Kiara Bowles – Bachelor of Business (Public Relations) / Bachelor of Journalism graduate
Kiara Bowles pursued her interests in writing and media with a double degree at QUT. “Being a QUT graduate certainly helped to open doors for me. Our lecturers encouraged us to undertake work experience and internship opportunities were offered as part of our course. I discovered that potential employers, and many of my colleagues, commented positively on QUT’s reputation.”
“As a Corporate Communications Consultant, I am responsible for writing communication strategy documents, media releases, website copy, brochures and newsletters, as well as organising events and presentations. It’s a highly rewarding role, and I get to see the results of my work in the organisation’s reputation and advancement within the energy sector.”
Kiara puts her PR and journalism skills to use as a Corporate Communications Consultant for Powerlink Queensland.
Expand your career options with a double degree
Double degrees combine studies in other disciplines with a degree in Business to broaden your career options and give you a competitive edge in the career market. The appeal of graduating with two degrees has made double degree courses increasingly popular with students, and the Faculty of Business offers the largest range of double degree programs at QUT. Most double degrees can be completed in four to five years.
You can combine your business degree with a degree in science, mathematics, health, psychology, information technology, law, engineering or creative industries.
Business skills are universal
Business skills are used within all professions and industries, whether private, public or non-profit, regardless of the size of the organisation – from individuals to large corporations. Theatre companies need accountants, IT-based organizations need managers, engineering firms need financial planners and biotechnology organisations need marketers. Even sole operator businesses like graphic or web designers can benefit from business skills in commercialising their work.
Boost your career with business
Understanding the “business” component of your specialised field is highly attractive to employers, no matter what industry they operate within. A double degree incorporating Business will give you a broader knowledge and skill base, equipping you with the ability to apply yourself to work challenges from a different perspective.
Your non-business study area will give you in-depth industry knowledge in your field of interest. And your business qualification will enable you to apply your skills to solve problems, develop strategies, plan resources, make ideas commercially viable, or launch new products in the market, depending on your choice of Business major and where you want to take your career. You will develop entrepreneurial skills necessary to sell your abilities within your chosen industry, or perhaps start your own business.
Quite simply, whether business is your first or second choice for a degree, a double degree exposes you to a broader range of opportunities and will help you get ahead in your career.
For more detailed information on the non-business study areas featured below, please refer to the respective Faculty’s website.
Double degrees available in 2009
Creative Industries
Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Creative Industries
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Journalism
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Media and Communication
Bachelor of Mass Communication (single degree)
Information Technology
Bachelor of Business/ Bachelor of IT
Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Corporate Systems Management
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Games & Interactive Entertainment
Science and Mathematics
Bachelor of Applied Science / Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Mathematics
Health
Bachelor of Applied Science (In Human Movement Studies) / Bachelor of Business
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) / Bachelor of Business
Engineering
Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical)
Law
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws
Double degrees in Creative Industries
Business can be combined with many exciting study areas within the expanding world of the creative industries. Small to medium enterprises are becoming more prevalent in the creative industries sector, and a well developed business competence will make you more attractive to these employers. Alternatively, you may wish to pursue your business career within the creative industries which provide many dynamic and vibrant working opportunities.
Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Creative Industries *
The entrepreneurial nature of the Bachelor of Creative Industries makes this an ideal double degree with business. You will undertake the Bachelor of Creative Industries core units as well as one creative industries major. Your business degree component comprises the eight business core units, and eight major units.
Some combinations may be particularly complementary in building related skill sets, for example digital media or sound design with advertising; television producing with marketing; or creative and professional writing with public relations. Alternatively, you may be interested in pursuing a professional business career, such as accountancy, finance or human resource management, within a creative environment.
Course details - Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Creative Industries (IX34)
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Fine Arts *
We have chosen a range of Bachelor of Fine Arts majors which lend themselves particularly well to a combination with business. You will graduate with not only advanced technical and creative practice skills, but also with highly developed business knowledge. You will be well equipped to work as either a creative practitioner or business professional.
You will be immersed in your creative industries major with 14 studio units, and have a broad creative industries perspective from the two foundation units. Your business degree component comprises the eight business core units and eight major units.
Combine your chosen Business major with a major in: Fashion, Interactive and Visual Design, Drama, Creative and Professional Writing, and Visual Arts.
Additional entry requirements apply for some Fine Arts majors. Please refer to the relevant major in the Creative Industries Course Book for more information.
Entry to the interactive and visual design, drama, creative and professional writing majors are dependent solely on your OP/Rank.
Course details - Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama) (IX35)
Course details - Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Fine Arts (Fashion) (IX35)
Course details - Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Fine Arts (Interactive and Visual Design) (IX35)
Course details - Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) (IX35)
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Journalism *
This professional course links journalism with business studies and is the choice of about one-third of commencing journalism students. The combination of journalism with business majors can equip you for specialist journalism careers in finance, international affairs, or political and social commentary.
Your journalism degree will be of benefit even if you choose to pursue a career in business, as you will develop highly developed writing skills. Public relations students will find this particularly relevant in tasks such as editing trade and specialist publications, speech writing or in corporate communication roles.
Course details - Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Journalism (IX36)
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Media and Communication *
This combination of media and communication alongside a business major in advertising, marketing or public relations provides proven professional outcomes in media sales, media marketing and promotions, and in media planning/buying for advertising agencies.
You will undertake two creative industries foundation units and 14 specialist units in media and communication. Your business degree component comprises the eight business core units and eight major units.
Course details - Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Media and Communication (IX67)
* Updates to these courses are subject to University approval.
Bachelor of Mass Communication
The Bachelor of Mass Communication (IF27) is a single degree delivered in conjunction with the Creative Industries Faculty.
Double degrees in Information Technology
Business and Information Technology (IT) are complimentary study areas that provide many diverse career opportunities. The rapidly changing world of IT directly influences businesses that need to adapt to this change. Likewise, as a business’s environment, strategies, and needs change, so too will their need for new technological solutions. A double degree in business and IT will prepare you for a career that brings these elements together.
cooperative education program
The Cooperative Education Program is a joint venture between employers and the Faculty of IT giving you the opportunity of 10-12 months of paid work experience to better prepare you for employment after you graduate. The program integrates professional experience and formal study, so you can apply what you’re learning in an area relevant to your chosen path. The Program is available to Australian citizens and permanent residents only.
Some of the organisations our Cooperative Education students have worked with are the Australian Tax Office, Boeing Australia, CITEC, Department of Natural Resources and Water, Dialog Information Technology, Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland Police, RACQ, and UNiTAB Limited.
For more information about the Cooperative Education Program, please visit coop.fit.qut.edu.au
Bachelor of Business/ Bachelor of IT
This double degree will give you a broad base of commercial knowledge in business and information technology, expanding your career options and making you more attractive to employers, even if you wish to work predominantly in an information technology position.
Business is highly dependant on information technology infrastructure, so having the expertise in both makes you more attractive to employers looking for multi-disciplined staff. Businesses look for staff that can communicate well from both the business and information technology disciplines, so having the skills and knowledge across both gives you a competitive edge over other graduates.
You will have the opportunity to complement your information technology studies with any of QUT’s business majors included throughout this book. Combine your business major with a choice of IT specialist topic areas which include (but not limited to); databases, information management, information systems, networking systems, security and software development.
Career outcomes
This double degree will give you the particular skills to acquire a role requiring knowledge in both business and information technology. These include; business analyst, systems manager, product manager for an IT product, team leader for multidisciplinary staff, after sales support, technical manager or consultant. Future career prospects include chief financial officer and chief information officer.
Course details - Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Information Technology (IX33)
Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Corporate Systems Management
If you love the Information Technology environment - Facebook, eBay, mobile devices and the internet - and would like to be in a position to effectively apply them to the business world with your chosen business major, then this is the degree for you.
This double degree allows you to bring together the business focus of corporate systems management with a business degree, allowing you to broaden your business knowledge and career possibilities. It is designed to develop the knowledge and skills you need to understand and communicate business needs, select the right systems and harness these systems to improve business performance for organisations. You will learn to effectively manage yourself and others in response to the development and implementation of technical innovations. You will also learn to work as an individual and as a team member within both specialist and interdisciplinary professional contexts.
Career outcomes
Career destinations from this degree are business management roles, such as project manager, program manager, data manager, infrastructure manager, business analyst, information analyst or business process manager. You may choose to work as a consultant in a specialised field, assisting businesses in applying IT solutions to improve their business performance. Graduates are highly sought after by employers as there is a critical worldwide shortage of professionals with the strategic knowledge and people skills to do this kind of work.
Course details - Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Corporate Systems Management (IX62)
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Games & Interactive Entertainment
In the Business component of this double degree, you will gain broad-based business knowledge and skills that will prepare you for any business role, along with the specialist skills and knowledge in your choice of business major, details of which are included throughout this book. For your Games and Interactive Entertainment component, choose a major in: Animation and Computational Arts, Digital Media, Games Design, or Software Technologies.
This double degree gives you the opportunity to apply your business skills within the growing industry of digital entertainment and electronic games. You will not only expand your business skills but also your creative skills through the development of computer games and other forms of interactive media. You will learn to apply your critical creative thinking to identify issues and solve problems related to various technical, creative and cultural aspects of games development. Being able to be creative and innovative are strong skills to have in business.
Having the business background gives you a competitive advantage to other games and interactive entertainment graduates as it gives you required knowledge of how the business works. You will understand issues related to people and process management in games development and demonstrate the ability to be an effective leader and innovator. You will learn life-long skills to enable you to continuously improve games and interactive entertainment. This degree will give you the skills to be able to engage in the cultural dialogue of games design and communicate professionally in a variety of media and contexts.
Career Outcomes
Depending on your choice of Business major, Graduates may find employment in management and marketing roles within the games and entertainment industry, including: project manager, production manager, producer, content manager, business development manager, product manager or marketer.
Course details - Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Games and Interactive Entertainment (IX63)
Double degrees in Science and Mathematics
A business degree is an excellent partner to your science or mathematics degree. Your knowledge of general business principles, combined with your choice of business major will provide valued skills, making you more attractive to employers within science-based industries. If you wish to work predominantly in a science-based career, your business skills can be applied across a range of areas, from management, marketing and commercialisation, to economics and accountancy, giving you a career advantage.
Bachelor of Applied Science / Bachelor of Business
Through the combination of science with business, you will equip yourself for an exciting career at the cutting edge of scientific innovation within a range of public, private and nonprofit industries.
Your business degree will give you a broad base of commercial knowledge as well as the opportunity to major in a specific business area. This understanding of business makes you more attractive to employers, even if you wish to work predominantly in a science-based career.
If you wish to use your business knowledge more in your career, you could gain employment as a consultant, marketer or project manager within firms developing and taking scientific research to the marketplace. You will also develop the entrepreneurial skills necessary to sell your abilities to a range of employers including government agencies, private enterprise and not-for-profit organisations.
The Bachelor of Applied Science allows you to major in biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, ecology, environmental science, forensic science, geoscience, microbiology or physics. For more information on these majors please consult QUT’s Science undergraduate course book. For more information on careers in business please refer to the pages on each major in this prospectus.
Course details - Bachelor of Applied Science / Bachelor of Business (IX31)
Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Mathematics
Accountancy, finance or economics are the ideal business majors to accompany your mathematics degree, as you will learn how to undertake the sophisticated economic and financial modelling that is integral to business and government decision making.
Given the quantitative nature of some financial analysis, graduates with the finance business major are highly sought after. The financial sector employs qualitative analysts to optimise returns in both the short and long-term, trading and pricing derivatives, analyse quantitative risk, and work in investment strategy.
An economics major may be useful to chart a career in actuarial areas of insurance and superannuation, although further study is required in order to qualify as an actuary. A key role of accountants is analysing and interpreting financial data to provide business advice to clients, and the quantitative skills in the mathematics degree enhance this process.
mathematics scholarships
You should consider applying for an industry-sponsored mathematics scholarship to help you financially through your studies. To find out more visit www.scholarships.qut.com
Course details - Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Mathematics (IX37)
Double degrees in Health
Business skills can open many career paths within the Health industries, making a double degree in business and health a good choice if you are seeking a career within this exciting growth area. The skills and knowledge gained within your chosen business major will provide the necessary mix of attributes required for a business role, or advancement, within your chosen area of Health.
Bachelor of Applied Science (In Human Movement Studies) / Bachelor of Business
The Bachelor of Applied Science (in Human Movement Studies) provides skills for careers in a range of exercise and sports science settings such as corporate health and fitness, family and community services, the health and fitness industry, local/state government agencies, state sporting associations, rehabilitation clinics, institutes of sport, universities and colleges and personal training. More information is available in QUT’s Health undergraduate prospectus.
Your business degree will give you a broad base of commercial knowledge making you more attractive to employers, even if you wish to work predominantly in the health science area. You also have the opportunity to major in a specific business area. For more information on careers in business, please refer to the pages on each major in this prospectus.
additional costs
There are additional costs associated with this course including the purchase of the practicum shirt (approximately $50), the attainment of a current first aid certificate prior to the commencement of year three and a Blue Card to work with children depending on the practicum site. Attendance at the orientation camp is highly recommended though not compulsory (approximately $115).
other course requirements: blue card
As required by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act (2000), students must undergo a criminal history check and be issued with a Blue Card by the Commission prior to undertaking field experience in a school or centre or any other activities in units which may involve contact with children. You must apply for a Blue Card as soon as you are accepted into the course to allow sufficient time (up to eight weeks) for it to be issued. For more information and an application form visit http://www.studentservices.qut.edu.au/enrol/course/spec_req/bluecard.jsp
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) / Bachelor of Business
This course has been developed to meet the needs of students who seek careers in management, human resources, marketing, counselling, training, and development, and other careers that would benefit from understanding the psychological aspects of the business environment.
Graduates aiming for a managerial career in business will develop the broader skills necessary to face increasingly high demands of managing, training, and the provision of services, as a result of ongoing changes within the workforce.
This course will equip graduates for opportunities that arise within the organisational setting, including roles as organisational or industrial psychologists (with additional training). Likewise, graduates focusing on a career in psychology will benefit tremendously from a solid understanding of business practices. For more information on careers in business, please refer to the pages on each major in this prospectus.
Course details - Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psychology) / Bachelor of Business (IX51)
Double degrees in Engineering
Combining Engineering with Business can give your career a competitive advantage. For engineering graduates, a business degree can help accelerate your career advancement, providing valuable skills in management, accounting, international business or marketing, depending on your choice of major.
Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical)
Your engineering degree will give you the ability to design and maintain cutting-edge products or infrastructure. You will be exposed to challenging, hands-on practical experience through laboratories and design projects, opening up a wide range of careers in the engineering industry.
More information is available in QUT’s Built Environment and Engineering undergraduate course book.
Your business degree will give you a broad base of commercial knowledge, making you more attractive to employers, even if you wish to work predominantly in an engineering environment. You also have the opportunity to major in a specific business area. For more information on careers in business, please refer to the pages on each major in this prospectus.
other course requirements
Before you can graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering, you must obtain at least 60 days of industrial employment/practice in an engineering environment approved by the course coordinator.
Course details - Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Engineering (IX28)
Double degree in Laws
A combination of Business and Law will prepare you for a legal career within business and government. Your business knowledge and skills will provide a valuable commercial perspective ideal for specialist areas such as corporate law, company takeovers, corporate governance, compliance law and intellectual property law.
Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws component of this double degree covers the areas of law required for the purposes of admission as a legal practitioner and/or barrister in all Australian states and territories. You may find employment as a legal practitioner, barrister, in-house counsel, government lawyer, policy officer or adviser or take on roles in business or industry.
Your business degree will give you a broad base of commercial knowledge, making you more attractive to employers in legal environments. You also have the opportunity to major in a specific business area, strengthening your career choices in your selected discipline. Accountancy is a popular complementary choice of major for Business/Law students, providing you with formal recognition from peak bodies in both professions. For more information on careers in business, please refer to the pages on each major in this prospectus.
Course details - Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws (IF41)