Bachelor of Electronic Commerce

The BECom was New Zealand’s first electronic commerce degree, and Waikato Management School is recognised as a world leader in providing this specialist qualification.

BECom Benefits

• Uniquely blends computer science and management.
• Encourages entrepreneurship.
• Industry work experience.
• Option of BECom Honours Degree.
• Overseas exchanges available.

Business firms in New Zealand and around the world have reported a growing shortage of prospective employees who have a solid mix of business and management education, combined with skills and hands-on experience in applying electronic commerce technologies to today’s internet-driven business environment. The three-year Bachelor of Electronic Commerce (BECom) aims to provide this in-demand mix of management and technology skills in its graduates.

Applying electronic commerce technologies to the redevelopment of existing business processes requires more than just a basic acquaintance with computers. There are new business models emerging that will revolutionise how organisations interact with their key customers and suppliers through the use of the web and the internet, to transfer and process business transactions, but also to develop electronically enabled relationships and support human interaction. Electronic commerce is far more than building web pages: it touches the fundamental functions of every business organisation. Employers need people, with a BECom on their CV, who can contribute to the radical changes that will be needed in the coming years as organisations become more closely tied to internet processes.

Majors

• Accounting
• Applied Computing
• Electronic Business
• Management Communication
• Marketing
• Public Relations
• Strategic Management
• Supply Chain Management
  

A second major can also be selected from the majors offered by Waikato Management School and other Schools of Studies. Please consult with a Management Student Centre Adviser to see how this can fit into your programme.

Entry Requirements

You will be eligible to apply for this degree if you have University Entrance and meet any additional requirements for the qualification. All other applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students are required to have 14 credits at Level 3 in NCEA English or Te Reo Māori or History (including Achievement Standard 90658) or Classical Studies (including Achievement Standard 90513), or they will be required to take certain prerequisite papers in their first year of study.

BECom Career Opportunities

• Business Analyst
• Commercial and Investment Banker
• Communications Manager
• E-commerce Marketing Consultant
• E-commerce Project
• Financial Analyst Manager
• Internet Database Designer
• Logistics Manager
• Operations Manager
• Project Manager

Specialisations

A specialisation is similar to a major in that it is a group of papers in a specific subject area, though it usually requires fewer papers than a major. It is optional whether to take a specialisation.

You may choose to specialise in: Management Education Abroad, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish or Te Reo Māori.

Practical Experience

One of the attributes of the BECom is the ability to take two Industry Experience papers as part of your programme. These papers allow you to spend time in a host organisation, working alongside other employees, as well as interacting with other classmates through online discussions. These industry experience papers help you try out an industry or a job in a hands-on way, which is of great value in helping you decide on your final year papers and future career direction

Scholarships

The Brian Perry Charitable Trust Business Management Scholarship, The Brian Smith Memorial Entrance Scholarship, The Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship.

For more information, visit www.waikato.ac.nz/scholarships

Degree Structure

3 years - 360 points

* Students doing a 2nd major will need to take a 200 level major paper in place of a Year 1, 100 level elective paper

Candidates must demonstrate competency in computing and in writing, as prescribed in the Waikato Management School Student Handbook and undertake an Employment Skills module toward the end of the degree.