Bachelor of Business (Economics, Finance and Trade)

UniSA Online’s Bachelor of Business (Economics, Finance and Trade) brings together three interconnected areas of study. With the global economy constantly shifting, an understanding of finance and economics is a solid grounding for a career in almost any industry. 

Learn about complex and multi-faceted economic and financial environments, and build your understanding of public policy challenges and how to address them. 

You’ll explore topics including economic growth and development, interest rates and inflation, and learn how and why businesses, individuals and governments make decisions. You’ll learn to critically analyse and interpret information, and apply your knowledge through a virtual internship opportunity. 

Study Economics, Finance and Trade with UniSA Online and take full control over your study. Access support seven days a week, plan your study to fit around your life, view learning resources 24/7, and log into the interactive online environment anywhere, any time and on any device. 

In this degree you’ll build fundamental knowledge across economic theory, accounting, statistics and business intelligence, analysing economic exchange and trade activities nationally and within the international context. You’ll learn about a broad range of areas including trade theory and tariffs, financial evaluations, and supply and demand. 

Your courses are taught by academics with strong professional backgrounds and industry experience, whose research shapes the courses they teach.  

You’ll graduate with critical thinking and analytical skills, and be prepared to apply your knowledge to a broad range of financial, societal and economic issues.  

Recommended study pattern

Note: The program structure is subject to change at any time. (Information correct as at October 2023)

Year 1

• Principles of Economics (ECON 1010)
• Accounting for Business (ACCT 1011)
• Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange (MARK 1018)
• Business and Society (BUSS 1067) or Elective
• Business Law (LAWS 1019)
• Quantitative Methods for Business (MATH 1075)
• Career Development for Business (BUSS 1066)
• Elective 1

Year 2

• Macroeconomics (ECON 1011)
• Entrepreneurship for Social and Market Impact (BUSS 2086)
• Growth Development and the Macroeconomy (ECON 2016)
• Economic Analysis of Business Decisions (ECON 2014)
• Management and Organisation (BUSS 2081)
• International Business Environments (BUSS 3107)
• Empirical Business Analysis (ECON 2015)
• Business Finance (BANK 2010)

Year 3

• UO Portfolio and Fund Management (BANK 3017)
• Elective 2
• Elective 3
• Elective 4
• Economics of Public Policy (ECON 3009)
• International Economics (ECON 3010)
• International Currency and Banking Markets (BANK 3020)
• Strategic Financial Analysis (BUSS 3098)

Award requirements

Students must complete 24 subjects including 4 electives

Choose your subjects

Electives

Suggested Electives

• Organisational Behaviour - BUSS 2078
• International Management Ethics and Values - BUSS 3094
• Management Accounting - ACCT 2016
• Companies and Partnership Law - COML 2020
• Organisational Entrepreneurship - BUSS 3108
• Introduction to Financial Planning - BANK 2011

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $44,719

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

The University of South Australia (UniSA) is ranked as one of the best young universities in the world, and is the number one university in Australia for graduate employability. UniSA offers over 200 world-class degrees that are informed by industry and delivered with a highly practical approach to teaching and learning, and is a valuable partner with Open Universities Australia.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

22

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

22

Successfully completed equivalent to a minimum of half a year of full-time study of a higher education program at a recognised higher education provider

Completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 international qualification with a competitive selection rank (ATAR)

Completed an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV level or above

Passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have relevant work experience;

Completed a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent; or

Qualified for Special Entry

If you have previous work experience, or have studied before, you could fast-track your studies by reducing the time it takes to complete your degree.