Begin your research journey in commerce.
This program gives you the opportunity to research an area you’re passionate about. A review of the big 4 accounting firms, KPMG, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Ernst & Young and Deloitte, revealed they seek graduates with advanced skills in problem solving, critical analysis and communication.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
This program gives you the opportunity to research an area you’re passionate about. A review of the big 4 accounting firms, KPMG, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Ernst & Young and Deloitte, revealed they seek graduates with advanced skills in problem solving, critical analysis and communication.
Our Commerce Honours program is designed to enhance your skill base to increase your career opportunities with these employers. You’ll build your research skills with the support of a Faculty of Arts and Business academic with relevant research interests and expertise in your chosen area of study. Learn to critically review relevant published literature and undertake useful and meaningful research.
You are empowered to design and conduct a thesis study to contribute to commerce research. Join our research student community and attend the Faculty’s fortnightly research seminar, thesis seminars and discussion groups with other research students. You develop your presentation skills and deliver at least two lectures on your research progress. At the end of your honours program, continue your research with further postgraduate study or a higher research degree.
Specialisations
Accounting; finance; financial planning.
Career opportunities
Accounting, auditing, taxation, treasury, financial management, business advisory services, insolvency and business recovery, corporate services, merchant banking and management consulting.
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Commerce, or a related degree with a major in accounting, financial planning or finance from a recognised higher education institution, with at least eight courses in the area of study of their dissertation topic.
A cumulative GPA of at least 5.0 (Credit level) in the Bachelor’s degree is the normal standard for eligibility for admission to the Bachelor of Commerce (Honours). These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Enrolment is contingent upon the faculty's capacity to provide appropriate supervision in the intended field of research.
Program structure
The Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) structure is as follows:
- a 48-unit coursework component (consisting of four 12-unit courses), and
- a 48-unit thesis component
Coursework component
BUS512 Leadership in Clinical Practice
BUS514 Learning and Teaching in the Practice Environment
BUS515 Research in Health Care
HNB400 Qualitative Research: Approaches and Practice
Thesis component
HNB402F Quantitative Research Methods Thesis (48 units)
The nature and topic of the thesis is determined by the student's interests, the interests of potential supervisors and the availability of appropriate supervision.
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 96
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements and notes
Faculty Honours Seminar Program
The University’s Honours Seminar Program helps build an honours research culture within USC, and provides opportunities for honours students from across the University to meet. Students are required to attend the Faculty’s fortnightly research seminar and thesis seminar with other research students, and will be required to present a minimum of two oral presentations on the progress of their studies.
Typically, the first oral presentation will occur after the formulation of the research project, while the second presentation will take place prior to formal preparation of the thesis.
Assessment and examination
All coursework is normally graded internally. A copy of your thesis will be sent to two independent examiners, one of whom is normally internal and the other of whom is external to the University of the Sunshine Coast.
To be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), students are required to pass both the coursework and thesis components of the program. Satisfactory participation in the Faculty’s honours seminars, including completion of at least two oral presentations, is also required.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa. Please refer to the English language requirements .
Enrolment and fees
- In any semester, standard full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL *
- In any semester, standard part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL *
- The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date
- Commonwealth supported students pay student contributions
- Students who are not Commonwealth supported pay full tuition fees
* EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL.
Classes of Honours
The degree will be awarded in one of the three classes:
- Class 1
- Class 2 (awarded as Division 1 or Division 2)
- Class 3
The class of honours awarded may not be more than one grade higher than the grade for the thesis. For example, if you receive a ‘Credit’ grade for your thesis, you may not be awarded the honours degree at a higher level than Class 2 Division 1, regardless of the average mark.