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
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
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Entry requirements
Prerequisites
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
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
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 - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
TOEFL PB - Overall 570, listening 54, reading 54, writing 59/5.
Pearsons - 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.
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 2021
This indicative annual fee is the cost of enrolling in the Master of Commerce for the 2021 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
Fee information for 2021 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2020.
This indicative annual fee is the average cost of enrolling in the Master of Commerce at 2021 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.
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