If you’re interested in a career in the world of commerce and want expertise in business and the business of government then the Bachelor of Commerce is the degree for you.
The Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) is a three-year undergraduate degree designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need for a successful career in the exciting world of commerce.
You’ll get a strong foundation in private business and public administration and gain skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership. In the BCom, you’ll develop your critical and creative thinking, as well as an understanding of how different cultures do business.
International recognition
Wellington School of Business and Government is among a small group of business schools worldwide that hold the ‘Triple Crown’ of international business education accreditations. You can be confident your qualification will stand up against the best around the world.
Find out more about university accreditations and what they mean for you.
Important information
- In the first year of your Bachelor of Commerce, you normally take courses that amount to 120 points. This could be four 15-point courses in each of the first and second trimesters. These are usually made up of the seven core courses and one elective course.
- In order to get into advanced-level courses, you need to have first completed the 100-level prerequisite courses, so keep this in mind when making your choices.
- Subjects in the BCom with specific minor requirements include Actuarial Science, Data Science, Econometrics, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Marketing. Contact the liaison officers to learn more about studying these subjects. If you’re already a student here, contact a student adviser.
First year
In your first year, you’ll be encouraged to take as many of the core courses as possible. These courses include Accounting, Information Systems, Statistics and Marketing. You’ll also be introduced to the principles of Management and Microeconomics.
It’s a good idea to take the Government, Law, and Business course (FCOM 111) in your first year as it covers referencing and writing skills that are useful in other courses.
It’s possible to do two majors in your BCom, but be careful to take courses that meet the requirements of both majors.
First-year courses are normally taught at our Kelburn campus.
Second year
This is the year you start to get down to the detail of your chosen major. You’ll delve into the issues and gain skills through research and real-world projects.
Third year
At the end of year three of your Bachelor of Commerce, you’ll know your chosen major inside out. Graduate university skilled and ready to embark on a successful career—in New Zealand or beyond.
Get a Master’s degree
At the end of your three-year BCom you can choose to continue your learning with postgraduate studies. Give your career options a boost and choose from a range of postgraduate programmes offered by Victoria University of Wellington.Explore postgraduate study options
Flexibility in your degree
Take advantage of the flexibility offered by Victoria University of Wellington. Depending on your degree, you may be able to do a:
- Double major—specialise in two subjects in your degree.
- Second major from another degree—study a wider range of subjects without doing another degree.
- Minor—specialise in a subject without doing as many courses as for a major.
- Conjoint degree—this intense programme lets you complete two degrees more quickly, usually in four years, by requiring you to do fewer courses.
Improve your writing
Clear writing is vital to your success at university and at work. It helps you understand your subject, organise your thoughts, and communicate your message. If you want to improve your writing, consider the Writing (Academic and Professional) course.View writing course
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to hundreds of first-year students each year. They help with living costs and accommodation costs at the University’s halls of residence.
Our Tangiwai, Totoweka and Kahotea scholarships are available to school leavers, and there are several other first-year scholarships on offer in our scholarships database.
You can also apply for a TeachNZ Scholarship. These scholarships are awarded based on specific areas where teachers are needed.
Degree requirements
For this degree you’ll need to:
- Complete at least 360 points, of which:
- At least 210 points must be from courses listed for the BCom
- At least 180 points must be at 200 and 300 level
- Of the 180 points at least 75 points must be at 300 level
- Of the 75 points at least 45 points must be from courses listed for the BCom
- Of the 180 points at least 75 points must be at 300 level
- Complete seven core courses at 100 level (usually in first year):
- Either Accounting (ACCY 111) or Fundamentals of Accounting (ACCY 115) or Accounting for Decision Making (ACCY 130)
- Microeconomic Principles (ECON 130)
- Government, Law and Business (FCOM 111)
- Introduction to Information Systems (INFO 101)
- Principles of Marketing (MARK 101)
- Introduction to Management (MGMT 101)
- Statistics for Business (QUAN 102)
- Satisfy the requirements for at least one major (see below)
Important information
- In most cases you should include FCOM 111 in your first year of study.
- If you’re thinking of majoring in Accounting or Taxation you should take ACCY 111. Otherwise take ACCY 130.
- Some of the 100-level courses listed above are also listed under the requirements for the major. You only need complete these courses once.
- Subjects in the BCom with specific minor requirements include Actuarial Science, Data Science, Econometrics, and Marketing.
- Make sure you check what the prerequisites are for all 200- and 300-level courses you are planning to do in your degree. Ensure your choices will cover those requirements.
- For more programme details and requirements, see the University Calendar. It’s an annual publication and an authoritative source for planning your degree.