How to Apply to Business at Adelaide University: The Three-Year Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Commerce, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

For 2027 entry, undergraduate business in Adelaide is offered by Adelaide University. Its glossary states that its Foundation Universities are the University of South Australia and The University of Adelaide, and degree pages, applications and scholarships are now published under the Adelaide University name. Business degrees are taught at the Adelaide City Campus. Here is what you need to know, based on official information, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students at international schools), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Choosing between the two degrees

• Bachelor of Business (BBUSI): three years full time, 144 units of core courses, one major, 6–12 units of work integrated learning and electives. The core covers accounting, economics, people management, marketing, decision-making and corporate law. Majors include Management, Marketing, International Business, Human Resource Management, Digital Business, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Strategy, Project Management, Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Real Estate, Sport Management, and Tourism, Events and Hospitality Management.
• Bachelor of Commerce (BCOMM): three years full time, 144 units, focused on accounting, finance and data. Single majors are Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Analytics, Financial Planning and Property; double majors include Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Business Analytics, and Business Analytics and Finance.
• Accounting major: accredited by CAANZ and CPA Australia, with more than 300 hours of work integrated learning in the second and third years; the Accounting and Finance double major lists more than 400 hours.
• Banking and Finance: described as preparation for the pathway to the CFA charter.
• Part-time study is not available to international students.

2. Requirements: high schools in China

• You can apply with the Gaokao:
  • Bachelor of Business: 60% (ATAR 70);
  • Bachelor of Commerce: 70% (ATAR 80), the same on the Accounting, Banking and Finance, Business Analytics and Accounting and Finance pages.
• Prerequisites: none, and no assumed knowledge, for both degrees.
• International school curricula:
  • IB: 25 for Business, 28 for Commerce;
  • UK A-levels: 7 for Business, 9 for Commerce (shown as points; the degree pages do not explain the scale, so ask Admissions);
  • AP: 7 and 9; SAT 1100 and 1170; ACT 21 and 24.
• Selection: where there are more eligible applicants than places, offers are ranked on entry scores.

3. Requirements: Canadian high schools

• Listed standard: the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) at 65% for Business and 75% for Commerce.
• BC: BC is not listed separately; the general rule is a secondary qualification equivalent to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). BC students should confirm the conversion before applying.

4. English requirements

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading, listening, speaking and writing, for both degrees.
• Results must be from the two years before admission. Applicants who studied or worked in English need certified documentation from the institution or employer. Other accepted tests are listed on the degree pages.

5. Transfer students

• Entry routes: besides Year 12, at least 6 months of full-time higher education study, or a VET award at Certificate IV (AQF level 4) or higher.
• Credit: formal, informal and non-formal prior learning can be recognised; an online Credit Assessor gives an estimate.

6. Timeline for 2027 entry

• Intakes: February or July for the Bachelor of Business and for Commerce majors such as Accounting, Banking and Finance and Business Analytics. The Accounting and Finance double major page does not list a start month, so check that page or ask Admissions.
• Deadlines: closing dates differ by degree and are shown on degree pages; the business degree pages do not list a 2027 date, so apply early.
• Fee: AUD 150 per application, non-refundable. Apply through an official education agent or the International Application System.
• After an offer: accept and pay the first tuition instalment by the deadline. Sponsored students include a financial guarantee letter.

7. Tuition and scholarships

• Tuition: indicative annual fees for 2027 are AUD 52,500 for the Bachelor of Business and AUD 52,200 for the Bachelor of Commerce, based on a full-time load, subject to annual change, plus non-tuition fees.
• Adelaide Merit Scholarship: 15% off tuition for the standard duration, awarded automatically at offer to new international students with a credit average (ATAR 75 for Australian Year 12). Business degrees are not on the exclusion list. You must keep a Program Term GPA of 4.5 out of 7.
• Adelaide Academic Excellence Scholarship: 50% off tuition, limited and competitive, requiring ATAR 99 or equivalent for undergraduates.
• Other scholarships for specific countries, alumni families and siblings are in the scholarship search tool.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Gaokao 60% for Business or 70% for Commerce; or IB 25/28, AP 7/9; no prerequisites
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 each)
• AUD 150 application fee; February or July intake

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• OSSD 65% (Business) or 75% (Commerce) is listed; BC students confirm their conversion
• Automatic consideration for 15% off tuition

Transfer students:

• At least 6 months of full-time degree study, or Certificate IV or higher
• Use the online Credit Assessor

Sources: Adelaide University, Bachelor of Business (international); Bachelor of Business (Management); Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting); Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Finance); Bachelor of Commerce (Banking and Finance); Bachelor of Commerce (Business Analytics); How to apply as an international student; University glossary (Foundation Universities); Adelaide Merit Scholarship (15%); Adelaide Academic Excellence Scholarship (50%). Information is for 2027 entry; fees are indicative annual fees. Check Adelaide University for the latest details.