with the research experience, advanced analytical skills and theoretical background necessary as a pathway to a higher degree by research (Masters or PhD)
  • To promote the development of creative, independent and innovative research.
  • To promote the highest understanding of ethical research and the ethics of the emerging field of e-research.
  • To facilitate the learning required to complete a year-long research thesis written under the guidance of a supervisor.
  • To facilitate and extend understanding of the most contemporary theories and debates in the humanities and social sciences with a particular focus on the global context.
  • To build on and extend the knowledge developed in the Bachelor of Arts or relevant undergraduate programs.
  • To provide the opportunity for students to specialize in a chosen area of study or discipline or to engage in interdisciplinary research.
  • To improve students success and entry into the graduate employment market as honours graduates with a recognized higher qualification.
  • To facilitate effective learning in on-line, face-to-face, seminar and group contexts

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Units and electives

To qualify for the degree with honours, students must complete 96 credit points in their honours year. This comprises of 48 credit points of coursework units and a thesis to the value of 48 credit points.

Each student's honours year program must be approved by the Honours Coordinator to ensure an appropriate balance of theoretical, methodological and disciplinary studies.

Honours units other than the thesis may be provided through class work or through directed studies. The following units are specific to the Honours year. They are offered subject to demand at Footscray Park and/or St Albans.

Year 1 Semester 1

Plus one of the following (after discussion with supervisor):

Year 1 Semester 2

Or, if part-time enrol in the following unit for two semesters:

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional 'elective' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

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Admission Information

  • Mature: Normally, to be considered for entry into the Honours year, students must have: completed a three-year undergraduate course with results at the level of Distinction or above (or equivalent grades) in at least the last two units of their two specialisations (or equivalent studies); and obtained results at the level of credit or above (or equivalent grades) in at least 60% of the total number of undergraduate units attempted. Students should contact the Honours Coordinator prior to application in order to discuss their research proposal and availability of supervision. To apply for the Honours year students must complete and submit a direct application form.
  • Other:

    In consultation with the honours coordinator.

Special admission requirements

In consultation with the honours coordinator.

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How to apply for this course

We are currently accepting applications for this course.

You can apply direct to VU. Applications close on 25 January 2013.

When you're ready to apply:

  1. Read the Advice to applicants (contains details about how to apply for your course, extra requirements, what happens when you submit your application and other important information).
  2. Complete the Higher education direct entry application form.
  3. As part of the application you may need to complete extra requirements such as:
    • submit supplementary forms
    • attend an interview, audition, information session or workshop
    • submit a folio
    • sit a test

Details about extra requirements are available from the College of Arts.

You need to complete all extra requirements by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered.

Transferring between VU courses

Want to transfer into this course from another VU course? Complete the Victoria University internal course application form and check whether you need to complete any extra requirements, listed above.

You can also contact us directly:

Get in touch

Contact us to discuss your course options:

Ring us on +61 3 9919 6100

Find answers and ask questions at GOTOVU

At Victoria University, we make every reasonable effort to make sure the information displayed online about our courses is accurate and complete. We continually look to provide innovative courses. Those courses are shaped by a number of things including your feedback and changes in Government funding arrangements. As a result there may be changes to the courses we deliver and fees charged. We will update the website regularly to reflect any changes.

Information about course fees, articulation and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations, and services available to students can be accessed on the University’s website or by contacting the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100.

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