Undergraduate study in business and management
Courses and specialisations
With such a large number of students studying in the business and management field, there are many different undergraduate degrees available. Like in the VET sector, there are courses that teach students about basic business functions and how they contribute to the successful running of a business. Other courses are not as strictly focused on how businesses work, instead preparing students for professional roles in areas such as stockbroking and financial management.
The two most common bachelor degrees are the bachelor of business and bachelor of commerce. These courses are quite broad and allow students to explore a number of specialisations, including management, marketing, human resources management, finance, accounting, actuarial studies, sustainable business and international business. These general courses allow you to enter many different careers in your chosen discipline, but may require further study at the postgraduate level in order to specialise and qualify for specific positions.
Students can also integrate a business focus into a non-business degree through elective studies. For example, a design student could complement their studies with a set of marketing subjects.
For students who have a specific career in mind, there are also a number of specialised courses (a bachelor of marketing or a bachelor of health management, for example). You could also pair business and management with courses like accounting, communications, computing and information technology, engineering or law through a double degree.
Finally, there are a number of courses that prepare students for related professions (such as financial planning and banking), as well as courses that focus on applying management principles in specific industries (such as property and logistics).
Applicants must meet academic and English language requirements, which vary between courses, institutions and qualification levels. For more information about undergraduate degrees and entry requirements, see Higher Education — Undergraduate.
Where to study
Undergraduate degrees in business and management, as well as the various specialisations and related areas, are offered at a large number of institutions around the country, including universities, private colleges and some TAFE institutes. In fact, many private colleges specifically focus on business education.
Your choice of course will depend on your area of interest and your career goals. If you are unsure about which area of business and management you are interested in, you might consider a general business and management course (a bachelor of business, for example) that will allow you to sample a range of fields. If you know the area that interests you, you may wish to select one of the more specific courses (a bachelor of property management, for example). Read through course outlines carefully to ensure that your course meets your requirements.
Practical experience is an important part of many business and management courses, so you may wish to check that the courses and institutions you are considering incorporate plenty of practical experience through industry placements and industry projects. The best courses should also have good contacts with employers. In some study areas, including accounting, marketing and human resource management, it also helps to look for courses that are accredited by the relevant professional associations.
