Program

Social Research & Policy(Hons) - 4507

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: soss@unsw.edu.au

Campus: Sydney

Career: Undergraduate

Typical Duration: 1 Years  

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 48

Domestic Entry Requirements: See Domestic Entry Requirements

International Entry Requirements: See International Entry Requirements

Award(s):

Bachelor of Social Research and Policy (Honours)

View program information for previous years

Program Description

The Bachelor of Social Research & Policy (Honours) is a 48 UOC (one year equivalent) advanced undergraduate degree for high achieving students which may be undertaken upon completion of an undergraduate pass degree in Social Research and Policy. The BSRP(Hons) can be completed full-time or part-time. A student undertaking this program will normally complete Honours within the policy specialisation (stream) of their Bachelor degree. The program enables students to expand and deepen their understanding of this discipline and develop highly sought after analytical, problem solving and research skills through undertaking a significant independent research thesis. The program may be a pathway into a PhD.

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes

Program Objectives
On successful completion of the Bachelor of Social Research & Policy (Honours) students will have the ability to:
  • apply a highly developed understanding of the theoretical concepts and body of knowledge in Social Research & Policy to address a research topic;
  • reflect critically on existing knowledge, ideas and practice within Social Research & Policy to address a research topic;
  • plan and execute an independent piece of research into an issue relevant to contemporary Social Research & Policy; and
  • communicate research ideas effectively in oral presentations and in writing.
Learning Outcomes
The Program-Level Learning Outcomes for the BSRP(Hons) are as follows:
  1. Demonstrate coherent and advanced knowledge of the underlying principles and concepts in one or more specialist social science field, and knowledge of research principles and methods
  2. Demonstrate cognitive skills that review, analyse, consolidate and synthesize knowledge
  3. Identify and formulate solutions to complex policy issues and social problems with intellectual independence
  4. Demonstrate an advanced ability to undertake social research through the collection and analysis of data concerning issues and problems in the social world
  5. Demonstrate an ability to adapt knowledge and skill in diverse contexts
  6. Demonstrate initiative and judgement in scholarship
  7. Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for own learning and practice and in collaboration with others, including an understanding of ethical, social and professional responsibility
  8. Demonstrate communication skills to present a clear and coherent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences and contribute to policy debates within communities and organisations
  9. Construct a research project that demonstrates technical skill in research methods and research design
  10. Construct a research project that demonstrates critical thinking and judgement in developing new understanding in the social sciences, effectively linking theory and practice.

Program Structure

The Honours stream in Social Research and Policy requires the completion of 48 UOC (the equivalent of one year full-time study or two years part-time study). Combined Honours may be undertaken with another major stream.

The Honours stream involves seminars and the completion of a research project or thesis. It consists of 18 UOC of coursework and 30 UOC of thesis/project. The thesis/research project should not exceed 20,000 words in length.

Coursework (18 UOC)
Honours thesis/project (30 UOC)
Students complete a total of 30 UOC in thesis chosen from a combination of the following:

Sample Program

Full-time Honours (1 year)


Semester 1
Semester 2
Part-time Honours (2 years)

Year 1 Semester 1
Year 1 Semester 2
Year 2 Semester 1
Year 2 Semester 2

Honours Mark and Classes of Honours

The Honours mark for the awarding of the class of Honours is based on all components of the program. It will be determined from the student's weighted average mark for all of the courses (coursework and thesis/research project).

Honours will be awarded in the following classes, based on the student's WAM rounded to the nearest whole number:
  • Class 1: WAM of 85 and above
  • Class 2 Division 1: WAM of 75 to 84
  • Class 2 Division 2: WAM of 65 to 74
  • Class 3: WAM of 50 to 64

University Medal

An honours student in this program may be nominated for a University Medal in line with the University Medal Policy (http://www.gs.unsw.edu.au/policy/documents/medalspolicy.pdf) and Procedures (http://www.gs.unsw.edu.au/policy/documents/medalsprocedure.pdf).

Entry Requirements

Students must have completed the UNSW Bachelor of Social Research & Policy or other recognised Level 7 qualification with a major in a stream offered in the program. Students in a dual degree must have completed 144 uoc including all requirements for the Social Research & Policy component. Entry to Honours requires a WAM of 70 or higher (or equivalent) in the stream(s) seeking to be further studied. It is subject to resources and the approval of the Head of School in which the stream(s) is/are based.

The conferral of the honours degree for dual degree students is subject to students completing all requirements of the dual degree. Students who subsequently withdraw from their dual degree after the completion of honours will only be conferred the honours degree if they have met all requirements for the single degree.

How to Apply

Students intending to apply to the Honours program must first discuss their eligibility and study program with the Honours Convenor in the relevant school prior to submitting an application.

All applications are to be submitted to UNSW Apply Online.

Academic Rules

To qualify for the award of the degree a student must:
  1. complete all requirements for the Honours program (48 UOC)
  2. complete the coursework requirement for their area of study (18 UOC)
  3. complete a research project or thesis (30 UOC)

Fees

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  UNSW Fee Website.

Important Information

The Academic Rules for the BSRP(Hons) and the online enrolment facility provide students with a wide range of course choices. The online enrolment facility checks that students meet the enrolment requirements for individual courses but not that a course complies with Program Rules. Students are responsible for ensuring they are enrolling in accordance with the Academic Rules outlined above. Students should not assume that because they have enrolled in a course online that the course is automatically credited to their degree program.

Further Information

Contact the UNSW Arts and Social Sciences Student Centre for advice.
Tel: + 61 2 9385 2289
Email: arts@unsw.edu.au
Location: Room G1 Ground Floor, Morven Brown building (C20)
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Frequently asked questions

Glossary of Terms


Area(s) of Specialisation