Regardless of your program, Commerce or Integrated Business and Humanities, you will graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree. A BCom and a BBA are both undergraduate degrees in the field of business and management, covering the same foundational business courses.

For our Commerce program, you are required to complete both Functions and Calculus and Vectors Grade 12 U level math, as well as Grade 12 U level English. These courses are included in your admission average along with your next top three best grade 12 M or U level grades. For our Integrated Business and Humanities program, you are required to complete both Functions and Calculus and Vectors Grade 12 U level math, as well as Grade 12 U level English. These courses are included in your admission average along with your next top three best grade 12 M or U level grades.

The anticipated admission average for the Commerce program is in the high 80s. The anticipated admission average for the Integrated Business and Humanities program is between 88 and 92%, with heavy influence from the supplementary application.

The final deadline to complete is February 3, 2025.

The Integrated Business and Humanities program has a mandatory supplemental application. After you apply, you will be sent a link to record required video responses to interview questions using an online portal. These responses enable us to learn more about you and assess your fit with the IBH program and community.

The Commerce program has an optional supplemental application. When you apply, we consider more than your academic achievements. To strengthen your application and help us award scholarships of up to $10,000, complete the written Supplementary Application and tell us more about you, your life and your interests.

If you take specific courses in your first year, and perform well, you are able to transfer into level II of the Business Program. Details are on the Business website. We recommend you apply to other McMaster faculties besides business. You should contact the Student Experience team before selecting your Level I courses and identify yourself as a hopeful transfer. Students who want to transfer into IBH will have to apply for a Level I transfer and will not retain transfer credits.

Use the Future Students cost estimator to give you a sense of your costs for attending. Please note that the fees shown are unofficial estimates for the school year and are subject to change.

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DeGroote offers great flexibility.

During your time at DeGroote, you may pursue many (or all) of the opportunities below;

• Complete your degree
• Complete requirements for professional designations (CPA, CFA, CFP, and CHRP)
• Gain paid work experience through the internship program
• Explore the world on exchange
• Complete the coursework necessary to enter the Accelerated MBA
• Build and develop a lifelong network of future business leaders

Experiential Learning

• Continued focus on “co-curricular” activities that reinforce and enhance what is being learned in the classroom
• >50% of upper-year courses have a “real-world” component
  • Working with real businesses to provide recommendations for a business problem presented to the students
  • Hosting industry experts for workshops and lectures
  • Providing course credit for independent student initiatives

Engaged students and collaborative culture

• DeGroote culture is collaborative rather than competitive
• More than 300 student clubs and student-led activities

GR0 Program

• Complementing our business curriculum, the GR0 program equips you with vital skills such as creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration throughout each year of your program.
• Starting in the first year, you are introduced to the various supports available during your time at DeGroote and strategies for academic success, ensuring a successful transition to university and success in the Commerce program.
• Each year of the program features a unique learning activity that is supported by career development opportunities, digital literacy training, and leadership skills development in an equitable and inclusive environment

The Integrated Business and Humanities (IBH) program blends traditional business education with the critical thinking and communication skills of the Humanities.

This unique learning environment is characterized by a small cohort- based program, interdisciplinary coursework, and variety of learning opportunities via coursework and intensely experiential activities. 

Yes. Both Commerce and IBH students can partake in internship programs.

Internship work terms are with one company for the entire duration. Longer work terms (vs. a shorter 4 month) allow you to engage in more significant projects which help build your skills and resume. Students elect to extend their graduation by one full year and must be eligible to participate.

While compensation varies, the average annual internship salary for 2023/2024 was $45,479.

Students in Commerce or the IBH program do not select a major. Students in the Commerce program have non-Commerce electives throughout their first two years but must take all of the foundational Business courses before choosing to focus on an Area of Focus or can continue to study business broadly. IBH students begin to choose their Commerce electives at Level III. 

In the first year, you will take Accounting, Human Resources, Marketing, Data Analytics, Economics, Math, and electives from other faculties. The core commerce content is essentially the same as the IBH program, but it includes a focus on the humanities in addition to business.

By the end of second year, you will be exposed to all areas of Business; Accounting, Human Resources, Finance, Marketing, Information Systems, and Operations.

Courses in the Commerce program can help you meet the requirements for various professional designations. Examples of designations and how you can work toward them in the Commerce program can be found here.

Learn more about the DeGroote School of Business by corresponding with our undergraduate ambassadors to find out about both of our programs, career and professional development.

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