Bachelor of Commerce (Degree with Honours) (BH-COM) // Attributes, outcomes and skills

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Intended learning outcomes

The Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) has the objective of preparing graduates who embody the University of Melbourne graduate attributes. It seeks to provide students with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand and participate in the modern business and economics world, to prepare them for subsequent graduate studies and to allow them to achieve the highest level of success in their professional careers.


The Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) year is an additional (fourth) year of specialised study in one or two of the following disciplines: accounting, finance, actuarial studies, economics, and related areas. It is an integrated program with small classes and an emphasis on research and specialised subject areas.


Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable across the disciplines of the faculty
On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:


  • Demonstrate a broad knowledge and understanding of selected fields of study in the core program of study, with an in-depth understanding in at least one of these fields
  • Explain the basic concepts and theories and institutional arrangements underlying the operations and performance of modern mixed economies using Australia as a principal example but also exploring other economies in the region

Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable of disciplines outside the faculty
On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:


  • Reflect a general understanding of the concepts, principles, theories and arguments of selected areas of study outside the core disciplines of economics, commerce, and business
  • Explain and use theories, concepts, and findings from the social sciences to effectively manage people and organisations for the benefit of the full range of organisational stakeholders, and contribute positively to the development of organisations and society particularly in relation to business, economics, government and commercial professions

Graduates of this degree will be adept at using research methodologies and information sources
On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:


  • Engage confidently in self-directed study and research and have a continuing commitment to learning
  • Demonstrate an ability to access, evaluate and utilise information from diverse sources and be proficient in the use of appropriate modern technologies
  • Be independent in their learning and respond in a critically informed manner to new ideas, research findings, methodologies and theoretical frameworks in their specialised field of study

Graduates of this degree will be effective problem solvers
On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:


  • Apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification, evaluation and resolution of complex problems and to do so from the standpoint of specialised knowledge developed in at least one specific commerce disciplines
  • Contribute to issues of concern to society within the framework of disciplines studied both within and outside the core program
  • Appreciate and participate in national and international debates and discussions on economic, commercial, and business issues

Graduates of this degree will be productive workplace communicators
On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:


  • Demonstrate an ability to communicate ideas effectively in both written and oral formats
  • Qualify for employment in a wide range of occupations
  • Work competently and productively in groups, exercising teamwork and interpersonal skills

Graduates of this degree will have a deep knowledge of an area of specialisation drawn from one or, at most, two of the disciplines of accounting, finance, actuarial studies, economics, management
On successful completion of this degree students will be able to:


  • Design and conduct a research study in their area of specialisation
  • Describe, and use appropriately, a range of alternative methods of analysis
  • Critically analyse the research of others in the field of their specialisation.
  • Articulate a critical perspective on the development of the discipline in which they specialise and its contribution to the practice of that discipline.
  • Apply their specialist knowledge in complex decision making environments in their professional area of specialisation

Generic skills

  • Effective communication on matters related to business and economics and to an area of specialisation
  • Appropriate use of computer systems and software used in business and economics
  • Critical thinking and analysis skills
  • Information discovery, synthesis, retrieval and evaluation skills
  • Application of theory to practice
  • Interpretation and analysis of data using statistical reasoning
  • Attention to detail
  • Independent in learning
  • Able to contribute positively to teamwork
  • Time management through managing and organising workloads for recommended reading, assignment completion and examination revision

Graduate attributes

The Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) is a year of specialised study that enables students to acquire coherent and advanced knowledge in their chosen discipline or disciplines and to demonstrate their ability to apply research principles and methods. It seeks to provide students with the knowledge, technical skills and professional practice necessary to understand and participate in the contemporary business and economics world, to prepare them for subsequent graduate studies and to allow them to achieve the highest level of success in their professional careers.

On successful completion of the degree, graduates will have achieved the following learning goals.

1. Advanced knowledge in one or more of the Faculty’s disciplines as demonstrated by the ability to:

  • review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge in the student’s core discipline or disciplines whilst demonstrating intellectual independence;
  • communicate advanced understanding of theoretical concepts in the student’s core discipline or disciplines;
  • apply learning to provide solutions to complex, practical problems;
  • contribute to debate about societal issues in relation to the student’s core discipline or disciplines.

2. Successful planning and execution of a self-directed research project as demonstrated by the ability to;

  • formulate a research question and apply advanced analytical skills to address that question;
  • engage confidently in self-directed study and research;
  • apply critical thinking and judgement in the access, evaluation and use of information from diverse sources;
  • critically analyse the research of others in the field of their specialisation
  • demonstrate through the student’s own practice an understanding of research integrity and academic honesty.

3. Readiness to undertake professional work and to proceed to further learning as demonstrated by the ability to;

  • explain and use theories, concepts, and findings from the student’s core discipline or disciplines for the benefit of the full range of organisational stakeholders;
  • apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification, evaluation and resolution of complex problems and to do so from the standpoint of their specialised knowledge ;
  • contribute to debate on issues of concern to society within the framework of the student’s specialised knowledge;
  • communicate ideas effectively and persuasively to a wide audience in both written and oral formats;
  • acquire a level of knowledge and disciplinary practice that would qualify the student to undertake further advanced study.

Last updated: 4 March 2021