Bachelor of Commerce(Finance) / Fine 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 combines rigorous financial training with a broad arts education, allowing students to develop strong analytical, economic, and communication skills alongside critical thinking and cultural understanding. This double degree is ideal for students who want to understand global financial systems while also exploring humanities, social sciences, languages, or media to build a well-rounded professional profile.
The program is delivered at UNSW Kensington Campus, Sydney (New South Wales, Australia).

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in both commerce and arts disciplines. They typically study core subjects such as Financial Management, Introductory Microeconomics, Academic Foundations in Commerce, alongside arts courses like Understanding Society and Culture and Communication in a Global Context. This year focuses on developing essential analytical, writing, and quantitative skills needed for advanced study.

Year 2:
In the second year, students begin deeper finance study through subjects like Corporate Finance, Financial Markets and Institutions, and Statistical Analysis for Business, while continuing arts majors such as Politics and International Relations or Media, Culture and Communication. This year strengthens applied financial reasoning and introduces more specialised disciplinary thinking.

Year 3:
The third year advances into complex finance topics including Investment Analysis, Derivative Securities, and Applied Financial Modelling. At the same time, arts coursework becomes more specialised, with electives such as Global Media Systems, Ethics and Society, or International History, allowing students to develop interdisciplinary insight and critical perspectives.

Year 4:
In the final year, students complete advanced finance subjects like Portfolio Management, Strategic Financial Decision-Making, and Financial Risk Management, alongside a capstone arts or research-based project. This year focuses on integrating financial expertise with analytical and communication skills to prepare students for professional or postgraduate pathways.

Focus areas:

Finance, Investment Analysis, Corporate Finance, Risk Management, Global Studies, Communication, Cultural Studies, Economic Analysis

Learning outcomes:

Graduates will demonstrate advanced financial literacy, critical thinking, interdisciplinary analysis, and strong communication skills, enabling them to interpret global financial systems and broader social contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The finance component provides strong alignment with international professional pathways such as the CFA program, supporting global finance careers.

Reputation (employability rankings):

The University of New South Wales Business School is consistently ranked among the top business schools globally (QS World University Rankings by Subject: Accounting & Finance).

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 students hands-on exposure to both financial decision-making and creative or humanities-based practice. You don’t just study theory—you actively apply it through real datasets, case-based learning, industry simulations, and collaborative projects that reflect professional environments in both business and arts sectors. Students also benefit from access to dedicated learning spaces, digital tools, and interdisciplinary studios that support practical skill development across both faculties:

UNSW Business School Trading & Analytics Facilities: Access to trading rooms and financial labs where students work with real-time market data and industry-standard platforms such as Bloomberg and other financial analytics tools used in global finance.
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Programs: Structured internships, industry projects, and consulting-style assignments that connect students with real organisations in finance, consulting, government, and creative industries.
Capstone Business Projects: Final-year applied projects where students solve real business problems using financial modelling, economic analysis, and strategic decision-making skills.
Arts, Design & Humanities Studios: Creative studios, media production spaces, and collaborative learning environments supporting visual arts, communication, and interdisciplinary creative practice.
Interdisciplinary Group Work: Team-based projects combining commerce and arts perspectives, helping students build communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills in real-world contexts.
Digital Learning Tools & Software: Use of data analysis, financial modelling, and research software to support coursework in both finance and arts-related subjects.
UNSW Library & Research Facilities: Access to one of Australia’s leading academic libraries, extensive digital databases, and dedicated study spaces for business and humanities research.
Industry Engagement & Guest Lectures: Regular seminars and workshops led by professionals from banking, consulting, media, and creative industries to connect classroom learning with current industry practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Arts at the University of New South Wales develop a strong combination of financial expertise and humanities-based analytical thinking, preparing them to understand global financial systems alongside social, cultural, and political contexts. This interdisciplinary skill set makes graduates highly adaptable, opening doors across finance, consulting, government, media, and international organisations where both analytical and communication skills are essential.

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, mentoring programs, internship support, and access to graduate recruitment opportunities across finance, consulting, government, and creative and policy sectors.
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 earning potential as they progress into specialised finance, advisory, policy, or leadership roles.
Industry Partnerships: UNSW Business School Industry Connections + UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture Networks: 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 component provides strong preparation for internationally recognised pathways such as the CFA Institute Chartered Financial Analyst Program, while the arts component develops advanced communication, research, and critical thinking skills valued across global industries.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop expertise in financial analysis, economic reasoning, policy understanding, communication, research, and strategic decision-making, enabling them to work confidently 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, Master of International Relations, or research-focused honours and doctoral programs. Many also pursue the CFA designation or postgraduate study in economics, public policy, or communications to further expand interdisciplinary career opportunities and leadership potential.