Bachelor of Commerce (International Business) / Bachelor of Arts (Italian)
Undergraduate course
Overview
You can also look at entering this course via pathways from one of our UniLink or TAFE courses.
This course explores the influences of culture, politics and economic systems within the context of international business. Through your study of Italian you will learn to communicate in the Italian language and gain knowledge of the modern history and business practices of Italy.
| Duration | 4 years full-time or 8 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) | ||
| Course code | BCII160 | ||
| Fees | For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website. |
Course in detail
Course description
Italy is a modern, thriving and wealthy European country. It is industrially, economically and technically advanced, and is among the leading economic powers in the world. Italian is a relatively easy language to learn and is related to the other Romance languages - French, Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian. The study of international business with Italian can help students gain a firm footing for conducting business in the European Union.
Students of international business discover the importance of culture, politics, trade and business policies, time zone differences, different economic systems, currencies and business customs, and their effects on an organisation with international interests. Students of Italian will learn the structure, grammar, phonetics and phonology of the Italian language as well as the modern history and business practices of Italy.
The Bachelor of Commerce (International Business)/Bachelor of Arts (Italian) is a vocationally oriented double degree designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to tackle business in, or in association with, Italy. It is designed to assist in the intellectual, social and personal development of the student as preparation for entrance to a range of specialist and generalist business professions.
Graduates of a double degree receive two testamurs upon completion.
Course structure
The Bachelor of Commerce (International Business) / Bachelor of Arts (Italian) totals 32 units (400 credit points) consisting of:
- International Business professional major of 16 units (200 credit points)
- Italian language major of 12 units (150 credit points)
- Arts minor or four elective units (50 credit points)
- HBG0004 Careers in the Curriculum unit (zero credit points)
Units normally carry 12.5 credit points. In each year, eight units or equivalent normally constitute a full-time load of 100 credit points and four units or equivalent normally constitute a part-time load of 50 credit points*.
Within the Italian Language Major, the 12 language units are offered as a Beginners Stream with no prerequisite language requirement, or for students who have completed VCE Italian or equivalent, an Advanced Stream.
Note: Language units are not normally available in the evening.
Note: Language units are not normally available in the evening.
Course rules
A minimum of 100 credit points must be completed at Swinburne University. This regulation must be observed in program plans that include unit exemptions; studies completed through international exchange, cross-institutional study or study abroad.
A minimum of 100 credit points must be completed at Swinburne University. 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 34 units (425 credit points) as part of this double degree.
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.
Arts minor or elective units must be selected from the Bachelor of Arts suite of programs.
Students wanting to transfer from the Italian Beginners Stream to the Italian Advanced Stream must:
- Have a 70% average across the Italian units that have been completed
- Satisfactorily complete an oral test with the Italian Studies convenor
Upon successful achievement of the above criteria, students will be allowed to enrol into the final stage units of the Advanced Stream:
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 requisite.
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 requisite.
Final Year Experience - Major Projects
As part of the Swinburne Model for Professional Learning, 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, 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.
*Students holding an international student visa are required to study full-time and cannot take the part-time study mode.
Major specialisations
The Bachelor of Commerce (International Business)/Bachelor of Arts (Italian) does not include any co-majors or minors.
Units of study
International Business Professional Major
HBC110N Accounting for Managers
HBE110N Microeconomics
HBH110N Organisation and Management
HBI110N Foundations of International Business
HBM110N Fundamentals of Marketing
HBL111N Introduction to Business Law
HBI241N Australian Global Business Perspectives HBI216N Comparative Regional Business
HBC110N Accounting for Managers
HBE110N Microeconomics
HBH110N Organisation and Management
HBI110N Foundations of International Business
HBM110N Fundamentals of Marketing
HBL111N Introduction to Business Law
HBI241N Australian Global Business Perspectives HBI216N Comparative Regional Business
HBI223N International Marketing
HBM224N Global Logistics Management
HBI392N European Union in the Business Context
HBI342N International Investment & Economic Development
HBI355N International Finance and Law
HBI345N International Business Strategies
Final Year Experience Project
HBY310N Integrative Business Practice
HBY311N Industry Consulting Project
HBM224N Global Logistics Management
HBI392N European Union in the Business Context
HBI342N International Investment & Economic Development
HBI355N International Finance and Law
HBI345N International Business Strategies
Final Year Experience Project
HBY310N Integrative Business Practice
HBY311N Industry Consulting Project
Plus one not-for-credit unit HBG0004 Careers in the Curriculum
Italian Language Major - Beginners' Stream
HBLAN110N Introduction to Language
HAA101N The Making of Italy
HAA102N Introductory Italian A
HAA103N Introductory Italian B
HAA201N Intermediate Italian A
HAA202N Intermediate Italian B
HAA301N Advanced Italian A
HAA302N Advanced Italian B
HAA283N Business Italian for Beginners
HAA314N Italian Media, Society and Business Culture
HAA311N Post War Italy
HAA312N Italian in the Professional World
Italian Language Major - Advanced Stream
HBLAN110N Introduction to Language
HAA101N The Making of Italy
HAA201N Intermediate Italian A
HAA202N Intermediate Italian B
HAA301N Advanced Italian A
HAA302N Advanced Italian B
HAA286N Business Italian for Advanced
HAA314N Italian Media, Society and Business Culture
HAA312N Italian in the Professional World
HAA313N Contemporary Italy
HAA384N Individual Project
HAA311N Post War Italy
HBLAN110N Introduction to Language
HAA101N The Making of Italy
HAA102N Introductory Italian A
HAA103N Introductory Italian B
HAA201N Intermediate Italian A
HAA202N Intermediate Italian B
HAA301N Advanced Italian A
HAA302N Advanced Italian B
HAA283N Business Italian for Beginners
HAA314N Italian Media, Society and Business Culture
HAA311N Post War Italy
HAA312N Italian in the Professional World
Italian Language Major - Advanced Stream
HBLAN110N Introduction to Language
HAA101N The Making of Italy
HAA201N Intermediate Italian A
HAA202N Intermediate Italian B
HAA301N Advanced Italian A
HAA302N Advanced Italian B
HAA286N Business Italian for Advanced
HAA314N Italian Media, Society and Business Culture
HAA312N Italian in the Professional World
HAA313N Contemporary Italy
HAA384N Individual Project
HAA311N Post War Italy
Arts Component
Minor or four elective units*
Minor or four elective units*
*Arts minor or elective units must be selected from the Bachelor of Arts (N0515) suite of programs.
Students who intend to teach Italian either at primary or secondary level upon graduating, or who do not wish to preclude this possibility, should note that the exit point required in the Italian Language stream is the third-year Advanced level and completion of the HAA384N Individual Project unit of study. To achieve this, students are advised to transfer to the Advanced stream by enrolling in third-year Advanced units of study, upon completion of their second-year units. Please refer to the Course Restrictions listed above regarding the eligibility to transfer between Beginner and Advanced Streams.
Language and business units of study must normally be studied simultaneously throughout the duration of the course.
Graduate outcomes
Aims and objectives
The course aims to:
- Ensure that the body of knowledge and technology imparted in the course will be relevant to immediate and potential employment opportunities
- Develop self confidence through a learning experience aimed at an understanding of the subject areas, including the development of life-long learning skills
- Offer Industry-Based Learning (IBL)* opportunities that rapidly link theoretical learning to 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 online and electronic information sources
- Develop multi-disciplinary, applied research skills through the honours year option
- Develop both written and oral communication skills, and teamwork capabilities
- Develop perspective and general knowledge by studying a variety of disciplines and 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, and especially its global and complex nature
- Develop skills and attitudes conducive to life-long learning
- Offer a unique opportunity to participate in study tours to Europe and to undertake work experience in Europe
*Please note that IBL is not available to international students who hold a student visa.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this double degree enjoy career opportunities generally in Europe, with particular advantages in organisations where there are either joint country business ventures or offices located in Europe and Italy. In order to teach Italian, graduates must have completed the Stage 3 units of study in the Advanced Italian stream.
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)
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
70.95
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//
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.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: http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/files/stuinf.htm
Apply
How to apply
Applications must be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).
VTAC code: 34651 (CSP), 34653 (IFP)
For further information, visit the VTAC website at: www.vtac.edu.au
VTAC code: 34651 (CSP), 34653 (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.
This course is available for mid-year intake. Applications are made directly to Swinburne and will be taken on a case by case basis. Application forms can be downloaded from our How to Apply website.
Note: First-year language subjects will not be available to students commencing in Semester 2. This could mean that the course duration will be longer than the advertised duration.