Bachelor of Commerce

About offering

The Bachelor of Commerce is Curtin Business School’s principal course and an internationally recognised business qualification. It offers a large and comprehensive range of business specialisations, and aims to give you transferable skills and knowledge in verbal and interpersonal communication, critical thinking and problem-solving, negotiation and time management.

This course is designed to help you gain the theory and practical skills you need to be ready for the job market. You will learn from experienced staff, have opportunities to interact with businesses and learn in real workplace scenarios.

The course comprises eight common core units; seven of these are completed in your first year of study: accounting, business law, economics, business information systems, management, marketing and communication in business.

In your second and third years, you may choose to specialise in one or two majors from the list below:

*Only available as part of a double major.

You will graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce degree regardless of which areas you choose to specialise in.

You will complete the final common core unit, business capstone, in your final year, which gives you the opportunity to take part in a competition to run the most successful virtual company.

Through Industry Connection students are given opportunities to experience the real business world. As a Curtin Business School student you will have opportunities to connect with successful business and community leaders, helping you gain a competitive edge, with the potential to enhance your professional prospects.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia has partnered with Curtin Business School (CBS) to offer internships to students who have completed 200 credits or more of their business degree, these internships are for course credit and provide real-world exposure to our students.

These business internships will not only give students credit towards their degree, they will receive the industry experience and practical skills needed to achieve great things after graduation and give employers the opportunity to support and lend their expertise to the students, encouraging the future workforce, whilst being assisted to meet their business goals.

Industry engagement and internship opportunities

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

What you'll learn

apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and practical business situations through research and practical application
think creatively and critically to generate innovative solutions to complex business and commercial problems
access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from a range of organisational and external sources
communicate appropriately and effectively in professional and public contexts
apply technologies appropriately for a variety of commercial purposes
demonstrate initiative, responsibility and lifelong learning skills by applying critical reflection and active participation
describe global and cultural issues as related to the business area and their impact on local and international communities
demonstrate respect for human rights, cultural diversity and the particular rights of Indigenous Australians and highlight the importance and impact of cultural diversity on the interactions of commercial agents
show leadership, and employ ethical practice and professional integrity when working within a team and independently

Why study Bachelor of Commerce

We seek input from business leaders to ensure your course stays at the forefront of industry trends.
Through your course, you will develop key professional, practical skills that you can apply to your first job.
Our teaching staff are experts in their fields, many with extensive industry experience. Classes often include guest speakers.
You may gain work experience through work placements, vacation placements and internships. Many units include interaction with local businesses and real-world assessments.
Curtin is the only university in Western Australia to run the Business Capstone unit, where final year students take part in a competition to run the most successful virtual company.
Our courses are recognised by key industry bodies such as CPA Australia, Australian Property Institute, Taxation Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Management so you may be able to join a professional network when you graduate.
Life at university can be rewarding and exciting. You can get more out of your student experience by getting involved in extracurricular activities and making use of our support services.

How this course will make you industry ready

A degree is not just about what you know - it's also about what you can do. We know employers want graduates with both business knowledge and practical skills to hit the ground running. This degree will prepare you to graduate career-ready by building these business skills and providing real workplace learning experiences.

Student profile

View our student profile table to get an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students at Curtin University. This table provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and passed the census date in the most relevant recent intake period for which data are available. It includes those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

Professional recognition

Curtin Business School courses are designed, wherever possible, to conform to the membership standards of relevant professional bodies.

Career information

Financial Dealer and Broker

Accountant (General)
Marketing Officer
Business Systems Analyst
Industrial Relations Officer
Management Consultant
Valuer
Economist
Tourist Information Officer
Advertising Account Executive

Admission criteria for Australian and New Zealand students

Australia / New Zealand students

International students

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are as outlined in the IELTS table below. Additional information on how you can meet the English requirement can be found on the English proficiency page.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)
Writing	6.0
Speaking	6.0
Reading	6.0
Listening	6.0
Overall band score	6.0

What kind of applicant are you?

Applicants with recent secondary education
(within the past two years)

Completed your secondary education in Australia within the past two years? Learn how you can apply to Curtin.

Applicants with higher education study

Undertaken higher education study before? Find out how you can apply for a Curtin course and what credit you may be eligible for.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Have you studied a VET course? Find out how you can get into Curtin using these qualifications.

Applicants with work and life experience

Spent time in the workforce, completed a pathway program or finished secondary education more than two years ago? See how you can apply to study at Curtin

Applicants with recent secondary education
(within the past two years)

Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, but also includes those who may have completed their senior secondary studies with a TAFE or other VET provider within the same time frame. This includes applicants whose secondary education was undertaken interstate or overseas.

Guaranteed ATAR: 70

This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met.
Desirable WACE subjects: Mathematics Applications ATAR
STAT entry: Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

Other admission options

Recipients of the John Curtin Undergraduate Scholarship will receive an early offer to study this course.
Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.
Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability. Find out more about portfolio entry.
If you’re an indigenous applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

Lowest selection rank to which a recent Year 12 student offer was made (including the consideration of any equity or other adjustment factors)

View the lowest selection rank (incorporating ATAR plus any adjustments) of an applicant to which an offer of a place was made in the most relevant recent intake period, this includes any ATAR adjustments.

Selection rank adjustments (previously referred to as ATAR related adjustments)

Details of the types of adjustment factors (bonus points) commonly available to applicants can be found on our StepUp to Curtin webpage.

ATAR and selection rank profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in the most recent intake period

View data on the ATAR and selection rank profile of offers made from the most relevant recent intake period.

Applicants with higher education study

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This includes applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It also includes applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Open University Australia units may be used to meet the admission criteria for this course. Find out more about this pathway option.
Curtin offers a variety of bridging courses to help you meet the admission criteria for this course. Find out more about our bridging courses.
Desirable WACE subjects: Mathematics Applications ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

Curtin course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to Curtin course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

Higher education course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to other higher education course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Guaranteed ATAR: 70

This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met.

OR
TAFE:
- AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of English language proficiency is required; or
- AQF Diploma; or
- AQF Advanced Diploma.
Desirable WACE subjects: Mathematics Applications ATAR
STAT entry: Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses.
Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability. Find out more about portfolio entry.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

Applicants with work and life experience

Applicants with work and life experience are those who left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Guaranteed ATAR: 70

This is the ATAR level at which an offer of admission is guaranteed, subject to any other non-ATAR criteria being met.
Desirable WACE subjects: Mathematics Applications ATAR
STAT entry: Written English and either MC Verbal or Quantitative

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) assesses competencies considered important for success at uni.
These tests are provided by the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to help mature age candidates apply for certain courses.
Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability. Find out more about portfolio entry.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

Cut-off scores

Please note: The cut-off scores below are for 2018 only.

Qualification	Score
GCE/STPM/HKALE (A-levels - best of three)	5
HKDSE	15
IB	24
Ontario Gr 12 (best of 6)	60
ATAR (including WACE/SACE/HCE/VCE)	70
WAUFP (CPS)	53
India (CBSE)	60%
India (HSC)	65%
Sri Lanka	5

Minimum academic entry requirements

Please select a country above.

Other requirements and notes for this course

Regional campuses may offer the common first year units only.

In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

Advanced standing / credit transfer / recognition of prior learning

Australia / New Zealand students

International students

At Curtin, we understand that everyone’s study journey has been different.

You may have already studied some of the units (subjects) listed in your Curtin course, or you may have work experience that matches the degree requirements.

If this applies to you, you can apply for credit for recognised learning (CRL), which means your previous study is recognised and matched against a similar unit in your intended Curtin course.

A successful CRL application exempts you from having to complete certain units within your course and means you could finish your degree in a shorter amount of time.

CRL is also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing and credit transfer.

Use the CRL search to find out how much CRL you qualify for, or contact us at:

Email: crl@curtin.edu.au
Tel: 1300 222 888

CRL search

At Curtin, we understand that everyone’s study journey has been different.

You may have already studied some of the units (subjects) listed in your Curtin course at another educational institution, or you may have work experience that matches the degree requirements.

A successful CRL application exempts you from having to complete certain units within your course and means you could finish your degree in a shorter amount of time.

CRL is also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing and credit transfer.

Use the CRL search to find out how much CRL you qualify for, or contact us at:

Email: ci-enquiries@curtin.edu.au
Tel: 1300 222 888

CRL search

Fees and charges

Australia / New Zealand students

International students

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees for 2019

Fee year: 2019

Student type	Cost
Commonwealth supported What is a Commonwealth supported place (CSP)? A CSP is subsidised by the Australian Government. They pay part of the course fees directly to Curtin and then the student pays the remainder (referred to as the “student contribution amount”). The student can defer this fee to their HECS-HELP loan. All Australian students studying an undergraduate degree are automatically awarded a Commonwealth supported place. A limited number of Commonwealth supported places are also available for some postgraduate courses. Learn more about CSPs and whether you’re eligible by visiting the Australian Government’s StudyAssist website.	$10,760^*

Student type

Cost

$10,760^*

Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.

*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 600 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.

This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website

If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.

International student fees for 2019

Fee year: 2019

International onshore – fee paying	Cost
Indicative essential incidental course fee	$30^*
Offer letter (100 credit) published fee	$14,300^*
Total indicative course fee	$85,800^*
Indicative year 1 fee	$28,600^*

Fee year: 2020

International onshore – fee paying	Cost
Indicative essential incidental course fee	$30^*
Offer letter (100 credit) published fee	$14,900^*
Total indicative course fee	$89,300^*
Indicative year 1 fee	$29,800^*

The fees shown above apply to international students studying on-campus in Western Australia. The tuition fee is subject to an annual tuition fee increase of up to 5 per cent per annum. For information about fees at other locations please visit Curtin International’s offshore site.

Where you can study

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Bentley Campus

On Campus and Online
Study Period 1, Semester 1 and Semester 2

Visit campus site

Dubai Campus

On Campus
Semester 2A, Trimester 1 and Trimester 3

Visit campus site

Kalgoorlie Campus

On Campus and Online
Semester 1 and Semester 2

Visit campus site

Malaysia Campus

On Campus and Online
Semester 1 and Semester 2

Visit campus site

Mauritius Campus

On Campus
Semester 2 and Semester 1

Visit campus site

Singapore Campus

On Campus and Online
Trimester 2A, Trimester 3A, Trimester 1A, Trimester 1, Trimester 2 and Trimester 3

Visit campus site

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice:

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. Please view our application deadlines page for further information.

Apply now

Next steps

If you are successful in your application to study at Curtin, you will receive a letter of offer via email. You can either accept or defer your offer. To find out more about this process, view our enrolment web page.

You may also like to find out how you can obtain financial assistance or apply for a scholarship and prepare for Orientation Week (O-Week).