Honours: What is it?

Most Australian universities use Honours results as a principal criterion for acceptance into a research degree and when granting scholarships. But what is an Honours degree, and why do students choose to undertake one? Staff and students in different disciplines and universities appear to hold varying views as to the purpose of Honours, includig the 'rounding off' year of an undergraduate award or as preparatory research training for a research degree. This research will identify the extent to which different views exist and, as importantly, the extent to which these views influence the types of Honours programs offered.