Degree structure

Degree details

At the completion of this course students will be able to:

  1. understand, apply and analyse financial knowledge and issues and their impacts on national and international financial markets
  2. identify structures and formulate issues and apply appropriate skills to solve capital market problems
  3. collect and analyse empirical data and conceptual information and be able to synthesis into appropriate frameworks for analysis of financial issues
  4. communicate in oral, written, qualitative and quantitative media channels; be able to syntheses and select appropriate communication schemes dependent upon the nature of problem and audience
  5. distinguish, identify and apply available technologies and methodologies to investigate financial issues
  6. identify new developments in the field of finance and integrate available strategies into the existing body of knowledge; and be able to reflect upon their implications for the finance discipline
  7. understand the implications and potential impacts of current developments in the national and international capital markets on both domestic and international economies
  8. understand the importance and impact of cultural diversity on making financial decisions in both national and international contexts
  9. apply acquired skills individually and in a group to facilitate the understanding and solution of financial issues in a professional and ethical manner.

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University you have a range of career opportunities depending on your chosen field of study. Most industries and organisations, whether private or public, local or international, employ commerce graduates. This degree can help you become a:

  • Insurance Officer
  • Bank Officer
  • Financial Dealer and Broker
  • Financial Dealer's Assistant
  • Credit Analyst
  • Bank Manager
  • Financial Planner
  • Investment Banker
  • Finance Manager.

Professional recognition

Curtin University’s School of Economics and Finance has joined the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program. Bachelor of Commerce Finance is part of the Program.

Open enrolment subjects

Any subject completed at the same AQF level that is not a core subject can be used as an elective. We don’t have any preference on what subjects are taken as electives, however we would advise the student to select electives that are 1) of personal interest to the student, OR 2) value-add to their degree – perhaps are complementary with the degree being undertaken.

Higher education via OUA

  • Successful study through OUA – either:
    • Successful completion of the Business Pathway OR
    • Successful completion of four OUA full degree level units at pass level. (This satisfies the English language proficiency requirement.) OR
    • Successful completion of two OUA full degree level units with separate evidence of English proficiency is required.

Higher education

  • Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard units) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required).

Secondary education

  • Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. Mathematics Applications ATAR. Desirable Mathematics Methods ATAR or Mathematics Specialist ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre link http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/prerequisites-comparison.tisc

VET studies

  • Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
  • Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.

Work and Life

  • Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
  • Finished secondary education more than two years ago
  • Bridging and enabling course entry
  • Enabling courses completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this course.

Additional information

English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:

  • Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
  • Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
  • Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
  • Successful completion of two degree level units via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
  • Successful completion of two degree level units at an Australian university and English proficiency
  • Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)

Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at http://students.curtin.edu.au/local/docs/English_List.pdf.

Applications for Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) are assessed on a case by case basis according to Curtin University policies which is available at http://policies.curtin.edu.au/local/docs/policy/Credit_for_Recognised_Learning_Manual.pdf.

Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all necessary documentation for a formal assessment.

To officially apply for CRL, students need to submit the CRL application form available from http://students.curtin.edu.au/administration/documents/Application_for_CRL.pdf to opencurtin@curtin.edu.au along with supporting documents. Accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For detailed scanned documents requirements and guidelines, please visit http://courses.curtin.edu.au/course_overview/admission-requirements/scanned-documents.cfm.

For further information, please contact opencurtin@curtin.edu.au.

Curtin University offers an opportunity for students to study a finance major as part of the Bachelor of Commerce degree. This degree is designed to prepare students for the challenges in the global business environment. Students will study foundation areas of accounting, economics, business law, management, marketing and technology.

The degree is designed for students who are interested in pursuing careers in finance, broadly defined to include corporate finance, financial institutions, financial markets and various branches of the financial services industry.

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 below.

Students who aren't taking part in OUA Pathways can instead follow the study pattern below:

  • If you are new to university study, complete a foundation subject such as APC100
  • Complete the core subjects
  • Complete the major
  • Complete electives

Award Requirements

Students must complete 24 subjects and meet the following requirements:

  • Complete eight compulsory core subjects
  • Complete eight major subjects in Finance
  • Complete eight elective subjects
  • Complete at least twelve Curtin University subjects
  • You are expected to have an adequate level of English when undertaking all subjects in this degree

We recommend that all students, as soon as they are eligible, should apply for and take a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). However, if you choose not to be a CSP student, please contact OpenCurtin via email to OpenCurtin@curtin.edu.au.