The Honours IV year consists of an individually approved program of study.

This would normally consist of:
(a) the courses Musicology 5 and 6 (50%); and
(b) an Honours level thesis of approximately 12,000 words (50%).

Through various types of project work and presentations, commensurate with Honours level, students must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the range of approaches and research methods in musicology and a critical knowledge of the sources and literature of music and musicology. Students must also demonstrate an understanding of music across cultures. Students are encouraged to undertake at least one archival project or field work in Australian music, using collections such as the National Library of Australia, ScreenSound Australia, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, the Butlin Archives and other national collecting institutions.

This course in undertaken in a Bachelor of Arts degree.