The aim of the Bachelor of Commerce programme is to produce graduates with the personal and professional skills necessary to be successful in demanding and evolving business environments, whether locally, nationally or internationally.

The Bachelor of Commerce aims to produce graduates who have the following generic skills, knowledge and personal qualities:
- A sound understanding and awareness of the New Zealand business environment, and its place in an international context
- The academic credentials necessary for post-graduate studies
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- The ability to work effectively in group situations
- The ability to use current information technology in business
- Good analytical and research skills
- An enquiring and critical attitude of mind capable of applying theoretical concepts in solving practical problems
- Self direction and the ability to balance work and recreation
- Ethical awareness
- Cultural sensitivity
- Political astuteness and environmental awareness
- Practical business, skills which will lead to the ability to add value to a business, either as an employer, employee or business owner.

Accounting major:
In addition to the skills listed for the Bachelor of Commerce, graduates from the Bachelor of Commerce Accounting Programme will be able to understand and process accounting information in a range of business environments. They will have the ability to apply conceptual and technical skills to cost determination and control in manufacturing and service industries. They will also be able to prepare a full set of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices in New Zealand and to collect, critically review and communicate information effectively in both written and oral form to lay and expert audiences.

Management major:
In addition to the skills listed for the Bachelor of Commerce, graduates from the Bachelor of Commerce Management Programme will have the ability to think strategically and understand strategic issues facing organisations develop and implement policy in the areas of operations and general management, and understand costing and financial management processes. They will also be able to solve problems, both independently and as part of a team and be able to collect, critically review and communicate information effectively in both written and oral form to both lay and expert audiences.

Marketing major:
In addition to the skills listed for the Bachelor of Commerce, graduates from the Bachelor of Commerce Marketing Programme will have the ability to apply marketing concepts to complex real-world scenarios such as: Formulating marketing plans, conceptualising and evaluating promotion campaigns and making reasoned trade-offs between objectives and budgets and to innovate and manage change via a strong grounding the realities of social, economic and technological change processes, the underlying dynamics of consumer and industrial buyer behaviour, contemporary marketing research practice, and organisational behavioural principles. They will also be able to solve problems, both independently and as part of a time and be able to collect, critical review and communicate information effectively in both written and oral form to both lay and expert audiences.

Accounting major:
Further educational opportunities may include pathways to become a Chartered Accountant or graduates may be eligible to enrol in postgraduate study.

Management major:
Further educational opportunities may include enrolling in postgraduate study.

Marketing major:
Further educational opportunities may include enrolling in postgraduate study.

Applicants under 20 years:
Applicants should be a minimum of 18 years of age, University Entrance - NCEA Level 3: three subjects at Level 3, made up of:
14 credits each, in three NZQA University Entrance approved subjects, and
Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing, and
Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of specified achievement standards through a range of subjects, or a package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 - all three required)

Applicants over 20 years:
Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme. Examples of demonstration of ability to succeed are the provision of evidence of successful completion of a programme of study at level 3 or above in a related discipline and/or employment in the related sector for one or more years. They may be admitted subject to programme regulations approved by the Head of Faculty in consultation with the Programme Manager as appropriate. Personal commitment and a belief in one's own ability to succeed are important personal traits and will always be taken into consideration during the selection process.

5.1.2. English Language Entry Criteria
Applicants whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having passed an NZQA approved English Language Assessment, or 1 of the following tests of English language competence in accordance with the NZQA rules below:

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having passed an NZQA approved English Proficiency Assessment, or one of the following tests of English language competence in accordance with the NZQA rules below:
IELTS General or Academic Score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
TOEFL Paper based test, pBT, Score of 550 with an essay score of 5 TWE
TOEFL Internet based test, iBT, Score of 60 with a writing score of 18
University of Cambridge English Examinations FCE or FCE for schools with a score of 169. No less than 162 for each skill.
NZCEL - Level 4 with the Academic endorsement
Pearson Test of English, Academic, PToE Academic score of 50
City and Guilds IESOL B2 Communicator with a score of 66
LanguageCert - C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with PASS

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate below 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence that they:
Have gained NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand University Entrance requirements or
Hold a bachelor's degree of at least 3 years from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, The Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom or United States of America or
Have achieved a Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, CELTA or passed one of the English language tests listed above.