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Bachelor of Business
UndergraduateSWI-BUS-DEG2020
Course information for 2020 intake
Think and act like a successful entrepreneur!
Arm yourself with the theoretical and practical knowledge to operate effectively in business—from administration to management. Study economics, finance, information systems and marketing for a wide range of career opportunities.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Bachelor of Business
About this degree
Students who successfully complete this degree 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 diverse groups.
The Bachelor of Business is designed to equip students with core skills and knowledge in business, management and operations to prepare them for roles in modern organisations.
Students select a major area of specialisation which is combined with other studies to teach them how to be entrepreneurial thinkers in their future career.
The course links theoretical and practical knowledge needed to operate effectively in diverse settings such as not-for-profits, government, small business and corporations. Students participate in professionally focused, multidisciplinary projects during their final year of study.Recommended study pattern
This degree is an OUA Pathways degree, which means there is a recommended series of subjects that, once successfully completed, can be credited towards this degree. To commence the Pathway for this degree, simply select subjects from the Pathway stream at the selection screen.
Students who aren't taking part in OUA Pathways can instead follow the study pattern below:
- Complete the 8 core subjects
- Choose and complete 8 subjects in a major
- Finish by completing 8 elective subjects
Please note: You cannot re-enrol into Swinburne subjects that you have already passed. You must not complete more than 150 credit points (normally 12 subjects) at Introductory Level (i.e. Stage 1).
Taking time off from study (Absent Without Leave and Leave of Absence): How to apply for an approved leave of absence and minimise the risk of having to reapply for degree admission: https://www.swinburne.edu.au/current-students/manage-course/enrolment-timetable/time-off/
Award requirements
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Business students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:
- 8 Bachelor of Business core subjects (100 credit points)
- 8 subjects of study from a business discipline major in one of the following: Information Systems or Marketing
- 8 subjects of Secondary studies (100 credit points) comprising of a second major, minor/s, or electives
Regardless of any credit awarded within this degree, students must complete a minimum of 8 subjects of study with Swinburne University as part of this degree.
Please note: You cannot re-enrol into Swinburne subjects that you have already passed.
Choose your subjects
Majors
Information Systems
The information systems major enables students to learn about business analysis and problem-solving, systems analysis, project management, the provision of information systems services, social media in organisations, and mobile business Understanding Business Information Systems and their supporting technology is vital for all students entering the business world.Marketing
Students will gain an understanding of marketing's central role in business strategy by examining topics such as consumer behaviour, customer focus, market research and planning, marketing channels, product and services management, advertising and promotion and business to business marketing.The following information is provided for continuing students only, no further intakes into these majors is available.
Economics - This major is currently in Teach-Out
Economics examines areas such as unemployment, inflation, foreign debt and environmental degradation. Students will develop skills in interpreting and evaluating economic commentaries and reports and in applying economic principles to real issues facing business and government.Finance - This major is currently in Teach-Out
Finance focuses on the financial aspects relating to corporate finance and global financial markets. The Finance major will give students the necessary skills for a career in either of the following areas: broking, investment banking, business analyst, corporate financial officer, accounting, retail banking, foreign exchange markets.Electives
Students completing a Swinburne University of Technology prescribed major (ie Information Systems, Marketing, Finance -currently in Teach-Out, Economics - currently in Teach-Out) must select 8 elective subjects chosen from any Open Universities Australia undergraduate subject. Please refer to Award Requirements for further information about your electives options.
Students wanting to study a minor (4 subjects) or co-major (8 subjects) using their elective subjects should refer to the information for minors and co-majors recommended for the Bachelor of Business.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
Changes to Marketing.
From Study Period 1 2020, the following changes to subjects will apply to all students:- MKT20023 Marketing Channel Design and Integration - will be replaced by MKT20032 Frontiers in Digital Marketing
- MKT20024 Product and Service Innovation Management - will be replaced by MKT20031 Marketing and Innovation
- MKT30015 Marketing and Communication Information and Decision Making - will be replaced by MKT30018 Marketing Insights
- MKT20019 Marketing Research - subject title will change to MKT20019 Marketing Research and Analytics
- MKT30017 Branding, Innovation and Design - subject title will change to MKT30017 Innovative Branding
Withdrawal of Economics and Finance Major, Co-Majors and Minors.
From Study Period 1 2019, the Economics or Finance Majors, Co-majors and Minors will no longer be available for new intakes.- Current students undertaking the Economics or Finance streams will have to complete the major, co-majors or minors by the end of 2020.
- A teach-out subject schedule (below) has been developed which provides students with the information to plan the completion of their Economics or Finance subjects (including law subject LAW30002).
Please click here for the teach-out plan
Withdrawal of Advertising Major, Co-Major and Minor.
Students undertaking the Advertising stream should have completed the co-major or minor by the end of 2018. If not, the subjects completed towards the co-major or minor may be used as electives depending on the number of subjects completed.Withdrawal of Tourism Management Major, Co-Major and Minor.
Students undertaking the Tourism Management stream should have completed the co-major or minor by the end of 2017. If not, the subjects completed towards the co-major or minor may be used as electives depending on the number of subjects completed.If you were admitted before 2017 into the Bachelor of Business you can find out which subjects you still need to complete by downloading the Degree Planner applicable your course and admission year from Swinburne’s OUA course transition webpage.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $78,182
The amount shown here is 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.
Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.
Learn more about Swinburne.
Explore Swinburne courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 19
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 17
Entry requirements
To view full Admission Criteria for the Bachelor of Business, please click here
- Successful completion of 2 subjects from the Business Pathway; OR
- Successful completion of 2 subjects from the Bachelor of Business Core or Majors
Students admitted to the degree with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this degree may be eligible for academic credit.
The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions, in respect of degrees, to apply in addition to these entry requirements.
Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification. VCE prerequisites: Subjects 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in English (or equivalent) or 30 in English (EAL); Expected 2019 ATAR: 60.
Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including a certificate IV, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree or degree). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.
Please note, that the partial completion requirement does not apply to a certificate IV.
English language requirements: (International students only)
IELTS (Academic Module): Overall 6.0 with no individual band below 6.0; or Swinburne English Language Centre: EAP 5 Advanced level with overall 65% and all skills 65% or above; or TOEFL iBT: minimum score 75 (Reading no less than 18, Writing no less than 20) or equivalent measures available at http://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/international/apply/entry-requirements/
Please note: This course is not available to international students in Australia on a student visa.
Students who are considering enrolling into a Swinburne undergraduate degree may apply for academic credit of up to sixteen [16] subjects based on prior credentialed or non-credentialed learning. Students wishing to apply for credit (referred to as ‘exemptions’) can do so on the basis of:
- Credentialed Learning - previous formal post-secondary studies taken at another educational institution or in another sector or in another degree or
- Non-credentialed Learning - Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience and/or formal training or a combination of both.
Broad Conditions
- Study undertaken more than 10 years ago may need to be reviewed for currency by an Academic Assessor
- Students must complete at least eight [8] Swinburne undergraduate subjects to be eligible to graduate with a Swinburne undergraduate award.
For information on how to apply for credit please refer to Swinburne’s website at http://www.swinburne.edu.au/open-universities-australia/advanced-standing-rpl.html
Career opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Business may have specialised in the contemporary field of Information Systems or have elected to study Finance, Economics or Marketing for a more analytical and traditional approach.
Graduates will be suited to employment in both the public and private sectors in the fields of administration, management consulting, economic policy evaluation, financial analysis, banking and market analysis, advertising and information technology.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers | Over $120K | Up 18.5% |
| Finance Managers | Over $120K | Up 24.7% |
| Human Resource Professionals | $75K to $93K | Up 24.6% |
| Management Consultants | $93K to $120K | N/A^ |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.