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Overview

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 … For more content click the Read More button below. 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. A preparatory course in offered in the Accounting major. Intending Honours students are encouraged to enrol in ACCT2507 Introduction to Accounting Research in their second year. The main purpose of the course is to provide an introduction to research training by an exposure to a range of research questions within the discipline. Students who choose 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.

Available in Program(s)
Single degree program(s) in which this specialisation is available:

Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) - BCom (Hons)4501 - Commerce (Honours)

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Additional Information

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The following baseline requirements apply for admission to the Honours program. The applicant must:

  • Have completed a single business degree including all requirements for a major in accounting OR completed 144 UOC of a dual business degree including all requirements for a major in accounting. Students with comparable qualifications from Australian and overseas institutions are also welcome to apply.
  • Have never failed a course (i.e. no FL grade on the Transcript);
  • 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 for the overall and discipline WAM.

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.

It is recommended that students complete the following course prior to commencing this honours stream:

How to Apply

Applicants intending to apply to the Honours programs are encouraged to discuss their eligibility and study program with the Honours Coordinator for Accounting.

After these discussions, internal applicants the following information should be sent to the Honours Coordinator for Accounting:

  • A cover letter highlighting the academic background and other strengths of the applicant
  • A copy of the applicant’s CV (with at least one academic referee)
  • An academic transcript from the relevant tertiary institution
  • A completed application form
  • A statement of research interest/proposal not exceeding 1,000 words
  • Other relevant supporting documents (e.g. awards, research papers), if any.

For more information about the application procedure, applicants should contact the Honours Coordinator for Accounting.

External domestic applicants should apply directly to UNSW UAC Admissions. External international applicants should apply directly through UNSW Apply Online.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

CPA Australia

Associate membership of CPA Australia may be obtained with a UNSW undergraduate degree that incorporates a major in Accounting and completion of the other accredited courses to satisfy its core knowledge requirements. A list of the required courses can be accessed through www.cpaaustralia.com.au or the Professional Recognition of Programs for Undergraduate Students in the Online Handbook.

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
(formerly the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia)

Graduates who have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in accounting are eligible under the Institute's admission requirements to enter the ‘Chartered Accountants Program’ leading to membership, provided they have completed accredited courses in the core knowledge areas. Students may confirm academic entry requirements for the ‘Chartered Accountants Program’ with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand at www.charteredaccountants.com.au/Candidates/The-Chartered-Accountants-Program/Entry-requirements/Accredited-courses.

If you are unable to fit these courses in as part of your degree requirements, you may wish to enrol in additional classes as non-award.

Institute of Public Accountants
(formerly the National Institute of Accountants)

The Institute of Public Accountants has approved UNSW for the purpose of its membership qualifications. Further information is available from Professional Recognition of Programs for Undergraduate Students in the Online Handbook.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Please note that these requirements may be subject to change.

Students are advised to follow requirements according to the year they commenced. Please refer to previous editions of the Online Handbook for pre-2019 program requirements.

Contact the UNSW Business School Student Centre for advice.
tel: + 61 2 9385 3189
location: Level 1, room 1028, Quadrangle Building
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Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

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Pre-2019 Handbook Editions