If you’d like to study business, how do you decide between a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Commerce?
The differences between the courses may influence your choice of degree.
Both will prepare you for your future career through industry placements, passionate staff and modern facilities at the UWA Business School, but which is right for you?
Bachelor of Business: broad business knowledge for creative problem-solving
UWA’s Bachelor of Business is our new broad degree, offering a breadth of business skills and knowledge. It’ll give you the chance to learn practical and relevant business skills across a range of areas, including project management, marketing, applied business economics, business leadership and strategy, communications, innovation and entrepreneurship. You can also choose a second major from the Bachelor of Commerce if you like.
Dr Andrew Williams, Director of Education at UWA’s Business School, explains: “In the Bachelor of Business, you can major in Business Management, Enterprise and Innovation, or Global Business. You will learn how organisations work, how to develop your own business ideas, and how to work with global organisations.”
“The Bachelor of Business aims to give you the broad business skills and knowledge any future employer is looking for in a modern workplace.”
Bachelor of Commerce: specific knowledge and quantitative skills
The Bachelor of Commerce offers more specific knowledge in a variety of business-related functions. This is your best option if you want to specialise in or want a higher level of expertise in Finance, Accounting or Economics.
So, for instance, if you want to become an accountant, taking the Bachelor of Commerce with a first major in Accounting would be the best way to go. Likewise, if you want to get into the human resources field, you could major in HR Management and perhaps take a second major like Finance, Management or Business Law. There’s other majors too, like Economics or Marketing.
“The Bachelor of Commerce is more analytical and more focused on the specific functions of business organisations, such as accounting, economics, quantitative marketing, or finance.”
“Once you’ve completed your degree, it’s expected that you will have gained the relevant knowledge for a career in the specific area you majored in,” explains Dr Andrew Williams.
Differences in ATAR
The courses also have differences in ATAR that could be helpful when making your choice. The Bachelor of Commerce has an ATAR of 80, while the Bachelor of Business has an ATAR of 75. That five-point difference could mean you can still study a business degree if you don’t achieve your desired ATAR for a Bachelor of Commerce.
If you’re not sure you’ll achieve an 80 ATAR, put the Bachelor of Commerce as your first preference and the Bachelor of Business as a second preference to cover your bases.
Also, you can still choose to complete a second major from any other degree – study a language, take music, continue with your favourite science subject from high school or even try a law major.
We’re focused on education that helps you achieve your career goals, which is why there’s a range of ways you can study with us.
