Bachelor of Business Administration (Away from Base)

Course information for - 2024 entry

Offered at 1 locations

Duration
3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
ATAR
New
Fees (first year)*

$13554 CSP

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2024
Applications open August 2023
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not available

Overview

This course has been specially designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to learn what it takes to lead community, innovate and problem-solve in fast-changing business environments. 

Gain a good understanding of the fundamentals of business by starting off with four foundation units (managing money, people, markets and working with IT). As a generalist degree, you will then be free to choose any business subjects we offer rather than specialise.

This program aims to build Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professional leaders who can apply a cultural and community lens to navigating the real-life complexities of corporate decision-making.

We offer an integrated program of knowledge, theory, personal development, and practical professional experience. You’ll have opportunities to practice new skills, test your understanding, demonstrate your problem-solving and leadership abilities, and investigate ethical issues.

We know that practical experience is important for you, so it’s important for us. Our work integrated learning programs prepare you for the future world of work and build your employability skills, foster an entrepreneurial mindset and hone your communication and project management skills.


Flexible delivery

Balance your work, study, home and community commitments. Our Indigenous business program is delivered through a mix of online learning, and intensive residential delivery held at our Strathfield Campus each semester.

Learn from experts

Qualified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lecturers work alongside staff from the Peter Faber Business School to bring research, professional expertise and cultural contexts to your learning.

Stand out, fit in

Choose a university where you won’t get lost in the crowd. Your learning experience will be enhanced by our small class sizes. You’ll connect with your classmates, form close ties with your lecturers and tutors and receive excellent teaching and learning support.

Indigenous support

Learn about our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student services. Our Indigenous Higher Education Units on each campus offer academic and cultural support in a welcoming and culturally safe space.

Professional experience

You will be required to complete a compulsory community engagement unit featuring between 35 and 70 volunteer hours (within your local community) and have the option of completing a professional experience unit consisting of 105 placement hours.

Work placement

Our Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programs give you the essential job-ready skills and experiences as part of all our degrees. Through a community engagement placement, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the contributions of social enterprises with a not-for-profit organisation in your local community. Then you’ll have the option of completing a professional experience elective where you can bridge the gap between academic studies and real-world working environments. You’ll complete 105 hours of work experience in organisations in your home community or virtually from accounting, marketing, management, human resources to IT.

Professional recognition

As the Bachelor of Business Administration is a ‘generalist’ degree, it is not intended to fulfill the requirements for membership in a professional organisation and does not meet the requirements for entry into CPA programs. These requirements are met by other ACU business degrees, such as the Bachelor of Commerce or the Bachelor of Accounting and Finance. 

Careers

Our graduates have pursued careers in:

  • general management
  • marketing
  • human resource management
  • business analysis
  • policy administration
  • market research
  • international trade and investment
  • purchasing, and trading management
  • financial management
  • advertising

Industry partnerships

We enjoy deep industry connections with many well-known organisations across Australia. Our relationships with these organizations include internships, guest lectures, international study tours and collaborations with industry, community and government departments to undertake consulting and research projects with industry partners. 

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1

  • Specified UnitsBUSN112Managing Markets

    (Inc: MKTG100, BUSD112)

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsITEC100Information Technology in Action

    (Inc: BUSN111, BUSD111)

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsBUSN104Money Matters

    (Inc: ACCT100, BUSD104)

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsBUSN113Managing People and Organisations

    (Inc: MGMT100, BUSD113) 

    10 cp
  • Any other units listed in the Schedule of Unit offerings for any Bachelor degree course offered by the Peter Faber Business School at second or third year levelBUFP103First Nations of Australia: Culture History & Politics

    (Inc: BUSN103) 

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsITEC201Fundamentals of Information Technology

    (Inc: ISYS201, ITED201)

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsMKTG207Marketing Toolkit

    (Inc: MKTG100, MKTD207)

    10 cp
  • Core Curriculum Units Core Curriculum Unit 1See the ACU Core Curriculum page for details 10 cp

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit. 

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Commencing Semester 2

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit. 

Incompatibles (Inc:) are units similar to this unit. If you have previously passed an Incompatible unit, you are not able to enrol in this unit.

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Bachelor - AQF Level 7

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:

StatePrerequisites

New South Wales

English (Standard) (Band 2) or EAL (Band 3)

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2024 Admission. These are the specific admission rules for Bachelor of Business Administration (Away from Base):

  • Application for admission to ACU by direct entry
  • Confirmation of Aboriginality or Stat Dec is required as this mode is available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students only
  • Students are required to be in receipt of or applying for AbStudy Allowance or AbStudy Incidentals

Applicants with recent secondary education

You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process. 

Learn more about access schemes 

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

For current year 12 students 

If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above. 

For non-school leavers 

If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements. 

ACU has partnerships with TAFE and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners or with ACU College, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.

Applicants with higher education study

You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course. 

If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, you’ll be assigned a selection rank based on your study level, duration and grade point average that will be applied during the admission process. 

If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner. 

Learn more about recognition of prior learning 

Applicants with work and life experience

You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.

If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.

If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.

If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.

You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.

If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.

Find your path into study

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.

Learn more about adjustment factors

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 current or recent Year 12 students

Further study

Bachelor Degree graduates may be eligible to progress to a range of postgraduate coursework programs, eg Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and, through them and/or with relevant work experience, to Master’s degree programs.

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$13554 CSP

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester;
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

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.

Explore your options

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.

Search our scholarships

Staff Profile

Associate Professor Wendy James

Associate Professor

Dr Wendy James a fully certified management accountant and CPA, Dr James has taught at a number of universities in Australia and overseas, including Charles Darwin University, Queensland University of Technology, the University of Adelaide, Griffith University, and a large government university in Dubai.

Dr James has a wealth of experience teaching a range of courses, including financial accounting, managerial accounting, and information systems. She was part of a team that conceived and delivered a project accounting course to finance managers around the world. Whilst in Dubai, she spent time working for the Central Bank of Dubai training financial accountants.

Dr James's current research interests include accounting education, management accounting and control systems, performance management, organisational change, public sector financial management and strategic management accounting in the private, public and not for profit sectors. She has been published in a number of prominent accounting journals and likes to referee up-and-coming research articles from other authors.

Dr Marzena Baker

Senior Lecturer, Peter Faber Business School

Dr. Marzena Baker is an accomplished Senior Lecturer at the Peter Faber Business School. With a keen interest in promoting workplace equity, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing she focuses her research and publications on effective workplace diversity policies, and practices. Her expertise lies in supporting women to occupy leadership roles in project-based organisations.

 

Dr. Baker is an alumna of Queensland University of Technology, where she obtained a PhD and Master of Business degrees. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Auckland University. Before joining ACU, she was a Lecturer in Project Management at the University of Sydney. Dr. Baker's professional experience spans over 25 years in senior corporate positions, where she has managed consumer research, marketing, and communication projects in fast-moving consumer goods, construction, and property development industry sectors. Her research has resulted in multiple conference papers and industry presentations, further demonstrating her expertise and dedication to the field.

 

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