How does a standalone honours degree work? I'm currently trying to apply for a PhD position, but am unable to meet the entry requirements. My (potential) supervisor has advised me to undertake an honours year to meet the requirements.

I completed my bachelors degree in 2010 at a completely different university and everybody I've known has done their honours year as a part of their undergraduate degree before graduation.

My degree was titled "Bachelors of Computer and Mathematical Sciences" and shortened to BCM. So I would be


  Mr. LegoStormtrooper BCM


while my friends who have completed their honours would be


  Mr. Other Guy BCM(Hons)


For me, I can't just add on "Hons" because it would be in a different field at a different university.

So I am very confused about this. I've heard of Bachelors, Masters, Doctorates, Graduate Certificates, but never an "Honours degree" as an independent thing.

Can any one explain how this works?
I am familiar with the situation in NZ. Since Australia and NZ share many commonalities in higher education, i suspect that things are similar.

A normal bachelors degree is a three-year degree and by itself not sufficient for getting into a PhD program. An honours degree adds a fourth year to the bachelor degree and is normally open to very good students (there are GPA criteria for entry). In particular, an honours degree often involves a research project and is deemed sufficient for PhD admission. Most if not all people do the honours degree immediately after their bachelor. Generally, you need a four-years degree to get into the PhD, which can either be an honours or a master degree.