In this articulated pathway, you first complete the Diploma of Accounting at the Southbank Institute of Technology (SBIT), and then continue studying to complete the degree at either South Bank or USC’s Sippy Downs campus.
This diploma provides skills and knowledge for graduates to work strategically with executive and management teams to provide expert financial advice to support business decision making. Graduates can prepare income tax returns, implement and maintain internal control procedures and provide management accounting information. The bachelor component provides a complementary theoretical grounding in commerce, including studies in financial accounting, taxation law and practice, auditing, and contemporary accounting issues. Refer to the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) for more information.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
This diploma provides skills and knowledge for graduates to work strategically with executive and management teams to provide expert financial advice to support business decision making. Graduates can prepare income tax returns, implement and maintain internal control procedures and provide management accounting information. The bachelor component provides a complementary theoretical grounding in commerce, including studies in financial accounting, taxation law and practice, auditing, and contemporary accounting issues. Refer to the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) for more information.
Career opportunities
Refer to separate entry for the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting).
Teaching mode
There are different teaching modes between the SBIT diploma modules and the University’s Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) courses. Diploma modules are face-to-face teaching with performance-based assessment. The University’s Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) courses include three or four hours of contact per course per week, generally in the mode of a one-hour lecture and two-hour tutorial. Students complete a further six to seven hours of self-directed learning per course per week. The self-directed learning consists of readings, research, assignments and other assessment items.
Please note: This full-time program commences only in Semester 1 each year. New students do not undertake any USC courses until they complete their SBIT diploma.
Program structure
Program structure
This pathway is an articulation between the Diploma of Accounting at Southbank Institute of Technology and the Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete all courses as per study plan listed below.
- Present your completed Diploma of Accounting to enable 8 courses (96 units) of transfer credits to be applied to your academic record.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- The electives can be used to complete an additional minor.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Southbank Institute of Technology (SBIT)
Students completing the Diploma of Accounting at SBIT will be awarded credit towards their USC degree as specified below.
8 courses credit:
COR109 Marine Vertebrates: Sharks, Seabirds, Fish, Turtles and Whales
GEN199 Biodiversity and Ecology
ACC106 Science Research Methods
ACC108 Invertebrate Biology and Ecology
ART299 Coastal and Marine Ecology x4
University of the Sunshine Coast (USC)
Students complete 16 courses within the USC degree component, either at South Bank or USC’s Sippy Downs campus.
Introductory courses
3 required courses:
BUS101 Animal Ecophysiology
BUS102 Statistics with Teeth: Understanding Ecological Data
BUS104 Terrestrial Vertebrate Diversity and Ecology
Advanced courses
10 required courses:
ACC210 Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
ACC220 Coastal Conservation Planning
ACC211 Animal Behaviour
ACC221 Global-Change Ecology
ACC310 K'gari-Fraser Island Field Studies
ACC311 Special Field Studies Topic
ACC320 Special Research Project
ACC321 Workplace Learning I
BUS203 Pavement Construction
BUS320 Pavement Design
Elective courses
Select 3 elective courses (at least one of which must be an advanced [200 / 300 level] course) from the Faculty of Arts and Business courses available at South Bank. Students can also access the full suite of electives from either faculty (Arts and Business, or Science, Health, Education and Engineering), on campus at Sippy Downs.