Master of Commerce
Overview
Develop specialist knowledge in applied finance, professional accounting and information systems to make confident decisions in your career.
The Master of Commerce (32 units) has been designed to equip you with the know-how to move into senior management or financial roles with a highly regarded formal qualification.
You’ll learn in a contemporary learning environment and gain practical experience by accessing our state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Room and by participating in the Student Managed Investment Fund project. You'll also be encouraged to consider ethical behaviour in commerce and corporate social responsibility.
As a master's student, you can undertake 2 fields of study or additional research electives, which may provide a pathway to higher degrees by research.
This program does not assume prior knowledge or training in the available fields of study. If you’ve studied in a related discipline, consider if each field of study will extend your expertise and support your career plans.
Program highlights
- Build your theoretical and technical knowledge of the financial services industry.
- Move to the next level of your career by developing a greater understanding of finance and advancing your management skills.
- Gain qualifications in commerce that are recognised by employers worldwide.
- Benefit from our research capability and the achievements of our academics, many of whom are considered the most innovative educators in Australia.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
- Applied Finance
- Information Systems
- Professional Accounting
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Research experience
- Seminars
- Workshops
Placements and work experience
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Corporate Finance
- Information Retrieval and Management
- Auditing
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Depending on which field you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Market risk analytics manager
- Quantitative analyst
- Pricing strategy lead
- Business analyst
- Technology consultant
- Data analyst
- Business systems analyst
- Business services supervisor
- Financial manager
- Business improvement accountant
Professional memberships
When you graduate, you may be eligible for memberships with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to become a member.
- Association of Certified Chartered Accountants
- Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- Certified Institute for Management Accountants
- Certified Practising Accountants Australia
- Financial Services Institute of Australasia
- Governance Institute of Australia
In addition to commerce theory, this program teaches you the practical critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills and knowledge needed in the industry. It is delivered by lovely lecturers and supported by advanced tools and equipment.
The best part about the Master of Commerce is its flexibility and the courses offered to either specialise in one particular field... or go for a dual major, learning various subjects you choose to make the most of your degree.
The lecturers are industry professionals with many years of experience in their field of work. I had the honour of receiving hands-on education and personalised advice on how I could excel in my field of work and expand my skillset.
In addition to commerce theory, this program teaches you the practical critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills and knowledge needed in the industry. It is delivered by lovely lecturers and supported by advanced tools and equipment.
The best part about the Master of Commerce is its flexibility and the courses offered to either specialise in one particular field... or go for a dual major, learning various subjects you choose to make the most of your degree.
The lecturers are industry professionals with many years of experience in their field of work. I had the honour of receiving hands-on education and personalised advice on how I could excel in my field of work and expand my skillset.
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
It's possible to complete this degree in 2 years or 1.5 years depending on your qualifications and experience.
You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements. You may also be eligible to apply for credit or exemptions to shorten your degree further. You'll graduate with the same qualification no matter how long you take to complete the degree.
2-year degree (32 units of study)
To be eligible to complete the degree in 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, or
- a Graduate Certificate in Commerce from UQ (or equivalent).
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
1.5-year degree (24 units of study)
If you have relevant prior learning or experience, you can reduce the number of courses you need to complete and graduate in less time.
To be eligible to complete the degree in 1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent)full-time (only available as full-time study), you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (see below)
You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.5 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Relevant disciplines for previous qualifications
Relevant disciplines include accounting, advertising (business degree related only), business, business administration, business information systems, commercialisation (business degree related only), economics, entrepreneurship, finance, human resources, international business, international economics and trade, management, marketing, strategy and sustainability (business degree related only).
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these related programs:
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
PTE Academic - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Commerce are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Additional application information
Additional application information
Fields of study
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
You'll also develop a strong understanding of factors that influence financial decision-making in the global market. These newfound skills will be highly sought after, and your capabilities for strong financial management will help your organisation increase profitability and sustainability. Many graduates enjoy careers as investment banking analysts and managers in financial institutions and government regulatory agencies, while others establish their own businesses.
Future leaders must have an in-depth understanding of how to use data to inform their decision-making. The information systems field of study facilitates the development of advanced skills that enable students to conduct business analytics activities and advise on organisational information requirements and information systems strategy. It provides a broad knowledge of business technologies and their impacts to develop well-rounded information systems professionals.
This specialisation is suitable if you want to change careers or gain formal accounting qualifications that are recognised by industry, and it's not necessary to have any prior accounting qualifications. By completing the relevant courses, you can achieve the necessary prerequisites for associate membership of the key Australian accounting professional bodies: Certified Practising Accountants Australia (CPA) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). Careers include financial accounting, auditing, corporate accounting, managerial accounting and control.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
You'll also develop a strong understanding of factors that influence financial decision-making in the global market. These newfound skills will be highly sought after, and your capabilities for strong financial management will help your organisation increase profitability and sustainability. Many graduates enjoy careers as investment banking analysts and managers in financial institutions and government regulatory agencies, while others establish their own businesses.
Future leaders must have an in-depth understanding of how to use data to inform their decision-making. The information systems field of study facilitates the development of advanced skills that enable students to conduct business analytics activities and advise on organisational information requirements and information systems strategy. It provides a broad knowledge of business technologies and their impacts to develop well-rounded information systems professionals.
This specialisation is suitable if you want to change careers or gain formal accounting qualifications that are recognised by industry, and it's not necessary to have any prior accounting qualifications. By completing the relevant courses, you can achieve the necessary prerequisites for associate membership of the key Australian accounting professional bodies: Certified Practising Accountants Australia (CPA) and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ). Careers include financial accounting, auditing, corporate accounting, managerial accounting and control.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$39,840
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
$39,840
2025
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $53,760
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
AUD $53,760
2025
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
FEE-HELP
Domestic students who are accepted into the Master of Commerce pay tuition fees.
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government has approved the Master of Commerce with the Professional Accounting field of study for income support to be made to eligible students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Commerce is 5584.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. If you don't meet the requirements for your first preference, we'll automatically consider you for entry into a longer duration.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Commerce is 5584.
This program is available in multiple durations. You can apply for any duration as long as you meet the entry requirements.
When you apply, select your preferred duration. You can also ask us to consider you for a longer duration if you don't meet the entry requirements for your first preference.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in Semester 1 - January 31 of the year of commencement.
- To commence study in Semester 2 - June 30 of the year of commencement.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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