Honours level work may be undertaken either within the three-year pass program or as part of the four-year Honours program. The main purpose is to provide additional disciplinary training to that provided in the pass courses and an introduction to research training by an exposure to a range of research questions within the discipline.
Honours classes are generally smaller than pass groups and, being comprised of high achievers with an interest in Accounting research, provide an exciting and challenging study environment. While the pass program provides a context for study of present professional methods and standards and a perspective for exploring possible innovations, the honours program is able to provide graduates with additional skills. By means of maximum participation and interaction, students are encouraged to think clearly and critically about the objectives of accounting and financial management, and to become familiar with present methods of achieving those objectives and the actual operation of accounting information systems. The program also helps students to critically appreciate how and why accounting changes in the face of new competitive pressures, different government priorities and technological development.
As a consequence, students who choose (a) Honours streaming and (b) an Honours degree have a more developed critical sensibility and improved ability to obtain, categorise and evaluate information and its impact. In addition, an Honours degree is a requirement for anyone contemplating an academic career.
Honours classes commence during third year where extra seminar classes involve an average of one hour per week. Intending third-year Honours students enrol in special Honours courses (shown below) which include material covered in the normal pass courses and additional research material covered in the seminars. Students typically undertake research projects and sit for pass examination papers which have been modified to include question(s) on the Honours work. The composite mark covers both the pass and Honours material. Provided grades are satisfactory, third-year students can then advance to fourth-year Honours studies.

The following baseline requirements apply for admission to the Honours program. The applicant must:
• Be enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce degree (or combined degree) majoring in accounting.
• Have never failed a course
• Have completed a minimum of seven accounting courses
• Have demonstrated academic excellence in their second and third year accounting courses (or equivalent units of study).
Academic excellence will be determined by the Head of School but as a guideline, an average of at least 75% would usually be expected
The Head of School has authority to recommend admission if these requirements are not strictly met, but in doing so will consider the student’s ability to perform at an appropriate level in fourth year.

The administration of the Honours application is through the Business Student Centre. Upon completion of first or second year of a full-time program or the corresponding stages of a part-time program, students may make a written application to Business Student Centre.
Business Student Centre
e-mail: ugbusiness@unsw.edu.au
tel: + 61 2 9385 3189
location: Ground Floor, West Wing, Australian School of Business Building

Candidates intending to apply to the Honours programs are encouraged to discuss their eligibility and study program with Undergraduate Honours Coordinator for Accounting before applying:

Dr Habib Mahama
tel: + 61 2 9385 5843
e-mail: H.Mahama@unsw.edu.au
location: Quadrangle Building, Room 3072

Please refer to the Program Structure for the Academic requirements relating to this program.

Please note that these requirements may be subject to change. Students are advised to follow requirements according to the year they commenced. Current students are to refer to previous editions of the Online Handbook for program requirements.

Please contact the Business Student Centre for advice.

Business Student Centre
e-mail: ugbusiness@unsw.edu.au
tel: + 61 2 9385 3189
location: Ground Floor, West Wing, Australian School of Business Building