The Bachelor of Asian Studies (Honours) is an advanced undergraduate qualification that equips students with deep, interdisciplinary knowledge of Asia's diverse societies, cultures, histories, languages, and political economies. Building on a standard Bachelor of Asian Studies pass degree, the Honours year adds a rigorous independent research component — most notably a substantial thesis — that distinguishes graduates as highly capable researchers and analysts in the Asia-Pacific space. The program typically blends humanities and social science disciplines such as history, politics, economics, anthropology, and linguistics, alongside mandatory proficiency in at least one Asian language (such as Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Hindi, or Vietnamese). Students can tailor their focus to specific regions — East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, or the broader Asia-Pacific — or to thematic specialisations such as security studies, development, gender, or international relations.

This qualification is designed for academically high-achieving students who have demonstrated strong performance in their undergraduate Asian Studies or cognate degree and wish to pursue original research, advance to higher degrees (such as a PhD or Master by Research), or gain a competitive professional edge in the employment market. The Honours year develops advanced analytical, communication, and research skills that are highly valued by a wide range of Australian and international employers. Key employers of graduates include the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Department of Home Affairs, state and federal government agencies, multinational corporations operating across Asia, NGOs, aid and development organisations, media outlets, financial institutions, education providers, and cultural and arts organisations with an Asia-Pacific focus.

To gain entry into a Bachelor of Asian Studies (Honours), applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Asian Studies (pass degree) or equivalent undergraduate qualification in a cognate discipline such as international relations, history, politics, or Asian languages. Most Australian universities require a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 70 per cent (a Distinction average) in relevant upper-level coursework, particularly in courses directly related to the proposed Honours thesis topic. Introductory first-year (1000-level) courses are typically excluded from this average calculation. Additionally, applicants are normally required to demonstrate a minimum level of Asian language proficiency — typically the equivalent of at least two years of sequential university-level language study, or demonstrated intermediate proficiency through a placement test. Students must also have the written support and approval of an identified research supervisor, and the thesis topic must be approved by the Honours program convenor prior to commencement.

For international students, English language proficiency requirements apply. The most common benchmarks are: IELTS Academic with an overall score of at least 6.5 (with no component band below 6.0), or TOEFL iBT with an overall score of at least 80 (minimum 20 in Reading and Writing, 18 in Speaking and Listening). Equivalent proficiency can also be demonstrated through completion of prior Australian tertiary study. Some universities offer Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or advanced standing for students who have undertaken equivalent study at another institution. Because the Honours year is a research-intensive qualification, applicants are also expected to have demonstrated strong research and writing capability through their undergraduate studies, and shortlisting may be competitive depending on supervisor availability.