Bachelor of Commerce(Finance) / Arts

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Arts at the University of New South Wales is a flexible double degree that combines strong financial knowledge with broad humanities insight, preparing students for careers that require both analytical thinking and strong communication skills. This program suits students who are interested in finance but also want to explore areas like politics, history, languages, media, or international studies for a more well-rounded professional profile.
It is delivered at the Kensington Campus, Sydney, Australia, placing students in one of Australia’s leading business and academic hubs.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In the first year, students build core foundations in both commerce and arts disciplines. Finance-focused subjects such as Financial Management and Introductory Microeconomics are paired with Arts courses like Academic Writing & Research and Introduction to Politics or History. This year focuses on developing analytical thinking, communication skills, and a strong understanding of business fundamentals alongside humanities perspectives.

Year 2:
In Year 2, students deepen their finance expertise while expanding their chosen arts major. Core finance subjects such as Corporate Finance and Statistics for Business are combined with Arts electives like Sociology, International Relations, or Media, Culture and Society. This stage builds technical financial skills while strengthening critical thinking and global awareness.

Year 3:
Year 3 introduces advanced finance study including Investment Analysis and Financial Markets, alongside more specialised Arts units such as Global Politics, Cultural Studies, or Communication and Society. Students begin to connect financial decision-making with broader social, political, and cultural contexts, developing a more strategic perspective.

Year 4:
In the final year, students undertake advanced finance subjects such as Derivatives and Risk Management and Applied Corporate Finance, while completing higher-level Arts coursework and electives. This year focuses on integrating both disciplines, preparing students for complex real-world decision-making and graduate-level employment.

Focus Areas:

Finance, Investment Analysis, Corporate Finance, Financial Markets, Political Science, International Studies, Communication, Cultural Studies, Critical Thinking, Global Business Perspective

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop strong financial decision-making skills, advanced analytical ability, and a deep understanding of global social and cultural systems, enabling them to work confidently across finance, consulting, policy, and international business environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Finance component aligns with professional pathways recognised by industry bodies such as CFA Institute and supports preparation for global finance certifications.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

University of New South Wales Business School is consistently ranked among the top business schools globally in QS World University Rankings by Subject, reflecting strong employer recognition and graduate outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning in the Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Arts at the University of New South Wales is designed to give you hands-on exposure to both real-world financial decision-making and humanities-based critical thinking. You don’t just learn theory—you apply it through live business simulations, industry-informed projects, and research-based Arts coursework that develops strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills. With access to professional-grade tools, collaborative learning spaces, and internship pathways, students build practical capability from day one:

Bloomberg Terminals & Financial Databases: Access to real-time financial markets data through Bloomberg and other industry-standard platforms used in global banking and investment firms.
Business Simulation & Case Study Learning: Finance courses include applied case studies and scenario-based assessments that mirror real investment and corporate finance decisions.
Capstone Industry Projects: Final-year commerce subjects include group-based capstone projects where students solve real business problems for organisations.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) & Internships: Optional internship and industry placement opportunities through UNSW Business School and Arts & Social Sciences Work-Integrated Learning programs.
Data & Analytics Tools: Training in professional software such as Excel (advanced modelling), R, Python, and statistical analysis tools used in finance and economics.
Collaborative Group Learning: Structured group projects across both Commerce and Arts subjects develop teamwork, communication, and leadership skills in real-world contexts.
Research & Arts Facilities: Access to UNSW libraries, digital research databases, archives, and media production spaces supporting Arts-based research and analysis.
Industry Networking & Guest Lectures: Regular seminars and workshops led by professionals from banking, consulting, government, and creative industries.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Arts at the University of New South Wales develop a unique blend of financial expertise and humanities-based critical thinking, preparing them to understand both global financial systems and the social, cultural, and ethical contexts in which business operates. This combination produces adaptable graduates who can work confidently across finance, consulting, policy, media, and international organisations.

Typical roles include: Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Policy Advisor, Business Consultant.

Career Development Support: UNSW Employability and Career Discovery: Provides personalised career coaching, resume and interview workshops, employer networking events, mentoring programs, internship support, and access to graduate recruitment opportunities across finance, government, consulting, and creative industries.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Insight: Finance graduates in Australia typically achieve median starting salaries of approximately AUD 80,000–90,000 per year, with strong long-term growth potential as they progress into specialised finance, advisory, and leadership roles.
Industry Partnerships: UNSW Business School Industry Connections: Students engage with major banks, consulting firms, government agencies, media organisations, and multinational corporations through internships, industry projects, employer presentations, and interdisciplinary networking opportunities.
Accreditation & Long-Term Value: Globally Recognised Qualification: The finance major provides a strong foundation for internationally recognised pathways such as the CFA Institute Chartered Financial Analyst Program, while the arts component develops critical communication and analytical skills valued across global industries.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop expertise in financial analysis, economic reasoning, communication, research, policy understanding, and strategic decision-making, enabling them to work across both technical finance roles and broader interdisciplinary career pathways.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into Master of Finance, Master of Commerce, Master of Arts (various specialisations), Master of Business Analytics, Master of Management, or research-focused honours and doctoral programs. Many also pursue the CFA designation or postgraduate study in economics, international relations, or communication to expand interdisciplinary career opportunities.