Course structure

To be awarded the Master of Commerce, students must successfully complete a total of 16 units of study (96 credit points), comprising:

  • two core units of study (12 credit points)
  • four to six foundational units of study (24 to 36 credit points)*
  • a specialisation selected from one of the Commerce areas of specialisation
  • an optional second specialisation (different to that chosen as a first specialisation); OR elective units of study.^

*Please Note. Students commencing study in this program in 2013 can choose to follow the revised 2014 program structure, completing two to six foundational units of study (12 to 36 credit points).

^ High-performing students who have completed at least 48 credit points of study in the program may be eligible to replace an elective with BUSS6500 Industry Placement, if selected for work placement on competitive merit. High performing students who have completed at least 24 credit points of study may also be eligible to undertake up to 24 credit points of research-based units.

Core units of study

Master of Commerce students complete two units of study:

Foundational units of study

Master of Commerce students complete four to six foundational units of study. The available foundational units are as follows:

(i) Foundational units from the University of Sydney Business School:

(ii) Foundational units from the School of Economics (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences):

Specialisations and electives

Students complete at least one specialisation as a requirement for the Master's degree. For a specialisation, students complete at least one foundational unit of study (six credit points) and four advanced units of study (24 credit points). The foundational unit for a specialisation is completed within a student's first semester of study. Students select their specialisation and/or electives from the following areas:

(i) Specialisations from the University of Sydney Business School:

(ii) Specialisations from the School of Economics (Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

Industry placement

Students who achieve a WAM of 65%+ in a minimum of the eight units in the Master of Commerce (48 credit points) have the possibility of undertaking an assessable work integrated learning unit, BUSS6500 Industry Placement (six credit points). Access to this unit will be subject to the availability of suitable placements, with available placements offered on a competitive basis and subject to WAM performance and interview by the Program Director.

Please note: This unit cannot be counted towards a specialisation.

Commerce dissertation

Students in the 16 unit (96 credit point) program must achieve a WAM of 80%+ in a minimum of eight units of study (48 credit points) to be eligible to apply to complete a research dissertation consisting of three units of study: BUSS6998 Business Research Methods (six credit points), BUSS6999 Business Research Presentation (six credit points), and BUSS7000 Dissertation (12 credit points). Access to these units will be subject to the availability of suitable supervisors and subject to WAM performance and interview by the Program Director.

Please note: These units cannot be counted towards a specialisation.

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