Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce
Course information for - 2023 entry
Offered at 3 locations
- Study mode
- Attendance
- Duration
- 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- CRICOS Code
- 068241K
- IELTS
- 6.0 overall score (with individual score of 6.0 in writing and speaking, and 5.5 in listening and reading)
- Fees (first year)*
- $29664
- Start dates
- February 2023, February 2024
Overview
Launch a bright future with a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce that blends professional business skills with studies in the humanities.
As you follow your passions, you will receive a world-class education and develop highly valued skills that are at the heart of the new economy: creative thinking, problem-solving, communication, and critical analysis. And upon graduating you'll be ready to launch straight into your career thanks to our Future Ready employability program, designed to systematically build each of the elements of your personal brand: your professional identity; experience; job-ready skills; and networks.
Learn to think outside the box and thrive in the modern workplace, and benefit from a huge array of specialisations across both arts and business – so you can truly tailor a degree that matches your interests.
To begin your degree, you’ll benefit from our unique Business Foundation Program, co-created with industry and integrated across all our business courses, which assists you as you transition to university study and provides a solid foundation of business skills. All our business units are embedded with the United Nations sustainable goals. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data analytics, cloud skills and cloud data services are also wired into your studies so you can tick Microsoft certification off your to-do list and get an edge in the job market.
In today’s world, you need professional, technical and cross-cultural skills. Our intercultural communication module is designed to build cultural awareness and communication skills which are vital in the global workplace. You can further extend your intercultural experience by taking part in a Global Virtual Classroom, studying at our Rome Campus or participating in an international study tour.

Professional experience
During the degree you’ll gain up to 175 hours of workplace and community experience before you even graduate.
Work placement
As part of our Work Integrated Learning program you’ll gain 105 hours of industry placement in your area of specialisation. We have embedded employability into your degree with our Future Ready program where we build on your professional skills each year, supporting you every step of the way. These placements will give you the confidence, knowledge and skills to prepare for your future profession. You’ll learn to apply what you learn in the classroom to real life scenarios.
Community engagement
As part of your degree you’ll have the opportunity to work with not-for-profit organisations with 35 to 70 hours of community engagement experience. You’ll foster knowledge and understanding and its application within communities experiencing marginalisation and disadvantage while applying ethical personal and professional skills developed during your studies at ACU.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible for membership of the following professional organisations depending on the business major and minor completed:
Accounting

Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- accounting firms
- advertising
- employment relations
- financial management
- human resource management
- international trade and investment
- marketing management
- marketing research
- personal investment
- policy administration
- retailing and wholesaling
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce, a student must complete 320 credit points (cp).
AQF framework
Additional course information
In keeping with the Mission of the University, several units within the Bachelor of Commerce degree focus on business ethics and personal values. One compulsory unit of Community Engagement is also incorporated in the degree and is designed to assist with personal development. Students will have the opportunity to engage with the community in a tangible way through voluntary work in a not-for-profit organisation.
An additional elective Professional Experience unit involves placement in a related business organisation and is designed to assist students to apply their studies to the real working environment, and to gain employment in their chosen career after graduating.
Entry requirements
View transparency admission information
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for international applicants
If you don’t currently meet the direct entry requirements for admission to your chosen program, don’t worry. Our range of pathway programs can help you build the language proficiency, academic skills and confidence you need to succeed.
Find out more about English language programs
Further study
An honours degree in arts is available for high-achieving students.
Fees
Course costs
- Unit fee: $3708
- Average first year fee: $29664
- Estimate total cost: $118656
The Tuition fees quoted above are for commencing students in the current year who undertake a normal full-time load. The Unit Fee is based on a 10cp unit. Fees are reviewed annually.
Tuition fees for continuing students may increase by up to 3 percent each year for the minimum duration of the course as provided on your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE). Students who continue to study beyond the minimum duration will have the relevant annual commencing rate applied to their fees for subsequent study periods.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
International applicants
Deferment
Yes. See Defer your offer.
Students with a Student Visa will need to complete the program in minimum duration, study at least one subject on-campus each semester and must not undertake more than 33% of the program online.
Staff Profile
Dr Sugumar Mariappanadar
Senior Lecturer, Peter Faber Business School
Dr Sugumar Mariappanadar is a senior lecturer in management and human resource management at the Peter Faber School of Business in Melbourne. His teaching and publications cover sustainable human resource management, human resource measurement, organisational behaviour, and culturally indigenous management practices.
Dr Bulend Terzioglu
Lecturer (Accounting), Peter Faber Business School
Dr Bülend Terzioglu is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and a lecturer in the School of Business at Australian Catholic University. He holds a PhD and a Master of Business (Accounting) from RMIT University, a Graduate Diploma in International Business from Monash University and a BBus from METU. Before getting into academia, he held senior positions in industry over 16 years.