General Program Requirements

We've mapped out the requirements of your BCom over a four-year period, allocating a full course load of 30/31 credits in each year. Keep in mind that this is just a guide – you may want to join the Co-op program, take a term abroad on exchange, or participate in one of many other co-curricular opportunities – any of which could take you on a slightly different learning path. That's okay! Just be aware of course prerequisites, co-requisites and restrictions, and promotion and continuation requirements when planning your program.

To see your program requirements, select the tab with the year level and session that you entered the program

Your specific degree requirements will depend on when you were admitted. Be sure to refer to the correct requirements that apply to you by selecting the year level and session in which you entered the program. Keep in mind that you have six years to finish your degree requirements from the date that you were first admitted to the BCom program.

  • Year 1 entry in 2022W and onwards
  • Year 1 entry in 2014W to 2021W
  • Year 1 entry from 2011W to 2013W

Year 1 entry in 2022W and onwards

The following requirements apply to students who:

  • entered directly to Year 1 in 2022 and onwards.
  • transferred to Year 2 in 2023 and onwards.
  • transferred to Year 3 in 2024 and onwards.

Jump to: Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

 

Year 1
All of the following courses:
COMM 1011 Business Fundamentals 
COMM 105
Values, Ethics, and Community3
COMM 1902
Introduction to Quantitative Decision Making 
COMM 1912Application of Statistics in Business 3
COMM 1923 Management and Organizational Behaviour3
COMM 196Business Communications I3
ECON 101Principles of Microeconomics3
ECON 102Principles of Macroeconomics3
MATH 1005Differential Calculus with Applications3
Three credits of non-Commerce electives63
Total credits30
1 For students transferring into Year 2 or 3 of the BCom program, COMM 101 is not required. In lieu of these credits, transfer students will take three credits of Commerce or non-Commerce electives at any level.
2 A minimum grade of 67% in COMM 190, COMM 191 are requirements for the Finance option in Year 3. 
3 For students transferring into Year 2 or 3 of the BCom program, an acceptable alternative to COMM 192 is COMR 329.
4 You must attain a minimum of 60% or a 'C' in COMM 196.
5 Acceptable alternatives are MATH 104/184, MATH 110, MATH 120 or MATH 180. Students should make themselves aware of elective courses for which MATH 100 and 101 are prerequisites and plan accordingly. Students planning to pursue a Minor in Economics or Computer Science must take MATH 100 and 101 (or equivalents). 
6 See electives page for requirements and restrictions.
Continuation in the BCom program

A winter session average of 60% or greater based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program.  This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades.

If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.

 

Promotion to Year 2

You will be promoted to Year 2 if you have met all of the following requirements:

  • Successful completion of 24 credits including:
    • all of COMM 101, COMM 105, ECON 101, ECON 102, MATH 100 (or accepted Math equivalent)
    • at least two7 of COMM 190, COMM 191, COMM 192, COMM 1968.
7 While a minimum of two of COMM 190, COMM 191, COMM 192, COMM 196 are required for promotion to Year 2, all four courses must be completed to be eligible for promotion to Year 3. All courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.
8 If you have not successfully completed COMM 196 in Year 1, you must complete it in Year 2. A minimum grade of 60% in the course is required, however, a passing grade of 50% or greater can be used for the purpose of promotion to Year 2. In such cases, COMM 196 must be retaken to achieve a grade of 60% or greater.

 

Year 2
All of the following courses:
COMM 2029 Career Fundamentals1
COMM 203 Managing the Employment Relationship 3
COMM 204 Logistics and Operations Management 3
COMM 205
Introduction to Management Information Systems 3
COMM 29310, 11Financial Accounting3
COMM 29410, 11Managerial Accounting3
COMM 29510, 12Managerial Economics3
COMM 296Introduction to Marketing3
COMM 29810, 13Introduction to Finance3
Six credits of non-Commerce electives14 (direct entry students only)6
Total credits31
9 If you are transferring to Year 3 of the BCom program, you will take COMM 202 in your third year of studies.
10 A minimum grade of 67% in COMM 293, COMM 294, COMM 295, COMM 298 are requirements to self-declare the Finance option in Year 3. See registering for your option page for more information
11 A minimum grade of 60% in COMM 293, COMM 294 are requirements to self-declare the Accounting option in Year 3. See registering for your option page for more information
12 You may take ECON 301 and ECON 303 (both must be completed) instead of COMM 295 to fulfill this requirement. Three of the six credits will apply to your non-Commerce electives requirement. 
13 For the Early Start to the Finance option, COMM 298 would need to be taken in Term 1.
14 See electives page for requirements and restrictions.
Continuation in the BCom program

A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades. 

If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.

 

Promotion to Year 3

You will be promoted to Year 3 if you have met all of the following requirements:

  • Successful completion of 49 credits including:
    • all Year 1 required courses
    • COMM 202
    • at least four15 of COMM 203, COMM 204, COMM 205, COMM 293, COMM 294, COMM 295, COMM 296, COMM 298. 
15 While a minimum of four of COMM 203, COMM 204, COMM 205, COMM 293, COMM 294, COMM 295, COMM 296, COMM 298 are required for promotion to Year 3, all eight courses must be completed to be eligible for promotion to Year 4. All courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.

 

Year 3
All of the following courses:
COMM 393Commercial Law3
COMM 394
Environment, Society, and Government3
COMM 39616Business Communications II3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
15 credits of electives1715
Total credits30
16 You must attain a minimum of 60% or a 'C' in COMM 396. 
17 See electives page for requirements and restrictions.

 

Continuation in the BCom program

A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades. If you participate in a study abroad and exchange program during the winter session, grades earned on exchange will be included in the calculation. 

If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.

 

Promotion to Year 4

You will be promoted to Year 4 if you have met all of the following requirements:

  • Successful completion of 73 credits including:
    • all Year 1 and Year 2 required courses
    • two option core courses (6 credits)
    • at least two18 of COMM 393, COMM 394, COMM 39619
18 While a minimum of two of COMM 393, COMM 394, COMM 396 are required for promotion to Year 4, all courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.
19 A minimum grade of 60% in the course is required, however, a passing grade of 50% or greater can be used for the purpose of promotion to Year 4. In such cases, COMM 396 must be retaken to achieve a grade of 60% or greater..

 

Year 4
All of the following courses:
COMM 400Capstone Experience1
COMM 491Strategic Management3
All of the following courses:
Option CoreRequired course for option3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
18 credits of electives2018
Total credits31
20 See electives page for requirements and restrictions.
Graduation

Once you have fulfilled your BCom degree requirements, it’s time to apply to graduate. Note that if you achieve a winter session average below 60% in your final year, you will be permitted to graduate, however, a notation of ‘Failed Year’ will appear on your academic transcript for that session. 

 
Continuation in the BCom program

If you have not completed all of your requirements for graduation, you may still continue in the next winter session, remaining in Year 4, provided your winter session average is greater than or equal to 60% on all courses attempted from September to April. You must achieve the minimum 60% continuation requirement by the end of the current winter session in April. When planning your studies, keep in mind that you must complete all of your degree requirements within six years of entering the program to be conferred a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC.

Year 1 entry in 2014W to 2021W

The following requirements apply to students who:

  • entered directly to Year 1 in 2014 to 2021.
  • transferred to Year 2 in 2015 to 2022.
  • transferred to Year 3 in 2016 to 2023.

Jump to: Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

 

Year 1
All of the following courses:
COMM 1011 Business Fundamentals 
COMM 186E2Values, Ethics, and Community3
COMM 2903 Introduction to Quantitative Decision Making 
COMM 2913 Application of Statistics in Business 3
COMM 2923 Management and Organizational Behaviour3
ECON 101Principles of Microeconomics3
ECON 102Principles of Macroeconomics3
MATH 1044Differential Calculus with Applications to Commerce and Social Sciences3
WRDS 150B5Writing and Research in the Disciplines3
Three credits of non-Commerce electives63
Total credits30
1 If you are transferring to Year 2 or 3 of the BCom program, you are not required to take COMM 101. In lieu of these credits, you will take three credits of Commerce or non-Commerce electives at any level.
2 COMM 186E has been approved by the UBC Sauder School of Business as a new requirement for the Bachelor of Commerce degree. The course will count toward Commerce elective requirements in 2020W and 2021W. The course was renumbered to COMM 105 in 2022W. For students transferring into Year 2 of the BCom program in 2022W or Year 3 of the BCom program in 2022W or 2023W, COMM 186E/105 is not required. In lieu of these credits, transfer students will take three credits of Commerce or non-Commerce electives.
3 If you are transferring to Year 2 of the BCom program, you will take COMM 290 (renumbered as COMM 190 starting in 22W), COMM 291 (renumbered as COMM 191 starting in 22W), and COMM 292 (renumbered as COMM 192 starting in 22W) in your second year of studies.
4 Acceptable equivalents to MATH 104 include MATH 100, MATH 102, MATH 180, MATH 184, MATH 110, MATH 120, and the former MATH 140. Students should make themselves aware of elective courses for which MATH 104 and 105 are prerequisites and plan accordingly. Students planning to pursue a Minor in Economics or Computer Science must take MATH 104 and 105 (or equivalents). 
5 You must attain a minimum of 60% or a 'C' in your first year writing course. ENGL 100, ENG 112 (as of 2020W, ENGL 112 is no longer offered at UBC), ENG 120, ENG 121, and WRDS 350 can also be used to satisfy this requirement.
6 Prior to 2020W, students take 6 credits of non-Commerce electives in Year 1. See electives page for restrictions.
Continuation in the BCom program

A winter session average of 60% or greater based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program.  This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades.

If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.

 

Promotion to Year 2

You will be promoted to Year 2 if you have met all of the following requirements:

  • Successful completion of 24 credits including:
    • all of COMM 101, ECON 101, ECON 102, MATH 104 (or accepted Math equivalent)
    • at least two7 of COMM 290, COMM 291, COMM 292, WRDS 150B8 (or accepted equivalent).
7 While a minimum of two of COMM 290, COMM 291, COMM 292, WRDS 150B (or accepted equivalent) are required for promotion to Year 2, all four courses must be completed to be eligible for promotion to Year 3. All courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.
8 If you have not successfully completed WRDS 150B (or equivalent) in Year 1, you must complete it in Year 2. A minimum grade of 60% in the course is required to fulfill this requirement, however, a passing grade of 50% or greater can be used for the purpose of promotion to Year 2. In such cases, WRDS 150B must be retaken to achieve a grade of 60% or greater.

 

Year 2
All of the following courses:
COMM 2029 Career Fundamentals1
COMM 203 Managing the Employment Relationship 3
COMM 204 Logistics and Operations Management 3
COMM 205
Introduction to Management Information Systems 3
COMM 29310, 11Financial Accounting3
COMM 29410, 11Managerial Accounting3
COMM 29510, 12Managerial Economics3
COMM 296Introduction to Marketing3
COMM 29810Introduction to Finance3
Six credits of non-Commerce electives13 (direct entry students only)6
Total credits31
9 If you are transferring to Year 3 of the BCom program, you will take COMM 202 in your third year of studies.
10 Starting 2024W, a minimum grade of 67% in COMM 293, COMM 294, COMM 295, COMM 298 are requirements to self-declare the Finance option in Year 3. See registering for your option page for more information
11 Starting 2024W, a minimum grade of 60% in COMM 293, COMM 294 are requirements to self-declare the Accounting option in Year 3. See registering for your option page for more information
12 You may take ECON 301 and ECON 303 (both must be completed) instead of COMM 295 to fulfill this requirement. Three of the six credits will apply to your non-Commerce electives requirement.
13 See electives page for restrictions.
Continuation in the BCom program

A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades. 

If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.

 

Promotion to Year 3

To be promoted to Year 3, you must have completed 48 credits including all Year 1 requirements as well as at least four14 of COMM 203, COMM 204, COMM 205, COMM 293, COMM 294, COMM 295, COMM 296, COMM 298. 

14 While a minimum of four of COMM 203, COMM 204, COMM 205, COMM 293, COMM 294, COMM 295, COMM 296, COMM 298 are required for promotion to Year 3, all eight courses must be completed to be eligible for promotion to Year 4. All courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.

If you were admitted to Year 2 of the BCom program in 2016W and you meet these requirements upon entry to the program, you will not be considered for promotion to Year 3 until you have completed your Term 1 courses. Please meet with an academic advisor once your Term 1 grades have been posted in December.

 

Year 3
All of the following courses:
COMM 39015Business Writing3
COMM 393Commercial Law3
COMM 39416Environment, Society, and Government3
COMM 39517 Business Communications 3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
12 credits of electives1812
Total credits30
15 You must attain a minimum of 60% or a 'C' in your Business Writing course. Starting in 2023 Summer, COMM 390 Business Writing will be replaced by COMM 396 Business Communications II.
16 Formerly named Government and Business. Name change effective 2021W.
17 Formerly numbered COMM 486U.
18 See electives page for requirements and restrictions.

 

Continuation in the BCom program

A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades. If you participate in a study abroad and exchange program during the winter session, grades earned on exchange will be included in the calculation. 

If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.

 

Promotion to Year 4

To be promoted to Year 4, you must have completed 72 credits including all Year 1 and 2 requirements, two option core courses (6 credits), and at least two19 of COMM 390/396 (a minimum of 60% must be attained in COMM 390/396), COMM 393, COMM 394, COMM 395. 

19 All courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.

 

Year 4
One of the following capstone courses:
COMM 46620New Venture Design6
COMM 48320Leadership and General Management6
COMM 486MStrategy and Integrated Decision Making3
COMM 491Strategic Management3
COMM 492Management Simulation3
COMM 497New Enterprise Development3
COMM 498International Business Management3
All of the following courses:
Option CoreRequired course for option3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
18 credits of electives2118
Total credits30
20 Admission to COMM 466 and COMM 483 are by application only. Three of the six credits from COMM 466 or COMM 483 may be used to satisfy the capstone requirement. Note, you may receive credit for only one of COMM 466 and COMM 497.
21 See electives page for requirements and restrictions.
Graduation

Once you have fulfilled your BCom degree requirements, it’s time to apply to graduate. Note that if you achieve a winter session average below 60% in your final year, you will be permitted to graduate, however, a notation of ‘Failed Year’ will appear on your academic transcript for that session. 

 

Continuation in the BCom program

If you have not completed all of your requirements for graduation, you may still continue in the next winter session, remaining in Year 4, provided your winter session average is greater than or equal to 60% on all courses attempted from September to April. You must achieve the minimum 60% continuation requirement by the end of the current winter session in April. When planning your studies, keep in mind that you must complete all of your degree requirements within six years of entering the program to be conferred a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC.

Year 1 entry from 2011W to 2013W

The following requirements apply to students who:

  • entered directly to Year 1 from 2011 to 2013.
  • transferred to Year 2 from 2012 to 2014.
  • transferred to Year 3 from 2013 to 2015.

Jump to: Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

Year 1
All of the following courses:
COMM 1011 Business Fundamentals 
COMM 292 Management and Organizational Behaviour3
ECON 101Principles of Microeconomics3
ECON 102Principles of Macroeconomics3
ENGL 1122Strategies for University Writing3
One of the following Math courses3:
MATH 104Differential Calculus with Applications to Commerce and Social Sciences3
MATH 184Differential Calculus for Social Science and Commerce4
12 credits of non-Commerce electives412
Total credits30/31
1 As of September 2013, COMM 101 is a required course. If you took COMM 101 prior to September 2013 you will receive non-Commerce elective credit for the course. If you are transferring to Year 2 or 3 of the BCom program, you are not required to take COMM 101. In lieu of these credits, you will take three credits of Commerce or non-Commerce electives at any level.
2 You must attain a minimum of 60% or a 'C' in your first year English course. ENGL 120 or ENGL 121 can also be used to satisfy your English requirement.
3 If you are entering Year 1 with no previous background in calculus, you must take MATH 184. Acceptable equivalents to Math 104/184 include MATH 100, MATH 180, MATH 102, MATH 110, MATH 120, and the former MATH 140.
4 If you who entered the program prior to September 2013, you are required to complete 15 credits of non-Commerce electives in Year 1. See electives page for restrictions.
Continuation in the BCom program

A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades. 

If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.

 

Promotion to Year 2

You will be promoted to Year 2 if you have met all of the following requirements:

  • Successful completion of 24 credits including all of COMM 101, ECON 101, ECON 102, MATH 104 (or accepted Math equivalent), and at least two5 of COMM 290, COMM 291, COMM 292, ENGL 112.
5 All courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.

 

Year 2
All of the following courses:
COMM 2026 Career Fundamentals1
COMM 2037 Managing the Employment Relationship 3
COMM 2058 Introduction to Management Information Systems3
COMM 290Introduction to Quantitative Decision Analysis3
COMM 291Application of Statistics in Business3
COMM 2929Management and Organizational Behaviour3
COMM 293Financial Accounting3
COMM 294Managerial Accounting3
COMM 29510Managerial Economics3
COMM 296Introduction to Marketing3
COMM 298Introduction to Finance3
Three credits of non-Commerce electives11 (direct entry students only)3
Total credits31
6 If you are transferring to Year 3 of the BCom program, you will take COMM 202 in your third year of studies.
7 Formerly numbered COMM 392.
8 Formerly numbered COMM 391.
9 Taken in Year 1 by direct entry students.
10 You may take ECON 301 and ECON 303 (both must be completed) instead of COMM 295 to fulfill this requirement. Three of the six credits will apply to your non-Commerce electives requirement.
11 See electives page for restrictions.
Continuation in the BCom program

A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades. 

If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.

 

Promotion to Year 3

To be promoted to Year 3, you must have completed 48 credits including all Year 1 requirements as well as at least four12 of COMM 203, COMM 204, COMM 205, COMM 293, COMM 294, COMM 295, COMM 296, COMM 298. 

12 All courses must eventually be completed to fulfill BCom degree requirements.

 

Year 3
All of the following courses:
COMM 20213Career Fundamentals 1
COMM 39014Business Writing3
COMM 39415Environment, Society, and Government3
COMM 39516 Business Communications 3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
One of COMM 204 and COMM 39317:
COMM 20418Logistics and Operations Management3
COMM 393Commercial Law3
12 credits of electives1912
Total credits30
13 If COMM 202 not completed in Year 1 or 2.
14 You must attain a minimum of 60% or a 'C' in your Business Writing course. Starting in 2023 Summer, COMM 390 Business Writing will be replaced by COMM 396 Business Communications II.
15 Formerly named Government and Business. Name change effective 2021W.
16 Formerly numbered COMM 486U.
17 Remaining course is taken in Year 4.
18 Formerly numbered COMM 399.
19 See electives page for requirements and restrictions.

 

Continuation in the BCom program

A winter session average of ≥60% based on all courses attempted from September to April is required to continue in the program at all year levels. This is a weighted average, taking course credit values into consideration, and does include any failing grades. If you participate in a study abroad and exchange program during the winter session, grades earned on exchange will be included in the calculation. 

If your winter session average falls below 60%, you will be considered to have failed the year and will be required to discontinue your studies at UBC for a period of at least one year. Decimals are not rounded (i.e., a winter session average of 59.9% would be a failed year). Courses taken during the summer session (May to August) are not included in the winter session average.

 

Promotion to Year 4

To be promoted to Year 4, you must have completed 72 credits including all Year 1 and 2 requirements, two option core courses (6 credits), and at least two19 of COMM 390 or 396 (a minimum of 60% must be attained in COMM 390/396), COMM 393, COMM 394, COMM 395.  

Year 4
One of COMM 204 and COMM 39320:
COMM 204Logistics and Operations Management3
COMM 393Commercial Law3
One of the following capstone courses:
COMM 46621New Venture Design6
COMM 48321Leadership and General Management6
COMM 486MStrategy and Integrated Decision Making3
COMM 491Strategic Management3
COMM 492Management Simulation3
COMM 497New Enterprise Development3
COMM 498International Business Management3
All of the following courses:
Option CoreRequired course for option3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
Option CoreRequired course for option3
15 credits of electives2215
Total credits30
20 Complete course not taken in Year 3.
21 Admission to COMM 466 and COMM 483 are by application only. Three of the six credits from COMM 466 or COMM 483 may be used to satisfy the capstone requirement. Note, you may receive credit for only one of COMM 466 and COMM 497.
22 See electives page for requirements and restrictions.
Graduation

Once you have fulfilled your BCom degree requirements, it’s time to apply to graduate. Note that if you achieve a winter session average below 60% in your final year, you will be permitted to graduate, however, a notation of ‘Failed Year’ will appear on your academic transcript for that session. 

 

Continuation in the BCom program

If you have not completed all of your requirements for graduation, you may still continue in the next winter session, remaining in Year 4, provided your winter session average is greater than or equal to 60% on all courses attempted from September to April. You must achieve the minimum 60% continuation requirement by the end of the current winter session in April. When planning your studies, keep in mind that you must complete all of your degree requirements within six years of entering the program to be conferred a Bachelor of Commerce from UBC.


Hide Menu

Explore myBCom