Bachelor of Commerce (Finance)

3 Years On Campus Dual-bachelors Program

Curtin University Perth

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) at Curtin University equips students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand financial markets, evaluate investments and support strategic business decisions in a global economy. Campus Location: Curtin Perth Campus, Bentley, Western Australia. This program is ideal for students who enjoy business, problem-solving and working with numbers, and who aspire to careers in banking, investment management, corporate finance or financial consulting.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with Curtin's business core units, building a strong foundation in commerce and business decision-making. They explore areas such as Financial Decision Making, Business Intelligence, and Value Creation in Business, while developing analytical and problem-solving skills essential for finance professionals. Students also commence their Finance major studies and gain an understanding of how businesses and financial systems operate.

Year 2: In the second year, students deepen their knowledge of financial markets and corporate finance. Subjects focus on areas such as Investment Evaluation, Financial Markets and Institutions, and Corporate Finance, helping students understand how organisations raise capital, manage investments and evaluate financial opportunities. Students also strengthen leadership and decision-making capabilities through applied business learning.

Year 3: The final year focuses on advanced finance concepts and industry application. Students study areas including Financial Risk Management, Portfolio Management, and advanced investment analysis while gaining hands-on experience using industry-standard tools such as LSEG Workspace and StockTrak. The program culminates in a capstone experience, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world financial challenges and transition confidently into the workforce.

Focus Areas:

Financial Markets, Corporate Finance, Investment Analysis, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Financial Technologies, Capital Budgeting, Wealth Management, Banking and Business Decision-Making.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop the ability to analyse financial markets, evaluate investment opportunities, solve complex corporate finance problems, communicate financial insights professionally, apply financial technologies and make ethical, sustainable financial decisions in a global business environment.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Finance major is designed to align with relevant professional industry standards and provides a strong pathway toward careers in banking, investment management, financial analysis and corporate finance. Students also benefit from exposure to professional activities such as the CFA Institute Research Challenge, helping strengthen industry readiness and professional networking opportunities.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Curtin University is recognised as one of Australia's leading universities for graduate employment outcomes and industry-connected learning. The university integrates practical industry experiences, internships, guest lectures and employer engagement opportunities throughout the Bachelor of Commerce program, ensuring graduates are workplace-ready and highly employable.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Commerce in Finance at Curtin University is designed to give students practical exposure to financial markets, investment decision-making and industry-standard financial analysis tools. Throughout the program, students apply financial theories to real-world business scenarios while developing analytical and problem-solving skills that employers value. Learning extends beyond the classroom through industry engagement activities, practical simulations, professional networking opportunities and a capstone experience that helps students transition confidently into the workplace: students gain hands-on experience through the following opportunities and facilities.

Industry-Standard Software: Students learn to use LSEG Workspace (formerly Refinitiv Workspace) for financial market trading and analysis, giving them access to real-time market information, company data and investment research tools used by finance professionals. They also use StockTrak, a simulated trading platform that allows students to apply portfolio management and investment strategies in a risk-free environment.
Trading and Investment Simulations: Finance students participate in realistic market simulations using professional financial software, helping them develop practical skills in securities analysis, portfolio construction, investment evaluation and financial decision-making.
Industry Engagement: Students have opportunities to interact directly with finance professionals through guest lectures, employer presentations, networking events and industry-focused activities. These engagements provide valuable insights into current industry practices and career pathways.
Internships and Professional Exposure: Curtin's finance program offers opportunities to engage with industry through internships, work-related tasks and industry projects, enabling students to gain practical workplace experience and build professional connections before graduation.
CFA Institute Research Challenge: Students can participate in the globally recognised CFA Institute Research Challenge, where teams analyse publicly listed companies, prepare professional equity research reports and present investment recommendations to industry experts. This experience strengthens research, valuation and presentation skills.
Capstone Experience: In the final year, students complete Curtin's immersive business capstone experience, allowing them to apply finance knowledge to real-world business challenges while enhancing professional and employability skills.
Industry Projects and Work-Related Learning: Real-world learning is embedded throughout the degree through field-related projects, practical business tasks and industry-based activities that connect academic learning with workplace applications.
Library and Learning Resources: Students have access to Curtin University's extensive library resources, financial databases, research materials, academic support services and collaborative learning spaces that support finance research, investment analysis and business studies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) at Curtin University equips students with the financial knowledge and analytical skills needed to succeed in today's global business environment. Graduates learn how financial markets operate, how investment decisions are made and how organisations manage financial risk and capital. Typical career outcomes include Financial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Corporate Finance Officer, Banking Consultant and Funds Management Associate: these skills are highly valued across banking, investment, consulting and corporate sectors.

Career Support Services: Curtin University supports student employability through its Careers Centre, which offers career planning advice, resume and interview preparation, employer networking opportunities, job search support and professional development workshops. Students also benefit from Work-Integrated Learning opportunities, industry projects and extracurricular activities that help build practical experience and professional networks before graduation.
Employment Stats & Salary: Finance graduates typically enter the workforce with median starting salaries in the range of AUD $70,000–$95,000 per year, depending on their role and industry sector. Curtin graduates are recognised for strong employment outcomes, with finance professionals benefiting from continued demand across banking, investment, insurance and corporate finance industries.
University–Industry Partnerships: Curtin University maintains strong connections with industry through partnerships with financial institutions, professional associations and corporate employers. Students gain exposure to industry professionals through networking events, internships, employer presentations, mentoring programs and participation in initiatives such as the CFA Institute Research Challenge, helping them develop valuable industry connections and career opportunities.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: The Finance major is recognised by industry and provides a strong foundation for professional pathways in financial services. The curriculum aligns with skills valued by leading employers and supports graduates who wish to pursue internationally recognised credentials such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and other finance-related professional qualifications.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates leave with expertise in investment analysis, financial planning, risk assessment, corporate finance and financial decision-making. These capabilities enable them to work across commercial banks, investment firms, financial advisory companies, government agencies and multinational corporations, with opportunities to progress into leadership and specialist finance positions throughout their careers.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this degree, graduates may continue their studies through a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), Master of Finance, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of International Business, Master of Commerce or other specialised postgraduate business qualifications. Further study can enhance professional expertise, support career advancement and open pathways into senior management, research and consulting roles.