Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Arts (Japanese)
Undergraduate course
Overview
You can also look at entering this course via pathways from one of our UniLink or TAFE courses.
Throughout this course you will simultaneously develop business acumen and Japanese language communication skills. You will gain an insight into Japanese culture and the distinct language and customs of doing business in Japan. The study of business with Japanese can open up myriad opportunities to work within, or in association with, Japanese organisations.
| 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 | BCOJ160 | ||
| Fees | For information about Swinburne's fees visit the Fees website. |
Course in detail
Course description
Japan is responsible for many of the technological advancements and iconic popular culture seen throughout the world today. It is home to numerous successful international businesses and there is a growing demand for those who are bi-lingual in Japanese and English, both within Japan and abroad.
Students of commerce may receive broad tuition in accounting, marketing, management, international business, human resource management and the skill sets to undertake a career in these areas. Students of Japanese have the chance to discover the structure, grammar, phonetics, phonology and written characters of the Japanese language.
The Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Arts (Japanese) is a vocationally oriented double degree designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge to tackle business in, or with association with, Japan. 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/Bachelor of Arts (Japanese) totals 32 units (400 credit points) consisting of:
- Commerce professional major of 16 units (200 credit points)
- Japanese language major of 12 units (150 credit points)
- Arts minor or four elective units (50 credit points)
- HBG0004 Careers in the Curriculum (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 Japanese language major, the 12 language units are offered as a Beginners Stream with no prerequisite language requirement, or as an Advanced Stream for students who have completed VCE Japanese or equivalent.
Please note that language units are not usually available in the evening.
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. 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.
Elective units must be selected from the Bachelor of Arts suite of programs.
Students wanting to transfer from the Japanese Beginners Stream to the Japanese Advanced Stream must:
- Have a 70% average across the Japanese units that have been completed
- Satisfactorily complete an oral test with the Japanese Studies convenor
Upon successfully meeting the above criteria, students will be allowed to enrol into the following final stage units of the Advanced Stream, and graduate with the Advanced Japanese major:
- HAJ331N Advanced Business Japanese
- HAJ333N Advanced Business Reading and Communication
- HAJ335N Public Speaking Skills in Japanese
Students transferring to the Japanese Advanced Stream will be completing a special course of study of 35 units.
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.
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
Students enrolled in this double degree have the choice to undertake the Commerce component under the Units of Study below or choose from the following list of Commerce Professional Majors:
Accounting Major - 2010*
Commercial Law Major - 2010
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Major - 2010
Finance Major - 2010
Human Resource Management Major
International Business Major - 2010
Management Major - 2010
Marketing Major - 2010
Commercial Law Major - 2010
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Major - 2010
Finance Major - 2010
Human Resource Management Major
International Business Major - 2010
Management Major - 2010
Marketing Major - 2010
* Structured differently to other commerce professional majors to comply with professional recognition requirements.
Units of study
Commerce Professional Major
HBC110N Accounting for Managers
HBM110N Fundamentals of Marketing
HMB110 Quantitative Analysis A OR HMB111 Quantitative Analysis B
HBE110N Microeconomics
HBL111N Introduction to Business Law
HBH110N Organisation and Management
HIT1401 Introduction to Business Information Systems
HBH220N Organisational Behaviour
HBM220N Buyer Behaviour
HBI110N Foundations of International Business
HBI241N Australian Global Business Perspectives
HBM350N Marketing Planning
HBC228N Management Accounting for Planning and Control
HBC224N Finance
Final Year Experience Project
HBY310N Integrative Business Practice
HBY311N Industry Consulting Project
HBC110N Accounting for Managers
HBM110N Fundamentals of Marketing
HMB110 Quantitative Analysis A OR HMB111 Quantitative Analysis B
HBE110N Microeconomics
HBL111N Introduction to Business Law
HBH110N Organisation and Management
HIT1401 Introduction to Business Information Systems
HBH220N Organisational Behaviour
HBM220N Buyer Behaviour
HBI110N Foundations of International Business
HBI241N Australian Global Business Perspectives
HBM350N Marketing Planning
HBC228N Management Accounting for Planning and Control
HBC224N Finance
Final Year Experience Project
HBY310N Integrative Business Practice
HBY311N Industry Consulting Project
Plus one not-for-credit unit HBG0004 Careers in the Curriculum
Japanese Language Major - Beginners Stream HBLAN110N Introduction to Language
HAJ102N Introduction to Japan
HAJ103N Elementary Japanese 1
HAJ104N Elementary Japanese 2
HAJ105N Elementary Japanese 3
HAJ203N Intermediate Japanese 1
HAJ204N Intermediate Japanese 2
HAJ205N Intermediate Japanese 3
HAJ303N Advanced Japanese 1
HAJ304N Advanced Japanese 2
HAJ305N Advanced Japanese 3
HBI384N Northeast Asia and India Business Context
HAJ103N Elementary Japanese 1
HAJ104N Elementary Japanese 2
HAJ105N Elementary Japanese 3
HAJ203N Intermediate Japanese 1
HAJ204N Intermediate Japanese 2
HAJ205N Intermediate Japanese 3
HAJ303N Advanced Japanese 1
HAJ304N Advanced Japanese 2
HAJ305N Advanced Japanese 3
HBI384N Northeast Asia and India Business Context
Japanese Language Component - Advanced Stream
HBLAN110N Introduction to Language
HAJ102N Introduction to Japan
HAJ203N Intermediate Japanese 1
HAJ204N Intermediate Japanese 2
HAJ205N Intermediate Japanese 3
HAJ303N Advanced Japanese 1
HAJ304N Advanced Japanese 2
HAJ305N Advanced Japanese 3
HAJ333N Advanced Business Readings and Communication
HAJ331N Advanced Business Japanese
HAJ335N Public Speaking Skills in Japanese
HBI384N Northeast Asia and India Business Context
HBLAN110N Introduction to Language
HAJ102N Introduction to Japan
HAJ203N Intermediate Japanese 1
HAJ204N Intermediate Japanese 2
HAJ205N Intermediate Japanese 3
HAJ303N Advanced Japanese 1
HAJ304N Advanced Japanese 2
HAJ305N Advanced Japanese 3
HAJ333N Advanced Business Readings and Communication
HAJ331N Advanced Business Japanese
HAJ335N Public Speaking Skills in Japanese
HBI384N Northeast Asia and India Business Context
Arts Component
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 Japanese either at primary or secondary level upon graduating, or who do not wish to preclude this possibility, should note that the exit point required is the third-year Advanced level. 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 the Beginner and Advanced Streams.
Language and Commerce 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 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 other 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 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 Asia and to undertake work experience in Japan
*Please note that IBL is not available to international students who hold a student visa.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this double degree enjoy opportunities wherever Japanese is spoken, with particular advantages in organisations where there are either joint country business ventures or offices located in Japan. Some of the areas students could find employment in are international business and trade, management, public relations, travel and tourism, social work and journalism. In order to teach Japanese, graduates must have completed the Stage 3 units in the Advanced Japanese 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.
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 areas 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
71.45
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.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: 34801 (CSP), 34803 (IFP)
For further information, visit the VTAC website at: www.vtac.edu.au
VTAC code: 34801 (CSP), 34803 (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.