The Bachelor of Pacific Studies (Honours) is a prestigious, research-intensive undergraduate qualification that deepens expertise in the cultures, histories, politics, languages, and contemporary issues of Oceania and the broader Pacific region. It is designed for students who have already completed a Bachelor of Pacific Studies (or equivalent) and wish to undertake a significant independent research project under expert academic supervision. The Honours year culminates in a substantial thesis that constitutes 75% of the final result, supported by a compulsory research training course worth the remaining 25%. It is classified under the Society and Culture field of study and sits at AQF Level 8.

The program takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on anthropology, political science, international relations, history, literature, linguistics, Indigenous studies, archaeology, and environmental studies to understand Oceania's place in the world. Students develop the ability to engage with diverse Pacific voices and Indigenous epistemologies, apply sophisticated theoretical frameworks, and produce original scholarship of publishable quality. Courses incorporate Indigenous perspectives and innovative, experiential learning methods alongside rigorous academic research training.

Graduates are highly sought after by employers across the Australian federal government (especially the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, DFAT, and the Australian Institute of International Affairs), international development organisations, NGOs, Pacific Island missions, think tanks, the media, academia, and multilateral bodies such as the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Australia's growing strategic and diplomatic engagement with the Pacific region means that organisations operating in aid, development, diplomacy, security, education, health, and environmental management actively seek graduates with specialised Pacific expertise.

The Bachelor of Pacific Studies (Honours) is a postgraduate-entry honours program that requires applicants to have already completed an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Pacific Studies degree, or a recognised equivalent from another institution, within the last two years. Applicants must demonstrate a strong academic track record — typically a weighted average mark (WAM) equivalent to at least 70% (a Credit average), calculated across cognate discipline courses at 2000-level and above, excluding introductory 1000-level subjects. Additionally, applicants must secure the written approval of an identified academic supervisor who agrees to oversee their proposed thesis project, and obtain endorsement from the relevant Associate Dean or academic authority within the college. Admission is competitive and subject to supervisory capacity, meaning that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a place.

For English language requirements, applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds are typically required to demonstrate proficiency through IELTS (usually a minimum overall band score of 6.5–7.0, with no band below 6.0), TOEFL iBT (minimum 80–100), or an equivalent recognised test. Some institutions may consider prior study undertaken in English as meeting this requirement. International applicants should confirm specific English language benchmarks with their chosen institution, as these can vary.

Applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree at a different institution may also be eligible to apply, provided their degree is in a cognate discipline — such as anthropology, political science, history, international relations, cultural studies, or linguistics — and they can demonstrate the academic merit and supervisory support required. Equity, diversity, and adjustment factors may also be considered in the ranking of applications to ensure access for students from a variety of backgrounds.