Need assistance?

Domestic Students

International Students

Admission to Candidature

1. Admission to candidature shall be determined by the Head of School concerned.

2. Except as provided in Rule 3, a candidate for admission to the final honours course shall have:
(a) satisfied all requirements for admission to the degree of Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science or all requirements of the Bachelor of Arts in the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws degrees in The University of New England; and
(b) passed units to the value of at least 60 credit points in the subject in which the candidate wishes to proceed, except that with the approval of the relevant head of school, up to 12 credit points in another subject may be substituted as prescribed in the Additional Requirements which follow these rules; and
(c) attained at least Distinction standard in 18 credit points at 300 level in the subject in which the candidate wishes to proceed; and
(d) in the case of study in more than one subject, passed units to the value of at least 60 credit points in one of the subjects and at least 48 credit points in the other subject(s). The exception in Rule 2.(b) shall apply to the subjects under this rule; and
(e) fulfilled any additional requirements prescribed and published by the school or disciplines concerned.

3. Candidates admitted under Rule 2.(a) shall have completed all requirements for admission to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws before being awarded the Bachelor of Arts with Honours.

4. With the approval of the Head of School concerned a person who has fulfilled the requirements for a degree or other qualification of equivalent standing of a university or other institution recognised by the school for this purpose, and who meets requirements considered by the school to be equivalent to those specified in Rule 2.(b), (c) and (d), may be admitted to the final honours course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honours.

Preliminary Course

Candidates must complete a course of study sufficient to enable them to meet the normal requirements for entry to the course, as well as any additional requirements for the relevant subject. The program for the preliminary course shall be determined by the Head of School concerned. The General Rules shall apply to the preliminary program.

Advanced Standing

Advanced standing towards the Bachelor of Arts with Honours course work unit may be granted on the basis of successful completion of MA course work units that are deemed by the relevant head of school to be equivalent to the integrated components of the relevant Honours course work unit.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) one year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to four years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

1. To qualify for the degree a candidate shall complete a final honours course and pass the examination in one of the subjects listed in this rule, except that the school may approve a course of study including one or more of the subjects listed:

2. A candidate for the program shall complete an advanced course work unit comprised of several integrated components to the value of 24 credit points in the relevant subject, and a dissertation component with a value of 24 credit points in the relevant subject.

3. Each Bachelor of Arts (Honours) candidate is required to spend periods in ‘face-to-face’ consultation with his or her supervisor(s). The nature and extent of such consultation will be determined by the supervisors and Head of School after consultation with the candidate prior to commencement of each year of candidature.

4. A candidate may not enrol concurrently for other units at this University or at another institution, except that, upon the recommendation of the appropriate head of school, the course coordinator may grant permission to do so.

Suspensions and Extensions to Candidature

The school concerned may grant an extension or suspension of candidature, or a combination of both, to full-time candidates for up to six months or to part-time candidates for up to 12 months as follows:
(a) to compensate by way of extension of candidature, a candidate for time lost by ill-health or unforeseeable and unavoidable difficulties; or
(b) to compensate by way of suspension of candidature, a candidate who produces evidence that he/she shall not be in a position to pursue work towards the Bachelor of Arts (Honours).

Re-enrolment

1. A full-time candidate may be granted special leave by the school concerned to re-enrol in a subsequent year if he or she withdraws from candidature by 31 August, or by 31 January for candidates commencing in Second Semester.

2. A part-time candidate may withdraw from candidature up to 31 August (or 31 January for candidates commencing in Second Semester) in the first year of enrolment without prejudice to the right to re-enrol in a succeeding year.

3. A part-time candidate who withdraws later than 31 August (or 31 January for candidates commencing in Second Semester) in the first year of enrolment but prior to two months before the submission of the dissertation as required by the relevant head of school may re-enrol in the same subject for the degree, provided that:
(a) two years will have elapsed before such re-enrolment;
(b) the topic of study undertaken within the dissertation is different from that of the original enrolment.

4. A candidate who withdraws later than two months prior to the date on which the dissertation is required shall be deemed to have failed.

5. Unless a candidate shows good cause why such action should not be taken, the relevant Head of School may withdraw a candidate on the ground of his or her having failed to meet the requirements of the course and deem him or her to have failed in it.

6. A candidate who is deemed to have failed may, after a lapse of three years, be permitted to apply for re-admission to the course, provided the proposed work is in a different topic of study within the dissertation from that of the original enrolment.

Classes of Honours

There shall be three classes of honours, namely Class I, Class II, and Class III. Class II shall have two divisions. There shall be no re-examination.
An exceptionally distinguished candidate who has been awarded First Class Honours may be awarded a University Medal.

An honours graduate who subsequently satisfies the Honours requirements of another subject shall be granted a Certificate of Honours in that subject.

Examination of Dissertation

1. The dissertation will be assessed by at least two examiners.
2. The examiners may be internal or external to The University of New England at the discretion of the Head of School.
3. The final class of honours will be determined on the basis of marks awarded for both dissertation and course work.
4. A dissertation will not be examined by a candidate's supervisor, but the supervisor should be consulted in the determination of the final result.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Appeals.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct.

Additional Requirements for Entry to the Course

Ancient History
At the discretion of the Head of the School of Humanities, up to 12 credit points in Greek, Latin, European Cultures, Classical Studies, Archaeology, History, Economic History or other relevant subjects may be substituted for credit points in Ancient History. In addition, the candidate shall have a reading knowledge of Greek and/or Latin to the satisfaction of the Head of the School of Humanities.

Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology
Eighteen credit points in any other subject, deemed by the Head of the School of Humanities to be relevant to the candidate's proposed honours work may be substituted for 18 of the 60 credit points in Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology. Candidates for honours in Archaeology should normally have passed ARPA343 and ARPA356 at a standard of Credit or better, and should also have passed STAT100 or GEAR330 (Research Methods before 2008) or an equivalent unit in statistics. Intending candidates are also required to show written evidence of having done at least four weeks relevant fieldwork. For honours in Palaeoanthropology, the 60 credit points will normally include ARPA 102, 326 and 336. In addition candidates must have passed STAT100 or an equivalent unit in statistics. The closing date for application to the school for entry to honours in Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology for a full-time on-campus candidate is 31 January of the year in which enrolment is sought but candidates are required to contact the School in October to be advised of work to be prepared during the summer.

Asian Studies
A candidate for Honours in Asian Studies shall have passed 60 credit points from those units listed in Group II or from a single subject in Group I (Asian Languages) of Rule 4.2 for the degree of Bachelor of Asian Studies (see 2005 course rules as the course is no longer offered), or equivalent units approved by the coordinator of Asian Studies. Intending candidates should apply to the coordinator of Asian Studies.

Chinese
CIJ units may be counted towards the 60 credit points required for Chinese, but OSLS units may not be counted. With the approval of the Head of the School of Arts, up to 18 credit points in a subject relevant to the chosen area of study may be substituted for units in Chinese.

Classics
A candidate for Honours in Classics shall have passed 60 credit points in Latin, Greek or Classical Languages and secured a Credit level pass or better in CLLA301 or equivalent.

Communication Studies
Up to 12 credit points in a subject deemed by the Head of the School of Arts to be relevant to the candidate's proposed Honours work may be substituted for an equal number of credit points in Media and Communications.

English
Up to 12 credit points in a subject deemed by the Head of the School of Arts to be relevant to the candidate's proposed Honours work may be substituted for an equal number of credit points in English.

European and Asian Cultures
A candidate for Honours in European and Asian Cultures shall have passed at least 60 credit points from units in subjects/majors for the degree of the Bachelor of Arts approved by the Head of the School of Arts in consultation with other heads of schools as required, including at least 24 credit points in European and Asian Cultures (EACL) units. A Distinction must be obtained in 18 of these credit points; a Credit or better in the remaining six credit points, and in at least 24 others. The 60 credit points must include at least 24 credit points at 300 level.

French
A candidate for Honours in French shall pass at least 60 credit points in French excluding OSLS units. In addition to the standard rules candidates must secure a Credit or better in 48 of these credit points which must include 24 credit points at 300 level in French. With the permission of the Head of the School of Arts, 12 credit points in a related subject may be substituted for the credit points required in French

Gender Studies
Up to 12 credit points in a subject deemed by the Head of the School of Humanities to be relevant to the candidate's proposed Honours work may be substituted for an equal number of credit points in Gender Studies.

Geography
Except with special permission of the Head of the School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences, a candidate for Honours in Geography shall have included GEPL338 Research Methods or equivalent in his or her pass degree pattern of units.

German
A candidate for Honours in German shall have passed at least 60 credit points in German, excluding OSLS units. With the approval of the Head of the School of Arts, 12 credit points in a subject relevant to the chosen area of study may be substituted for units in German.

Greek
A candidate for Honours in Greek shall have passed a minimum of 60 credit points in Greek or the Greek strand of Classical Languages and secured a Credit level pass or better in GRK320 or CLLA301 (Greek Strand). (Note that joint Honours in Greek/Ancient History and Latin/Ancient History are also available.)

History
Except with special permission of the Head of the School of Humanities, a candidate for Honours in History shall have passed 60 credit points in History or Ancient History, of which at least 48 must be at 300 level. At the discretion of the head of school, up to 18 credit points in any other subject deemed by the head of school to be relevant to the candidate's proposed honours work, may be substituted for units in History.

Indonesian
CIJ units may be counted towards the 60 credit points required for Indonesian, but OSLS units may not be counted. With the approval of the Head of the School of Arts up to 18 credit points in a subject relevant to the chosen area of study may be substituted for units in Indonesian.

Italian
A candidate for Honours in Italian shall pass at least 60 credit points in Italian excluding OSLS units. In addition to the standard rules candidates must secure a Credit or better in 48 of these credit points which must include 24 credit points at 300 level in Italian. With the permission of the Head of the School of Arts, 12 credit points in a related subject may be substituted for the credit points required in Italian.

Japanese
CIJ units may be counted towards the 60 credit points required for Japanese, but OSLS units may not be counted. With the approval of the Head of the School of Arts, up to 18 credit points in a subject relevant to the chosen area of study may be substituted for units in Japanese.

Latin
A candidate for Honours in Latin shall have passed a minimum of 60 credit points in Latin or the Latin strand of Classical Languages and secured a Credit level pass or better in LATN320 or CLLA301 (Latin strand). (Note that joint Honours in Greek/Ancient History and Latin/Ancient History are also available.)

Linguistics
Linguistics candidates must normally have completed at least two of the following units at Distinction level or better: LING305 (Meaning in Language), LING365 (Phonetics and Phonology) and LING369 (Morphology and Syntax). The following units offered in previous years LING312 (Phonology and Pronunciation), LING313 (Language Description), LING360 (Analysing Syntax) and LING368 (Formal Phonology) also satisfy this requirement. With the permission of the Head of the School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Sciences up to 12 credit points of Linguistics may be substituted by units in another relevant discipline.

Music
Except with the permission of the Head of the School of Arts, an applicant for admission to candidature shall have:
(a) passed 36 credit points in their principal area of Music and 24 credit points at 300 level in Music or another subject relevant to their proposed area of study and attained at least Distinction standard in one or more 300 level units in the principal areas of Music which he or she intends to pursue at honours level;
(b) a reading knowledge of any language(s) relevant to the proposed topic for study;
(c) fulfilled any additional requirements prescribed by the Head of the School of Arts and approved by the faculty.

Political and International Studies
Except with special permission of the Head of the School of Humanities, a candidate for PAIS401H shall have completed the required 60 credit points from the units listed in the Political and International Studies major in the Bachelor of Arts.

Psychology
A candidate for Psychology honours in the Bachelor of Arts with Honours degree must have successfully completed:
(a) PSYC202 at Credit grade or better; at least 18 additional credit points of PSYC units at 200 level, of which 12 credit points must be at Credit grade or better; and
(b) PSYC302 plus at least 18 additional credit points of PSYC units at 300 level. Of these 24 credit points, at least 18 credit points must be at Distinction grade or better, and 6 credit points must be at Credit grade or better.

Note that satisfaction of these requirements does not guarantee a place in the program. The School of Behavioural, Cognitive and Social Science imposes a quota on Psychology Honours enrolments. The closing date for all applications to enter honours in Psychology is 30 September in the year prior to that in which enrolment is sought.

Sociology
Except with special permission of the Sociology postgraduate coordinator, a candidate for Honours in Sociology shall have obtained 60 credit points in Sociology of which up to 12 credit points can be substituted by units in another related area; have three Distinctions or better in 300 level Sociology units; and have passed SOCY340 (Social Theory) and either SOCY333 (Qualitative Research Methods) or SOCY341 (Survey Methods).

Studies in Religion
A candidate for Honours in Studies in Religion shall have passed 60 credit points in Studies in Religion and passed at least 36 credit points in Studies in Religion at 300 level, averaging at least a Credit.

Theatre Studies
A candidate for Theatre Studies Honours must have successfully completed either ECT303 (Research in Writing) or ENGL304 (Critical and Creative Writing Through Literature). Up to 12 credit points in a subject deemed by the Head of the School of Arts to be relevant to the candidate's proposed Honours work may be submitted for an equal number of credit points in Theatre Studies.

Writing
Up to 12 credit points in a subject deemed by the Head of the School of Arts to be relevant to the candidate's proposed Honours work may be substituted for an equal number of credit points in Writing.

For candidates studying Full-Time = 48 cps per year or 24 cps per semester. This equates to a workload of approximately 40-48 hours per week.
For candidates studying Part-Time = 24 cps per year or 12 cps per semester. This equates to a workload of approximately 20-24 hours per week.