A Bachelor of Commerce (abbreviated BCom, B.Com., BComm, or B.Comm.) is an undergraduate degree in commerce and related subjects. The degree is also known as the Bachelor of Commerce and Administration, or BCA. It is predominantly offered in Commonwealth nations; however, the degree is no longer offered in the United Kingdom.
Structure
Curriculum
The degree is designed to provide the student with a wide range of managerial skills while at the same time building competence in a particular area. Most universities therefore plan the degree such that additional to their major, the student is exposed to general business principles, quantitative analysis and organizational behaviour. The curriculum thus focuses both on academic subjects, such as statistics or economics, as well as practical business subjects, such as accountancy, law, management, marketing, finance, etc. Cooperative education programs are also common. For a comparison with other degrees in business and management, see further under Bachelor's degree.
Duration
The precise requirements for the degree vary, and the course structure tends to vary in different countries. The curriculum generally lasts three years in Australia, New Zealand, India, Malta, South Africa, the United States of America, parts of Canada and the United Kingdom, and four years in majority of Canada, Republic of Ireland, Ghana, Pakistan, Philippines and the Netherlands. In South Africa, and some universitites in India, many students extend their studies to a fourth "Honours" year (B.Com. (Hons.)) - an additional postgraduate qualification - usually focused exclusively on one subject. In Malta the additional year is not considered as a postgraduate qualification.
Areas of study
Depending on the institution, a formal academic major may or may not be established. Regardless, the Bachelor of Commerce requires a student to take the majority of their courses in business-related subjects, namely the following and others depending on the student's particular interest.
Accounting
Actuarial science
Business ethics
Business economics
Banking
Communications
Computers and Management Information Systems
Decision analysis
Economics
Econometrics
Electronic commerce
Entrepreneurship
Finance and financial markets
Government
Human resources
Industrial psychology
Insurance
Labor relations
Law
Management
Management science
Marketing
Mathematics
Operations Management
Organizational studies
Politics and Public Policy
Risk management / Financial risk management
Strategic management
Statistics
Taxation
Further study
A BCom graduate may pursue the Master of Commerce, or other post-graduate masters programs such as the Master of Finance (MFin), Master of Accounting (MAcc), Master in Business Administration (MBA). The degree is usually recognised by the various professional accounting bodies, and graduates often therefore pursue accounting designations such as the Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified General Accountant (CGA). Graduates also commonly pursue professional certifications such as the CFA, CIM and PMP.