Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2026 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Arts (Honours) |
| Deakin course code | A400 |
| Course Credit Points | 8 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | |
| Course Information | For students who commenced from 1994 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Online |
| Duration | 1 year full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2026 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| CRICOS code | 001816G Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8 |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Course Learning Outcomes
- Course rules
- Discipline sequences
- Course structure
- Fees and charges
Course overview
If you value independent thinking and are looking for a pathway to research degrees and enhanced career opportunities, the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) could be ideal for you. In this optional year of specialised study, you will conduct in-depth research on a topic you are passionate about and develop advanced research skills and disciplinary knowledge through coursework.
Our experienced academics will supervise you as you work on your thesis and engage with the wider discourse around your chosen topic. You will improve your critical and constructive thinking and gain practical research skills you can use in a range of private and public sectors to positively impact issues you care about.
Want to conduct your own research to make a real impact in the social sciences, humanities or literary studies?
This course is a wonderful way to interrogate the world. Enjoy the intellectual stimulation and personal fulfilment that comes with deep learning about a subject that is vitally important to you, while appreciating the supportive environment Deakin has to offer.
After graduation, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) high-achieving students are eligible to extend their research experience through masters and doctoral research programs.
Career opportunities
As a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) graduate, depending on your discipline, your skills will be in demand in a range of careers, including:
- business
- community services
- education
- government civil service
- international relations
- media
- museums and other historical or cultural institutions
- not-for-profit community or policy work
- private sector consulting
- public office
- public policy
- police
- research
- social work
- wiring, editing and publishing
For more information go to DeakinTALENT.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Course Learning Outcomes
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Synthesise complex theoretical knowledge with appropriate discipline-specific research methodologies to conceptualise, plan, and execute an original piece of research or work demonstrating high level, independent critical analysis and evaluative judgment. |
| Communication | Articulate complex research questions, designs, and outcomes through a variety of media, adapting communication strategies to effectively convey information to diverse audiences in professional and academic contexts. |
| Digital literacy | Apply evaluative judgement to a range of digital technologies in the production of ethically informed research and analysis, employing intellectual independence to the resolution of complex tasks. |
| Critical thinking | Critically evaluate and synthesise theoretical knowledge and methodologies and apply these to complex applications, including the generation of new knowledge and works. |
| Problem solving | Analyse and evaluate complex problems and solutions using appropriate theoretical frameworks and implement strategies to address these. |
| Self-management | Apply autonomy, responsibility and adaptability in learning and meeting deadlines, upholding integrity and accountability for personal actions. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate effectively, responsibly and ethically with a diverse range of people to set and meet relevant and agreed on outcomes. |
| Global citizenship | Apply self-reflexivity and critical analysis to personal cultural values, privileges, and biases while engaging with diverse perspectives, particularly Indigenous knowledges, in the development of research and creative works. |
Approved at Faculty Board November 2024
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) students must pass 8 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) to be completed in the first trimester of study
- 8 credit points of core units
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary.
Course requirements
- Half of the course requirements is met through coursework, which may include directed reading and/or enrolment in course work units, and
- Half is satisfied through a research project (thesis or dissertation) of 14000-16000 words
Notes
- Where creative works form a significant part of the assessment, they must be accompanied by an exegesis of at least 6000 words, depending on the discipline area
- There are no attendance requirements for online enrolled students, although regular consultation with an appointed thesis supervisor is required.
Discipline sequences
Refer to the details of each discipline for availability.
The School of Communication and Creative Arts (SCCA) offers the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in the following disciplines:
- Children's Literature
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Literature
- Professional and Creative Writing.
Notes:
(i) The School of Communication and Creative Arts (SCCA) offers the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong)* and online.
(ii) For disciplines in the communication and creative arts (Animation and Motion Capture, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Journalism, Media and Communication, Photography, Public Relations, Visual Arts and Visual Communication Design) please refer to A450 Bachelor of Communication and Creative Arts (Honours)
*Please note: Online study may be required depending on chosen discipline areas studied
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) offers the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in the following disciplines:
- Anthropology
- Criminology
- History
- International Relations
- Language
- Middle East Studies
- Philosophy
- Politics
- Sociology
Notes:
(i) Anthropology, Criminology, History, International Relations, Languages, Middle East Studies, Politics, Philosophy and Sociology are all offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and online.
(ii) Students enrolling in Trimester 2 will commence part-time but may convert to full-time study in the following year. Course completion may be 18 months to 2 years.
(iii) Students who have completed a sequence in Politics or Philosophy within the A336 Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (and associated degrees) are also able to apply for honours in those disciplines.
Course structure
Core units
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin |
Units
| AIX493 | Honours Research Design |
| AIX494 | Research Communication |
| AIX497 | Honours Theory and Debates in the Discipline |
| AIX499 | Honours, Reading in the Discipline |
| ALX420 | Honours Research Project A |
| ALX421 | Honours Research Project B |
| ALX422 | Honours Research Project C |
| ALX423 | Honours Research Project D |
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Contact information
Course Director
Dr Joanna Cruickshank
Email: joanna.cruickshank@deakin.edu.au
Tel: (03) 5227 2510
For SCCA discipline students requiring further information, please contact:
SCCA Honours Coordinator
Dr Alyson Miller
Tel: (03) 5247 9315
Email: alyson.miller@deakin.edu.au
For SHSS discipline students requiring further information, please contact:
Anthropology
A/Prof Tanya King
Tel: 03 5227 2149
Email: tanya.king@deakin.edu.au
Criminology
Dr Sally Kennedy
Tel: (03) 9246 8946
Email: s.kennedy@deakin.edu.au
History
Dr Jonathan Ritchie
Tel: (03) 5247 9116
Email: jonathan.ritchie@deakin.edu.au
International Relations, Middle East Studies, Politics and Policy
Dr Bianca Baggiarini
Tel: 03 9246 8180
Email: b.baggiarini@deakin.edu.au
Languages
Dr Ramon Lopez Castellano
Tel: (03) 9244 5115
Email: ramon.lopezcastellano@deakin.edu.au
Philosophy
Dr Cathy Legg
Tel: 03 9246 8856
Email: c.legg@deakin.edu.au
Sociology
Dr Kiran Pienaar
Tel: (03) 5227 2004
Email: kiran.pienaar@deakin.edu.au
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin.