Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning) | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning)

Program summary

QTAC code: 012101
OP/Rank for 2009 entry: OP-16/ Rank-68
Award abbreviation: BCom(FinPlan)
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Fee type 2009: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
Recommended prior study: English and Maths
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
USC program code: BU357
CRICOS code: 065677F

Program overview

Financial planning is the process of identifying personal and financial goals and devising effective ways to reach them. The financial planning profession has grown significantly in recent years and continues to expand as more people seek advice from qualified professionals.

A 2008 survey by Australia’s peak professional financial planning body, the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA), found that demand for financial planners is set to increase by 55 percent within the next five years.

In the Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Planning), you will major in financial planning in addition to gaining specific foundation knowledge in business. You undertake two core courses in conjunction with business foundation courses in the areas of economics, management, marketing, research methods, accounting and business law and ethics.

Advanced knowledge of financial planning is obtained through studies in the financial planning process, investment management, finance, superannuation taxation, insurance, risk management and estate planning. You also have the opportunity to study a second major in a complementary business area.

You can apply to undertake first-year courses in this program at the USC Noosa Centre. Please note that the option to study at Noosa is not available to international students.

Professional recognition

The program is a pathway to the Financial Planning Association’s Certified Financial Planner designation. Graduates meet the competency and skill requirements outlined by the regulator, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, in the Regulatory Guide—RG146—for Financial Advisers.

Career opportunities

Employment can be found in:

  • financial planning/advising/analysis
  • insurance and superannuation planning
  • investment planning
  • stockbroking
  • business management

Special features

  • gain a qualification in a high-demand growth industry
  • opportunities for cadetships with the Financial Planning Association or Professional Investment Services, Australia’s largest financial services licensee

Program structure

Students are required to complete 24 courses in 3 years of full-time study or 6 years of part-time study.

Core course

1 required course:
COR109 Communication and Thought

Business foundation courses

8 required courses:
BUS101 Applied Research Methods
BUS102 Economics for Business
BUS103 Business Law and Ethics
BUS104 Management and Organisational Behaviour
ACC106 Accounting Principles
ACC108 ICT for Financial Professionals
MKG301 Advanced Research Methods (Marketing)
BUS320 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility

Financial Planning major courses

8 required courses:
ACC211 Business Finance
FIN210 Introduction to Financial Planning
FIN221 Insurance and Risk Management
FIN220 Retirement and Superannuation
FIN310 Investment Management
ACC311 Taxation Law and Practice
FIN320 Tax and Estate Planning
FIN321 Financial Plan Construction

Elective courses

Select 7 advanced courses , which may comprise:

  • A second major in 1 of the following areas:
    • Accounting
    • Human Resource Management
    • Information Systems
    • International Business
    • Management
    • Tourism, Leisure and Event Management

or

  • 1 additional core course, and either:
    • a 4-course minor and electives; or
    • 6 electives which may be chosen from the faculties of Business, Arts and Social Sciences or Science, Health and Education
Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.

Program requirements and notes

  1. All students must complete a minimum of 24 courses including core courses, in the Bachelor of Business.
  2. Refer to the Academic Rules.
  3. Refer to explanation of terms.
  4. Refer to the recommended enrolment patterns. For previous recommended enrolment patterns refer to the relevant archived Student Handbook.
  5. International students need to refer to the English language requirements.
  6. Only a full-time study option is available to international students.
  7. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including, for example, essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, and examinations.

Enquiries

Faculty of Business
Tel: +61 7 5430 1221
Email: businessfaculty@usc.edu.au

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