School of Medicine Honours application guide

Studying Honours with Deakin's School of Medicine

Deakin’s Bachelor of Health and Medical Science (Honours) builds on the skills and knowledge gained through completion of a three-year undergraduate degree.

The course gives students the opportunity to pursue an independent investigative research project in health and medicine, together with relevant coursework. It enables students to expand their depth of knowledge in their chosen research area and provides a suitable qualification for entry into a Higher Degree by Research program, such as a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), as well as a wide variety of other career options.

The School of Medicine program is a Type A Honours Degree, leading to the award of a Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences (Honours). The program comprises coursework units and a research thesis, and is undertaken over one year full-time. Each student is allocated a primary research supervisor and, in many circumstances, a co-supervisor.

Make sure you apply on time

Applications for the 2026 intake close on 22 October 2026.

Successful candidates will be advised of their offer during mid-November to mid-December 2026.

How to apply

Follow these steps to apply for the School of Medicine Honours course.

1. Review the available research projects

Review the list of research projects the School of Medicine is offering for the following intake. Each project indicates whether it is offered for the Graduate Certificate of Health and Medical Research, Bachelor of Health and Medical Science (Honours), Master of Philosophy and/or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

2. Contact the project supervisor

For any Honours project you are interested in, you must personally contact the named supervisor to discuss the proposed project. The supervisor’s contact details are provided with the project description. This is an important part of the process and helps you understand whether the project aligns with your interests, experience and future goals.

This discussion will help you gauge whether the research project aligns with your career goals. It also enables the supervisor to establish whether you have the appropriate aptitude and academic background to undertake and complete the research project.

When contacting a supervisor, email them directly and offer to meet in person or via Zoom. You may wish to include your CV or resume and your academic transcript, as supervisors are often interested in your third-year marks. Supervisors are generally looking for motivated students with a genuine interest in research and in the specific project area.

3. Select and preference four research projects

As most projects are chosen by more than one student, you must select four research projects. List your most preferred project first.

4. Complete the project preference form

Complete the online project preference form. This form is a mandatory part of your application for this course and must be submitted before the application closing date.

5. Submit your application directly to Deakin University

All prospective students must also apply directly to Deakin University. Applications close on 22 October 2026.

Project allocation

Students will be allocated a project based on a combination of student preferences, supervisors’ student preferences and a mid-credit (>65%) average for Level 3 and Level 4 Deakin units, or in final-year units of undergraduate study.

Please note: While the School aims to make offers to all eligible students who submit preferences, a project cannot be guaranteed. Projects reflect the expertise and research currently undertaken by prospective supervisors at Deakin and our affiliate institutes. You can improve your chances by speaking with prospective supervisors before submitting your preferences and selecting a range of projects.

Find a project

Explore the available School of Medicine research projects and identify the options that best align with your interests, experience and future study or career goals. Before submitting your application, you will need to review the project list and select four preferred projects.

Browse projects

Why study Honours?

Honours gives you the opportunity to experience medical research as part of a team while developing specialised technical and analytical skills. You will also build transferable skills in communication, presentation, writing, time management, project management, critical thinking and adaptability.

These skills can help prepare you for further research study, including a Master of Philosophy or PhD, as well as a wide range of future training and employment opportunities.

What to expect from an honours degree

Honours is a full-time course that runs from late January to mid-October. You will complete one semester of coursework and research skills development, followed by one semester focused on your research project.

The expected time commitment is approximately 40 hours per week. From early June, after your final semester 1 assignment, you will work full time on your research project before writing up your thesis for submission in early October.

Can I study Honours part time?

No. Due to the nature of the course, Honours is only offered full time.

Can I start mid-year?

No. There is no mid-year intake for this Honours course.

Is Honours a pathway to postgraduate Medicine?

Honours is not a prerequisite for Medicine, but it can help you develop research skills and may provide an opportunity to increase your WAM or GPA. It does not lower the entry requirements for Medicine.

Want to know more?

Watch the School of Medicine Honours information session for the 2026 intake to learn more about the course structure, application process, project preferences and what to expect before applying.

Watch the recording