NUS BBA

Academic Programmes

Honours Dissertation (BHD4001)

The Honours Dissertation (HD) requirement will be offered in two tracks: a more research oriented track that will focus on theoretical and empirical research at an appropriate level, and a more applied version that focuses on the application of theory to managerial and business issues. Students from 2010 cohort onwards must work on a dissertation topic in their area of specialisation.

HD is not compulsory for Honours students. Only Honours students with a CAP score of at least 4.0 in every semester or fluctuate around 4.0 since joining the Honours program are allowed to do the Honours Dissertation.

For students from Cohorts 2011 or earlier, to obtain First Class Honours, students must do a HD and score at least an A- in the HD and attain a CAP score of 4.50 or above.

For students from Cohorts 2012 and onwards, to obtain Honours (Highest Distinction), students must attain a CAP score of 4.50 or above.

Honours Degree Classification

Table 1: For Students from Cohorts 2011/12 or earlier

Degree Classification Cumulative Average Point
1st Class Honours At least 4.50 and a minimum grade of “A-” in HD
2nd Class (Upper) Honours 4.00 to 4.49 or Above 4.49 but without a minimum grade of “A-” in HD
2nd Class (Lower) Honours 3.50 to 3.99
3rd Class Honours 3.20 to 3.49
Pass 2.00 to 3.19

Table 2: For Students from Cohorts 2012/13 onwards

Degree Classification Cumulative Average Point
Honours (Highest Distinction) 4.50 & above*
Honours (Distinction) 4.00 to 4.49
Honours (Merit) 3.50 to 3.99
Honours 3.00 to 3.49
Pass 2.00 to 2.99

*Note: A minimum grade of A- in HD is not required to qualify for the Honours (Highest Distinction) degree classification.

Benefits

The benefits of doing a HD are as follows:

  1. To do a research in the area of your interests
  2. To contribute to the topic in the area of your interests.
  3. You learn to frame your own research with the guidance from a professor.
  4. To evaluate if you wish to pursue a career as a researcher.
  5. Work with an established professor to produce a good research, which may be published.

List of HD Titles in AY2014/15

Click here to view the list of HD titles in AY2014/15. These HDs are available in Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library.

Level 4000 Business Modules to Replace Honours Dissertation
(For students from AY2016/17 intake and before)

The dissertation requirement may be met by 12 MCs of level 4000 business modules, with at least 8 MCs from the student’s area of specialisation.

For BBA Honours students who are completing two specialisations, 2 of the 3 level 4000 modules have to be in one of the two specialisations and the 3rd level 4000 module has to be in the other specialisation. For example, if you are reading two specialisations – Marketing and Management, you are required to read the following modules as HD replacement modules:

  1. 2 Level 4000 MNO modules + 1 Level 4000 MKT modules OR
  2. 2 Level 4000 MKT modules + 1 Level 4000 MNO module.

For BBA Honours students who are completing three specialisations, you will need to read one level 4000 business module from each specialisation. For example, if you are reading Marketing, Management and Finance specialisations, you are required to read the following modules as HD replacement modules:

  1. 1 Level 4000 MKT module + 1 Level 4000 MNO module + 1 Level 4000 FIN module

If you do not have a specialization, you can read any three level 4000 business modules as HD replacement modules.

For BBA (ACC.) Honours students, you are able to read FIN and/or ACC modules as HD replacement modules. For example, if you do not have a specialisation, you are required to read the following modules as HD replacement modules:

  1. 2 Level 4000 ACC/FIN^ modules + 1 Level 4000 business module OR
  2. 1 Level 4000 ACC module + 1 Level 4000 FIN module + 1 Level 4000 business module.

If you have a Finance specialisation, you are required to read the following modules as HD replacement modules:

  1. 2 Level 4000 ACC/FIN^ modules + 1 Level 4000 FIN module OR
  2. 2 Level 4000 FIN modules + 1 Level 4000 ACC/FIN module

If you have a specialisation that is not Finance e.g. Marketing, Management or Operations & Supply Chain Management, you are required to read the following modules as HD replacement modules:

  1. 2 Level 4000 ACC/FIN^ Modules + 1 Level 4000 module in the specialisation OR
  2. 2 Level 4000 module in the specialisation + 1 Level 4000 ACC/FIN module OR
  3. 1 Level 4000 ACC module + 1 Level 4000 FIN module + 1 Level 4000 in the specialisation.

If you have two specialisations e.g. Marketing and Management, you are required to read the following modules as HD replacement modules:

  1. 1 Level 4000 ACC/FIN Module + 1 Level 4000 MKT module + 1 Level 4000 MNO module

^Students are allowed to read a combination of ACC and FIN modules (i.e. 1 ACC + 1 FIN modules, 2 ACC modules, or 2 FIN modules).

Note:

  1. Students who submit an HD that is not approved by the Head of the Department of his/her area of specialisation(s) will have to do another HD (that is in his/her area of specialisation) and delay graduation. (However, BBA Honours students have the option to graduate without a specialisation. This option is not applicable to BAC Honours students.)
  2. Honours Dissertation replacement modules cannot be used towards the fulfillment of a specialization requirements.

Level 4000 Business Modules Requirement
(For students from AY2017/18 intake and after)

Students may choose from 1 of the 2 Honours tracks offered based on their academic inclinations and aspirations.

  1. Research Option:
    1. Dissertation in the area of specialization (12MCs) AND
    2. 2 advanced Independent Study Modules not related to dissertation research area (8MCs) OR a Field Service Project (8MCs)
  2. Coursework Option:
    1. 3 Level 4000 business modules* in their area of specialisation (12MCs) AND
    2. Field Service Project (8MCs)

*Students who choose the coursework option are to note the following on the 3 level 4000 business modules required.

For BBA Honours students who are completing two specialisations, 2 of the 3 level 4000 modules have to be in one of the two specialisations and the 3rd level 4000 module has to be in the other specialisation. For example, if you are reading two specialisations – Marketing and Business Economics, you are required to read the following modules in the respective specialisations.

  1. 2 Level 4000 Marketing Specialisation Elective Modules + 1 Level 4000 Business Economics Specialisation Elective Module OR
  2. 2 Level 4000 Business Economics Specialisation Elective Modules + 1 Level 4000 Marketing Specialisation Elective Module

For BBA Honours students who are completing three specialisations, you will need to read one level 4000 business module from each specialisation. For example, if you are reading Marketing, Business Economics and Finance, you are required to read the following modules in the respective specialisation.

  1. 1 Level 4000 Marketing Specialisation Elective Module + 1 Level 4000 Business Economics Specialisation Elective Module + 1 Level 4000 Finance Specialisation Elective Module

For BBA (ACC.) Honours students, you are to read Level 4000 Electives modules from Finance and/or Accounting.

  1. 3 Level 4000 Finance^/Accounting^ Elective Modules

If you have a Finance specialisation, you are required to read the following modules:

  1. 2 Level 4000 Finance^/Accounting^ Elective Modules + 1 Level 4000 Finance Specialisation Elective Module OR
  2. 2 Level 4000 Finance Specialisation Elective Modules + 1 Level 4000 Finance^/Accounting^ Elective Module

If you have a specialisation that is not Finance e.g. Marketing, Business Economics or Operations & Supply Chain Management, you are required to read the following modules in the respective specialisations.

  1. 2 Level 4000 Finance^/Accounting^ Elective Modules + 1 Level 4000 Elective Module in the business specialisation OR
  2. 2 Level 4000 Elective Modules in the specialisation + 1 Level 4000 Finance^/Accounting^ Elective module

If you have two specialisations e.g. Marketing and Business Economics, you are required to read the following modules in the respective specialisations:

  1. 1 Level 4000 Finance^/Accounting^ Elective Module + 1 Level 4000 Marketing Specialisation Elective module + 1 Level 4000 Business Economics Specialisation Elective module

^Students may read module(s) in Accounting or Finance or both.

Note:

  1. Students who submit an HD that is not approved by the Head of the Department of his/her area of specialisation(s) will have to do another HD (that is in his/her area of specialisation) and delay graduation.
  2. Honours Dissertation replacement modules cannot be used towards the fulfillment of a specialization requirements.

HD Forms

  • HD forms for students intending to complete the Honours Dissertation over two semesters.
  • HD forms for students intending to complete the Honours Dissertation over one semester.
  • IHD/IHT forms For DDP students intending to complete the Integrated Honours Dissertation/Thesis.

HD Grading Schemes

Honours Dissertation Grading Scheme

Available Topic(s) for HD in AY15/16

Supervisor Department HD Topic
N.A. N.A. N.A.

Advice and Support

If you require an advice about HD, you are able to contact Dr Lee Hon Sing (honsing@nus.edu.sg).