What to Expect in a Bachelor of Commerce Degree

A Bachelor of Commerce degree is crucial for a rewarding business career.

By enrolling in a BCom programme, you open yourself to a world of opportunities in various sectors, including accounting, marketing, finance, and tourism, to name a few.

REGENT offers accredited commerce degrees with various specialisations catering to students’ diverse interests. 

This article will discuss what a BCom is, as well as admission requirements and career prospects after graduation. 

What is a Bachelor of Commerce degree?

A Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree is a foundational course in your business education, providing a deep understanding of business principles and practical applications in the corporate world.

These programmes typically offer comprehensive foundational knowledge that is both theoretical and practical, laying the groundwork for potential further study in postgraduate degrees.

Bachelor of Commerce degrees are structured to be general degrees that go over a wide range of business-related subjects. 

Typically, the standard duration is three years of full-time study, although Regent offers Bachelor of Commerce online degree options known as distance learning and rich distance learning, where you get to work while you study. But this might extend your learning time. 

The structure of this programme is designed to give you knowledge and practical skills.

• Year 1: Introduction to core concepts of commerce
• Year 2: Intermediate study of business disciplines
• Year 3: Advanced research and specialisation options

However, the structure of your degree may differ if you choose a specialisation BCom degree, such as: 

• BCom in Accounting
• BCom in Human Resources
• BCom Law
• BCom in Retail Management 
• BCom Supply Chain Management

What are the key areas and disciplines covered in a Bachelor of Commerce degree?

Bachelor of Commerce modules aim to create a strong foundation in business management and related fields. If you pursue this degree, you will delve into the following key areas:

• Accounting: The backbone of business finance management.
• Economics: Understanding different markets and economic policies.
• Management studies: The art and science of effectively running organisations.
• Marketing: Strategies to connect products with consumers.
• Human resources: Managing the workforce that drives businesses.

Most notably, you can expect to enhance your understanding of business operations, which is crucial for any aspiring business professional.

BCom Admission Requirements

If you plan to pursue a bachelor degree, you must understand the entry requirements. These requirements set the benchmark for eligibility and vary slightly between institutions.

To qualify for a BCom programme at Regent Business School, you need a national senior certificate with a minimum Bachelor Degree admission or a relevant NQF4 qualification. 

The application process involves careful planning and attention to detail. 

1. You should begin by checking the admission requirements for the Bachelor of Commerce programme you are interested in. 
2. After ensuring you meet these prerequisites, you must submit an application form, the required documentation, and payment of an application fee by the set deadline. 

Try applying as early as possible to avoid any last-minute hurdles.

What are the career opportunities after completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree?

You can explore many career paths upon completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree. This section outlines the specific industry sectors and critical roles you can pursue.

Industry sectors

• Finance and banking: You can engage in financial management, investment banking, or corporate finance, where your understanding of management accounting and investment strategies will be crucial.

• Marketing and advertising: With a focus on goods and services, you can excel in roles that require market analysis and strategy creation to attract and retain customers.

• Human resources: Specialising in management human resources, your knowledge can directly impact employees and talent management, which are vital to any business.

• Information technology: Utilise your commerce skills in IT companies by focusing on business aspects like project management and business analysis.

Careers you can pursue

Here are some top jobs you can pursue with a BCom degree. 

• Accountant: People specialising in taxation, auditing, or budgeting help maintain financial health in organisations. The need for accountants in South Africa is rising, making a job in accounting an excellent choice. 

• Human Resources Manager: Those in this role deal with recruitment, training and development, and implementing HR policies.

• Marketing Manager: Marketing managers lead campaigns and strategies to promote products, involving close work with sales and advertising teams to increase market share.

• Business Analyst: Professionals in this position play a pivotal role in interpreting data to drive change, improve efficiency, and make informed decisions within a company.

• Financial Analyst: Professionals in these positions guide their companies on investments and economic performance. They look at market trends and data and recommend the best action. 

• Project Manager: Those working as project managers are responsible for planning, organising, and directing projects from beginning to end. They make sure the project remains within budget and meets deadlines and scopes. 

You may also qualify for other careers if you specialise in a particular industry, such as law or supply chain management. 

By exploring these sectors and roles, you can determine the career path that aligns best with your passion and the skills you gained during your Bachelor of Commerce programme.

Study a BCom degree with REGENT

As you can see, you can pursue many career paths with this degree. So, if this sounds like the ideal course for you, you can learn more about REGENT’s Bachelor of Commerce degree here. 

If you are still not convinced this is the right degree for you, read this article explaining what you can do with a BCom degree.