Correction.

For most courses you are only eligible for Honours if you get Distinction (> 70) average and above.

The >70 rule applies if you're studying under the Australian system for 3 year courses. You need to do a one year dissertation but usually* you have to get >70 average to qualify for entry into the Honours year. How do I know? Been thru it.

Edit: *usually meaning most courses require, but not necessarily all

This post has been edited by djspinnet: Feb 13 2008, 04:07 PM

From my experience doing the Australian Honours System:

3 year degree courses
+ You do 3 years of basic Bachelor's degree.
+ Upon graduation, if your final year grade average is a D and above, you are eligible to enrol in an Honours year (which is a separate course with a separate course code even). (You have to self-enrol, it is not automatic enrollment)
+ Honours involves usually 50% dissertation and 50% coursework.
+ You submit your Honours dissertation, and the marks are tabulated and your final grade is ranked by First Class, Second Upper/Lower etc as per usual Honours grading.

4 year or more degree courses
+ The final year usually involves a research component which will be graded towards your Honours grade.
+ Entry into Honours is automatic.