Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management

This double degree pairs a Bachelor of Commerce with a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management at the University of Notre Dame Australia. You graduate with two qualifications in four years of full-time study. The commerce side covers accounting, finance, economics, marketing and management. The sport and recreation side looks at how sport organisations are run: community clubs, fitness businesses, professional franchises, government recreation departments and event operations. You study both sides at once, so you learn how money, strategy and people management work in a sporting context.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are made up of units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You need a certain total to graduate, and the double degree spreads that across four years. Most universities run two semesters a year, with an optional summer or winter term. Notre Dame Australia is based in Fremantle, Sydney and Broome, and the sport and recreation side may include practical work in community or school settings. Some units may be delivered online or in intensive blocks. The exact sequence of units and any placement requirements are set out in the official course structure, so check the university's page before you plan your enrolment.

What you actually learn

You will not just sit in lectures. Commerce units teach you how to read a balance sheet, build a budget, understand consumer behaviour and write a business case. Sport and recreation units cover facility management, sports law, event planning, marketing sport to fans and participants, and the role of government in recreation. You also look at how sport contributes to community health and social outcomes. Assessment is a mix of exams, reports, group projects and presentations. Some units may involve working with a real club or council on a project, which is how many students build their first industry contacts.

Who this suits

This degree suits someone who loves sport but does not want to be limited to coaching or physiotherapy. You might want to run a club, manage a gym, work in sponsorship or events, or move into sports administration. It also suits students who are good with numbers and people, and who want a business degree with a clear industry focus. The commerce half keeps your options open, you can work in general business roles too. English requirements for international applicants are set by the university; the common standard for undergraduate courses is IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall, with higher scores for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced are accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa. International students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after graduating. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Confirm all details on the official University of Notre Dame Australia page.

• Sports administrator or club manager in community, state or national sporting organisations
• Event coordinator for sports events, tournaments or recreation programmes
• Marketing or sponsorship coordinator for sports teams, brands or agencies
• Facility manager for stadiums, leisure centres, gyms or council recreation sites
• Business development or operations roles in fitness and recreation businesses
• Accountant, financial analyst or management consultant in sport-related organisations
• Government roles in sport and recreation policy, planning or community health
• Pathways into sports management, marketing or event management postgraduate study

Australian industries that hire these graduates include professional sport franchises, community sport associations, local and state government recreation departments, fitness chains, event management companies, sports marketing agencies and not-for-profit organisations focused on physical activity and health.