Advance your commerce expertise
Adding an Honours year to your degree gives you the chance to dive deeper into your area of interest. Refine your research, writing, and analytical skills while further developing your knowledge and abilities.
Take advantage of Wellington School of Business and Government’s strong links with international academic and professional bodies. Thanks to our close ties with Wellington’s public and private sectors, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for research and networking.
A Bachelor of Commerce with Honours will give you the tools for success—in your career or for further study.
Who can study for this qualification
The BCom(Hons) suits people with a BCom who want to extend their study in their main area of focus, and potentially prepare for postgraduate research.
What you’ll learn
Depending on your chosen subject, you’ll investigate contemporary topics such as:
- the future of work
- sustainable accounting
- digital marketing and data privacy
- digital government
- evidence-based policy making
- sustainable tourism management
- reputational risks in organisations
- the economics of disasters.
How you’ll study
Much of your time will be spent carrying out focused, self-directed study and guided individual research. Often there are fewer lectures than at undergraduate level, and sometimes your classes will be student-run seminars. Classes are typically small and supportive.
Workload
You’ll study seven courses, usually full time over two trimesters. You can expect a workload of 40 to 45 hours a week for much of the year.
Part-time domestic students doing two courses per trimester will need to do around 20 to 23 hours of work a week.
Why Wellington
Study at the Wellington School of Business and Government and you’re studying at the centre of the action. Our campuses sit minutes from Parliament, the Supreme Court, and the CBD, giving you direct access to the people and institutions shaping New Zealand’s business and policy landscape.
Wellington is also home to a thriving innovation and tech sector, with strong links to government. So whether your interest is data science, policy, or enterprise, you’re plugged into the industry from day one.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. Before enrolment, a candidate for the BCom(Hons) degree shall have:
(a) (i) completed a BCom degree (or equivalent) with an average grade of at least B+ in the relevant courses;
(ii) satisfied the prerequisites listed in section 2 for the major to be presented; and
(iii) been accepted by the relevant head of school or programme director as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) The requirements in (a)(i) and (a)(ii) may be waived or varied by the Associate Dean (Students) of the Wellington School of Business and Government for a candidate who has extensive practical, professional or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
2. The subjects for the BCom(Hons) and their prerequisites are:
Accounting (ACCY)
45 points from ACCY 300–399
Actuarial Science (ACTS)
ACTS 331, 332, 336, STAT 335
Economics (ECON)
45 points from ECON 300–399, PUBL 303
Finance (FINA)
45 points from FINA 300–399
Governing for the Future (GOVF)
A completed major in ACCY, COML, ECON, FINA, HRER, INFO, IBUS, MGMT, MARK, PUBL, TAXN; or, at the discretion of the Academic Programme Leader, a major in a related cognate discipline from this or another university.
Human Resource Management and Employment Relations (HRER)
30 points from HRER 300–399 and a further 15 points from HRER 300–399, MGMT 300–399
Information Systems (INFO)
45 points from INFO 300–399
International Business (IBUS)
IBUS 305 and 312
Management (MGMT)
45 points from MGMT 300–399
Marketing (MARK)
45 points from MARK 300–399
Tourism Management (TOUR)
45 points from TOUR 300–399, MARK 304
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the BCom(Hons)
3. The course of study for BCom(Hons) shall consist of courses worth at least 120 points as required in section 5.
4. (a) A candidate for this degree shall normally be enrolled for not less than two trimesters and not more than four trimesters.
(b) A part-time candidate shall normally be assessed in four courses in each of two successive years. In special circumstances, other arrangements may be approved by the associate dean (but see section 7 below and the Assessment Handbook).
Major requirements
Majors are the subjects you focus your degree on.
Major subjects and requirements
Explore your major options below.
BCom(Hons) subjects
Actuarial Science
Governing for the Future
Human Resource Management and Employment Relations
Information Systems
International Business
Tourism Management
No matching majors found.
Starting part-time in Trimester 2 or 3
It may be possible to start the Bachelor of Commerce with Honours part time in Trimester 2 or Trimester 3, depending on the availability of courses in the subject you’ve chosen.
Email info@vuw.ac.nz to find out more.
Future careers
Depending on your goals and focus of study, you could get into a variety of careers such as:
- accountant or auditor
- actuary
- business or management consultant
- marketing or communications specialist
- financial or investment analyst
- human resources adviser or recruiter
- operations or supply chain coordinator
- policy or advisory analyst
- data or business analyst.
More career information
Find out more about careers on our 'What can I do with my degree' page for Commerce.
The government careers website, Tahatū, also has information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. An example is the Rob Cameron Memorial Scholarship.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Commerce
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In honour of Jonathan Nicholls (ACC's Head of Actuarial Services who passed away in early 2015), ACC wishes to promote the actuarial profession in much the same way that Jonathan did. ACC is dedicated to supporting Actuarial Science students and others looking to pursue a career in the actuarial profession.
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
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The L G Peacocke Scholarship is designed to support students intending to embark upon an Honours degree or a Masters degree in the disciplines of Politics, International Relations, Strategic Studies, Public Policy, or Economics.
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for commerce
-
In honour of Jonathan Nicholls (ACC's Head of Actuarial Services who passed away in early 2015), ACC wishes to promote the actuarial profession in much the same way that Jonathan did. ACC is dedicated to supporting Actuarial Science students and others looking to pursue a career in the actuarial profession.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Further research or study
At the end of your Honours year, you can continue your studies to complete a Master of Commerce, with one more trimester of supervised research. You can either add a 60-point dissertation to your Honours degree, or replace your 30-point Honours research project with a 90-point thesis.
Wellington School of Business and Government offers a variety of other postgraduate programmes to give you the specialised knowledge you need for a successful career.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.