Bachelor of Business

The Bachelor of Business at the Southern Academy of Higher Education is a three-year degree for students who want to understand how organisations actually run, how money moves, how people are managed, how markets work and how decisions get made. You will study core areas such as accounting, economics, marketing, management and business law, then choose electives or a major that lets you go deeper into the side of business you care about. Assessment is a mix of exams, essays, group projects, presentations and case studies based on real Australian companies.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are made up of units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You normally take four units per semester, and most institutions run two semesters a year, though some also offer a trimester calendar so you can speed up or spread out your study. Over three years you complete 24 units, typically 144 credit points in total. The first year builds your base in accounting, economics, statistics and management. The second year adds more specialised units and often includes an industry project or internship unit. The final year usually includes a capstone unit where you bring everything together, often a business plan, consulting project or research report for a real organisation.

Work-integrated learning

Business degrees in Australia increasingly include work-integrated learning. That might be a placement with a small firm, a not-for-profit, a government department or a larger company, or it might be a project unit where you work in a team on a brief set by an employer. These units count towards your degree and give you something concrete to talk about in job interviews. If your course includes a placement, the Academy will arrange or approve it, and you will need to meet any visa conditions that apply to work while you study.

Skills you build

You will learn to read a balance sheet, write a marketing plan, analyse a market, manage a project and present an argument with evidence. You will also practise the softer skills employers ask for, working in teams, managing deadlines, giving and taking feedback, and communicating clearly to different audiences. By the end, you should be able to look at a business problem and know where to start.

Who it suits

This degree suits school leavers who want a broad business education before choosing a specialisation, and also mature-age students moving into management, starting a business or changing careers. It is a generalist degree, so it works well if you are not sure yet whether you want to be an accountant, a marketer, an operations manager or an entrepreneur. If you already know you want to be a chartered accountant or a lawyer, check whether the units meet the accreditation requirements of the relevant professional body before you enrol.

English and visa notes

International applicants need to show English proficiency. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for undergraduate and coursework postgraduate courses, though teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work usually ask for 7.0–7.5. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the Academy's own English programmes are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs also sets its own English threshold for the Student visa, separate from the Academy's entry requirement. While studying, a Student visa generally allows work of up to 48 hours per fortnight during term. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream lets eligible graduates stay and work in Australia for a period that depends on your qualification and circumstances.

Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 114216C. Check the official CRICOS entry and the Academy's own course page for current fees, intake dates, unit lists and entry requirements before you apply.

• Business analyst, banks, insurers, consultancies and government agencies across Australia.
• Marketing coordinator or assistant brand manager, retail, FMCG, media, tourism and tech companies.
• Accountant or assistant accountant, public practice firms, corporate finance teams and not-for-profits (check whether your units meet CPA Australia or CA ANZ requirements if you want to become a qualified accountant).
• Human resources officer or recruitment consultant, in-house HR teams and specialist recruitment agencies.
• Operations or project coordinator, logistics, construction, health services and professional services firms.
• Small business owner or manager, running or growing your own enterprise.
• Graduate roles in the Australian Public Service, departments and agencies in Canberra and state capitals.
• Retail or hospitality manager, supervising teams, rosters, budgets and customer service.
• Further study, many graduates go on to a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a specialised master's after a few years of work.