Bachelor of Commerce
BCom
Overview
From financial markets to the latest management practices and the rapidly expanding world of online commerce, a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) at UC gives you the knowledge and skills to succeed in a global business environment.
UC and its business partners provide many opportunities for you to gain practical business experience and make important contacts.
- Competitions and inter-university business challenges develop your entrepreneurial, project management, and teamwork skills.
- You have the option to study a minor from subjects across Commerce, Arts, Digital Screen, Health Sciences, Science, Sport Coaching, and Youth and Community Leadership.
- Te Kura Umanga | UC Business School is accredited by international associations EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA, giving you a competitive and industry-relevant qualification for business professions.
- UC’s Trading Room gives you a real-world trading environment with a live market and stock data feed, and simulation tools for trading.
Admission to UC with University Entrance (or equivalent) is required to enrol.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
For information on the enrolment process, please see how to apply for undergraduate qualifications.
Recommended preparation
Anyone with entry to the University can study a BCom from 100-level without previous study in the area. However, it is useful to have studied accounting, economics, business studies, and mathematics (especially statistics) at secondary school.
If you have achieved top results in accounting and/or economics at secondary school you may be eligible for direct entry to some 200-level courses.
A good standard of spoken and written English is important.
Bachelor of Commerce – example degree structure
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Zero-points, zero-fees courses
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Compulsory courses
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Major courses
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Other Commerce courses
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Courses from Commerce or other degrees
Each small block represents a 15-point course. However, some courses may be 30 points or more.
This diagram is an example only – other combinations are possible. For specific course requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Commerce.
The Bachelor of Commerce degree requires a minimum total of 360 points:
- at least 255 points from Commerce courses (plus one 0-point course)
- the remaining 105 points can be from Commerce courses or courses from other degrees.
A minimum of 225 points must be from courses above 100-level, with at least 90 points at 300-level.
The degree takes 3 years of full-time study, or can be studied part-time for up to 10 years.
Majors and minors
BCom students have the option of completing either:
- a major
- a major and a minor
- two majors (a double major).
Each major has specific course requirements, but all consist of a minimum 120 points, with at least 60 points at 300-level.
A minor consists of a minimum of 75 points, including at least 45 points above 100-level, in a single subject chosen from Commerce, Arts, Digital Screen, Health Sciences, Science, Sport Coaching, or Youth and Community Leadership degrees.
Double degrees
It is possible to study a Bachelor of Commerce alongside other degrees at the same time, such as the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Forestry Science.
Find out more information about Double degrees.
Conjoint degrees
You can study a conjoint degree and merge your Bachelor of Commerce with options such as the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Product Design, so that you can complete major subjects from multiple areas in a shorter timeframe.
Find out more information about Conjoint degrees.
The Bachelor of Commerce is a highly flexible degree that allows a wide range of choices from major and minor subjects, as well as courses from other degrees.
You will complete at least one major subject, and can also choose to specialise in a minor subject.
See ‘How do I plan my degree?’ above for an example degree structure diagram.
Compulsory courses
The BCom includes five 100-level compulsory courses in the first year:
- ACCT102 Accounting and Financial Information
- ECON104 Introduction to Microeconomics
- INFO123 Business Information Systems and Technology
- MGMT100 Fundamentals of Management
- STAT101 Statistics 1
These courses provide a good general business background and are required for entry to some 200 and 300-level courses. However, you can complete some of these courses in your second and third years depending on the requirements of your major.
You will also take compulsory courses beyond your first year, which will develop knowledge in the business cultural environment and give formal recognition of work experiences through UC study:
Major subjects
Minor subjects
Internship, industry, and international experiences
As a Bachelor of Commerce student, you may have the chance to integrate work and international experiences into your study through:
Places on these programmes are limited and may depend on your academic performance. Talk to a Student Advisor to know more.
UC has a wide range of options for graduate and postgraduate Commerce study.
- Graduate Diploma in Commerce
- Bachelor of Commerce with Honours
- Postgraduate Certificate in Business
- Postgraduate Certificate in Information Systems and Technology
- Postgraduate Certificate in Product Innovation
- Postgraduate Diploma in Business
- Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration
- Postgraduate Diploma in Business Information Systems
- Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems and Technology
- Master of Applied Finance and Economics
- Master of Business
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Business Information Systems
- Master of Commerce
- Master of Product Innovation
- Master of Professional Accounting
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Get hands-on experience through industry internships, international exchanges, and overseas study tours.
- Gain problem-solving, communication, and management skills needed to succeed in a global business environment.
- Network with UC’s industry contacts and get support in launching your own business ideas.
- Graduates are working as accountants, software developers, consultants, marketers, entrepreneurs, and more.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
See Tuition Fee Structure for more information
Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) |
2023 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $6,885 |
2022 | 120 | Indicative first year fee. Actual fee will be determined by course selection. | $6,700 |
Year | Points | Info | Fees (NZD) | Fees (NZD) Excl GST |
2022 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $32,975 | $28,674 |
2023 | 120 | This is an indicative fee - total tuition fee will be dependent on your course selection (banded) | $33,950 | $29,522 |
Contact us
For the full degree requirements, see the Regulations for the Bachelor of Commerce.
For study planning help, contact a Student Advisor.
For more information on facilities, resources, and staff, see Te Kura Umanga | UC Business School.
For more general information, email info@canterbury.ac.nz or freephone 0800 VARSITY (827 748).