In this articulated pathway, you first complete the Diploma of Accounting at the Southbank Institute of Technology (SBIT), and then continue studying to complete the degree at either South Bank or USC’s Sippy Downs campus.
This diploma provides skills and knowledge for graduates to work strategically with executive and management teams to provide expert financial advice to support business decision making. Graduates can prepare income tax returns, implement and maintain internal control procedures and provide management accounting information. The bachelor component provides a complementary theoretical grounding in commerce, including studies in financial accounting, taxation law and practice, auditing, and contemporary accounting issues. Refer to the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) for more information.
- 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 diploma provides skills and knowledge for graduates to work strategically with executive and management teams to provide expert financial advice to support business decision making. Graduates can prepare income tax returns, implement and maintain internal control procedures and provide management accounting information. The bachelor component provides a complementary theoretical grounding in commerce, including studies in financial accounting, taxation law and practice, auditing, and contemporary accounting issues. Refer to the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) for more information.
Career opportunities
Refer to separate entry for the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting).
Teaching mode
There are different teaching modes between the SBIT diploma modules and the University’s Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) courses. Diploma modules are face-to-face teaching with performance-based assessment. The University’s Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) courses include three or four hours of contact per course per week, generally in the mode of a one-hour lecture and two-hour tutorial. Students complete a further six to seven hours of self-directed learning per course per week. The self-directed learning consists of readings, research, assignments and other assessment items.
Please note: This full-time program commences only in Semester 1 each year. New students do not undertake any USC courses until they complete their SBIT diploma.
Program structure
Program structure
This pathway is an articulation between the Diploma of Accounting at Southbank Institute of Technology and the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete all courses as per study plan listed below.
- Present your completed Diploma of Accounting to enable 8 courses (96 units) of transfer credits to be applied to your academic record.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- The electives can be used to complete an additional minor.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Southbank Institute of Technology (SBIT)
Students completing the Diploma of Accounting at SBIT will be awarded credit towards their USC degree as specified below.
8 courses credit:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR199
ACC106 Accounting Principles
ACC108 Informatics for Financial Professionals
ART299 x4
University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)
Students complete 16 courses within the USC degree component, either at South Bank or USC’s Sippy Downs campus.
Introductory courses
4 required courses:
BUS101 Applied Research Methods
BUS102 Introduction to Economics
BUS103 Business Law and Ethics
BUS104 Management and Organisational Behaviour
Advanced courses
9 required courses:
ACC210 Financial Accounting
ACC220 Law of Business Associations
ACC211 Business Finance
ACC221 Company Accounting
ACC310 Management Accounting
ACC311 Taxation Law and Practice
ACC320 Contemporary Accounting Issues
ACC321 Auditing and Professional Practice
BUS320 Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
Elective courses
Select 3 elective courses (at least one of which must be an advanced [200 / 300 level] course) from the Faculty of Arts and Business courses available at South Bank. Students can also access the full suite of electives from either faculty (Arts and Business, or Science, Health, Education and Engineering), on campus at Sippy Downs.