Honours Programme

FASS has reviewed the Honours Classification requirements and the following update has been made:

  • Honours Thesis will no longer be a requirement to attain Honours Highest Distinction for all cohorts.
  • Students will still need to achieve a CAP/GPA of 4.50 or above in order to attain Honours Highest Distinction.

Students can refer to this page for the requirements of Honours Classification.

Please do take note that you are still entirely to free to take up the Honours Thesis if it suits your academic or career plans.

The Honours year in Geography is a lot more than just the fourth year of the degree. The Level 4000 courses typically have smaller numbers than other levels enabling a greater degree of interaction with staff and between students, while the curriculum exposes students to the key issues and concerns at the cutting edge of particular topics.

The Honours year is a time to concentrate on geography and to engage in debates about the nature and direction of the discipline. It is a time to enhance analytical and reflective skills. The Department also strives to provide a conducive atmosphere for class identity to emerge. The majority of teaching is based in Geography's Seminar Room, which serves as a home-base outside class hours. Geography Honours student typically develop a strong sense of place and cohort identity, often arranging extra curricular activities. Students are also encouraged to support the Department’s seminar programme.

The information below is relevant only for cohorts before 2021. 

Honours students must complete a total of eight Geography courses or higher-level approved GE-recognised courses. The courses may be selected from a list offered each year.

GE4401HM HONOURS THESIS (HT)

From 2007 cohort onwards, the HT timetable will run across both semesters, though formal registration takes place in Semester 2.

No fieldwork involving human subjects can begin until the HT has gone through the ethical clearance process. The maximum word limit for all HTs is 10,000. Students will be advised on the requirement format for submitting the completed thesis.

GE4660HM INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSE (ISC)

The ISC can be followed in either semester but has to be registered with the Department in the semester it will be followed. The maximum word limit for ISCs is 4,000. It is also possible to consider alternative submission formats for ISC projects (e.g. design of a website; GIS analysis). The ISC is completed within one semester and the submission date is Monday of Week 13. Students are to submit one hard copy (with all author and identifying information INCLUDED), and one e-copy (email submission is acceptable) to Ms Sakinah by the deadline.

Honours students may view past years Honours Theses from the Map Resource Unit at AS2 02-02. Honours students are also allowed to borrow one thesis at a time for a period of one month.

HT Guide
HT Timetable for Students and Advisors AY2024-25
HT Advisory Process Guidelines
HT Marking Criteria
HT word count guide

Participant Information Sheet
Informed Consent Form

ISC Outline and Agreement Form

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