University of Sydney (USYD) Courses

Admission to the Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Honours) requires:

1. completion of a bachelor's degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification from another tertiary institution in time to commence honours in the semester for which entry is sought;
2. completion of two majors or study deemed by the supervising faculty to be of comparable depth, of which at least one major is cognate to the honours area for which entry is sought;
3. a final Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65.00*; and
4. demonstrated evidence of contact with the relevant School, such as email correspondence with a prospective research supervisor a School Honours Coordinator, School Honours EOI form signed-off by School Honours Coordinator, or digital receipt of School Honours application form.

*Please note that, in some faculties, schools and disciplines, the minimum WAM requirement is higher than 65.00, particularly where entry is very competitive.

NOTE: if you have not completed two majors in your degree or only completed or are on track to complete one major, you will be required to apply for honours through the following appended honours degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
• Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)
• Bachelor of Science (Honours)
• Bachelor of Design Computing (Honours)
   

If you have any questions above the information listed above or want to know more about you eligibility based on your qualifications, please contact the relevant Honours Coordinators, who can be found at the locations linked below:

• Sydney Business School honours information
• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences honours information can be found on relevant department pages
• Faculty of Science honours information

Please note: Willingness of a member of academic staff to act as your research supervisor does not guarantee entry. All other standard admission requirements must be met.

To apply for a PhD, you need to demonstrate sufficient prior research experience and capability. In most cases, you will have either:

• a bachelor's degree with first or upper second class honours or
• a master's degree performed at a high academic standard, and which includes a substantial component of research
• an equivalent qualification that demonstrates research experience, excellence and capability.

These are the minimum requirements for eligibility but they do not guarantee admission. That remains at the discretion of the Associate Dean (Research Education) for the faculty.

Please refer to the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 for full policy details.

Transfer from University of Sydney Master of Philosophy

Outstanding candidates who successfully complete one year full-time or equivalent part-time of the University of Sydney Master of Philosophy degree may apply for transfer into the Doctor of Philosophy and be granted credit for work already completed pending:

• approval from the supervisor and school
• meeting all higher degree by research progression requirements
• providing evidence that their research is of a sufficient scope and depth to sustain a doctoral thesis.

For more information about the University's credit policy, please see the Credit for Previous Studies page.

To be eligible for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences), you must have completed the equivalent of one of the following in a subject area related to your proposed research area:

• bachelor's degree with first class or second class honours or, master's degree by research; or
• master's degree by coursework with an independent research component such as a thesis, dissertation or research project with a minimum overall pass average of 75% or above or demonstrated appropriate experience and alternative qualifications in the field of study.

Applicants who do not meet these admission requirements may be issued an offer to consider a place in the Master of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences), or Master of Fine Arts (Research), or Master of Philosophy (Education), or Master of Philosophy (Social Work).

Transfer from University of Sydney Master of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences), (Education), or (Social Work)

Outstanding candidates who successfully complete up to one year full-time or equivalent part-time of the University of Sydney Master of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences), or Master of Fine Arts (SCA) or Master of Philosophy (Education), or Master of Philosophy (Social Work) may apply for transfer into the Doctor of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences) and be granted credit for work already completed: with approval from the supervisor and school meeting all higher degree by research progression requirements completing 25 000 words of a thesis to the satisfaction of the department; providing evidence that their research is of a sufficient scope and depth to sustain a doctoral thesis. See the progression and completion requirements of Master of Philosophy (Arts and Social Sciences), (Education), or (Social Work) respectively.

These constitute the minimum requirements for eligibility and do not guarantee admission. This remains at the discretion of the relevant supervisors and departments. The University must certify that there are sufficient supervisory and other resources and facilities available to enable your candidature to be completed successfully.

To qualify for admission to the Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) you must:

1. have qualified for or be a graduate with a Bachelor of Medical Science from the University of Sydney;
2. have completed a relevant major (i.e., a minimum of 24 credit points of 3000-level units of study) relating to the intended Honours discipline;
3. have achieved a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 65.00 or have a credit average (65.00) in 48 credit points of relevant* 2000-level and 3000-level units of study; and
4. satisfy any additional criteria set by the relevant Head of School or Discipline.

The University's Coursework Rule requires Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours) students to complete their Honours program within 10 years of the commencement of their original qualifying Bachelor of Medical Science degree. As such, if your original Bachelor of Medical Science degree was commenced more than 10 years ago or close to 10 years ago, you may be ineligible for admission.

Applicants whose original Bachelor of Medical Science degree was commenced more than 10 years ago or close to 10 years ago are strongly recommended to seek advice from the Admissions Office prior to submitting an application for Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours). The Admissions Office will consult and confer with the relevant contacts in the Faculty of Science and the relevant School as appropriate.

Please note that, in some Schools and Disciplines, the minimum WAM requirement is higher than 65.00, particularly where entry is very competitive. For example, a minimum WAM of 75.00 is generally required for entry into Honours in Psychology.

*Relevant units of study must be nominated by the School or Discipline and must be accompanied by strong written support from the School or Discipline.

Willingness of a member of academic staff to act as your supervisor does not guarantee entry into Honours. However, admission into Honours is subject to an appropriate supervisor and project being available.

Students who are not admitted to the Science Honours program may alternatively consider the Graduate Diploma in Science. The Graduate Diploma in Science is offered as either a one-year full-time or a two-year part-time course with similar content, structure and assessment as the Science Honours year. The Graduate Diploma in Science is a full fee-paying postgraduate coursework program.

Applicants are required to complete a research proposal (500 to 1000 words) addressing criteria specified by the faculty. Applicants must also have been in full-time employment in social work for a minimum of one year, and have one of the following qualifications:

(i) a four-year Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent with 1st or 2nd class Honours; or

(ii) a Bachelor of Social Work (without 1st or 2nd class Honours), either produce evidence to the satisfaction of the faculty of having completed equivalent work or complete a period of probationary candidature; or

(iii) a Master of Social Work with merit.