Arts Honours Course Structure
- How is the Honours course structured?
- Candidature
- Is it possible to do some Honours study overseas?
- Can Honours units be taken at another university?
How is the Honours Course Structured?
Students must complete 48 points to qualify for honours in one of the Faculty's honours degrees.
Honours studies may be taken as:
- single Honours (a single discipline over one year of full-time study)
- double Honours (two disciplines over two years of full-time study), or
- combined Honours (two disciplines over one year of full-time study).
It is possible, with the permission of the Faculty, to undertake Honours studies on a part-time basis.
When planning your Honours program please keep in mind the work balance of each semester. A normal semester load is 24 points (full-time). You should discuss the structure of your course with the Honours Coordinator in the relevant School(s) or discipline(s).
Candidature
Full-time Candidature
- Students studying full-time are expected to complete the 48 points of the single or combined Honours course in one year.
- In the case of double Honours, the 48 points of each discipline is completed in two successive years.
- Full-time students commencing Honours are not permitted to undertake Honours over three semesters.
Students carrying large responsibilities in the form of work or family, or other burdens beyond their control, may apply to enrol as part-time candidates. Students undertaking more than sixteen hours of paid employment per week are strongly advised to enrol part-time.
Part-time Candidature
- Students enrolled on a part-time basis are expected to complete their single or combined Honours course in two consecutive years.
- In the case of double Honours the time allowed is four consecutive years.
- The studies required should be divided more or less equally between the years of candidature, with the thesis being undertaken in the second year, and normally completed within two consecutive semesters.
- Students in a combined degree program may be permitted to enrol part-time in Honours concurrently with studies in the other course. However, this requires an Application to the Faculty Honours Committee and must be accompanied by written support from the Honours Coordinator of your School.
Combined Honours Candidature
- Combined Honours may be undertaken provided that all Honours requirements have been met in both disciplines. Application to undertake combined Honours must be made with the support of the Honours Coordinators of both disciplines. The overall distribution of points within a combined Honours degree should as far as possible be equally divided between disciplines. The thesis component of a combined Honours program should be divided as the two disciplines see fit.
- The thesis component may be taken solely in one discipline, be equally supervised, examined and weighted in terms of points between both discipline, or any balance of these.
- Coursework should be equally divided between disciplines where possible.
Is it possible to do some Honours study overseas?
Monash has exchange/study abroad agreements with over 110 institutions around the world.
Most students go on exchange to:
- gain an international experience
- sample a new and different education system
- learn about other peoples, languages and cultures
- deepen their knowledge and understanding of political and economic issues
- gain a better perspective on world affairs and a broader understanding of their country and way of life
- gain an employment advantage.
As an Honours student you can seek approval to undertake up to 24 points of your coursework units overseas at a recognised host intuition in your first semester of enrolment. Note it is expected that upon completion of your overseas unit (s) you will return to Monash to complete your research with your allocated supervisor. In special circumstances, you can apply to undertake a combination of coursework and research overseas, however, strict guidelines apply concerning supervision and progress (refer to your School/Discipline Coordinator for details). Approval must be sought from the Arts Honours Committee prior to departure if you wish to pursue this option.
It is recommended that exchange/study abroad students take the following steps:
- Refer to the Monash Overseas Study Program for the list of host institutions that have exchange or study abroad agreements with Monash.
- Attend a Monash Abroad information session (refer to the abovementioned website).
- Discuss your course and unit content with your School/Discipline Coordinator.
- Read the Arts Information for Students Planning to Study Overseas Guide (available from Faculty Office) for advice on guidelines and procedures.
- Lodge your Monash Abroad or Arts Overseas Study Application form (refer to process in the abovementioned guide) together with your Honours Application form at the Faculty Office.
Note: There are a lot of steps in the application and approval process so you need research and discuss your overseas placement at least six months prior to your enrolment into the Honours program.
If you require advice concerning your application for overseas study please make an appointment with:
Cassie Goffin
External Studies Officer
Telephone: 9902 0296
Email: Cassie.Goffin@arts.monash.edu.au
Can Honours units be taken at another university?
Details of unit(s), normally of no more than 12 points value, to be negotiated with your School Honours Coordinator and approval sought from the Arts Honours Committee. A complementary study application form must also be submitted.