Bachelor of Science (Honours)

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Tasmania is a one-year research degree for students who have already completed a bachelor degree in science. It's the fourth year you add after a three-year pass degree, and it's the traditional route into a research career in Australia. You'll spend most of the year on a single supervised research project, working closely with an academic supervisor in a discipline such as biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, mathematics or environmental science. Alongside the project, you'll complete coursework in research methods, scientific writing and ethics, and you'll present your findings in a thesis and a seminar. Assessment is based on the thesis, your seminar, and the research methods units.

How it's structured

This is a full-time, one-year course, usually split into two semesters. You'll enrol in a research project unit that runs across both semesters, plus a small number of coursework units in first semester. The project carries the bulk of the credit points. Your supervisor and a small advisory panel guide you through the year, and you'll submit your thesis at the end. Some students start mid-year, depending on supervisor availability. The exact unit list and credit point values are set by the university and can change, so check the official course page for the current structure.

What you'll actually do

You'll design a research question, review the literature, collect and analyse data, and write up your results in a thesis of around 10,000 to 15,000 words. You might be in a lab, in the field, or working with computer models, depending on your project. Honours is where you learn to work independently, manage a long project, and communicate science to a professional standard. You'll also get experience presenting your work to peers and academics, which is good preparation for further study or a research job.

Who it suits

This degree suits students who have finished a bachelor degree in science and want to try research before committing to a PhD, or who need an honours year for professional accreditation or to meet the entry requirements for a master's or doctorate. It also suits people already working in a science-related field who want to strengthen their research skills. Entry is competitive and usually requires a credit average or higher in your bachelor degree, plus a supervisor who agrees to take you on. If you're an international student, you'll need to meet the university's English requirements. The common standard for undergraduate and coursework postgraduate courses is IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, though some fields ask for 7.0–7.5. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself, so check both.

As an Australian qualification, this course sits at AQF level 8 (Bachelor Honours Degree). It's a recognised pathway to a PhD, and many graduates go on to doctoral study. The University of Tasmania has research strengths in areas like marine and Antarctic science, environmental science, and agricultural science, and honours projects often connect to those research groups. If you're an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia. Tuition fees are published on the CRICOS register under course code 030420J. Always confirm the latest details on the official university page.

Honours graduates move into research, technical and analytical roles across government, industry and universities. Typical jobs include:

• Research assistant or research officer in universities, CSIRO, or medical research institutes
• Laboratory technician or scientist in environmental, agricultural, or pharmaceutical organisations
• Data analyst or scientific officer in state and federal government agencies (e.g. EPA, DPIPWE, Bureau of Meteorology)
• Field scientist or ecologist with environmental consultancies or conservation groups
• Quality control or research and development scientist in food, wine, or biotechnology companies
• Science communicator or policy officer in government or non-profits
• PhD candidate (many honours graduates continue to doctoral study)

In Australia, honours is often the stepping stone to a PhD and to research careers. It's also valued by employers in industries like agriculture, aquaculture, mining, environmental management, and health sciences, where analytical and project skills matter.