Bachelor of Commerce (B-COM)

Overview

Award title	Bachelor of Commerce
Year & campus	2025 — Parkville
CRICOS code	002143B
Fees information	Subject EFTSL, level, discipline and census date
Study level & type	Undergraduate Coursework
AQF level	7
Credit points	300 credit points
Duration	36 months full-time or 72 months part-time

The Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) at Melbourne equips graduates with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to understand and participate in the modern business world. The course also prepares students for subsequent graduate studies and allows them to achieve the highest level of success in their professional careers.

The Bachelor of Commerce provides a solid foundation in economics, accounting, finance, quantitative methods and organisational behaviour. The structure of the course requires students to study compulsory and elective subjects from the core program. These determine a student's major field of study.

A feature of all the new generation undergraduate degrees is the compulsory breadth component. Students choose a number of subjects from disciplines outside of commerce, exposing them to multi-disciplinary knowledge and skills.

The course allows students to meet accreditation requirements specified by accounting and actuarial professional bodies. Graduate options upon completion of the degree, other than proceeding directly to employment, include an Honours year, or further professional or research-related graduate studies.

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 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

A minimum of grade 4, at either HL or SL, on either English Language A: literature, English Language A: literature and language or English Literature and performance. For students without English as a first language, a grade of 4 or above, at either HL or SL on English Language B is required. A minimum of grade 4, at either HL or SL, in Mathematics Analysis and approaches or a minimum of grade 4, at HL, in Mathematics Applications and interpretations. Mathematics Applications and interpretations at SL cannot be used to meet this requirement;

(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 BCom degree 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 degree 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 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: Students 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 their 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.

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.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from participating in tasks involving the inherent academic requirements of the BCom and FBE Master's 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.

Intended learning outcomes

The Bachelor of Commerce has the objective of enabling students to move into positions of leadership in Australia or overseas through the acquisition of contemporary business and economics knowledge, technical skills and professional practice.

Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable across the core requirements of the degree, as demonstrated by the ability to:

Communicate an understanding of foundational knowledge in the core disciplines of the BCom
Apply knowledge of major theories, models and modes of analysis in the core disciplines of the BCom to provide insight into complex, practical problems
Adopt a critical approach to the access, evaluation and use of information from diverse sources.

Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable of at least one of the majors in the degree, as demonstrated by the ability to:

Communicate an understanding of foundational knowledge in the major(s)
Critically review key theories, models and modes of analysis in the major(s)
Apply learning to suggest solutions to complex, practical problems relating to the disciplinary content of the major(s).

Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable of domestic and international business and economic environments as demonstrated by the ability to:

Contribute to debate about domestic and global societal issues using the knowledge and modes of analysis acquired through the core of the BCom and the major(s)
Analyse business and economic issues in an international context.

Graduates of this degree will be knowledgeable of disciplines outside the faculty as demonstrated by the ability to:

Communicate an understanding of theories, models and modes of analysis of selected areas of study outside the core disciplines of business and economics.

Generic skills

Graduates of the degree will have the capacity to:

Work collaboratively and productively in groups
Use basic mathematical and statistical tools of analysis
Apply critical and analytical skills and methods to the identification, evaluation and resolution of complex problems
Engage confidently in self-directed study and research
Communicate ideas effectively in both written and oral formats
Operate effectively in multicultural and diverse environments
Effectively use information from diverse sources
Be proficient in the use of appropriate information technologies
Critically evaluate new ideas, research findings, methodologies and theoretical frameworks in a specialised field of study
Recognise and understand the ethical responsibilities of individuals and organisations in society.

Graduate attributes

Bachelor of Commerce graduates will have the following attributes and skills:

Academically excellent

Analysis and evaluation of evidence in the commerce disciplines in support of an argument, proposition or solution to problems in organisations and in society
Strategic and critical thinking in relation to business and commerce related issues.

Research skills including the retrieval of information from a variety of business, commerce and economics sources

Knowledgeable across disciplines
Synthesis of knowledge across disciplines
Problem solving through the application of appropriate theories, principles and data
Skilled in the use of computer systems and software used in commerce and business through practical assignments, exercises and demonstrations.

Attuned to cultural diversity

Aware of cultural differences and able to account for these in developing solutions to commerce related problems.

Active global citizens

Effective communicators on matters related to economics and commerce
Participants in discussion and debate on national and international issues related to the disciplines of the faculty.

Leaders in communities

Effective decision makers in business and commerce
Ethical and collegial in professional practice.

Course structure

The Bachelor of Commerce requires the successful completion of 300 credit points.

237.5 credit points of Commerce discipline subjects including
- A minimum of 62.5 credit points of Level 1 commerce discipline subjects
- A minimum of 62.5 credit points of Level 2 commerce discipline subjects
- A minimum of 50 credit points of Level 3 commerce discipline subjects
50 credit points of Breadth subjects including
- A maximum of 37.5 credit points of Level 1 breadth subjects
12.5 credit points of free subjects (Commerce discipline or breadth)

Additional rules

Between 87.5 and 125 credit points of Level 1 subjects
A minimum of 75 credit points of Level 3 subjects
62.5 credit points of Compulsory Level 1 Commerce discipline subjects
12.5 credit points of Compulsory Level 2 commerce discipline subjects
completion of one Compulsory quantitative requirement
Completion of between one and two prescribed majors
at least 50 points of Level 3 commerce discipline subjects must be completed at the University of Melbourne.

Non-standard rules

Students who intend to apply for the Master of Engineering suite of degrees will be exempt from the Level 1 breadth maximum, as four Level 1 Science subjects will need to be taken to meet the pathway requirements: usually MAST10006 Calculus 2, MAST10007 Linear Algebra, and two first year Science subjects. (Note: Different first year science subjects are prerequisites for different engineering disciplines. Calculus 2 and Linear Algebra may not be required for certain engineering disciplines).
Students who want to complete the major in Accounting (with accreditation) and complete the required pathway to undertake one of the Master of Engineering suite of degrees are exempt from the Level 1 breadth maximum (see above) and must take one additional subject as CAP to complete this pathway (giving a total of 312.5 credit points).
Students completing the Business Analytics major are required to complete MAST20034 Critical Thinking with Data as a compulsory commerce subject within the major. Other students completing the BCOM can elect to complete MAST20034 as either a commerce elective or a breadth subject.

Progression rules

Completion of CMCE10001 Sustainable Commerce in the first semester of commencement in the course.
Completion of at least 50 points of Level 1 study before proceeding to the next subject year level.
Completion of at least 50 points of Level 2 study before proceeding to the next subject year level.

Compulsory subjects

Compulsory Level 1 commerce discipline subjects

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
CMCE10001	Sustainable Commerce	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

Note: this subject is required to be completed in the first semester of commencement in the course

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
ACCT10001	Accounting Reports and Analysis	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
ECON10004	Introductory Microeconomics	Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
ECON10003	Introductory Macroeconomics	Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
FNCE10002	Principles of Finance	Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

Compulsory Level 2 commerce discipline subjects

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
MGMT20001	Organisational Behaviour	Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

Quantitative requirement

Option 1 - Standard quantitative path

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
ECON10005	Quantitative Methods 1	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

AND

A minimum of one of

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
ECON20003	Quantitative Methods 2	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
ECOM20001	Econometrics 1	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
MGMT20005	Business Decision Analysis	Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
MKTG20004	Market and Business Research	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

Option 2 - Mathematics quantitative path

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
MAST20005	Statistics	Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

AND

One of

Code	Name	Study period	Credit Points
MAST20006	Probability for Statistics	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5
MAST20004	Probability	Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)	12.5

Students pursuing actuarial studies must complete MAST20004 Probability.
Students opting to complete the mathematics path, do not complete Quantitative Methods 1 and 2. They may, if they wish, complete any of: ECOM20001 Econometrics 1, MGMT20005 Business Decision Analysis, MKTG20004 Market and Business Research.
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.

 Level 1 prerequisites for the mathematics path subjects:

Students with a study score of 25 or above in units 3/4 VCE Mathematical Methods (or equivalent): MAST10005 Calculus 1, MAST10006 Calculus 2, MAST10007 Linear Algebra.
Students with a study score of 29 or above in units 3/4 VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent): MAST10006 Calculus 2, MAST10007 Linear Algebra.
Students with a study score of 36 or above in units 3/4 VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent): MAST10021 Calculus 2: Advanced, MAST10022 Linear Algebra Advanced.
Students with a study score of 38 or above in units 3/4 VCE Specialist Mathematics (or equivalent): MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1, MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2.

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.

Breadth

Breadth studies are those subjects chosen from outside the Faculty of Business and Economics. Students may take all of their 50 - 62.5 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.

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.

Breadth subjects not available for Bachelor of Commerce students: any subjects offered by the Departments of Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management and Marketing 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 62.5 points of breadth, including one breadth subject that is neither mathematics nor statistics, depending on prior mathematics study requirements.
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.

Concurrent diplomas:

Certain breadth subjects may be cross-credited toward a concurrent diploma (see more information on the diplomas via the link below). 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.

Link

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 are available in the following areas of study:

Name	Credit Points

Accounting	37.5
Actuarial Studies	37.5
Business Analytics	75
Economics	62.5
Finance	37.5
Management	37.5
Marketing	37.5

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: 20 April 2025