Bachelor of Arts (Honours) (Monash Malaysia)

KPT/JPT (R3/220/6/0018) 12/26 - MQA/SWA0106

Pursue your passion for your selected area of study.

The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree is an undergraduate program offered by universities and colleges worldwide, including Monash University Malaysia. B.A. (Honours) degree is awarded to students who complete an additional year of coursework study and independent research, making it an excellent choice for those interested in pursuing a broad range of academic disciplines.

This Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree is a separate but complementary course to the arts undergraduate degree. If you have an excellent academic record and are interested in pursuing further education, you can apply to engage in an additional year of coursework study and independent research. This additional year provides students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and expertise in a particular field, preparing them for careers in academia or other professional fields.

Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, you’ll design and carry out a research project of your own choosing. This culminates in a research dissertation that provides you with the perfect opportunity to explore and gain a deeper knowledge of a particular area of study that you’re interested in.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) have sophisticated skills in analysis, communication and research and are often targeted as potential leaders in large corporations. An honours degree has also traditionally paved the way for an academic career or pursuing a higher research degree.

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At a glance

Areas of study

Course structure

Career paths

Entry requirements

How long is a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree?

1 year

Intakes

February

Fees

How much does a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree cost?

In 2027, the annual tuition fees for this course are:

• RM44,640 for Malaysian students
• RM51,360 for international students.

General fees:

• Application (once only) - RM100
• Registration (once only) - RM200
• General amenities (per semester) - RM100
• International student pass application - Click here.

You’ll work on personal research projects relating to any of the following five broad areas of research:

• communication
• film, television and screen studies
• gender studies
• global studies
• strategic public relations.

Given the increasingly intersectional nature of these areas of study, there’s truly no limit to the groundbreaking and visionary topics that you can work on for your dissertation.

There are two assessment components to this course amounting to a total of 48 credit points:

• a 15,000- to 18,000-word research dissertation that you must produce at the end of the academic year (24 credit points)
• two complementary coursework units to equip you with the necessary skills to successfully navigate research issues, methodologies and academic theories (24 credit points).

The Monash University Handbook has detailed information about the course structure and requirements.

What can you do with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree?

Monash University Malaysia's Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree is the perfect choice if you're looking for a top-notch education that can prepare you for various career paths. With its comprehensive curriculum and highly qualified faculty, you'll gain the transferable skills essential for success in any industry.

A Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree provides a solid foundation for a rewarding career, from critical thinking and problem-solving to communication and research skills. Not only will you receive a world-class education, but you'll also have access to a wide range of resources and opportunities to help you achieve your goals.

As this course emphasises analytical capabilities, strong communication skills and independent research-based project management, it opens doors to an extraordinary array of exciting career opportunities:

• academia
• corporate research and analysis
• digital marketing
• human resources
• management consulting.

To enter Monash University, you must satisfy particular academic, English language and age requirements. You'll need strong academic results in your undergraduate degree, particularly in the third year, to gain entry into the Bachelor of Arts (Honours). You must:

• have completed an Australian bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with a minimum overall WAM of 75
• meet the undergraduate requirements of their chosen Honours area of study including: 48 credit points of studies and obtained a distinction grade average (75%) or above in 24 credit points at level three
• satisfactorily pass an interview.

Note: Applicants with an Australian bachelor's degree (or equivalent) with an overall WAM between 70 and 75 may be considered upon satisfactory completion of the interview.

For some areas of study completion of specific units, or their equivalent, may also be required for admission to honours. The details are provided with the requirements for each area of study to which this applies.

Double degree students

Applicants who are enrolled in an Australian-based Monash double degree course and who have not yet completed the requirements for the two degrees, may be eligible to enrol in this Bachelor of Arts (Honours) program once they have completed 144 points of study, including the normal requirements for the bachelor's degree containing the intended honours area of study.

Double degree students are only required to obtain a distinction grade average (75%) or above in 18 credit points of studies in their chosen Honours area of study at level three.

Additional selection criteria

• Applicants must submit a dissertation proposal with a minimum of 1000 words.

"I developed research and management skills as an undergraduate that helped me transition smoothly into the working world. Learning to work under pressure, collaborate, and being detail-oriented have been assets in every job I've had. The types of ideas we engaged with also helped me develop a better-informed sense of social ethics that I have carried with me since."

Helen Sneha Jambunathan Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Associate Insight Director at Canvas8, UK

Frequently Asked Questions about the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at Monash University Malaysia

Difference between a Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts

The main differences between the two degrees lie in their duration, entry requirements, focus, and career outcomes:

• Degree Type & Duration:
• Focus & Curriculum:

• Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences: A standard 3-year full-time undergraduate pass degree.
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours): An optional, 1-year full-time specialized program taken after completing a three-year bachelor’s degree.

• Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences: Focuses on broad foundational knowledge, majors/minors (such as Communication, Global Studies, or Psychology), and workplace skills like industry internships.
• Bachelor of Arts (Honours): Focuses heavily on independent academic research. Half of the curriculum consists of a individual research thesis/dissertation supervised by an academic, while the other half consists of advanced theoretical coursework.

What fields of study can I specialise in for the Arts Honours program?

Students can undertake independent research across various disciplines offered by the School of Arts and Social Sciences. These include digital media and communication, global studies, gender studies, film and television studies, and public relations.

What are the career prospects after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Graduates develop advanced analytical, data management and research skills. Potential career paths include academic research, corporate strategy, policy analysis, and leadership roles in multinational corporations or non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Related courses

• Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences
• Bachelor of Digital Media and Communication
• Double degree - Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Communication and Media Studies

Get in touch

For more information about the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree, contact us.