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Supercharge your Commerce degree with the Bachelor of Advanced Studies

24 March 2021
Meet Jessica Healy and Hannah Gorry
Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies students Jessica and Hannah explain how the degree has deepened their expertise and increased their employability.

The Bachelor of Advanced Studies is an additional year of study which can be added to a number of undergraduate degrees, including the Bachelor of Commerce, to allow you to combine interests across disciplines and apply your study to real-world projects.

A Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies will give you the opportunity to pursue a particular professional qualification, explore different interests to gain a versatile business education and gain the skills that make our graduates the most employable in Australia.

Hear what Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced studies students Jessica Healy and Hannah Gorry have to say about the value they've gained from their degrees.


Jessica: From Advanced Studies to PwC

Jess Healy

Jessica Healy, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Business Information Systems and Marketing)

Why did you choose a Bachelor of Advanced Studies?

I initially chose to take on Advanced Studies as part of my degree to give me more flexibility to choose elective units that reflected my interests outside of my Commerce degree. This provided me with the opportunity to study Geography, Commercial Law and Politics subjects, which allowed me to gain a more diverse university experience.  

What Bachelor of Advanced Studies opportunities have you participated in?

I particularly enjoyed the 4000-level units, especially Design-led Strategy, Agile in Business and the Industry and Community Project 'Food for Thought'. I found these subjects to be highly engaging, interactive, and practical, which not only allowed our cohort to bond, but also provided us with team-focused experiences to transition from university to work-life.

The exposure to industry experts from large companies added additional purpose, making the projects feel relevant to real-world problems.

How has the Bachelor of Advanced Studies helped your career?

The Bachelor of Advanced Studies units allowed me to transition smoothly from university to my career as a consultant at PwC. I found the advanced coursework units reflected that of a consulting project, allowing me to develop my teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills. 

What would you say to other students considering the Bachelor of Advanced Studies?

I would highly recommend the Bachelor of Advanced Studies to students who are looking for flexibility and diversity within their degrees. It can be difficult to make a decision about your career once leaving school, so having additional flexibility is highly beneficial.


Hannah: Shaping sustainability with KPMG, GS1 and Harris Farm

Hannah Gorry

Hannah Gorry, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Economics and Marketing)

Why did you choose a Bachelor of Advanced Studies?

I initially started with a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts as I was extremely interested in completing a double major in Marketing and Economics. When I entered my second year I heard about the option to transfer to the Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies combined degree which ticked all the boxes.

Not only was I able to have a double major and complete my studies in a shorter time frame, but it also gave me the opportunity to delve into disciplines outside of those I had specifically chosen and get involved in more project-based work.

What Bachelor of Advanced Studies opportunities have you participated in?

I've just completed my Advanced Industry and Community Project which involved a 6-month group project on shaping more sustainable food systems. We worked with industry partners from KPMG, GS1 and Harris Farm to focus on delivering practical and insight driven recommendations and solutions. I loved this subject because it gave groups the time and freedom to own a research project from start to finish and create a finished product we could be proud of.

How has the Bachelor of Advanced Studies helped your career?

One of the things I found the most beneficial from completing the Bachelor of Advanced Studies has been its encouragement of cross-disciplinary studies and facilitation of more practical coursework.

While I know people aren't always particularly keen for group-based project work, it's a fundamental part of the careers and roles I aspire to and it's helped me improve upon my communication and interpersonal skills immensely.

In job interviews I've had since, the first thing they've wanted to discuss is my Advanced Industry and Community Project and it's been a great way to discuss my degree and learnings in a clear and compelling manner.

What would you say to other students considering the Bachelor of Advanced Studies?

I've found the Bachelor of Advanced Studies curriculum to include some of the most rewarding subjects I've completed in my degree. The final year subjects have complemented my learnings from the Bachelor of Commerce and have been both enjoyable and worthwhile subjects.

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