Bachelor of Science (Honours)

In response to COVID-19, the University of Sydney has reviewed the availability of courses to be delivered remotely for students commencing their studies in 2021 and 2022.

Students commencing some subject areas in this course in 2021 and 2022 are required to commence their studies in-person on campus. Remote study is not available for the following subject areas:

• Anatomy and Histology
• Applied Medical Sciences
• Cell and Developmental BiologyInfectious
• Diseases
• Chemistry
• Immunology
• Infection Diseases
• Pathology
• Pharmacology
• Physiology

Applicants will be eligible for admission for these subject areas only if they are able to demonstrate they are physically present in Australia on the date specified in the offer made to them by the University.

Please note: This course is available to students who commenced their science bachelor’s degree in 2017 or prior and continued their studies in their existing curriculum, and also to students who did not complete two majors in their single bachelor’s degree.

• Students who are currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree at the University of Sydney, see our advice on the Current Students website.
• Transferring and returning students, see our advice on the Faculty website.

About this course

The honours in science year is a widely recognised and highly regarded additional year of undergraduate study available to you after you complete your undergraduate course.

This course may be suitable for undergraduate students with one major.

It's a unique opportunity for you to explore your research potential and put the theory from your undergraduate studies into practice.

An honours year in science is not only well regarded in academia, but also in industry where laboratory experience and a command of scientific thought processes are highly sought after.

Honours can be undertaken in any area of science, and involves designing a research program in your chosen area of interest in consultation with one or more supervisors.

Your research program may include components in more than one area of science (eg. physiology and biology) and depending on the nature of your project you may also have to undertake some courses in experimental design or complete technical training to use a particular piece of equipment.

Visit here for a list of honours in science coordinators and contacts.

To qualify for admission to the Bachelor of Science (Honours), you must:

1. have qualified for or be a graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification from another tertiary institution;
2. have completed a relevant major (i.e. minimum of 24 credit points of 3000-level units of study) relating to the intended Honours discipline;
3. have achieved a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65.00 or have a credit average (65.00) in 48 credit points of relevant* 2000-level and 3000-level units of study; and
4. satisfy any additional criteria set by the relevant Head of School or Discipline.

NOTE: This degree requires completion of only a single major. If you have completed or are on track to complete a double major (the equivalent of a University of Sydney double major) you will be required to apply for the Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours).

The University's Coursework Rule requires Bachelor of Science (Honours) students to complete their Honours program within 10 years of the commencement of their original qualifying Bachelor of Science degree (or equivalent). As such, if your original Bachelor of Science degree (or equivalent) was commenced more than 10 years ago or close to 10 years ago, you may be ineligible for admission.

Applicants whose original Bachelor of Science degree (or equivalent) was commenced more than 10 years ago or close to 10 years ago are strongly recommended to seek advice from the Admissions Office prior to submitting an application for Bachelor of Science (Honours). The Admissions Office will consult and confer with the relevant contacts in the Faculty of Science and the relevant School as appropriate.

Please note that, in some Schools and Disciplines, the minimum WAM requirement is higher than 65.00, particularly where entry is very competitive. For example, a minimum WAM of 75.00 is generally required for entry into Honours in Psychology.

* Relevant units of study must be nominated by the School or Discipline and must be accompanied by strong written support from the School or Discipline.

Willingness of a member of academic staff to act as your supervisor does not guarantee entry into Honours. However, admission into Honours is subject to an appropriate supervisor and project being available.

Students who are not admitted to the Science Honours program may alternatively consider the Graduate Diploma in Science. The Graduate Diploma in Science is offered as either a one-year full-time or a two-year part-time course with similar content, structure and assessment as the Science Honours year. The Graduate Diploma in Science is a full fee-paying postgraduate coursework program.