Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

If you value independent thinking and are looking for a pathway to research degrees, this optional year of specialised study is for you.

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Key facts

Duration

1 year full-time

Locations

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

If you value independent thinking and are looking for a pathway to research degrees and enhanced career opportunities, the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) could be ideal for you. In this optional year of specialised study, you will conduct in-depth research on a topic you are passionate about and develop advanced research skills and disciplinary knowledge through coursework.

Our experienced academics will supervise you as you work on your thesis and engage with the wider discourse around your chosen topic. You will improve your critical and constructive thinking and gain practical research skills you can use in a range of private and public sectors to positively impact issues you care about.

Want to conduct your own research to make a real impact in the social sciences, humanities or literary studies?

This course is a wonderful way to interrogate the world. Enjoy the intellectual stimulation and personal fulfilment that comes with deep learning about a subject that is vitally important to you, while appreciating the supportive environment Deakin has to offer.

After graduation, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) high-achieving students are eligible to extend their research experience through masters and doctoral research programs.

Award granted: Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Year: 2025 course information
Deakin code: A400
CRICOS code?: 001816G Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Level: Undergraduate
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition: The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Course structure

To complete the Bachelor of Arts (Honours), you must pass 8 credit points. This includes:

DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
8 credit points from a discipline sequence from the list below.

Most units are equal to one credit point.

As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.

All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.

Notes: There are no attendance requirements for online enrolled students, although regular consultation with an appointed thesis supervisor is required.

Half of the course requirements is met through coursework, which may include directed reading and/or enrolment in course work units, and
Half is satisfied through a research project (thesis or dissertation) of 14000-16000 words.

Course work credit points

Research project credit points

Total credit points

Disciplines

Refer to the details of each discipline for availability.

The School of Communication and Creative Arts (SCCA) offers the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in the following disciplines:

Children's Literature, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Literary Studies, and Professional and Creative Writing.

Notes:

(i) The School of Communication and Creative Arts (SCCA) offers the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at Burwood (Melbourne) to all students, to Waurn Ponds (Geelong) students and online students subject to agreement with the Honours Co-ordinator.

(ii) For disciplines in the creative arts (Animation and Motion Capture, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Media and Communication, Photography, Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design) please refer to A450 Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours)

(iii) For disciplines in communication (Journalism, Public Relations, Media and Communication) please refer to A451 Bachelor of Communication (Honours)

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) offers the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in the following disciplines:

Anthropology, Criminology, History, Sociology, International Relations, Politics, Philosophy, Language.

Notes:

(i) Anthropology, Criminology, History, International Relations, Languages, Politics, Philosophy and Sociology are all offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and online.

Course notes:

(i) Honours students who commenced prior to 2015 to contact the Faculty Honours Student Advisor in the Student Services Office for enrolment advice.

(ii) Students enrolling in Trimester 2 will commence part-time but may convert to full-time study in the following year. Course completion may be 18 months to 2 years.

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

Trimester 1 - March

Start date: March
Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online

Trimester 2 - July

Start date: July
Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Online

Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Entry requirements

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

Academic requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree or higher or major in a related discipline with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) (or equivalent average grade indicator) of at least 65 in third year units, or where relevant, final year units

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 20 in any other English
IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Non-academic requirements

Applicants are also advised to read further information and complete requirements outlined in the Information and Application form. These requirements may include work experience, reasons for undertaking the course, previous academic information and your research proposal.

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Online studies

Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.

However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.

Fees and scholarships

Fee information

Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

$34,600 for 1 yr full-time AUD
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.

The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

Learn more about international student fees.

Scholarship options

A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships

Apply now

Apply directly to Deakin

Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.

We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.

Apply through StudyLink Connect

Need more information on how to apply?

For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, visit the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.

Pathways

Further study options

Graduates may wish to apply for further study in Higher Degrees by Research.

Careers

Career outcomes

As a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) graduate, depending on your discipline, your skills will be in demand in a range of careers, including:

business
community services
education
government civil service
international relations
media
museums and other historical or cultural institutions
not-for-profit community or policy work
private sector consulting
public office
public policy
police
research
social work
wiring, editing and publishing

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Acquire coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in a Humanities or Social Science discipline including Creative and Professional Writing, Children’s Literature, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Anthropology, Criminology, History, Languages, International Relations, Literary Studies, Middle East Studies, Politics, Philosophy or Sociology. Acquire advanced knowledge of research principles and methods. Apply this knowledge with initiative and judgement in planning and executing a piece of research and scholarship.
Communication	Demonstrate advanced oral, written and electronic communication skills in the clear and coherent communication of research questions, design and outcomes to diverse audiences and in the production of scholarly papers.
Digital literacy	Acquire advanced technical skills in the use of a range of digital technologies to research, analyse, synthesise and disseminate information and resources in a rapidly-changing global environment.
Critical thinking	Employ intellectual independence and advanced theoretical knowledge and cognitive skills to critically analyse, evaluate and apply appropriate theories and methodologies in finding solutions to complex problems.
Problem solving	Apply advanced theoretical knowledge and cognitive and technical skills to review, analyse, identify and apply solutions to complex problems in the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Self-management	Demonstrate autonomy, responsibility, well-developed judgement and adaptability in learning and professional contexts and accountability for personal actions and in undertaking research and in the communication of research outcomes.
Teamwork	Work and learn collaboratively with colleagues, other professionals and members of the wider community.
Global citizenship	Demonstrate an advanced understanding and awareness of ethical issues, cultural diversity, and social responsibility when engaging in scholarship and professional roles in the local, national or international community.