Adding an honours year to his education degree was exactly what University of Tasmania graduate Billy Blackett needed to secure his future at Oxford University.
Billy always had a clear goal for his future career in education: to help create a system where every young person has the skills, confidence, and opportunities to live a fulfilling professional and personal life.
After completing his Bachelor of Education at the University of Tasmania, he added an honours year to his degree, which opened doors to one of the world’s most prestigious universities and set the foundation for a career in education policy.
“I wanted to strengthen my application to pursue postgraduate study, specifically a master’s [degree] at Oxford University,” he said.
Turning his bachelor’s degree into an honours degree was the perfect stepping stone, offering him the chance to develop advanced research skills and demonstrate his ability to produce high-quality work.
Writing his thesis required discipline, persistence, and a high level of self-motivation. And he found that exploring his passion for education and economics meant the task was not only achievable, but enjoyable too.
“While I had excellent supervisors to guide me, the bulk of the work ultimately had to come from me,” he said.
“At a certain point, you really become infatuated with your topic, and that allows you to follow a natural flow and narrative in your writing.
“I found myself quickly settling into a rhythm that made the process engaging and, ultimately, very satisfying.”
Financial support also played a role in Billy’s success. Scholarships and fee waivers eased the burden, making the honours experience more accessible and positive.
Billy has now secured a place at Oxford University to study a Master of Public Policy and is looking forward to eventually innovating in the education space. He credits his honours year as pivotal in this achievement.
“The pillars of flexibility, support, and passion for the topic are what underpin a rewarding honours year,” he said. “It’s important to go into it with a clear commitment and purpose.”
Explore educational research. Expand your impact.
Whether you're passionate about improving classroom practice, shaping education policy, or investigating the social and cultural dimensions of learning, the Bachelor of Education with Honours equips you with the tools to lead, influence, and innovate.
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