Course Structure
Full time students usually take eight subjects each year for three years. Each subject in the Bachelor of Commerce has a point value. Students must complete a total of 300 points in order to graduate. Usually this means completing 24 subjects. In selecting subjects, students must complete a certain number of points from two broad groups of subjects – the core program and the breadth component.
The course structure results in a flexible degree, where students are exposed to a wide variety of business disciplines before they are required to choose a major from the core program. Students usually choose their major at the beginning of the second year*.
*Students pursuing actuarial studies, accounting or the approved engineering subject sequence are required to choose specific subjects from the first year.
Depending on subject choices, students can complete a double major.
Core Program
The core program consists of subjects across a wide range of business disciplines. Students must complete a minimum of 200 points and a maximum of 225 points (usually 16 - 18 subjects) from the core program.
There are five compulsory subjects taken in the first and second year. Three of the compulsory subjects provide an introduction to microeconomics, macroeconomics, and organisational behaviour. The other two compulsory subjects focus on quantitative methods.
Breadth studies
Bachelor of Commerce students must take between 75 and 100 points (usually 6 – 8 subjects) of breadth subjects from disciplines outside the core program. Students may choose from a range of subjects offered in other undergraduate courses; these could include, for example, biology, philosophy, geography, and/or music. There is also an exciting new collection of University-wide breadth subjects from which all students enrolled in a New Generation undergraduate degree can study. These cover topics such as Climate Change and Australian Indigenous Studies. The University-wide breadth subjects have been specifically designed to be inter-disciplinary. For example, students enrolled in Introduction to Climate Change will learn about the social, economic and environmental impact of climate change.
An approved engineering breadth sequence in the Bachelor of Commerce is available as a pathway to a professionally accredited Master of Engineering. Depending on the specialisations selected, these two degrees may be completed in five years. The Bachelor of Commerce leads to wide range of graduate professional degrees.
Importantly, the structure of the Bachelor of Commerce allows students to meet the accreditation requirements specified by accounting and actuarial professional bodies. Breadth requirements are reduced for students pursuing professional accreditation in accounting and actuarial studies.
First year
Most first year subjects in the Bachelor of Commerce are designed to introduce students to the range of disciplines available and expose them to the fundamental theory upon which the discipline is based.
Most students use their first year as an opportunity to explore the various commerce disciplines and decide upon their major.
In the first year, students must take three compulsory subjects, listed below. Click on the subject to read the subject description in the Undergraduate Handbook:
Students then choose another five subjects from both the core program and breadth disciplines. Students intending to major in actuarial studies, accounting or finance, or follow the approved engineering subject sequence must commence these subjects from the beginning of their degree.
Second year
Students who have not already done so will choose a major at the beginning of their second year. Students are required to take two compulsory subjects in their second year:
- Organisational Behaviour
- One of Quantitative Methods 2, Introductory Econometrics, Managerial Decision Analysis or Principles of Market Research.
Third year
To complete a major, students must complete at least three level-3 (third year) subjects in a particular discipline. Students must normally complete at least one level-3 breadth subject.
Honours
The Honours degree comprises a fourth year of study following the completion of a three-year bachelor degree. Students completing with high results may apply for a place in the honours program. This provides an opportunity to undertake specialised study and research in an area of interest, developing analytical and research skills to a higher level.