University of Sydney Handbooks - 2017 Archive

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Bachelor of Commerce – Degree structure

Degree structure

To be awarded the Bachelor of Commerce, students complete units of study with a total value of 144 credit points, comprising:

  • 30 credit points in core units of study, composed of four junior (1000-level) units (24 credit points) and one six credit point senior (2000-level) unit;
  • a major selected from the Table A and Table B subject areas;
  • an optional second major and/or elective units of study selected from Tables A, B or C;
  • a maximum of 60 credit points in junior (1000-level) units of study; and
  • a maximum of 48 credit points in units of study from Table C.

Requirements for the degree with honours

To be awarded the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), meritorious students complete an additional honours year of study (48 credit points) after the completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Commerce. Honours study is offered in most of the subject areas available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce.

For details of the requirements for entry into and completion of the honours year in this program, students should refer to sydney.edu.au/business/honours.

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Core units of study

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce degree must complete five core units of study as follows:

(1) Junior (1000-level) core units of study (24 credit points)

  • BUSS1000 Future of Business
  • BUSS1020 Quantitative Business Analysis
  • BUSS1030 Accounting, Business and Society
  • BUSS1040 Economics for Business Decision Making


(2) Senior (2000-level) unit of study (six credit points)

  • BUSS2000 Leading and Influencing in Business *

* Offered from 2018.

Progression sequence for completing core units of study

Students must complete their core units in a set progression sequence. This is outlined below.

(1) Junior (1000-level) core units of study

Junior core units are completed as per the following progression sequences:

  • Full-time students: All junior core units must be successfully completed within the first year of enrolment in the recommended sequence set out in the tables under the Progression guide for this degree.
  • Part-time students: All junior core units must be successfully completed within the first two years of enrolment.

All students must complete BUSS1000 in their first semester of study.

(2) Senior (2000-level) core unit of study

The senior unit, BUSS2000, should be completed during the second year of study (full-time students) as reflected in the Progression guide.

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Majors and electives

Commerce major

In the Bachelor of Commerce students must select one major from the Table A and Table B subject areas offered by the Business School and School of Economics (as specified below) to fulfil the requirements of their degree.

In most cases, a major consists of 36 credit points in senior units of study (usually six units) in a single subject area. Junior units of study (1000-level) may be used to meet the prerequisite requirements for more than one major. Senior units of study (2000 and 3000-level) can only be counted towards one major, with the exception of FINC2011 Corporate Finance I which is compulsory for both the Banking and Finance majors.

(1) Table A subject areas - The University of Sydney Business School


(2) Table B subject areas - School of Economics (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)

Additional majors and electives

Students may select an additional major and/or elective units of study from Table A, Table B or Table C. Non-Business School majors may differ in credit point value, however in most cases, a minimum of 36 credit points in senior (or intermediate and senior) units of study must be completed in a single subject area.

For this degree, a maximum of 48 credit points in units of study from Table C subject areas (including those required for a major) may be completed. Students should refer to the relevant faculty's handbook or website for further information regarding their major requirements.

Note: Due to these credit point restrictions not all majors offered by the Faculty of Science are available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce degree. For example, students are not able to complete a major in Psychology or Financial Mathematics and Statistics under the Bachelor of Commerce due to the number of credit points required for these majors. Students can complete Psychology units as electives only.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) electives



(i) Industry Placement Program (IPP)

Students who achieve a WAM of 65%+ across two semesters of full-time study (a minimum of eight units of study – 48 credit points) may apply for an assessable work integrated learning placement unit. Access to these units is subject to the availability of suitable placements, with available placements offered on a competitive basis, subject to WAM performance and interview.

The Business School's Industry Placement Program (IPP) offers placement opportunities across the following areas:

  • Sydney – placements with Sydney based organisations
  • Canberra – placements in government and not-for-profit agencies
  • Regional NSW – placements with regional organisations
  • International – placements in Asia, Europe, South America and the USA

Note: Placement units cannot be counted towards a major.

Further information on the Industry Placement Program (IPP) can be found at: sydney.edu.au/business/study/opportunities/industry_placement_program.

(ii) Community Placement Program (CPP)

The Community Placement Program (CPP) provides students with the opportunity to work with a diverse range of social businesses. Students who achieve a WAM of 65%+ across two semesters of full-time study (a minimum of eight units of study – 48 credit points) may apply for an assessable placement unit.

The Business School’s Community Placement Program (CPP) offers placement opportunities in the following areas:

  • Local – Sydney based social business projects
  • Rural – social enterprise projects in regional areas
  • International – social enterprise placements with CPP partners overseas

Note: Placement units cannot be counted towards a major.

Further information on the Community Placement Program (CPP) can be found at: sydney.edu.au/business/study/opportunities/community_placement_program.

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