Rule 1 - Pass and Honours Degrees
The degree of Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Commerce may be conferred as a Pass degree or as an Honours degree. There shall be three classes of Honours, namely Class 1, Class 2 in two Divisions and Class 3. In cases of superior academic performance throughout the program, the Pass degree may be conferred with Distinction.

Rule 2 - Disciplinary major requirements
All students must complete at least one ‘disciplinary major.’
2.1 In the Bachelor of Commerce, a major is defined as 48 UOC in an approved disciplinary stream which includes 42 UOC of courses from a single discipline and 6 UOC from the core courses. Students may not count a core course as part of more than one major.
2.1.1 Students not completing the requirements of two majors in the Bachelor of Commerce degree must complete a 'disciplinary minor' in a discipline other than their major. A 'disciplinary minor' is defined as four approved courses from a single discipline with a minimum of 6 UOC at Level 3.
2.2 In the Bachelor of Economics, the major must be in Economics, Econometrics or Financial Economics. A major is defined as 48 UOC of level 2 and 3 courses. At least 3 courses must be level 3 (courses numbered 3XXX).
2.2.1 Students satisfying the requirements of the Bachelor of Economics degree are not required to complete a ‘disciplinary minor’. A 'disciplinary minor' is defined as four approved courses from a single discipline.

Rule 3 - Transfer between degrees
There is no automatic transfer between programs offered by the Australian School of Business. To apply for transfer between programs, please contact the Business Student Centre.

Rule 4 - Assessable hours
Normal workload expectations for each degree are a minimum of 25 hours per semester per unit of credit, including class contact hours, preparation and time spent on all assessable work.

Rule 5 - Passing a course
Where, in the following rules, reference is made to the requirement that a candidate shall pass a course, the requirement shall be construed as meaning that the candidate shall complete assignments, laboratory work, other set work and an examination or examinations by the prescribed dates to the satisfaction of the relevant Head of the School concerned.

Rule 6 - Normal program
The program leading to the award of the degree of Bachelor of Economics normally consists of 144 units of credit to be completed over a period of three academic years or six semesters, with the exception of programs with an Industrial Training component which consists of 192 units of credit over four academic years or eight semesters. Except in exceptional circumstances, a student must enrol in a minimum of 6 units of credit per semester and will not normally be permitted to enrol in more than 24 units of credit per semester.

Rule 7 - Minimum time for completion
A single degree program is 3, 4, or 5 years, or for combined degrees 4 - 7 years. Each program assumes a two semester year where 48 Units of Credit (UOC) are completed. As such, the typical duration of a 144 UOC program is 3 years.

The table below outlines the typical duration and minimum UOC required for Australian School of Business programs.

 

Rule 8 - Nomination of major
Students should nominate their plan by advising the Business Student Centre at the beginning of their second year (of full time study equivalent). A candidate may change from one plan to another but not more than once per year. The change requires the approval of the Business Student Centre and must be completed before enrolment is finalised for that enrolment period (unless it is a transfer between a Pass and an Honours program).

Rule 9 - Academic program requirements
9.1 For the Pass degree, students must complete the minimum units of credits (UOC) specified in the table provided in Rule 7 – Minimum time for completion. Their program shall include;

9.1.1 36 units of credit (UOC) of Level 1 core courses in the Bachelor of Economics,
48 units of credit (UOC) of Level 1 core courses in the Bachelor of Commerce or the combined BCom / BEc program

9.1.2
(a) satisfactory completion of a minimum of 12 units of credit in General Education courses or their equivalent (unless otherwise entitled to exemption). Combined undergraduate degrees offered with other faculties and leading to the award of two degrees satisfy this requirement (12 units of credit in General Education) within the program.

(b) an additional 56 hours of study which examines the purposes and consequences of their university education and which fosters socially, ethically and professionally responsible behaviour. (The Bachelor of Commerce and the Bachelor of Economics fulfil this requirement as part of the normal program curriculum.)

9.1.3
In the Bachelor of Commerce (3502), either
(a) a single major of 48 UOC, which includes 42 UOC in an approved disciplinary stream and 6 UOC from the core requirements plus a minor of 24 UOC containing at least 6 UOC at level 3 (excluding Industrial Training components). The minor does not form part of the nominated major.
Or (b) A double major of 96 UOC (For each major, 42 UOC in the approved disciplinary stream and 6 UOC from the core requirements)

In the Bachelor of Economics (3543), either
(a) a major of at least 60 units of credit in the Economics, Econometrics or Financial Economics disciplinary streams (including units taken as core studies where applicable)
Or (b) a double major of 90 units, with at least 48 units in one of the Economics, Econometrics or Financial Economics disciplinary streams, and at least 48 units in another approved disciplinary stream.

In the combined Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Economics (3521) either,
(a) a double major in Commerce and a single major in Economics
Or (b) a single major in Commerce with 1 minor and more electives and single major in Economics
The combined program must have at least 72 units of credit from the courses offered by the School of Economics (or approved quantitative substitutions) and at least 84 units of credit from courses offered by other schools within the Australian School of Business.

9.2 The remaining Business course or credit requirements not required for a major sequence and not core courses, as prescribed, may be taken as free options. Free options may be chosen from any other courses offered by the Australian School of Business.

9.3 On completion of the program a student must have obtained a minimum of 24 UOC of Level 2 and a minimum of 24 UOC in Level 3 Australian School of Business courses.

9.4 Students under the BCom and BEc single degree programs normally complete a maximum of two majors.
9.4.1 Students in the BCom(International) program (3538) and BCom (Liberal Studies) program (3539) can only have a maximum of three majors recognised by the Australian School of Business in their degree program.
(a) In order to obtain a second or third major in International Studies, students enrolled in BCom (International) program (3538) must undertake the full 7 International Studies courses (42 UOC) from one area of approved study PLUS one (6 UOC) course from the two approved courses to be completed during their “Studies of the Region” in the Commerce Overseas Program - COP (overseas placement for two semesters). The approved course that will count towards the major sequence must contain content on the country or region of COP placement. Regions are Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Middle East and Oceania.
(b) In order to obtain a second or third major in Liberal Studies, students enrolled in BCom (Liberal Studies) program (3539) must undertake all 9 Liberal Studies courses (54 UOC) from one area of approved study.
9.4.2 Students in combined degree programs in which only one business major is normally recognised in the BCom component (i.e. BCom / BSc (3529), BCom / BE (3563,3715) and BCom / LLB (4733)) may, with permission from the relevant Heads of School, complete the requirements for a second BCom major. Any courses required for the second major will be in addition to the academic requirements of the standard program and may involve study past the normal length of the program.

9.5 Students under BCom (International) program (3538) must complete the approved Overseas Study Program of 2 semesters (48 UOC) as determined by the Australian School of Business and are required to maintain minimum academic performance and comply with University policy to be eligible for this International Student Exchange.

9.6 Unless in exceptional circumstances the maximum number of Level One courses a student may count towards their program requirements are capped as follows;

9.7 A student cannot count a mainstream course offered by faculties other than the Australian School of Business both as a substitute for a Business elective and as a substitute for a General Education elective

9.8 A student enrolled in a Co-op program or BCom (Services Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality) must satisfactorily complete the industrial training components specified in the program requirements.

9.9 Approved Disciplinary Streams (Pass) are listed below (*these majors are available as a double major only)

Rule 10 - Honours degree
Upon completion of first or second years of a full-time program or the corresponding stages of a part-time program, a candidate may make a written application for permission to enrol for an Honours degree. When such permission is granted but a candidate's later performance is unsatisfactory, permission to continue as an Honours student may be withdrawn and the student may proceed to an appropriate Pass degree. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate second and third year options in the discipline are chosen in order to progress to the Honours program.

Except with the special permission of the program authority on the recommendation of the relevant Heads of School, a person on whom the Pass degree of Bachelor of Economics or equivalent has been conferred shall not be admitted to candidature for the Honours degree of Bachelor of Economics.

For the Honours degree, a student must complete a further 48 units in one approved disciplinary stream. The additional units, comprising specified courses from the relevant disciplinary stream and a thesis, must be completed in two semesters following the completion of the Pass degree component.

Except when recommended to the contrary by the relevant Head of School, a student intending to enter the Honours year must:
(a) satisfy the Pass degree requirements and obtain a minimum average of 70% in Level 2 and Level 3 courses of the relevant disciplinary stream in the Pass degree component
(b) pass all courses in the Pass degree component at first attempt.

Rule 11 - Credit for courses passed at another University
Subject to the University rules governing admission with advanced standing, courses passed at another university may be counted towards fulfilling the requirements of the degree. Not more than fifty percent of the program requirements will be awarded as advanced standing nor will advanced standing be granted for courses completed more than 7 years before the date of admission of the applicant, except with the approval of the Business Student Centre.

Rule 12 – Courses outside the Australian School of Business
Subject to the requirements of the individual programs, students may choose a maximum of 2 courses from any approved course taught by any other UNSW faculties. Approval must be sought from the Business Student Centre. prior to enrolment to count these courses as options.

Rule 13 - Order of course progression
It is expected students shall undertake core courses in the equivalent of their first year of study. It is expected failed courses will be repeated in the next semester in which they are offered.

Rule 14 - Prerequisite and corequisite requirements
Except in exceptional circumstances, a candidate shall not enrol in any course without having satisfied the prescribed prerequisite or corequisite requirements. Permission to enrol in courses without having met these requirements must be obtained from the lecturer in charge of the course.

Rule 15 – University rules
All students are governed by General University Rules regarding admission, enrolment, fees, progression, IT Rules and Procedures and other policies. These can be found in the Online Handbook.

Rule 16 – ELISE (Enabling Library and Information Skills for Everyone)
All new students are required to complete and attain at least 80% in the ELISE online tutorial via the WebCT homepage.