Master of Commerce
Overview
Develop specialist knowledge and skills in applied finance, professional accounting and information systems to think critically, make confident decisions and advance your career.
UQ ranks 41st in the world for accounting and finance education*, a distinction reflected in the quality of course material for the master’s programs and graduate certificate, and the contemporary learning environment where commerce students have access to the state-of-the-art Bloomberg Trading Room and can participate in the Student Managed Investment Fund.
As a master's degree student, you have the opportunity to undertake two fields of study or additional research electives, which may provide a pathway to higher degrees by research. You'll also focus on the key concepts of finance, accounting and information systems, and be encouraged to consider ethical behaviour in commerce and corporate social responsibility.
The Masters of Commerce (32 units) has been designed to equip you with highly regarded formal qualifications in finance, accounting or information systems, and provide you with the know-how to move into senior management or financial roles.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020
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 the Business School’s long-held research capability and the achievements of its academic staff, many considered the most innovative educators in Australia.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
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
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.
- Australian Computer Society
- Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- Chartered Secretaries Australia Limited
- Certified Practising Accountants Australia
- Financial Services Institute of Australasia
“While the actual study at UQ is very helpful from a career point of view in sharpening your mind and skills, I believe what sets postgraduate study apart is the extensive networking and extracurricular opportunities that UQ provides.”
Paul BrownGraduate, Master of Commerce
“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.”
Sunidhi Singh ChauhanGraduate, Master of Commerce
“UQ is an important step in my personal as well as in my professional progression. I especially like the great variety of societies and the broad range of extracurricular activities UQ offer.”
Mark FeiglGraduate, Master of Commerce
“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.”
Ben Shubin KawGraduate, Master of Commerce
“While the actual study at UQ is very helpful from a career point of view in sharpening your mind and skills, I believe what sets postgraduate study apart is the extensive networking and extracurricular opportunities that UQ provides.”
Paul BrownGraduate, Master of Commerce
“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.”
Sunidhi Singh ChauhanGraduate, Master of Commerce
“UQ is an important step in my personal as well as in my professional progression. I especially like the great variety of societies and the broad range of extracurricular activities UQ offer.”
Mark FeiglGraduate, Master of Commerce
“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.”
Ben Shubin KawGraduate, Master of Commerce
Events
See all events
Stories
See all stories
Study tips
A letter from the Vice-Chancellor to Year 12 students
3 minute read
Uni life
5 simple ways to plan for your future at UQ
2 minute read
Study tips
6 tips to stay on top of your studies during COVID-19
4 minute read
Stories
See all storiesStudy tips
6 tips to stay on top of your studies during COVID-19
4 minute read
Study tips
Inspirational teachers: the secret to winning at uni
2 minute read
Entry requirements
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree or equivalent in the same discipline as approved by the Executive Dean with a GPA of at least 4.5 on a 7 point scale.
Field of Study: For students who have previously undertaken studies in accounting, entry to the Professional Accounting field of study will only be considered for students not accredited with CPA Australia associate membership.
Prerequisites
Bachelor degree or equivalent in the same discipline as approved by the Executive Dean with a GPA of at least 4.5 on a 7 point scale.
Field of Study: For students who have previously undertaken studies in accounting, entry to the Professional Accounting field of study will only be considered for students not accredited with CPA Australia associate membership.
English language requirements
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Additional application information
The following supporting documentation is required for all applications. Please ensure that you have included ALL required documentation when you submit your application.
- Official transcripts of previous studies.
- Evidence of residency status.
- Permanent residents will be required to sit an IELTS test if their prior studies were taught in an institution where English was not the language of instruction.
Additional application information
The following supporting documentation is required for all applications. Please ensure that you have included ALL required documentation when you submit your application.
- Official transcripts of previous studies.
- Evidence of residency status.
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 temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.
Fields of study
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Applied Finance
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.
Information Systems
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.
Professional Accounting
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:
Applied Finance
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.
Information Systems
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.
Professional Accounting
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
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.
Indicative annual fee
AUD $44,272
Indicative annual fee 2020
This indicative annual fee is the cost of enrolling in the Master of Commerce for the 2020 academic year. It is calculated based on a standard full-time study load (16 units per academic year).
If you enrol in a larger or smaller study load, your fees will be calculated on a proportionate basis. All fees are reviewed annually.
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 offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Indicative annual fee
AUD $34,720
Indicative annual fee 2020
This indicative annual fee is the average cost of enrolling in the Master of Commerce at 2020 fee rates. It is calculated based on a standard full-time study load (16 units per academic year).
The average fee would be less for part-time study. Actual fees will vary according to your choice of courses, their unit value and the time you take to complete this program. Fees may be higher in later years as all fees are reviewed annually.
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
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.
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.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
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 Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
Explore other programs
Keep up to date
Sign up to get information about applying and studying at UQ.