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Faculty of Law and Management

Bachelor of Business – Bendigo (RBB)

The Bachelor of Business is offered at five Victorian campuses of La Trobe University: Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Melbourne (Bundoora), Mildura and Shepparton. This course is also offered in association with partner organisations at other sites in Australia and overseas. In Australia, the Bachelor of Business is offered by the Australian Campus Network in Sydney. The Bachelor of Business is also offered in Malaysia, Vietnam and France.

The structure of the 24-unit degree program is identical at the five university campuses and at associated tertiary institutions in Australia and overseas, with the exception of the Asia Pacific Management Institute, Hong Kong and Singapore, which follows a similar format. This structure enables students to complete a core of seven first-year foundation units, followed by one or two eight-unit majors in subsequent years. The units that comprise the first-year core and majors may vary slightly across sites; these minor variations reflect differences in specialised interests and expertise, and the particular needs of students at different sites. Details of the specific units offered at the five Victorian campuses are listed in this Handbook under the respective campus entries. Details of programs offered at associated tertiary colleges are published separately by each institution.

Majors offered by campus

External programs are offered at the following campuses: Australian Campus Network, Sydney (ACN); Hanoi University of Foreign Studies, Vietnam (HANU); Kolej Komuniti Mertajam, Malaysia (KKM); Nilai College, Malaysia (NILAI); and Ecole Superièure de Commerce, Montpellier, France (ESC).

Note that accounting at the Melbourne (Bundoora), Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Mildura and Shepparton Campuses is offered as a separate degree: the Bachelor of Commerce. International Business is offered at Melbourne (Bundoora) as a separate degree: the Bachelor of International Business. See the relevant course descriptions in the respective campus entries for further details.

Bachelor of Business students may specialise in business law, economics, human resource management, international business, information technology and marketing. If they plan carefully and choose the required units early in their course, students may be able to undertake two majors. Professional body requirements and unit sequences may also affect completion of a second major.

Credit transfers and exemptions

Students who have studied previously at post-secondary level and are enrolled in the Bachelor of Business course may apply to the course coordinator for credit of specific units towards the course. Applications for credit must be supported by original documentary evidence or certified copies. Original documents will be returned after being sighted.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements are completion of VCE units 3 and 4 of English (any) with a minimum study score of 20 and completion of units 1 and 2 of General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods. Applicants with comparable qualifications will be considered. A limited number of students may also be considered under Special Entry Schemes.

Course structure

Students must complete a course of units accumulating a minimum total of 360 credit points, of which at least 255 must be units offered in the School of Business. The course is designed to be completed within three years of full-time study, although part-time study is possible. The maximum course duration is ten years.

Students should undertake 120 credit points at each year level, and must undertake at least 120 credit points at third-year level, including 90 credit points at third-year level from the School of Business. Variations to this structure are subject to approval by a School of Business course adviser.

The degree is designed to allow completion of two majors or one major and elective units. At least one major must be in a business discipline. A business major will consist of eight units.

First year

Students in all majors must enrol in the following units.

Students must ensure that their choice takes into account the particular requirements of the major in which they intend to specialise (including prerequisites) and the requirements of any professional body to which they may wish to apply for admission after completion of their course.

Major in economics

This major aims to produce graduates who are well versed in economic theory, in the collection and use of economic data and who have a practical, objective approach to economic problems. Additionally, it is intended to acquaint students with a variety of economic concepts relevant to their future vocational requirements within the business management decision-making process. Students are encouraged to consider units with a regional emphasis.

Course structure

Students must satisfactorily complete 24 semester units. Eight economics units must be successfully completed, including Microeconomics and Macroeconomics at first-year level, three second-year economics units, and five third-year economics units.

First year

Second and third years

Students complete the following units, having regard to prerequisites.

Major in human resource management

The objective of this major is to develop students’ knowledge and skills in areas of human resource management and employee relations, in addition to a range of general management disciplines.

Professional recognition

Successful completion of this course will prepare graduates for admission to the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) depending on electives and work experience.

First year

Second and third years

Students must complete the following eight units, having regard to the levels of units and prerequisites.

Major in marketing

Marketing reinforces the importance of communication skills in business. The increasingly competitive nature of business makes it evident that a marketing approach taken by graduates provides them with a competitive advantage in the workplace. This major in the Bachelor of Business course has been designed to produce graduates who can perform as managers in marketing, sales, market research, advertising, promotional management, marketing planning and marketing strategy.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible to join the Australian Marketing Institute as associate members or the Market Research Society of Australia, initially with associate membership status.

First year

Second and third years

Students must complete the following seven units, having regard to the levels of units and prerequisites.

Major in international business

A strong international theme is essential in any contemporary business degree. This is particularly true because of the impact of global events on Australia. This major in international business will provide a high-quality academic program drawing on a range of well-established disciplines, which will be especially attractive to students seeking to add an international perspective to their studies in other areas.

First year

Second and third years

Students must complete the following eight units, having regard to the levels of units and prerequisites.

Major in business law

This major provides a high quality academic program of study in business law units at the undergraduate level that will complement major studies in other areas of the degree. In undertaking a major in business law, students will develop an understanding of the critical connections between the law and business practice in a range of areas; enhance their skills in legal research and reasoning; appreciate the connections between law and ethical behaviours in business; and develop awareness of major compliance issues in business and the roles of legal professionals in business operations

First year

Second and third years

Students must complete eight of the following units, having regard to the levels of units and prerequisites.

Note that not all law units are available every year and the semester on offer may change.

Major in information technology

The objective of this major is to provide a comprehensive grounding in the basic discipline of computing around which approved minors may be developed. The emphasis in the computing area is on applications.

First year

Second and third years

Students must complete eight of the following units, having regard to prerequisites.

The sequence of units will depend upon the information technology units available and chosen by students.