Bachelor of Business (Finance)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Business (Finance) is designed to prepare graduates for managerial and specialist positions in commerce, industry and the public sector.

The course is designed to give graduates a broad range of skills, ensuring good prospects to work in local, national or global companies. It provides the foundation and specialist skills and knowledge vital for a successful career in finance and to operate successfully within the business environment.

The course consists of three core subjects, four foundation subjects, eight specialisation subjects and nine electives. This allows the students the opportunity to study a range of subjects to suit their interests, such as financial management, accounting and management theory, financial planning, investments, funds management, international finance and finance law. It also offers the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in what actually happens in financial planning and management within an organisation, as part of a business placement program.

Professional recognition

The Bachelor of Business (Finance) fulfils the training standards in the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) Regulatory Guide 146: Licensing: Training of financial product advisers (RG146). CSU is a training provider for RG146.

Workplace learning

Industry requires graduates who are better equipped for the workplace and students are looking for greater flexibility in subjects studied, while retaining the ability to specialise in core discipline areas.

Three workplace learning subjects provide students with the opportunity to undertake a business placement in each of their three years of study (or equivalent). The expectations and outcomes associated with these subjects increases each year - for example, the length of placement will increase from 35 hours in Year 1 to 70 hours in Year 2 and 120 hours in Year 3. Placements may occur in practicum blocks or a dedicated regular time through the session. Students will be expected to make a meaningful contribution that will benefit the business and the student's key employability skills. The focus of each of the workplace learning subjects will be the nexus between theory (what the student will be learning in their studies) and practice (what actually happens in the workplace).

There may be ancillary costs associated with your workplace learning subject (for example, travel costs to reach the workplace). These costs may vary depending on the location of the work placement.

Work placements are not available to international students due to current Australian Government visa regulations.

Flexible offering

This course is available by distance education and can be studied full-time or part-time.

Students will be eligible to graduate with the Associate Degree in Business Studies if they have completed 128 points in the Bachelor of Business, of which at least 88 points must be business or business-related subjects.

Students will be eligible to graduate with the University Certificate in Business Studies if they have completed 64 points in the Bachelor of Business, of which at least 48 points must be business or business-related subjects. However, the students must meet the University Certificate criteria (i.e. no credit granted in the course) to be able to exit with the award.

Students in the Bachelor of Business programs may use the University Certificate in Business as an exit point should they decide to withdraw from the Bachelor of Business Studies or Bachelor of Business program. However, the students must meet the University Certificate in Business criteria (i.e. complete three core subjects plus five of the available foundation subjects, and no credit granted in the course) to be able to exit with the award.

Academic expectations

For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.

Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.

Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).

Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.

The course comprises 24 subjects with the following study pathway of 4 subjects per year for part time students. Full time enrolment is also possible.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Elective Subjects

If at least five of the nine electives are from a prescribed set of subjects in another specific discipline (e.g. Accounting or Marketing), the student is eligible to graduate with a Joint Study in the second discipline. This is similar to a "minor" and appears on the student's transcript and testamur.  Up to two subjects completed as foundation or specialisation subjects can be counted towards the 5 subjects required for a Joint Study.

Students can chose up to five subjects from outside the Faculty of Business.

Admission requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English language proficiency

The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2