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Honours information

The Honours program is an intense and exciting research program. It admits talented and recognised academics, who will go on to have an excellent chance of being accepted into a PhD program offered by the Faculty of Education.

Greater depth

Extend the depth of your education degree

Improved career outcomes

Enhance your education career pathways

Pathway to PhD

Develop a basis for gaining entry into the PhD program

Completing your Honours Degree

Honours students at the Faculty of Education will be regarded as budding researchers who will contribute significantly to the research culture at the Faculty. Through completion of the Honours degree, students will:

  •     Acquire an understanding of various research methods in the field of education
  •     Demonstrate content mastery in relation to a substantive issue or problem domain within the field of education
  •     Demonstrate a capacity to design, frame, conduct and report a small-scale inquiry in the field of education.

More Information

More information about the Honours program can also be found on the Bachelor of Education (Honours) course page. 

A supervisor will work with students in conceptualising and developing the Honours thesis in both courses as well as providing advice and guidance in other issues related to the Honours program. Students should maintain regular contact with their supervisor to ensure that work on the thesis component is completed at a consistent pace throughout the program.

Download the Faculty of Education Honours Handbook 2026.

Holly Wedd stands in a classroom at South Grafton High School with a group of five children gathered around a school table working through maths problem

Course structure of the Honours program

This program is a one-year add-on to your existing undergraduate education degree. To complete this program and receive the award of Honours you must successfully complete the units of study below, including the thesis units, which requires the development of an Honours thesis of 18,000 words.

Frequently asked questions

When choosing a supervisor, look for an academic whose research interests align with your proposed topic and with whom you can develop a productive working relationship. We encourage you to explore the Faculty of Education staff profiles and discuss your ideas with potential supervisors to determine whether they are available to supervise your project. Our People - Education

Only permanent academic staff members who meet Faculty requirements can supervise Honours students. Before contacting a potential supervisor, please check with the Honours Course Coordinator to confirm their eligibility. Staff listed as Principal Supervisors or Co-supervisors on the University supervisor database are eligible to supervise Education Honours students.

You may also have opportunities to join an existing research project within the Faculty of Education or one of its research groups. SEAE Research Centre, TeachLab Research Group or the Early Years Research Lab.

You do not need to start Honours with a fully developed research question. However, you should have a general area of interest that you would like to explore through your research. Your specific topic and research question will develop over time as you work with your supervisor and engage with the research literature.

A good starting point is to identify an educational issue, challenge, or area of practice that interests you. You may also wish to explore the Faculty of Education's research strengths and current projects through its research groups, including the Sustainability, Environment and the Arts in Education (SEAE) Research Centre, TeachLab, and the Early Years Research Lab. These groups can provide inspiration for potential research topics and opportunities for collaboration.

Your supervisor will help you refine your ideas into a focused and achievable Honours research project.

Learn more about our research groups: SEAE Research Centre, TeachLab Research Group or the Early Years Research Lab.

Initially you would discuss matters with your supervisor directly. If your supervisor cannot help you, seek advice from the Honours Coordinator.

More information

Dr Katie Hotko
Honours Coordinator, Associate Director of Higher Degree Research (PhD and Masters by Thesis)
T: +61 7 5589 3099
E: katie.hotko@scu.edu.au

Client Services (Postgraduate Education)
T: +61 2 6659 3777
E: chsharedservices@scu.edu.au

No. The Bachelor of Education (Honours) has a prescribed course structure, and all students are required to complete the two coursework units, EDUC6001 Literature Review in Education: Known Unknowns and EDUC6006 Research in Education: Through the Looking Glass, as well as the six Honours thesis units that make up the research component of the degree.

If you are considering changing your enrolment, withdrawing from a unit, or discontinuing Honours, it is important to seek advice as early as possible. Census dates and withdrawal deadlines for Honours students are the same as those for other university students, and financial and academic penalties may apply after these dates.

For enrolment advice, please contact Client Services or the Honours Course Coordinator.

Dr Katie Hotko
Honours Coordinator,

T: +61 7 5589 3099
E: katie.hotko@scu.edu.au

Client Services (Postgraduate Education)
T: +61 2 6659 3777
E: chsharedservices@scu.edu.au

Yes. Students who are considering discontinuing their Honours studies should discuss the matter with their supervisor and/or the Honours Course Coordinator before making a final decision. Early discussion can help you understand the available options and any implications for your enrolment.

If you fail a coursework unit, you will be required to repeat the unit or a suitable substitute.

If you fail the thesis component you will be deemed to have failed the entire program and will be ineligible to be awarded an Honours degree.

Extensions can only be approved by the Honours Course Coordinator. You must apply through the University's Special Consideration process at least four weeks before the thesis submission date. Extensions are granted only in exceptional circumstances and are typically for a short period of time.

Students intending to apply for PhD admission and scholarship rounds should be aware that thesis submission dates generally cannot be extended, as this may affect eligibility for scholarship application timelines.