How Long Does a Business Degree Take?

Three years is the standard duration for most university degrees in Australia. Along with business and commerce, other degrees that take three years include arts and social sciences, science and mathematics, information technology, psychology, and nursing.

Key Takeaways

Standard duration. A business bachelor's degree in Australia typically requires three years to complete. It involves 24 subjects across six semesters.
Study modes. Full-time students finish in three years by completing four subjects per semester. Part-time students take six years, completing two subjects per semester.
Honours option. An additional fourth year is needed for an honours degree. This year includes coursework and a research project.
Online acceleration. Online degrees can be completed in two years through year-round study, including a summer semester.
MBA timing. An MBA typically takes 1.5 years full-time, covering 12 subjects. Part-time online MBAs can take up to 24 months, allowing for flexible study schedules.

Full-Time Students

A full-time business student at an Australian university will typically take 3 years to earn a business degree. By doing four subjects (which is a full-time study load) in each of two semesters, they complete eight subjects each year and take 3 years to complete all 24 subjects.

The normal pattern of study for a full-time student is to complete four subjects each semester. There are two semesters in a standard academic year. This means full-time students complete 8 subjects per year and take 3 years to finish a business degree.

Part-Time Students

Going part-time doubles the duration of an on-campus business degree, extending it to 6 years. Part-time students typically take a half-load, which is two subjects per semester. For those attending two semesters annually, this equates to completing four subjects per year. Therefore, they require 6 years to complete all 24 subjects.

Honours Degree

An honours degree is achieved by earning high grades and then being admitted to do a fourth (honours) year of business studies. By adding an extra year, a Bachelor of Business (Honours) takes four years overall, although the honours degree itself is only one year.

Typically, the honours year includes four further coursework subjects in Semester 1, followed by a dissertation or research projects in Semester 2.

How Long to Get a Business Degree Online?

An online bachelor's degree can be completed in two years instead of three. Although it may seem that online courses take longer, they can actually be 50% faster in a direct comparison. This is because online degrees often allow for continuous study over the summer months, enabling year-round accelerated learning.

While online study doesn't inherently shorten a business program's duration, many online universities offer a third semester each year. This enables students to complete an extra four subjects annually, potentially finishing a three-year degree in just two years.

How Long Does an MBA Take?

An MBA degree in Australia typically takes 1.5 years to complete. A standard full-time MBA program, which usually includes 12 subjects, can be completed in 18 months. This is based on completing four subjects per semester across three semesters, with two semesters per year.

For those in an accelerated online program, the degree can be completed in 24 months of part-time study. Participants, often working full-time, study year-round and complete one subject every couple of months. Study blocks are usually 6-7 weeks long, with 1-2 week gaps between them.