Bachelor of Commerce (B-COM)

Overview

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

one of

(a) the Victorian Certificate of Education including:

• VCE Units 3 and 4 – either a study score of at least 25 in one of English, English Language or Literature or a study score of at least 30 in English as an Additional Language, and
• VCE Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 25 in Mathematics Methods (CAS) or Specialist Mathematics;

Note: For applicants interested in the Bachelor of Commerce to Master of Engineering Graduate Degree Package, it's strongly encouraged that you complete Specialist Mathematics Units 3 and 4, or equivalent. If VCE Specialist Mathematics is not completed, applicants will be required to undertake an additional Mathematics subject through the University's Community Access Program (CAP). Melbourne School of Engineering will provide a fee waiver for one CAP subject. 

(b) the International Baccalaureate Diploma including

• at least Grade 4 in English or English B (Standard Level or Higher Level) and Mathematics;

(c) a senior secondary program, foundation studies program or equivalent approved by the Academic Board including appropriate English language and Mathematics studies.

Except for applicants eligible for Access Melbourne, minimum ATAR or equivalent overall performance rankings apply.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider, prior academic performance.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. For applicants who have not completed the Victorian Certificate of Education or the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the undergraduate English language requirements must be met.

Note. For applications through the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre, “middle-band” selection adjustments are made only on the basis of eligibility for Access Melbourne.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The Faculty of Business and Economics welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and Faculty policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the Faculty’s programs.

The BCom and Masters degrees of the Faculty of Business and Economics equip graduates with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand and participate in the modern business world. The degrees include the following academic requirements for study:

• The ability to explain and evaluate concepts, theories, institutional arrangements and operations of modern mixed economies;
• The ability to critically evaluate the economy, commerce and business in the broader social and political context;
• The ability to explain and apply concepts across a range of commerce and business disciplines in solving business and policy problems;
• The ability to contribute positively to the development of organisations and society in relation to business, government and the commercial professions.

All students of the Faculty’s courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the Faculty. Candidates for the BCom degree and for FBE Masters degrees must have abilities and skills in communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

• Communication: The student must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and/or written form. A student must have the ability to clearly and independently communicate knowledge and application of a discipline, principles or practices during assessment tasks, and in some discipline streams.
• Intellectual‐Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: The student is expected to have the ability to develop problem‐solving skills and demonstrate the ability to establish study plans and priorities. These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving requires all of these intellectual abilities. Students should also have the ability to comprehend complex disciplinary and cross disciplinary information related to the BCom and Masters degrees.
• Behavioural and Social Attributes: A student must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment and the emotional health required for full utilisation of his/her intellectual abilities. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students. Integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are deemed necessary for students enrolled in FBE courses.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving the inherent academic requirements of the BCom and FBE Masters courses are encouraged to contact the Student Equity and Disability Support. Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, but students should participate in the course in an independent manner.

Professional accreditation

Accreditation information is available on the Faculty's website.

Course structure

The Bachelor of Commerce requires the successful completion of 300 points including at least 225 points of commerce discipline subjects and at least 50 points of breadth subjects.

There are compulsory requirements at each level, a compulsory quantitative requirement, and requirements for majoring in a commerce discipline.

Level 1

• A minimum of 87.5 points must be taken at Level 1 
• A maximum of 125 points may be taken at Level 1
• A maximum of 37.5 points of breadth may be taken at Level 1

Students admitted to a Graduate Degree Package (GDP) to the Master of Engineering and Chancellors Scholars who intend to apply for the Master of Engineering will be exempt from this Level 1 breadth maximum, as the following four Level 1 subjects will need to be taken to meet the pathway requirements: MAST10006 Calculus 2, MAST10007 Linear Algebra, and two first year Science subjects. (Note: Calculus 2 and Linear Algebra may not be required for certain engineering streams)

Level 1 compulsory subjects:

Level 2

A minimum of 62.5 points of commerce subjects must be taken at Level 2, including the compulsory subject:

Note: Students who commenced pre-2011 are not subject to the 62.5 point minimum.

Level 3

A minimum of 75 points must be taken at Level 3

IMPORTANT: At least 50 points of Level 3 commerce subjects must be completed at the University of Melbourne

Remaining Points

The remaining 75 points must be comprised of one of the following combinations:

• 25 points of commerce electives and 50 points of breadth
• 12.5 points of commerce electives and 62.5 points of breadth
• 75 points of breadth

Note: Students may not complete more than 37.5 breadth points at Level 1 unless they have been admitted to the Graduate Degree Package (GDP) to the Master of Engineering, or they are Chancellors Scholars and have informed the Faculty (via Stop 1) that they intend to apply for the Master of Engineering. 

COMPULSORY QUANTITATIVE REQUIREMENT

There are two ways to satisfy the quantitative requirement of the course:

Option 1 - Standard Path:

AND one level 2 quantitative subject from the list below:

Option 2 - Mathematics Path:

Two level 2 subjects are taken in second year:

AND one of:

(Students pursuing actuarial studies must complete MAST20004)

Students who opt to complete the mathematics path, do not complete Quantitative Methods 1 and 2. They may, if they wish, complete any of:

Students who complete the mathematics path are still required to complete 62.5 points of level-2 commerce subjects; the mathematics subjects are counted as breadth.

The level 1 prerequisites for the mathematics path subjects above are as follows:

Students with a study score of 25 or above in units 3/4 VCE Mathematical Methods (or equivalent):

Students with a study score of 29 or above in units 3/4 VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent):

Students with a study score of 36 or above in units 3/4 VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent):

Students with a study score of 38 or above in units 3/4 VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent):

It is recommended that students not pursuing actuarial studies meet the prerequisites for MAST20006 Probability for Statistics and MAST20004 Probability by enrolling in MAST10006 Calculus 2 and MAST10007 Linear Algebra, even if they meet prerequisites for MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1 and MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2. Students intending to pursue actuarial studies will take the mathematics path and enrol in MAST20004 Probability.

Which Quantitative Subjects?

The choice of quantitative subjects will depend on your chosen field/s of study, your level of ability and interest in mathematics and the subjects in which you wish to enrol later in your degree.

Through the mathematics path, it is possible to satisfy the quantitative requirement of the course by taking mathematics subjects as breadth. This option is suitable for students who enjoy mathematics and have strong mathematical skills.

In deciding which quantitative subjects to take, you should check the prerequisites of the level-2 and level-3 subjects you wish to take to ensure you make the most appropriate choice.

MAJORS

Students must complete at least one major within the BCom, and may complete up to two majors. With the exception of the economics major, a major requires the completion of 3 specified subjects at level 3. To view the majors and relevant subject options, please refer to the Majors section. 

Breadth in the Bachelor of Commerce

Breadth studies are those subjects chosen from outside the Faculty of Business and Economics. Students may take all of their 50 - 75 breadth points in one or more breadth disciplines. You can select subjects of your choice, or follow a breadth track: a set of complementary breadth subjects in various disciplines.

Note: Certain breadth subjects in law or mathematics must be taken to gain accounting or actuarial accreditation. Students pursuing an approved engineering breadth sequence or accreditation in actuarial studies should see 'special arrangements' below.

To view breadth subjects for this course, please refer to the Breadth Options section below.

Breadth subjects not available for Bachelor of Commerce students: any subjects offered by the Departments of Accounting, Economics, Finance and Marketing and Management and the Centre for Actuarial Studies cannot be taken as breadth subjects (even if expressly available as a breadth subject for students based in another degree).

Special arrangements

Students commencing in 2010 - 2016 who are pursuing an approved engineering breadth sequence in the civil, electrical, mechanical or software streams will undertake 112.5 points of breadth and 187.5 commerce points.

Students pursuing accreditation in actuarial studies will take 75 – 87.5 points of breadth, including two breadth subjects that are neither mathematics nor statistics.

Students enrolled in the Graduate Degree Package to the Master of Engineering, and Chancellors Scholars who intend to apply for the Master of Engineering, will be permitted to take up to four specific Level 1 breadth subjects to meet the pathway requirements. 

Progression

Students must complete 50 points of study at one year-level before proceeding to the next year-level.

Concurrent Diplomas

Certain breadth subjects may be cross-credited toward a concurrent diploma. These diplomas offer specialised study in a range of areas:

• Diploma in Computing
• Diploma in Languages
• Diploma in Mathematical Sciences
• Diploma in Music

Commencing students interested in pursuing a diploma should seek advice from both Stop 1 and the owning faculty of the diploma.

Breadth requirements

Find breadth subjects

Use the Handbook Search function to find subjects that can be used as breadth studies in the Bachelor of Commerce

Majors, minors & specialisations

Majors

Students must complete at least one major within the BCom, and may complete up to two majors. With the exception of the economics major, a major requires the completion of 3 specified subjects at level-3.

Majors are available in the following areas of study:

Further study

Graduate degrees offer the opportunity for graduates to obtain a professional qualification or develop their expertise in an individual field. Graduate studies in commerce are also available for non-commerce graduates.

Graduate Professional Degrees are professional qualifications in disciplines including law, engineering and teaching. Fifty percent of designated places will be Commonwealth supported.

Graduate Programs in Commerce are business qualifications open to graduates from any discipline. They also allow commerce graduates to broaden their knowledge of business and management or extend their expertise in a particular field.

The Honours year provides advanced studies in individual commerce disciplines and is a gateway to research degrees such as the PhD.

Last updated: 16 April 2025