Program Structure

The Honours Bachelor of Commerce program (BCom) allows you to build a solid foundation in the key fields of business. You can choose to focus on one or two business options, pursue a business option and a minor in another faculty, combine a microprogram with your business option, or complete a specialization (Accounting).

The BCom starts with common core courses in marketing, financial management, organizational behaviour, and more, allowing you to understand each key business field. Program courses follow a logical sequence that enables you to build your foundational business knowledge and become a specialist in your field.

You can also take advantage of many experiential learning opportunities that prepare you to create a better Canada and a better world.

Choose your Program Structure

The Honours BCom is a customizable program that lets you choose a program structure that aligns with your career goals. Complete your Honours BCom with one of the following program structures, for a total of 120 units (40 courses):

  • One option: One business option, business electives, out-of-faculty electives, and free electives.
  • Two options: Two business options (for instance, Finance and Marketing), and electives.
  • Option + minor: One business option and a minor (in another faculty).
  • One specialization: The Specialization in Accounting and electives.
  • One option + microprogram: One business option and a microprogram

Available business options, double degrees, and specializations:

Options:

Microprograms:

Double degree:

Program Structure

The basic BCom structure that your program is built on is as follows:

Basic structure
Course type Number of Courses Units
Common core 21 63
BCom option 6 18
BCom elective 3 9
Out-of-faculty elective 5 15
Free elective 5 15

Note: The BCom / Juris Doctor double degree requires 62 total courses (183 units): 29 courses (87 units) in Common Law and 32 courses (96 units) at the Telfer School of Management.

The course sequence still includes 6 courses (18 units) of ADM electives and 2 courses (6 units) of out-of-faculty (non-business and non-law) electives, but you add 3 courses (9 units) of free electives.

Course Type Definitions

Common core: Mandatory courses you take to meet your BCom degree requirements.

BCom option: Courses for the mandatory units you need to meet the requirements of the option you choose. You take a specified set of courses based on your option.

BCom elective: ADM courses you can take if you meet the prerequisites.

Out-of-faculty elective: Non-ADM courses (offered by a faculty other than the Telfer School of Management) for which you meet the prerequisites.

Free elective: Other courses (at the Telfer School of Management or another faculty) for which you meet the prerequisites.

Building your Course Sequence

View each course sequence breakdown based on your chosen program structure.

See our video and other resources on building your course sequence.

Use your 6 BCom option courses (18 units) toward your chosen business option. The remaining units include business electives, out-of-faculty electives, and free electives.

one option
Course Type Number of Courses Units
Common core 21 63
BCom option 6 18
Bcom Elective 3 9
Out-of-faculty elective 5 15
Free elective 3 9

Exception: The option in International Management includes 3 courses (15 units) of out-of-faculty electives, and 3 courses (9 units) of free electives due to the mandatory international exchange, which is equivalent to 5 courses (15 units). 

Use your BCom electives and free electives toward your second BCom option. 

one option
Course Type Number of Courses Units
Common core 21 63
BCom option 1 6 18
Out-of-faculty elective 5 15
Free elective 2 6
BCom option 2 6 18

Use your free electives and out-of-faculty electives toward an out-of-faculty minor.

one option
Course Type Number of Courses Units
Common core 21 63
BCom option 6 18
BCom elective 3 9
Minor 10 30

Use your BCom elective courses to complete the ADM courses and your out-of-faculty and/or free electives to complete the remaining courses in the microprogram. For example, if you’re enrolled in the Business Technology Management option and the Microprogram Business and Sports Analytics, complete three ADM courses in the microprogram as part of your BCom option courses.

one option
Course Type Number of Courses Units
Common core 21 63
BCom option 6 18
Microprogram 4 - 7 12 - 21
Out-of-faculty elective
and/or free elective 		6 - 9 18 - 27

The specialization in Accounting requires 12 business courses (36 units), which leaves 1 out-of-faculty elective course (3 units) and 3 free elective courses (9 units).

one option
Course Type Number of Courses Units
Common core 21 63
Specialization 15 45
Out-of-faculty elective 1 3
Free elective 3 9

This is a course sequence for BCom students taking English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. You need to take ESL courses as electives if shown in the results of an English language test administered at the beginning of your first term.

Mandatory Course Sequence - BCom with English as a Second Language courses as elective_2024

Making Changes to Your Program 

You can change your program before the end of second year, between March 1 and June 1. If you wish to make changes, contact the Student Services Centre.