Bachelor of Science with Honours

Build on your Bachelor of Science degree with one year of advanced study and research in your area of scientific interest.

Extend your knowledge in a specialised field

Complete an intensive one-year programme to gain advanced scientific knowledge and skills. Develop your skills in research, critical thinking, data analysis, scientific communication, and design and implementation.

For most subjects, you'll study courses and complete a research project. The research project gives you practical training in research methods and experience in the process of creating scientific knowledge.

Honours study will also set you up with the skills you need to go on to complete further postgraduate study.

Build your qualification

You can complete Honours-level study in one of the available subjects if your undergraduate study meets the subject requirements.

Get the postgraduate handbook

Fill in the form to find out more about your study options in our Wellington Faculty of Science and Engineering Postgraduate Handbook.

Download the handbook

Who can study for a BScHons

If you want to carry out self-directed scientific study after a Bachelor of Science and have a B+ average in your subject area at 300 level, then a BSc(Hons) is a good choice for you.

If you don't have the required background for entry into Honours, you could do a Graduate Diploma in Science instead.

Flexible options

You can take an interdisciplinary approach to your studies and substitute some optional courses with some from other programmes—such as combining Marine Biology with Chemistry, or Geophysics with Geology.

Workload

If you are studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40–45 hours a week for much of the year. Part-time students doing two courses per trimester will need to do around 20–23 hours of work a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working.

You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of [points] you'll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10–12 hours work.

Future careers

Honours study gives you the benefit of further course study and research skills. It supports you to get quick entry into a research career trajectory. It can also give you access to a more senior range of jobs, such as management roles. The roles you can work in depend on the area you focus your study.

Become a science teacher

If you are interested in teaching science, study for a postgraduate qualification in secondary teaching when you finish your undergraduate degree.

Aotearoa New Zealand has a shortage of secondary teachers in most subjects, but particularly Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, and Te Reo Māori.

Find out more about studying to be a teacher through our School of Education. Teach NZ offers scholarships if you enrol in an approved undergraduate or graduate teaching course.

Scholarships

You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.

We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.

• Postgraduate and doctoral scholarships
• Search scholarships.

Applicable scholarships

• Averil Brent Scholarship in Science
• Curtis-Gordon Research Scholarships in Chemistry.

Learn from expert researchers

Your teachers are active scientists and world experts in areas such as:

• green energy
• geo-hazards
• global warming
• space science
• human geography
• volcanology
• artificial intelligence
• drug development
• viral diseases.

We’re home to several leading research institutes. You might learn from someone who is:

• developing vaccines at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
• designing sustainable technology at the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
• researching climate change at Te Puna Pātiotio—Antarctic Research Centre.

We also have relationships with organisations at the forefront of research and development in the field, including:

• Malaghan Institute
• Medical Research Institute of New Zealand
• Ferrier Research Institute
• Robinson Institute.

Further study

After your Honours year, you can go on to complete a Master of Science in one more year of study. You may also change your Honours programme to a Master's programme during the year.

If you do well in your Honours or Master's research, you'll be able to apply to do a PhD.

You’ll work under supervision to produce original research that makes a significant contribution to knowledge. Full-time candidates usually complete the degree within three to four years.

As a PhD candidate at the University, you’ll also be supported by the Faculty of Graduate Research.

Contacts

If you’re a current student, contact your Student Success Adviser for all academic and general enquiries.

If you’re considering studying with us, our Future Students Team provide general information about university qualifications, courses, and how to plan your programme of study.