Overview

Enhance your research skills with an Honours degree

Our Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) course is designed to extend the research capabilities you’ve gained in your undergraduate degree, and prepare you for a variety of high-level careers in areas such as law, public policy, business management, PR, fundraising, media, journalism or academia. During this one-year course, you will study specific topics, including epistemology and ontology, and gain an insight into a variety of research approaches.

Across your study period you will have access to professional mentors who will assist you in the preparation of your professional thesis. You will explore valuable universal skills, such as critical thinking, critical reading, listening and reviewing, which will be applicable to your chosen future industry, and will be encouraged to tailor the course content to your own specific areas of interest. Upon graduation, you will be well-placed to continue down an academic career path via further masters or PhD study, or ready to enter a range of different sectors where a strong background in research is highly sought after.

Study a Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) at UC and you will:

• understand the nature of research and independent thinking and action
• comprehend the main theoretical ideas that underpin research in a range of social science, business, management and other contexts
• demonstrate the ability to use research methodologies in relation to specific questions
• learn about qualitative and quantitative research approaches
• understand and apply theoretical frameworks.

Work Integrated Learning

A key component of this course is to undertake a specialised real-world honours research thesis of your choosing, which will enhance your employability and ensure you’re armed with the right mix of skills and knowledge to succeed in your future employment, in whichever sector you decide to forge a career in.
You will learn valuable research skills aimed at helping you in your future career, including how to pitch a conference paper, how to submit proposals to publishers, how to apply for scholarships and research funding, and how to conduct surveys and research in a real-world environment. For those interested in pursuing an academic career, there are opportunities to gain teaching experience by engaging in tutoring or guest lecture delivery.

Career opportunities

Opportunities exist for Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) graduates in a range of sectors, including:

• Sessional academic
• Public servant
• Policy officer
• Public affairs consultant
• Political researcher
• Intelligence officer
• National security adviser
• Foreign policy adviser
• Surveillance officer
• Consular officer
• Political adviser
• Diplomatic service officer
• Political journalist
• Program director
• International development worker
• Campaign manager
• Company director
• Business adviser

Course-specific information

Students are required to have completed an undergraduate degree in an area relevant to their proposed program of study, have evidence of having performed in subjects relevant to the proposed study at a Distinction level or above, and provide a research proposal with their application.