Honours

The Honours program involves a year-long research thesis and two coursework subjects designed to enrich students’ research.

• In POLS6700 Honours Research Thesis,  you will complete a 16,000 word thesis reporting the findings of a year-long research project. Students enrol in POLS6700 in both Semester 1 and Semester 2. Please note, this course was formerly coded POLS6305 - If you wish to view previous course profiles visit POLS6305
• In POLS6317 Creativity and Design in Political Research. This is the compulsory unit for the School's Honours students, which provides them with research methods appropriate to Political Science and International Relations, with some skills based information regarding how to write a Literature Review and related matters, and intellectual framing for their Honours theses. Completion of this course involves preparatory work that feeds into their later theses. This course is essential for all Honours students. We are open to the enrolment in this course of Honours students in other Schools in the Faculty who would benefit from doing this course. Students enrol in POLS6317 in Semester 1 only.
  Please note, this course was formerly coded POLS6315 - if you wish to view previous course profiles please visit POLS6315.
• In POLS6325 Frontiers of Research, students engage with cutting edge research in the discipline through a selection of intensively taught masterclasses exploring the current projects of leading POLSIS researchers. Students enrol in POLS6325 in both Semester 1 and Semester 2.

Students are required to balance intensive phases of engagement in a research centred environment on campus with independent work on their own projects

Honours is a selective program that requires students to have demonstrated academic achievement in the discipline.

To be eligible for POLSIS Honours programs, you need to:

• have recently graduated and completed a major in political science, international relations, public policy or peace and conflict studies
• have a grade point average of 5.5 or better from this major
• have submitted an application form (found here) to POLSIS Student Administration by 31 January which includes a 500-700 word outline of your proposed research topic and the names of two preferred supervisors from POLSIS staff.

If you have questions or are concerned about your eligibility, please contact the Honours Coordinator for advice.

PLEASE NOTE: Meeting these eligibility criteria does not mean automatic or guaranteed acceptance into the Honours Program. Whether an actual offer is made will depend on:

(a) the quality of the Honours research proposal, and

(b) the availability of a supervisor with adequate knowledge of the research topic.

Before applying for Honours, you’ll need to choose a thesis topic and consider who might supervise your project. There is no need to contact potential supervisors; please use the webpage to determine who might be appropriate.  Once you’ve chosen your topic, you’ll write a short Research Proposal setting out your ideas to attach to your Honours application. This should consist of 500-700words and include:

• A generalised discussion of the research topic including an outline of key issues, and showing your familiarity with one or two seminal studies in a relevant field
• Your proposed research questions, likely method, and early indications of relevant data sources. The Research Proposal is not assessed, it is simply a document that indicates to the School your broad area, and gets you thinking about seriously about the project.

The POLSIS honours application process also allows you to nominate two preferred supervisors.  Supervisors are in demand and will be allocated centrally by the honours coordinator on acceptance into the program. We are unable to guarantee availability of your preferred supervisors but it is also important to note that all staff members are able to take on supervision and you will have access to specialised advice on your topic at the two honours conferences that take place in first and second semester each year.  Here are some hints and ideas to help you get started.

1. Think about possible topics!

• Identify a general area, problem or issue that you’d like to explore
• If you’re having difficulty, think about any undergraduate courses, assignments or research projects that you have taken and that have stimulated your interests further.  
• Some students wish to pursue projects that overlap with their professional or political interests

2. Identify potential supervisors

Check the listing of our academic staff on the POLSIS website to see whose research or approach might interest you and who you might name as a preferred supervisor. Please note that you may be allocated another supervisor based on availability.  In years where there is heavy demand we may not be able to find you supervision which will mean that we will be unable to proceed with your application. 

3. Develop a Research Proposal of 500-700 words (see how to apply for Honours)

This will be attached to the internal application form that you will send to polsis@uq.edu.au and allow us to understand your project and find an appropriate supervisor. 

If you have questions regarding this process please contact the Honours Coordinator.

Honours applications for POLSIS require you to complete a centralised online form for UQ administration and an internal application form (found here). Both these processes must be completed and submitted by 31st January.  Please note that the internal form and your research proposal must be submitted to polsis@uq.edu.au. All applicants are encouraged to apply earlier than the above date.

Once you have prepared all required documentation, please submit your online application here.