Work it: The boardroom meets the classroom in the Bachelor of Commerce

Learn how business works, have real-world work experiences, make industry contacts in global companies, find friends and co-founders and start making your mark on the world with the UNSW Bachelor of Commerce.

Our fast-changing world calls for new thinking

Traditional ideas aren’t going to change society or fix the economy. A robot can’t solve problems with critical, creative and empathetic thinking – but you can. Our updated BCom makes sure you build the most relevant skills now for your future-proof career.

Businesses constantly assess their weaknesses and opportunities for growth, so they can adapt and thrive in a changing economy. We redesigned the BCom after speaking with our close industry contacts about their most sought-after skills, experiences and knowledge.

The BCom offers data-focused majors like Business Analytics, Information Systems and Fintech. It also offers International Business, Marketing, Human Resources and Economics. Some the most popular majors are Finance and Accounting, which rank 1^st in Australia and 15^th worldwide.

Sarah Perrens, who recruits exceptional students to work at EY, told us that skills such as creativity, problem-solving, adaptability and resilience will be crucial for success in the future.

“The changes implemented to UNSW’s Bachelor of Commerce, which aims to help students’ ability to problem solve and think critically, together with the work-integrated learning elements can really help accelerate that transition into the workforce,” she says.

Get integrated professional development

Authentic work experiences are crucial to understanding how your studies apply in the real world. Career Accelerator provides our suite of work-integrated learning opportunities which are part of the BCom and exclusive to UNSW Business School students.

The professional development opportunities include career mentoring, industry networking, global business practicums and internships. You’ll be able to clearly demonstrate the skills and proficiencies you develop with a digital portfolio called MyBCom Blueprint. The portfolio complements your resume and reassures employers that you are work-ready.

Arthur Chao completed six internships while studying a double degree that combined the UNSW Bachelor of Commerce with the UNSW Bachelor of Arts. His experiences spanned banking, finance and government regulatory organisations in Australia and Hong Kong.

“It’s important to try different paths of the industry you’re interested in. Getting broad exposure helps you know whether or not the job is for you,” he says.

Solve human problems with business solutions

You can work to create a better future. The BCom includes purposeful courses on sustainability and social impact. Practical work competitions such as The Big Idea ask you to develop business ideas that solve social challenges and practice investor pitches.

Monica Wang won the Big Idea and used her business skills to help grow Kua, a fair-trade coffee company. Kua sells ethically-sourced Ugandan coffee to Sydney workplaces; their service is zero-waste, supports Ugandan farmers, while 100% of profits are returned to fund women empowerment programs.

You don’t have to choose your major straight away. The first year of the BCom will introduce you to business essentials and show you how different areas of business work together to solve complex problems. You’ll discover which areas excite and interest you most.

Monica says studying with UNSW Business School gave her the industry-leading skills to get where she is today.

“It's given me a better understanding of my passion and the different pathways I could take to pursue it. I've been lucky to connect with some inspiring people that I would not have had the chance to meet otherwise!” she says.

Find your people

As you’ll find out in your degree, a successful business operation needs the combination of a lot of different skills and knowledge. Find your co-founders and friends in our clubs and societies. With more than 300 clubs to choose from, you might meet your graphic designer or food scientist in the Chocolate Appreciation Society.

Abie Lau represents the largest society on campus – the UNSW Business Society, known as BSoc. She says joining BSoc is key to living your best student life.

“We run a ton of events, ranging from social and networking events through to academic workshops and career programs, to really connect you to academics, industry partners, and most importantly, to your fellow students,” Abie says.

Our Accounting Society was recently awarded the Most Engaged Student Society in the Top100 Future Leaders Awards. They had run almost 50 events for more than 1400 students, including mock-recruitment process.

UNSW also had 27 students listed in the Top100 Future Leaders – more than any other Australian university – with 20 from UNSW Business School. Our students are some of Australia’s best and brightest, supported with mentoring and industry connections from a global community of more than 90,000 alumni.