Overview
Gain sought-after accounting expertise and CPA accreditation by studying a Bachelor of Accounting in the heart of Melbourne at Victoria University (VU).
Graduate career-ready with an accounting degree that gives you both technical and professional skills, plus a strong knowledge of global trends in accounting.
Based at VU’s new 32-level City Tower in Melbourne CBD, you’ll develop the skills you need to succeed in the workplaces of the future and become qualified for accreditation with CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).
A Bachelor of Accounting will equip you with skills to:
- execute case studies and business plans
- assess and execute evidence-based projects with real clients
- adapt cross-disciplinary knowledge to evaluate business decisions with creativity
- develop specialist knowledge in accounting, data analytics and finance to succeed in the profession.
You’ll also develop highly-valued professional skills including critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and collaboration, and effective communication.
Consult with real clients in the VU Tax Clinic
As part of your accounting degree, you’ll have the opportunity to work with real clients in the unique VU Tax Clinic, under the supervision of expert chartered accountants.
Gain real-world experience assisting individuals and small business owners with tax matters, including lodging tax returns, applying for tax file numbers (TFNs) and Australian business numbers (ABNs), assisting with pay as you go (PAYG) withholding and instalments, and more.
Working directly with clients as a student practitioner will improve your confidence and increase your prospects of being offered paid roles after graduation.
Gain real industry experience
Get work-ready by taking advantage of extensive opportunities to engage with industry, including workplace-based projects, authentic case study activities and sessions with accounting industry guest speakers.
Your Bachelor of Accounting includes at least two units known as ‘capstones’, in which you’ll take part in multidisciplinary group projects based on industry clients or research challenge competitions. You’ll interact with clients to capture data and information, complete gap analyses and provide expert solutions.
As a VU accounting student, you also be offered short-term workplace assignments, part-time or casual employment or voluntary work in an area relevant to your studies.
Boost your employability by choosing your area of focus
In your first year, you’ll develop essential core accounting skills. Then, in second year, you’ll further prepare yourself for your accounting career by choosing a major in one of the following areas:
- financial planning
- business analytics
- risk management
- finance
- data and information systems management.
Whichever of these majors you choose, you’ll open the door to a wealth of additional career opportunities beyond the traditional role of an accountant.
You may also complete two minors to expand your knowledge and enhance your employability.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backAccreditation
The Bachelor of Accounting is accredited by CPA Australia, one of the world's largest accounting bodies and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), a worldwide network of finance leaders.
Careers in Accounting
Take advantage of the huge growth in the accounting industry, with 17,900 new jobs expected by 2026.
When you graduate from a Bachelor of Accounting from VU, you’ll have the skills to prepare you for a career in any accounting firm, large or small. Depending on your major, you can also apply for roles far beyond traditional accountancy.
As an accountant, you can earn high salaries working in commerce, public or chartered accounting firms, government organisations, not-for-profit sectors, or as an individual practitioner.
Career opportunities include:
- accountant including certified practising, chartered, or forensic/investigative
- auditor
- budget analyst
- business analyst
- business risk and governance consultant
- tax consultant/certified tax agent
- financial analyst, controller, project manager
- stockbroker
- data analyst.
As well as sought-after technical and theoretical accounting knowledge, you’ll have strong analytical, communication and financial skills.
Course structure
To attain the award of Bachelor of Accounting, students will be required to completed 288 credit points consisting of:
-
96 credit points of First Year Core studies
-
96 credit points of Professional Core studies
-
96 credit points made up of either:
Option A:
-
96 credit points of Major studies from the approved list
OR
Option B:
- 48 credit points of Minor studies BMIFPS Finance and Professional Skills AND
- 48 credit points of Minor studies from the approved list
Course structure and units
First Year Core Units
-
- Unit code
- BAO1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BAO1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BCO1102
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BEO1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BEO1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLO1105
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BSK1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BSK1001
- Credits
- 12
Professional Core Units
-
- Unit code
- BAO2001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BAO2202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BAO2204
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BAO3001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BAO3002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BAO3309
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BLO2206
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- BSK3001
- Credits
- 12
Majors
-
- Unit code
- BMABUA
-
- Unit code
- BMARMG
-
- Unit code
- BMADIS
-
- Unit code
- BMAFIN
Minors
-
- Unit code
- BMIDIS
-
- Unit code
- BMIBUA
-
- Unit code
- BMIFIN
-
- Unit code
- BMIRMG
-
- Unit code
- BMIFPS
Achieve more with the VU Block Model
We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.
Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.
You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.
Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.
Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.
Find out more about the VU Block Model.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Integrate conceptual and technical understandings of business with advanced knowledge within the discipline and demonstrate skills to apply digital technologies; | ||
| 2. | Critically review, analyse, adapt and apply broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of business in diverse contexts, including local and global contexts; | ||
| 3. | Critically analyse and exhibit ethical and professional judgment and effective decisions by adapting the knowledge and skills to both anticipate and solve complex problems; | ||
| 4. | Persuade by communicating a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and skills in both oral and written form to a range of audiences; and, | ||
| 5. | Reflect on personal learning and skills in relation to career goals and implement effective, creative strategies to promote lifelong learning and professional development. |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admissions
Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.
Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
Admission criteria
The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.
Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)
- Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
- an Australian or overseas equivalent or
- an International Baccalaureate (IB).
Importance of ATAR for this course
We consider both ATAR and other criteria
ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
Why is ATAR not applicable?
You will not need an ATAR score to meet the admission requirements for this course. Only the successful completion of your secondary school studies, and any additional prerequisites. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their prior experience, ATAR, age, socioeconomic or educational background.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study
This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Admission criteria
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate IV in Tertiary Preparation (or equivalent).
Applicants with higher education study
This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.
Admission criteria
Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of a single unit of Higher Education studies.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
Applicants with work & life experience
This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.
Admission criteria
Five years (minimum) work/life experience in Business, Commerce or similar.
OR:
Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
Pathways & credits
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Pathways from VU courses
If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be credited for up to 72 credit points of study.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.
Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.
How to apply
Available start dates:
- 20 January 2025
- 24 February 2025
- 28 July 2025
Before you apply
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
- Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Find out more about applying for our courses.
Apply through VTAC
Apply through VTAC if any of the following apply to you:
- you are applying for more than one course
- you are completing Year 12 in 2023
- you have an existing VTAC application to study in 2024
VTAC very late applications are due 14 January 2025.
Apply via VTACSpecial Entry Access Scheme
You can apply for consideration of your life circumstances during the application process by submitting a VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application.
Apply direct to VU
Apply directly to VU if any of the following apply to you:
- you are a current VU student
- you are only applying for this course and are not completing Year 12 in 2023
Direct applications are due on 12 January 2025 for our next intake which starts on 20 January 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
