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Find a Program in 2010

Glossary and FAQs

Glossary of Terms
Commonly used terms and expressions you'll encounter while preparing for study at university.

Frequently Asked Questions About:

  1. Fees & Charges
  2. Academic Programs
  3. Applying to the University of Adelaide
  4. Scholarships
  5. Important Dates

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Tues: 9:30am-5:00pm
[Current Local Time]

Phone: +61 8 8303 7335
(Country and interstate callers toll free on 1800 061 459)

Program Outline

The Bachelor of Commerce is a high demand degree which is valued by employers. The academic program provides students with more than a vocational degree with technical business skills. It develops analytical and decision-making skills to prepare students for future leadership roles.  It is a flexible business degree providing specialisations in the specific career areas of accounting, corporate finance, international business, management and marketing. Critical thinking and communication skills are developed throughout the academic program to enable graduates to deal effectively with a continually changing business environment.

Program Structure

All students commence in the Bachelor of Commerce and complete the first year of the program before choosing to specialise. The first year provides students with the foundation necessary for a commerce graduate and includes core courses in accounting, economics and business data analysis. In the second and third years, students choose courses from the specialisations listed. Students may also choose electives in electronic commerce, commercial law and a wide range of subject areas offered by other faculties.

Accounting: this specialisation is designed for students who wish to gain professional accounting qualifications. There are fifteen courses within the academic plan that are compulsory for an accounting qualification.

Professional recognition/membership: upon completion of the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree students will be eligible to apply for associate membership of either the CA Program (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia) or the CPA program (CPA Australia). To achieve full professional membership both bodies require an additional program of study and a stipulated length of work experience.

Corporate finance: this specialisation is designed to provide students with specialist skills in finance together with broader studies in business. Corporate finance focuses on the way financial managers make investment and financing decisions and use financial instruments and capital markets to enhance returns and manage risk.

Professional recognition/membership: graduates are entitled to affiliate membership of The Financial Services Institute of Australia (Finsia). Some Corporate Finance courses cover material relevant for entry to the Chartered Financial Analysts and Financial Planning Association.

International business: this specialisation is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in international business management. The program provides a broad foundation in business as well as specialised studies in international management and international marketing. In addition, students complete either one semester of study abroad, study a foreign language or undertake international cultural studies.

Professional recognition/membership: completion of appropriate courses within this program leads to membership of professional associations such as the Australian Institute of Management (AIM), the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) and the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI).

Management: this specialisation will help students develop the skills required to successfully manage changes in work structures, process and product technologies, employment relations and organisational culture. The management courses collectively introduce students to key areas in the study of management. The second year courses lay the foundations for the acquisition of the technical, human and social skills that managers require. In the third year students study the important area of how to manage people in an organisation including the cross-cultural management of human resources. Study of management is rounded off with a course which looks at the core management function of crafting and implementing strategy.

Professional recognition/membership: completion of this academic plan leads to membership of professional associations such as the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) and the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI).

Marketing: this specialisation is designed to provide students with a sound background in business, together with an understanding of marketing's role within and between organisations. The degree program integrates the development of practical skills and knowledge, with a strong emphasis on understanding current theories and the latest research. Apart from developing an understanding of marketing theory, students will prepare marketing reports, marketing plans and diagnostic case studies, as well as analysing advertisements in a variety of media.

Professional recognition/membership: completion of this academic plan enables students to gain credit towards Certified Professional Marketer (CPM) status awarded by the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI). Graduates are also eligible for the Diploma of Market Research from the Market Research Society of Australia.

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Admission Information

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.

I am a:

Domestic applicants

Not a domestic applicant? ?

2009 CSP IB 27
SATAC Code 314101
2009 CSP TER 80
HESS group ? General
Annual tuition fees ?
Commonwealth-supported place: $8,859
Mid-year entry? Subject to availability
Enquiries Student Centre

Selection Criteria ?

Year 12 applicants
You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER).
Alternative entry pathways
  • Higher Education applicants
    You must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent university study. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA.
  • VET applicants
    You must have completed an AQF Diploma or above. Your application will be ranked manually according to your TAFE results.
  • Special Entry applicants
    You must be 18 years or over before February 1st of the year that you will be studying, you must not have studied more than 2 years full-time equivalent higher education in the last 2 years and you must not hold a completed higher education level award. If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Personal Competencies (PC) and Employment Experience (EE) statements are not considered for entry into the Bachelor of Commerce and your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme. See Wilto Yerlo for further information.
  • Without formal qualifications?
    You may be eligible for our special access schemes.
Additional Entry Requirements ?
Applicants who wish to be considered for entry on the basis of a completed VET/TAFE Diploma/Advanced Diploma (or overseas equivalent) must submit an official academic transcript and evidence of completion of the VET/TAFE course to the Professions Student Support Hub, Marjoribanks Building, 10 Pulteney Street, Adelaide SA 5000. Official transcripts for completed VET/TAFE Diploma/Advanced Diploma must be received by the School no later than the first week of January, 2009. For further details contact the Professions Hub on (08) 8303 4755.

How to Apply ?

SATAC Code: 314101

International applicants

Not an international applicant? ?

International TER 80
IB 26
IELTS Total 6 [more info]
Annual tuition fees ? International student place: $24,150
Mid-year entry? Yes
Enquiries Student Centre

Selection Criteria ?

Equivalent Scores
International TER 80
IB 26
IELTS
Total
Reading
Listening
Speaking
Writing
6
5.5
5.5
6
6

How to Apply ?

International applicants applying with Australian year 12 results

Not an international applicant applying with Australian year 12 results? ?

International TER 80
Annual tuition fees ? International student place: $24,150
Mid-year entry? Yes
Enquiries Student Centre

Selection Criteria ?

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Areas of Specialisation

All Commerce students are admitted to the Bachelor of Commerce program and may choose to graduate with one of the Commerce degrees listed.

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Study Plans

The study plans ? given are examples of pathways through this degree. For a complete description, see the program rules.

For students commencing Level 1 in 2010: 

Level I

 Core courses

Plus four Level I electives taken from the following list or from other disciplines offered by the University of Adelaide:

Electives

Level II

Core courses

  • Four Commerce Level II courses

Plus four Level II electives taken from the following list or from other disciplines offered by the University of Adelaide:

Electives

Level III
(PLEASE NOTE: Course codes below are only applicable from 2010)

Core courses

  • Four Commerce Level III courses

Plus four Level III electives taken from the following list or from other disciplines offered by the University of Adelaide:

Electives:

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Career Opportunities

Students who specialise in accounting may join the accounting profession in all areas of commerce and industry. Admission to CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) requires the completion of an accredited degree, practical experience and courses of study organised by the professional accounting associations. A Bachelor of Commerce is recognised as a fully accredited degree by both professional bodies. Career prospects lie in such specialised fields as taxation, auditing, management accounting, computerised accounting and finance.

Specialising in corporate finance may lead to employment with trading and merchant banks, investment firms, consulting firms or private and public corporations, including government regulatory authorities. There are openings for graduates in treasury and risk management, stockbroking, fund and portfolio management, international trade and derivatives trading and pricing.

Graduates who have specialised in marketing or management have the foundations for a career in these specialist areas of management, and may later move into a general management career.

Potential careers

Accountant, Management Consultant, Manager / Business Management, Market Researcher, Marketer / Marketing Manager, Ministerial Adviser, Business Analyst, Business Consultant, Commodities or Futures Trader, Parliamentary Adviser, Parliamentary Member, Policy Adviser, Political Advisor, Politician, Public Servant, Finance Manager, Financial Adviser, Financial Systems / Computer Analyst, Foreign Affairs, Government or Corporate Policy Adviser, Taxation officer, International Trade or Business Analyst, ...

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Graduate Attributes

Commerce Undergraduate Program Graduate Attributes

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Professional Accreditation

Accounting

The Bachelor of Commerce degree is accredited by the two major Australian professional accounting bodies: CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA). Although there are fifteen compulsory courses for the B Com (Accounting), membership of CPA Australia can be achieved without Income Tax Law III and Auditing III, and membership of ICAA can be achieved without Information Systems I. Full professional membership of either accounting body is granted upon completion of:

  • the Bachelor of Commerce degree including the specified courses
  • a stipulated length of work experience
  • the CA Program (ICAA) or the CPA program (CPA Australia).

Corporate Finance

Completion of this program entitles graduates to affiliate membership to the Financial Services Institute of Australia (Finsia), as well as covering material relevant for entry to the Chartered Financial Analysts and Financial Planning Association. Full membership of Finsia requires completion of the Institute’s Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment, progress towards which is greatly facilitated by completion of this degree. 

Management

The degree meets the educational requirement for the AIM (SA) qualification of Certified Professional Manager (CPMgr). In addition, this qualification requires a minimum of five years work experience with three years in a supervisory position. 

Marketing

This program enables students to gain credit towards Certified Professional Marketer (CPM) status awarded by the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI). This professional accreditation, recognised throughout Australia and the Pacific Basin, signals a full professional in the marketing area.

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Program Rules

Business School

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Further Information

Please direct enquiries to the Student Centre
Phone: +61 8 8303 7335 (toll free 1800 061 459)

The annual Open Day and Information Night events provide an excellent opportunity to see our campus, meet with academics, and discuss your study options.

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The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Tuesday, 17 Nov 2009

Program Talks

Commerce/Finance: Taking Care of Business

Listen to the Open Day Talk

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The Bachelor of Commerce is a multidisciplinary degree that aims to develop students’ professional skills in preparation for entering the workforce. Commerce offers a choice of pathways including accounting, corporate finance, international business, management and marketing. The Business School also offers degree programs in Finance. Studies in business can help you make an impact on your future - come along and find out how.