Bachelor of Business Administration

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 4 locations

Duration
3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
QTAC code
116481
ATAR
58.50 for Brisbane
Fees (first year)*

$14112 CSP

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025
Applications open August 2024
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025
Applications open April 2025

Overview

Learn to lead, innovate and problem-solve in fast-changing business environments with our Bachelor of Business Administration.

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.

The Bachelor of Business Administration will provide you with a good understanding of the fundamentals of business and hone your communication skills by starting you off with our unique Business Foundation Program that helps you transition to university study and provides a solid foundation of business skills. You will then go on to complete eight core business units that will provide you with a broad understanding of various business aspects. All our business units are embedded with the United Nations sustainable goals. And Microsoft certification is also embedded into units in the degree, so you'll graduate with a strong foundation in the Microsoft programs favoured by employers. 

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.

We know that practical experience is important to you, so it’s important to us. Our Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programs prepare you for the future world of work and build your employability skills, foster an entrepreneurial mindset and develop your communication and project management skills.

As this is a flexible, generalist degree, you are free to choose up to eight units from any of the business subjects we offer, rather than specialising in one area. Alternatively, you can choose four business units and four units from any other faculty, such as global studies, health, or arts just to name a few. 

To broaden your potential career path, opt for a double degree and study business administration with law, nutrition science, commerce or global studies.

Professional experience

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

As the Bachelor of Business Administration is interdisciplinary, it is not intended to fulfil 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 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 organisations includes 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
  • Specified UnitsITEC201Fundamentals of Information Technology

    (Inc: ISYS201, ITED201)

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsMKTG207Marketing Toolkit

    (Inc: MKTG100, MKTD207) 

    10 cp
  • Business Electives Business Elective 110 cp
  • Core Curriculum UnitsCore 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 this 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

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

Overseas study available

We offer two business units at our Rome Campus: BUSN304 and BIPX202. The dates for these units are to be confirmed.

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

Assumed knowledge: English (Standard) (Band 2) or EAL (Band 3).

Queensland

Assumed knowledge: English (Units 3 & 4, C)

Victoria

Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English.

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.

View transparency admission information

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 Skills for 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

If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be. 

Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course:

Articulation from another course


Understand your pathway options

Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience

Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver? 

By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals. 

If you’re over 21, you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course. 

Articulation from another course

Explore the pathways to your future 

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$14112 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 

How to apply

Domestic applicants

Brisbane

Apply through QTAC

QTAC code 116481

Direct application

Apply now

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.

Staff Profile

Dr Betty Frino

Senior Lecturer, Peter Faber Business School

Dr Betty Frino is a scholar in Human Resources, Management and Organisational Behaviour. Betty’s professional career spans academe and applied/policy research within the higher education sector, exploring contemporary workplace issues and implications for government policy and professional practice. Betty has held previous appointments at the Universities of Sydney, Macquarie and Wollongong, teaching across various programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Bringing real work scenarios, contemporary issues and current research to the classroom setting is paramount to her teaching philosophy.

Betty has published widely in peer-reviewed and practitioner based journals and presented her work at both academic and practitioner conferences on the international and domestic scale. She has been invited as guest lecturer at several international universities in Europe, Malaysia and UAE, and also appeared as an expert witness for state wage case decisions and produced commissioned reports for industry and government on wage trends and bargaining outcomes. Her research spans various topics about people at work, with specialist knowledge in employee engagement, employee voice, worker wellbeing/psychosocial hazards, the regulation of work/labour law, wages, bargaining and pay equity.

Dr Alexander Campbell

Lecturer

Dr Campbell is an alumni of Griffith University and the University of Queensland.Alexander is a seasoned marketing and communication professional who has two decades of experience with strong business acumen. He has substantial experience in business management, holding senior positions within organisations that include responsibilities and accountabilities across departments for sales, marketing, finance, production and commercial. Furthermore, Alexander is a marketing lecturer, and early career researcher at ACU, and currently serves as a Director of Product Marketing for a SaaS company.

 

Alexander has run tactical marketing and demand generation efforts over EMEA, APAC, NAM and UAE markets for an ASX listed company specialising in cloud-based SaaS solutions. He was also part of the team that was influential in achieving Westpac Businesses of Tomorrow, the Deloitte’s Fast 50 and Fast 500 awards for an ASX listed company in the sports, leisure, and hospitality sector. He has had experience in managing teams, successfully balancing both KPI expectations and the emotional stability of his people who worked under him. He has held both regional and state management positions, running production teams and advising on sales strategy in B2C & B2B environments.

Testimonial

Anthony

"ACU was always going to be the university I ended up at, all my friends had studied there and loved it. It is a smaller university, so you can talk to the lecturers and have conversations and not just be another blur in the crowd.

In my three years I made countless amounts of friends, learnt lifelong lessons not just from lecturers but fellow students and was involved in the student association.

ACU gave me the opportunity to study in Paris and it was an experience I will never forget. Nothing matches the opportunity to learn with international students and lecturers from all over the world. We had professors, businessman and my personal favourite, a UK delegate to the United Nations teaching and preparing us for things that you don't learn from a textbook."

Anthony
Business administration student
 

Have a question?

We're available 9am–5pm AEDT,
Monday to Friday

If you’ve got a question, our AskACU team has you covered. You can search FAQs, text us, email, live chat, call – whatever works for you.

Live chat with us now

Chat to our team for real-time
answers to your questions.

Launch live chat

Visit our FAQs page

Find answers to some commonly
asked questions.

See our FAQs