Honours & Masters of Biomedical Science (Biochemistry & Pharmacology)
Honours or Masters in 2026?
Find a project that matches your interests!
Honours and Masters Information Series
How to Find a Research Project
with A/Prof Laura Edgington-Mitchell
Honours Program
with A/Prof Michael Menden
Selection and Application for Honours/Masters
with A/Prof Michael Griffin
Honours vs Masters
with A/Prof Robyn Brown
Masters Program
with Dr Robyn Brown
What is Honours?
Honours is a fourth-year undergraduate course that consists of a combination of a research project and coursework subjects. The course is designed to develop the student’s capacity to solve problems, to analyse data, to read and think critically, and to communicate clearly.
Honours can give you a taste of what working as a scientist would be like as a career, allows you to demonstrate academic excellence in an area of special interest to you, and provides an entry point for further research higher degree study (i.e. PhD) and coursework courses. These skills are highly sought after by employers in biological, medical and industrial areas.
What is the Master of Biomedical Science?
The Master of Biomedical Science at the University of Melbourne is a coursework master’s degree incorporating a substantial research project. This course is an alternative to the Honours as a PhD pathway. Students undertake a major research project and discipline-specific coursework subjects. In addition, a suite of professional business and communication subjects are offered to complement and enhance the research undertaken and to progress students’ career opportunities.
The course encourages students to think innovatively and provides an awareness of the health and economic benefits of biomedical research. Graduates of this course gain an understanding of the research process, specialist knowledge and professional skills that are attractive to employers.
| Honours | Masters | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year (full time) | 2 years (full time), part time available |
| Level | Undergraduate | Graduate |
| Fee Types |
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) International Full Fee Place |
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) Australian Full Fee Place International Full Fee Place |
| PhD Scholarship scoring | Considers marks from 3rd year of Bachelor degree and Honours | Only Masters marks are considered |
| International Market recognition | Australian Honours degrees may not be recognised overseas as many countries do not have an equivalent degree. | Recognised as a graduate Masters degree |
| How to apply | https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/honours/bachelor-of-biomedicine-degree-with-honours/how-to-apply/ | https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/master-of-biomedical-science/how-to-apply/ |
| Course Structure |
Coursework subjects: 25 points Research project: 75 points |
Coursework subjects: 75 points Research project: 125 points |
Research Project Guide
Thinking about Honours or Masters in Biochemistry or Pharmacology? Not sure which lab to do a research project in? Use these handy guides to help!
Prospective PhD or MPhil Students will also find the handbook useful as it gives an indication of the diversity of research within the Department of Biochemistry & Pharmacology.
Apply for Honours!
Enrollments for 2026 Honours in Biochemistry & Pharmacology are now open!
See the available projects here!
To access the project listing please login with the login and password "MDHSHonours"
Students submitting provisional offer forms should expect to receive confirmation via email within 72 hours. If this is not received please contact Prof Isabelle Rouiller: isabelle.rouiller@unimelb.edu.au
Students must also apply via MDHS Honours, but first, read these instructions for how to apply via the MDHS webpage.
Honours Cohort (Group)
Projects at external institutes
It is possible for students to complete their research project with supervisors in affiliated external institutions. The Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology has close links with research groups at the following research organisations:
- St Vincent's Institute
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
- Florey Neuroscience Institute
- The Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute
Projects in external institutions must have a strong focus on the use of biochemical and molecular biological approaches and supervisors should be affiliated with the Department and approved by the Honours/Masters coordinator/s.
Please contact the relevant Honours/Masters Coordinator below for a list of potential supervisors in external institutions.
Scholarships
Note that Honours applicants who accept and enrol in a place in an FMDHS Honours course will automatically be considered for available FMDHS Honours Scholarships. These are awarded on academic merit.
Contacts
Honours Coordinators
Prof Isabelle Rouiller
Email: isabelle.rouiller@unimelb.edu.au
Prof Gary Anderson
Email: gpa@unimelb.edu.au
Master of Biomedical Science Coordinator
A/Prof Robyn Brown
Email: robyn.brown@unimelb.edu.au
General Enquiries
Email: http://forms.your.unimelb.edu.au/4747167?SID=a3xOY00000002Hx