Bachelor of Commerce (Entrepreneurship and Innovation)
Undergraduate course
Overview
You can also look at entering this course via pathways from one of our UniLink or TAFE courses.
From Semester 1 2014, this course will be renamed. Please refer to BBEI140 Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship and Innovation)
Entrepreneurship involves identifying an opportunity and using innovation to pursue that opportunity to create value and wealth for all involved. A strong demand for those with entrepreneurial skills exists within the corporate sector and among innovative and fast-growing organisations. This vocationally oriented degree is designed to help you recognise the difference between a business idea and a business opportunity. It is also designed to develop your skills to think and plan strategically, evaluate opportunities and source venture capital.
| Duration | 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time. An optional and additional year of Industry-Based Learning (IBL) is also available. Students holding an international student visa are required to study full-time and are unable to undertake IBL. | ||
Campus and intakes  |
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| Study mode | Full-time Part-time (day & evening) | ||
| Course code | BCEI140 | ||
| Fees | For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website. |
Course in detail
Course description
From Semester 1 2014, this course will be renamed. Please refer to BBEI140 Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship and Innovation)
Entrepreneurship involves identifying an opportunity and using innovation to pursue that opportunity to create value and wealth for all involved. A strong demand for those with entrepreneurial skills exists within the corporate sector and among innovative and fast-growing organisations. This vocationally oriented degree is designed to help you recognise the difference between a business idea and a business opportunity. It is also designed to develop your skills to think and plan strategically, evaluate opportunities and source venture capital.
Course structure
For completion of the Bachelor of Commerce (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) students are required to complete a total of 24 units of study (300 credit points) consisting of;
- An Entrepreneurship and Innovation professional major consisting of 16 units (200 credit points); and
- Eight (8) additional units that can be undertaken either as a co-major (8 units), two minors (4 units each), or pathways credit; and
- The not-for-credit unit, HBG0004 Careers in the Curriculum
This program has a Flexible Degree Structure providing students with a wider and more flexible choice in combing studies from different disciplines to add either depth or breadth to the degree.
Students may select co-majors or minors subject to timetable availability. Follow this link for more information. Students may also undertake Electives Plus Minors, Student Exchange or other approved options.
Units normally carry 12.5 credit points. In each year, four units per semester (eight per year) normally constitutes a full-time load of 100 credit points and two units per semester (four per year) normally constitutes a part-time load of 50 credit points. Students holding an international student visa are required to study full-time.
Students wishing to enrol in units of study that are not a formal part of this course will be required to seek approval from the Faculty Administration Manager prior to enrolment.
Course restrictions
- A minimum of 100 credit points must be completed at Swinburne University of Technology. This regulation must be observed in program plans that include unit exemptions; studies completed through international exchange, cross-institutional study or study abroad.
- Students will not be allowed to study more than 26 units (325 credit points) as part of the Bachelor of Commerce.
- A unit can only be counted once as part of a major or minor. Where there is an overlap of units a substitute unit has been identified in the relevant cognate area.
- Students are not permitted to enrol in units where they have completed other units that are deemed to be equivalent. Equivalent units cannot both be used for credit.
Careers in the Curriculum (CIC)
In addition to the above, all Swinburne undergraduate students must complete a compulsory unit of study, HBG0004 Careers in the Curriculum. Careers in the Curriculum is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects.
In addition to the above, all Swinburne undergraduate students must complete a compulsory unit of study, HBG0004 Careers in the Curriculum. Careers in the Curriculum is an innovative unit designed to assist Swinburne students to enhance their employability and career prospects.
Careers in the Curriculum has been developed by Swinburne Careers and Employment who provide advice and feedback on completing job applications and undergoing interviews, directed at obtaining graduate employment. Careers in the Curriculum is a one semester compulsory unit usually undertaken in second year.
Students will not incur a HECS or fee debt as the cost will be met by the university as part of an initiative to enhance students' employability skills.
Prerequisites/Corequisites
Students must have passed prerequisites/corequisites listed for each unit of study and must check that they have fulfilled these requirements before enrolling. Unit of study convenors must be consulted if students wish to enrol in a unit of study for which they do not have the stated requisites.
Students must have passed prerequisites/corequisites listed for each unit of study and must check that they have fulfilled these requirements before enrolling. Unit of study convenors must be consulted if students wish to enrol in a unit of study for which they do not have the stated requisites.
Final Year Experience – Major Projects
As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, we would expect that all incoming undergraduates from 2009 will undertake 25 credit points of professionally focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken.
As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, we would expect that all incoming undergraduates from 2009 will undertake 25 credit points of professionally focused final year major projects within their programs of study. Entry with advanced standing may require alternate study sequences to be undertaken.
Winter and Summer Terms
The Faculty of Business and Enterprise is offering optional six-week Winter and Summer terms allowing you to complete extra study between the standard semesters. These terms are not mandatory. However, if you wish to vary your study load you may want to consider this option. Follow this link for more information on units offered.
The Faculty of Business and Enterprise is offering optional six-week Winter and Summer terms allowing you to complete extra study between the standard semesters. These terms are not mandatory. However, if you wish to vary your study load you may want to consider this option. Follow this link for more information on units offered.
Major specialisations
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Commerce (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) students must complete the required units within the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Professional Major listed below.
Commerce (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) Professional Major:
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Major - 2010
Or refer to Units of Study below.
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Major - 2010
Or refer to Units of Study below.
Co-Majors
The following commerce specific co-majors are available from the Faculty of Business and Enterprise:
The following commerce specific co-majors are available from the Faculty of Business and Enterprise:
- Accounting Co-Major - 2010
- Commercial Law Co-Major - 2010
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation Co-Major - 2010
- Finance Co-Major - 2010
- Human Resource Management Co-Major
- International Business Co-Major - 2010
- Management Co-Major - 2010
- Marketing Co-Major - 2010
- Italian Language Co-Major - 2010
- Japanese Language Co-Major - 2010
Minors
The following commerce specific minors are available from the Faculty of Business and Enterprise:
The following commerce specific minors are available from the Faculty of Business and Enterprise:
- Accounting for Commerce Students Minor - 2010
- Applied Marketing Minor - 2010
- Asia Business Studies Minor - 2010
- Basic Marketing Minor - 2010
- Chinese Language Minor - 2010
- Commercial Law Minor - 2010
- Economics Minor - 2010
- Entrepreneurship Minor - 2010
- European Business Minor - 2010
- Foresight Minor - 2010
- Human Resource Management for Commerce Students Minor
- Leadership Minor - 2010
- Organisational Behaviour Minor - 2010
- Small Business Management Minor - 2010
- Italian Language Minor - 2010
- Japanese Language Minor - 2010
- Japanese Cultural Studies and Work Experience Minor - 2011
Note: Not all minors will be available in 2010. Please refer to each discipline area above for more information.
Students also have the option to select their co-major or minors from another faculty.
Students also have the option to select their co-major or minors from another faculty.
Electives Plus Minors
Electives Plus minors provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by selecting from units of study outside their degree discipline.
Electives Plus minors provide Swinburne degree students with options to broaden their career skills and strengthen their employability by selecting from units of study outside their degree discipline.
Students undertaking this course can choose to study Electives Plus minors of up to four units from one of the following themes:
- Design: Process and Strategy Electives Plus sequence
- Effective Communication
- Enterprising Marketing - pre 2009
- Establishing and Running a Business - pre 2009
- Information Orientation and Knowledge Management
- Italian Language Practice and Culture - pre 2009
- Japanese Language Practice and Culture - pre 2009
- Multimedia: Web Development
- The Networked Economy
- Undergraduate Research Skills
Electives Plus minors are available in all Swinburne degree programs subject to timetabling constraints, with the exception of double degree programs, specialist double major degrees, and where entry has been approved with advanced standing.
Units of study
Professional Major Units
HBN110N Introduction to Entrepreneurship
HBH110N Organisation and Management
HBC110N Accounting for Managers
HBM110N Fundamentals of Marketing
HBL111N Introduction to Business Law
HBE110N Microeconomics
HBN210N Introduction to Venture Development
HBN211N New Venture Finance
HBN212N Managing the Growing Organisation
HBN213N Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation
HBN306N Organisational Foresight
HBN302N Corporate Venturing
HBN303N Foresight Theory and Practice
HBN304N Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility
HBY310N Integrative Business Practice
HBY311N Industry Consulting Project
HBN110N Introduction to Entrepreneurship
HBH110N Organisation and Management
HBC110N Accounting for Managers
HBM110N Fundamentals of Marketing
HBL111N Introduction to Business Law
HBE110N Microeconomics
HBN210N Introduction to Venture Development
HBN211N New Venture Finance
HBN212N Managing the Growing Organisation
HBN213N Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation
HBN306N Organisational Foresight
HBN302N Corporate Venturing
HBN303N Foresight Theory and Practice
HBN304N Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility
HBY310N Integrative Business Practice
HBY311N Industry Consulting Project
Plus one not-for-credit unit, HBG0004 Careers in the Curriculum
Eight additional units of study must be completed. These units of study may be taken as a co-major, two minors, or pathway units.
Eight additional units of study must be completed. These units of study may be taken as a co-major, two minors, or pathway units.
Graduate outcomes
Aims and objectives
In addition to the university’s graduate attributes, graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) will be:
- knowledgeable about entrepreneurship and innovation, and their socio-economic importance
- capable of identifying and evaluating opportunities, and planning the development of new ventures
- able to confidently lead and/or belong to teams that successfully establish new ventures
- cognisant of entrepreneurial risk and strategies for its management
Career opportunities
Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) can find careers in the areas of business management, business and venture analysis, enterprise architecture, consultancy and as an owner-operator of their own business.
Graduate attributes
The intent of the course is for graduates to have well-developed attributes that will equip them for their early career and life. Specifically graduates will potentially be:
- capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace, or community
- effective and ethical in work and community situations
- adaptable and able to manage change
- aware of the local and international environments in which they will be contributing to (e.g. socio-cultural, economic, natural)
In order to build all of the graduate attributes, the Bachelor of Commerce (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) aims to:
- ensure that the body of knowledge and technology imparted in the program will be relevant to immediate and potential employment opportunities
- develop self-confidence through learning experiences aimed at an understanding of the unit areas, including the development of life-long learning skills
- offer Industry-Based Learning (IBL)* and experiential learning opportunities that link theoretical learning with applied practical work experience
- develop creativity and analytical skills
- provide an understanding of the conventional ways of seeking answers to particular problems, including the use of library and other reference sources such as the internet and electronic information sources
- develop multi-disciplinary, applied research skills through the honours year option
- develop both written and oral communication skills, and teamwork capacities
- develop perspective and general knowledge through the study of a variety of disciplines and of their relationship to one another, forming an integrated, holistic business understanding
- develop an ability and willingness to adapt to change, given the turbulent, competitive and volatile nature of many businesses
- develop a broad understanding of the business and social environment, especially its global and complex nature
- develop skills and attitudes conducive to life-long learning
* Please note that IBL is not available to international students who hold a student visa.
Course experience
Industry learning
An optional Industry-Based Learning (IBL) unit may be undertaken by local students who have entered university after completing Year 12 at the completion of 100 credit points at Swinburne. Pathway students who have entered with exemptions may register with the IBL office once completing one semester of their degree. The IBL program is available to students who have a Pass result. Due to government regulation, the IBL program is not available to international students who hold a student visa.
An academic staff member is assigned to each student who has an IBL placement. The role of the staff member is to act as a mentor to the student by means of visits and email and phone contact. After each visit with the student, the academic mentor completes a ‘mentor visit report form’ detailing the student’s progress and job satisfaction, with a copy being forwarded to the IBL office. All visits are logged as per the IBL policy of the university.
The Faculty of Business and Enterprise has a full-time IBL manager to liaise with undergraduate students and employers. The IBL program also has an academic convenor who ensures that the program is academically rigorous and meets the student's learning needs.
An academic staff member is assigned to each student who has an IBL placement. The role of the staff member is to act as a mentor to the student by means of visits and email and phone contact. After each visit with the student, the academic mentor completes a ‘mentor visit report form’ detailing the student’s progress and job satisfaction, with a copy being forwarded to the IBL office. All visits are logged as per the IBL policy of the university.
The Faculty of Business and Enterprise has a full-time IBL manager to liaise with undergraduate students and employers. The IBL program also has an academic convenor who ensures that the program is academically rigorous and meets the student's learning needs.
Honours
An honours degree at Swinburne provides an opportunity for students with a demonstrated academic ability to pursue their undergraduate studies to an advanced level - to deepen their intellectual understanding in their major area of study and to develop their research skills. Honours students work independently but in close consultation with a supervisor on a substantial project of their choice. Students are required to collect and analyse data and produce a substantial written thesis (15,000 to 20,000 words) on their findings. The honours program is a recognised point of entry into postgraduate research studies. For further information contact the Faculty of Business and Enterprise.
Swinburne Abroad
Swinburne offers International Exchange Programs as well as other Education Abroad Programs to help you gain international experience while studying your degree. International Exchange is an academic program allowing you to study at a Swinburne Partner Institution for one or two semesters during your degree. Swinburne's Partner Institutions offer many relevant subjects as well as a secure base to explore a different culture. Your studies whilst on exchange can be credited towards your Swinburne degree, provided they are relevant and approved by Swinburne. For further information visit the Swinburne Abroad website.Entry requirements
ATAR
72.70
2012 Round 1 Clearly-In ATAR (CSP)
You can also look at entering this course via pathways from one of our UniLink or TAFE courses.
Entry requirements
Successful completion of an appropriate Victorian Year 12 or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.
VCE Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4–a study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or at least 25 in any other English.
VCE Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4–a study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or at least 25 in any other English.
Non-Year 12
For Australian TAFE qualifications undertaken in Australia, the following criteria will be used:
- Associate degree holders: Minimum requirement - credit grade average (at least 65% or above) with no fail grades in their business units in the final year.
- Advanced diploma holders: Minimum requirement - credit grade average (at least 65% or above) with no fail grades in their business units in the final year.
- Diploma holders: Minimum requirement - 50 percent of grades achieved are Distinctions (75% or above) with no fails in their business units.
- Certificate IV: Minimum requirement - 75 percent of grades achieved are Distinctions (75% or above) with no fails in their business units.
Where Australian TAFE qualifications are delivered offshore, equivalent grades will be adopted.
Partially completed tertiary qualifications
Applicants must also have completed a minimum of one year (100 credit points) of equivalent full-time study - Minimum requirement - Credit grade average (65% or above) with no fails in their business units.
Special Entry
Applicants who do not satisfy any of the above requirements (including applicants with a non-competitive Year 12 completed a minimum of two years prior to the time of application) are required to sit a STAT Multiple Choice test run by VTAC.
Not all eligible applicants can be offered a place as quotas do apply.
Partially completed tertiary qualifications
Applicants must also have completed a minimum of one year (100 credit points) of equivalent full-time study - Minimum requirement - Credit grade average (65% or above) with no fails in their business units.
Special Entry
Applicants who do not satisfy any of the above requirements (including applicants with a non-competitive Year 12 completed a minimum of two years prior to the time of application) are required to sit a STAT Multiple Choice test run by VTAC.
Not all eligible applicants can be offered a place as quotas do apply.
Pathways
An advanced credit transfer system, known as the Pathways program, is in place at Swinburne. Through Pathways, students with one or more of a wide range of post-secondary qualifications (both local and international) can gain entry into a course with advanced standing. Certain subject requirements must be met and an acceptable standard of results achieved in order to gain admission and for maximum credit to be granted. For most degrees students will be granted matched exemptions for foundation units or some Stage 2 units only. For further information refer to 'Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//Note: Eligibility for credit does not guarantee a place in the course - acceptance depends on the number of applicants and available places.
Credit transfer
Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the course with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For most degrees students will be granted matched exemptions for foundation units or some Stage 2 units only. For further information refer to ‘Swinburne Pathways: Credit Transfer Guide’ at: www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/marketing/pathways//Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. However it must be noted that RPL is not normally recognised for undergraduate qualifications. Students may not obtain RPL for the Professional Practice units.Further details for students considering Higher Education courses: www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Apply
How to apply
Applications for Semester One must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).
VTAC code: 34281 (CSP), 34283 (IFP)
For further information, visit the VTAC website at: www.vtac.edu.au
VTAC code: 34281 (CSP), 34283 (IFP)
For further information, visit the VTAC website at: www.vtac.edu.au
Applicants who have not already applied through VTAC can apply direct to the university by following the step-by-step process on our How to Apply page.