General Information

Overview

Make a positive social impact on business as an individual and part of a team in government, for-profit and for-purpose businesses. Select a major area of specialisation and combine it with your core business studies to become a business innovator and learn how to think like an entrepreneur. Plus, there are no exams except where required for professional accreditation. 

Double degree options

You can also study Business in a double degree with Applied Innovation, Arts, Aviation, Aviation Management, Business Analytics and Analysis, Design, Engineering, Health Science, Laws, or Media and Communication.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Business requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

  • Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
  • Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
  • One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
  • See the course planner for an example degree structure

* Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

Accounting
Accounting and Finance
Accounting and Financial Planning Professional Major
Business Administration
Business Analytics and Analysis
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Finance
Financial Planning
Human Resource Management
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Management
Marketing
Sports Management

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

A second major can be chosen in addition to your first major and will be named on your testamur certificate. Please note you cannot choose the same major as your first major. To see specific units for the second major go to Major units accordion.

  • Accounting
  • Business Administration
  • Business Analytics and Analysis
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Finance
  • Financial Planning
  • Human Resource Management
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Sports Management

A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however will be shown on your transcript of results.

  • Advertising
  • Animation
  • Biotechnology
  • Business Analysis
  • Cinema and Screen Studies
  • Climate and Social Justice
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing and Literature
  • Criminology
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital Advertising Technology
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Ethics and Technology
  • Games and Interactivity
  • Global Studies
  • History
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Information Systems
  • Journalism
  • Media Industries
  • Neuroscience
  • Perspectives on Globalisation
  • Philosophy
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Politics, Power and Technology
  • Professional and Creative Writing
  • Professional Writing and Editing
  • Psychology
  • Public Relations
  • Screen Production
  • Screen Studies and Popular Culture
  • Social Media
  • Space Technology
View co-major units

Advanced minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points in a field of study which builds upon your first major. Advanced minors can only be taken in conjunction with specific majors.

Advanced Finance

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

  • Accounting
  • Advertising
  • Business Law
  • Data Analytics
  • Digital Advertising Technology
  • Digital Marketing
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • International Relations and Security
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Management
  • Managing Information Systems
  • Marketing
  • Public Relations
  • Social Impact
  • Social Media
View minor units

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for either 6 or 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

These recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.

Accounting major
  • ACC30009 Analysis for Competitive Advantage
  • ECO20003 Managerial Economics and Strategy
  • ECO20004 Macroeconomic Policy
  • ECO30003 Data Analysis and Econometrics
  • FIN30014 Financial Risk Management
  • FIN30016 Management of Investment Portfolios
  • FIN30020 Alternative Investments
  • HRM20016 Dynamics of Diversity in Organisations
  • HRM20017 Managing Workplace Relations
  • INF20029 Digital Business Analysis and Design
  • INF30036 Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
  • LAW10004 Introduction to Business Law
  • LAW20019 Law of Commerce
  • LAW20045 Finance Law
  • MGT10010 Ethics of Innovation
  • MGT20007 Organisational Behaviour
  • MGT30005 Strategic Planning
  • MKT30018 Marketing Insights
     
Business Analytics and Analysis major
  • ACC10008 Financial Information Systems
  • ACC20013 Company Accounting
  • BUS20009 Professional Internship - Business
  • CAR20001 Future Work Skills
  • HRM20017 Managing Workplace Relations
  • ICT20005 IT for Social Impact Project
  • INF20031 Cybersecurity for Business
  • LAW20019 Law of Commerce
  • MGT10010 Ethics of Innovation
  • MGT20008 Business, Society and Sustainability
  • MGT30005 Strategic Planning
  • SCM20003 Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management
     
Business Administration major
  • FIN30020 Alternative Investments
  • HRM10003 Human Resource Management
  • HRM20016 Dynamics of Diversity in Organisations
  • HRM20017 Managing Workplace Relations
  • INF10026 First Year Industry Project
  • INF20011 Mobile Business and Social Media
  • INF20029 Digital Business Analysis and Design
  • INF20031 Cybersecurity for Business
  • INS10002 Unlearning the Past: Indigenous Australian History
  • LAW10004 Introduction to Business Law
  • LAW20019 Law of Commerce
  • LAW20045 Finance Law
  • MGT10010 Ethics of Innovation
  • MGT20007 Organisational Behaviour
  • MGT30005 Strategic Planning
  • MKT30018 Marketing Insights
  • PUB30001 Events Management
     
Entrepreneurship and Innovation major
  • ACC30003 Forensic Accounting
  • BUS20009 Professional Internship - Business
  • CAR20001 Future Work Skills
  • ECO20003 Managerial Economics and Strategy
  • FIN20014 Financial Management
  • FIN30014 Financial Risk Management
  • FIN30020 Alternative Investments
  • HRM10004 Human Resource Practices
  • HRM20016 Dynamics of Diversity in Organisations
  • ICT20005 IT for Social Impact Project
  • INF20029 Digital Business Analysis and Design
  • INF30036 Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
  • INS10002 Unlearning the Past: Indigenous Australian History
  • LAW10004 Introduction to Business Law
  • LAW20019 Law of Commerce
  • MGT10010 Ethics of Innovation
  • MGT20007 Organisational Behaviour
  • MGT20008 Business, Society and Sustainability
  • MGT30005 Strategic Planning
     
Finance major
  • ACC10008 Financial Information Systems
  • ACC20013 Company Accounting
  • ACC30005 Taxation
  • ACC30010 Auditing
  • CAR20001 Future Work Skills
  • ECO20003 Managerial Economics and Strategy
  • ECO30003 Data Analysis and Econometrics
  • FIN10002 Financial Statistics
  • HRM10004 Human Resource Practices
  • HRM20016 Dynamics of Diversity in Organisations
  • HRM20017 Managing Workplace Relations
  • INF20016 Big Data Management
  • INF20029 Digital Business Analysis and Design
  • INF30036 Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
  • LAW10004 Introduction to Business Law
  • LAW20019 Law of Commerce
  • MGT10010 Ethics of Innovation
  • MGT20008 Business, Society and Sustainability
     
Financial Planning major
  • ECO20003 Managerial Economics and Strategy
  • ECO20004 Macroeconomic Policy
  • ECO30003 Data Analysis and Econometrics
  • FIN20016 Ethics and International Finance
  • FIN30014 Financial Risk Management
  • FIN30016 Management of Investment Portfolios
  • FIN30020 Alternative Investments
  • INF10025 Data Management and Analytics
  • INF20016 Big Data Management
  • INF20029 Digital Business Analysis and Design
  • INF30004 Business Intelligence and Data Visualisation
  • INF30036 Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
  • LAW10004 Introduction to Business Law
  • LAW20019 Law of Commerce
  • LAW20045 Finance Law
  • MGT10010 Ethics of Innovation
  • MGT20008 Business, Society and Sustainability
  • PUB30001 Events Management
     
Human Resource Management major
  • ACC10008 Financial Information Systems
  • ACC30009 Analysis for Competitive Advantage
  • BUS20009 Professional Internship - Business
  • CAR20001 Future Work Skills
  • ECO20003 Managerial Economics and Strategy
  • ENT10002 Creativity and Innovation
  • INF20011 Mobile Business and Social Media
  • INF20029 Digital Business Analysis and Design
  • INS10002 Unlearning the Past: Indigenous Australian History
  • LAW10004 Introduction to Business Law
  • LAW20019 Law of Commerce
  • LAW20045 Finance Law
  • MGT10010 Ethics of Innovation
  • MGT20008 Business, Society and Sustainability
  • MGT30005 Strategic Planning
  • PUB30001 Events Management
  • SOC10004 Sociological Foundations
     
Logistics and Supply Chain Management major
  • ACC10008 Financial Information Systems
  • ACC20013 Company Accounting
  • BUS20009 Professional Internship - Business
  • CAR20001 Future Work Skills
  • ECO20003 Managerial Economics and Strategy
  • ECO20004 Macroeconomic Policy
  • FIN30020 Alternative Investments
  • HRM20017 Managing Workplace Relations
  • ICT20005 IT for Social Impact Project
  • INB10002 International Business Operations
  • INF10026 First Year Industry Project
  • INF20031 Cybersecurity for Business
  • LAW10004 Introduction to Business Law
  • LAW20019 Law of Commerce
  • LAW20045 Finance Law
  • MGT10010 Ethics of Innovation
  • MGT20008 Business, Society and Sustainability
  • POL10002 International Politics
  • SCM20003 Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • SOC10004 Sociological Foundations
     
Management major
  • ACC10008 Financial Information Systems
  • ACC20013 Company Accounting
  • ACC30003 Forensic Accounting
  • BUS20009 Professional Internship - Business
  • CAR20001 Future Work Skills
  • ECO20003 Managerial Economics and Strategy
  • ECO20004 Macroeconomic Policy
  • ENT10002 Creativity and Innovation
  • FIN30020 Alternative Investments
  • HRM20016 Dynamics of Diversity in Organisations
  • ICT20005 IT for Social Impact Project
  • INF20031 Cybersecurity for Business
  • LAW10004 Introduction to Business Law
  • LAW20019 Law of Commerce
  • LAW20045 Finance Law
  • PUB30001 Events Management
  • SCM20003 Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • SOC10004 Sociological Foundations
     
Marketing major
  • ACC10008 Financial Information Systems
  • BUS20009 Professional Internship - Business
  • CAR20001 Future Work Skills
  • ECO20003 Managerial Economics and Strategy
  • ENT10002 Creativity and Innovation
  • FIN10002 Financial Statistics
  • HRM20016 Dynamics of Diversity in Organisations
  • ICT20005 IT for Social Impact Project
  • INF10025 Data Management and Analytics
  • INF20011 Mobile Business and Social Media
  • INF20016 Big Data Management
  • INF30004 Business Intelligence and Data Visualisation
  • INF30036 Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence
  • INS10002 Unlearning the Past: Indigenous Australian History
  • LAW10004 Introduction to Business Law
  • LAW20019 Law of Commerce
  • LAW20045 Finance Law
  • MGT10010 Ethics of Innovation
  • PUB30001 Events Management

Sports Management major
  • ENT10001 Entrepreneurship and Opportunity
  • INF20011 Mobile Business and Social Media
  • MDA20003 Networked Selves
  • MDA20009 Digital Communities
  • MDA20011 Sports/Advertising/Media
  • MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
  • MDA20025 National Media in A Globalised World
  • MKT20019 Marketing Research and Analytics
  • MKT20021 Integrated Marketing Communication
  • MKT20025 Consumer Behaviour
  • MKT20031 Marketing and Innovation
  • PRM30001 Project Management Essentials
Find more detail about elective units

Learning outcomes

Upon successfully completing the Bachelor of Business, students will be able to:

  • define and integrate theoretical principles applicable to a business discipline and apply those principles in a range of practices
  • systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources in order to make informed judgements on options for innovatively solving a range of problems that arise in business contexts
  • formulate creative solutions that are fit for purpose and demonstrate cognisance of the impact of business decisions on the environment, economy and society
  • coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas
  • communicate a range of business arguments by evaluating and implementing alternative communication strategies as appropriate to the audience
  • build on and continuously develop the intellectual independence to be critical and reflective learners, cognisant of new technologies
  • work collaboratively in groups.

Career opportunities

Graduates may wish to seek employment in a wide range of fields such as accounting, business analysis, commercial law, communications, entrepreneurship, event management, finance, financial planning, human resources, international business, management, marketing or public relations.

Professional recognition

Graduates with an Accounting or Accounting and Finance Major may be eligible to apply for membership of CPA Australia (CPAA), Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA).

The Finance major, in the Bachelor of Business and related double degrees, is recognised under the CFA Institute Affiliated University. The course covers at least 70% of Level 1 of the CFA program Candidate Body of Knowledge (CBOK) placing emphasis on the CFA Institute Codes of Ethics and Standards of Practice. This recognition signals to students, employers and the marketplace that that Swinburne’s curriculum is closely tied to professional practice and is well suited to preparing you for employment in the finance and investment industry, and for sitting the CFA examination. Students of the Finance major may be eligible for CFA Program Student Scholarships.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Business students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

  • eight prescribed Bachelor of Business core units (100 credit points)
  • eight units of study from a business discipline major in one of the following: Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Financial Planning, Health Management and Communication, Human Resource Management, International Business, Information Systems, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Management, Marketing or Sports Management (Swinburne Online) (100 credit points)
    or
    sixteen units from the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major (200 credit points)
  • eight units of Secondary studies (100 credit points) comprising of a second major, minor/s, or electives (NOTE: Students undertaking the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major will not need to undertake secondary studies).
     

Students also have an opportunity to undertake a Work Integrated Learning professional placement.

Students complete no more than 150 credit points (normally 12 units) at Introductory Level (i.e. BUS1XXXX). A unit of study can only be counted once. Where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative unit.

Professional placements

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 375 credit points comprising:

  • eight core Bachelor of Business units of study (100 credit points);
  • eight units of study from a Business discipline major (100 credit points) or
  • sixteen units from the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major (200 credit points)
  • four units of study from the Professional Placement co-major (100 credit points) and
  • six units of study comprising an advanced minor, minor or electives (75 credit points)
     

Note: not required if you have completed the Accounting and Finance Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning major.

Please note: if a student completes the Accounting and Finance Program they would complete 400 credit points.

Students who elect to undertake a six-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 337.5-350 credit points comprising:

  • eight core Bachelor of Business units of study (100 credit points)
  • eight units of study from a Business discipline major (100 credit points) or
  • sixteen [16] units from the Accounting and Finance Professional Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning Professional major (200 credit points)
  • two units of study from the Professional Placement minor (50 credit points); and
  • seven units of study comprising an advanced minor, minor or electives (87.5 credit points).
     

Note: not required if you have completed the Accounting and Finance Program or the Accounting and Financial Planning major.

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Business is 200 credit points (normally 16 units)

Admission criteria

Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.

Entry requirements

A. Applicants with recent secondary education (within past three years)

ATAR

This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.

Guaranteed ATAR: if you receive an ATAR of 60 or higher and meet all the essential requirements for this course, you will be guaranteed an offer.

Educational history

An applicant's entire academic history, including ATAR results, will be considered for entry into this course.

Selection rank adjustments

 Selection ranks for this course will be calculated based on your ATAR with adjustments to overall study scores based on subjects studied, location of your home address, SEAS application, and participation In Swinburne's Early Leaders program. For further details about selection rank adjustments, see Admissions at Swinburne.

Subject adjustments

A study score of 25 in any Business, any Information Technology, any Mathematics or Global Politics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 10 points.

Meeting course prerequisites

VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in any English (except EAL) or at least 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.

ATAR profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in Semester 1 2022

ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds ATAR
Excluding adjustment factors		 Selection Rank
ATAR + any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer 90.6 92.45
Median rank to receive an offer 59.7 64
Lowest rank to receive an offer 42.85 48.25

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history

An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years. 

Meeting course prerequisites

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses 

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history 

An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered. 

Meeting course prerequisites

As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses

 Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record 

This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course. 

Meeting course prerequisites

 As for Year 12 or equivalent. 

STAT/Bridging courses

Results from the STAT Multiple Choice will be considered for applicants without an ATAR and whose post-secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years. 

Work experience 

Applicants who have not met the entry criteria through their academic studies can have their work experience considered. Applicants need to have completed secondary school and have four years relevant post-secondary work experience with at least two of these years being fulltime work. Evidence must be in the form of a resume, a letter from an employer (on letterhead) outlining the duration of employment, roles and responsibilities and a position description (optional). If an employer letter cannot be provided a referee check may be conducted.

Student profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced in this course in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

  Semester 1, 2022
Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students
(A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) 107 21%
(B) Vocational education and training (VET) study 78 15%
(C) Work and life experience (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)  82 16%
(D) Recent secondary education:    
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) 105 20%
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were N/A considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) N/A N/A
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was N/A not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) 17 3%
International students 127 25%
All students 516 100%

Notes: 

N/A – Students not accepted in this category.

Interested in the Bachelor of Business?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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