Courses, Subjects and Qualifications

Courses, Subjects and Qualifications

Courses



Year 2011 2012


Subjects

Qualifications

Bachelor of Commerce BCom

Introduction

UC's Bachelor of Commerce opens doors to the world of business, finance and marketing.

Features of the BCom at UC

  • Flexible three-year degree
  • A choice of 11 different major subjects
  • High employment rates into stimulating, diverse careers
  • World-class teaching and research facilities
  • Internationally renowned College with strong links to business communities
  • Opportunities to gain real-world experience through internships and business competitions
  • Potential to qualify as a chartered accountant through the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) and/or Certified Practising Accountants (CPA) Australia

Major subjects

Recommended preparation

To enrol in a Bachelor of Commerce at UC you have to fulfil University Entrance requirements.

No prior experience or knowledge is required or assumed for those beginning a BCom. This means that no matter what background you come from, be it educational or employment, you are in a position to enter into 100-level UC Commerce classes. However it can be advantageous to have an interest in or understanding of certain subjects.

See the relevent subject page above for more information.

Degree structure

The Bachelor of Commerce degree requires a minimum total of 360 points.

  • At least 255 points must be from Commerce courses (up to 60 points of Mathematics and/or Statistics at 100 or 200-level may be included in the 255 points).
  • The remaining 105 points can be from Commerce courses or courses from other degrees.
  • At least 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.

A minimum of 105 points needs to be completed in your first year to finish your BCom within three years. Most students will take 120 points in their first year.

You must also complete specified courses for your major subject as summarised in the degree diagrams (College of Business and Economics website) or set out in the Enrolment Handbook.

All UC courses have a point value of 15 or a multiple thereof.

Core courses

All BCom students must complete five compulsory 100-level courses (a total of 75 points) selected from seven 'core' courses. BCom majors include the core courses in their prescribed pathways. The core courses are:

  • ACCT 102 Accounting and Financial Information
  • INFO 123 Information Systems and Technology
  • Either ECON 104 Introduction to Microeconomics or
 ECON 105 Introduction to Macroeconomics
  • MGMT 100 Fundamentals of Management
  • Either MSCI 110 Quantitative Methods for Business or STAT 101 Statistics 1.

It is desirable to complete the core courses in your first year of study as they are prerequisites (required courses) for 200 and 300-level Commerce courses. However, it is possible to complete some of these courses in your second and third years depending on the requirements of your BCom major.

BCom degree structure diagram

Double degrees

Many students study for a second degree in addition to a BCom. In particular, a BCom and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) is a highly marketable combination. The BCom also combines well with degrees in Arts, Science, Forestry Science and Engineering. It is normally possible to complete the two degrees in five years (some degree combinations may take longer).

If you are thinking of undertaking a double degree you should also consider postgraduate study. In the time it takes to finish a double degree (five years) you can complete a Master of Commerce. Alternatively, in four years you can complete a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours.

Both the BCom(Hons) and MCom are postgraduate qualifications and represent a higher level of achievement than a bachelor’s degree. In an increasingly competitive job marketplace these qualifications help you to distinguish yourself.

Students considering a double degree or a postgraduate qualification should seek advice from a College of Business and Economics Student Advisor (see contact details below).

Graduate profile

As a BCom graduate you will be able to:

  • demonstrate advanced knowledge of your selected subject major, informed by the broader context of commerce.
  • use analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to address specific problems.
  • understand issues from a range of ethical, global and multicultural perspectives.
  • communicate effectively both orally and in written form.

Further study

Postgraduate and graduate options include:

Contact

For more information email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone in NZ 0800 VARSITY (827 748).

For assistance with planning your programme of study contact a College of Business and Economics Student Advisor (advancing students) or the Liaison Team (new students) or visit the Liaison Team’s course planning page (new students).