Pros and Cons of a Bachelor of Business at RMIT University

So, you know what it’s like studying a Bachelor of Business at RMIT University. Now, you’re probably wondering if it’s the right choice for you. 

To help you make that decision, we’ve talked to Marsha, a third-year Bachelor of Business (Professional Accountancy) student at RMIT University. We’ve picked her brain to find out all about the pros and cons of this degree, future career paths and more.

Let’s dive in!

Why should you study a Bachelor of Business at RMIT?

If you’re interested in all things business-related, a Bachelor of Business at RMIT is a great opportunity to learn a range of important skills and theoretical knowledge while gaining awesome hands-on experience!

Top 3 Pros of a Business degree

#1: It helps you gain work experience and build industry connections

One of the best things about studying a Business degree at RMIT University is its focus on work-integrated learning.

For a three-year Bachelor of Business, RMIT gives you an opportunity to choose business internships through your elective units. Alternatively, RMIT also offers ‘Applied’ majors that incorporate an extra year of full-time work experience!

You’ll also have heaps of networking events, professional development activities and career mentoring opportunities throughout your degree which will build your connections and networks within the business industry. 

#2: The university culture

While studying a Business degree at RMIT, the uni culture such as all the clubs and societies on offer are some of the best parts of studying at RMIT.

Getting involved in a club or society, especially the RMIT Business Student Association (BSA), is a great way to gain memorable experiences during your degree! It’s not only helping you build networks and gain professional skills but also helping you connect with like-minded people and participate in fun social events.

“For me personally, in my last 2 years in the committee [RMIT Business Student Association] as Event Coordinator and now Treasurer, it has given me the opportunity to engage and connect with fellow business students through various events as well as develop my knowledge and skills of the professional industry to be prepared when seeking employment and entering the workplace,” said Marsha. 

#3: The workload is usually doable! 

The teaching hours for each subject, including lectures and tutorials, typically add up to around 12 contact hours per week if you’re studying full-time.

Marsha told us she’s found these teaching hours and the overall structure of the degree very doable! This will help you balance learning content, working on assessments and any part-time jobs and/or extracurricular activities you’re involved in. 

Top 3 Cons of a Business degree

#1: There are a lot of group assignments

A Bachelor of Business at RMIT has a lot of frequent group assessments throughout your degree and while this does teach you a range of skills in relation to communication, cooperation and working in teams, it doesn’t mean it’s easy!

Marsha described that “balancing how to work with other people” can be quite challenging and sometimes stressful which is certainly a con of studying a Business degree at RMIT. 

#2: You have to pick your major before you start your degree

One of the worst parts of a Business degree at RMIT is that you’re required to choose your major before starting your degree. “You’re going in with a major already chosen whilst at other unis you come out with your major when you complete the degree,” said Marsha. 

This can be tricky because during your degree you might feel like the major you chose wasn’t the perfect choice for you. For example, maybe you originally choose to major in International Business after studying your first-year Business core units, you might find that the major you’re actually interested in is Marketing!

#3: It goes by quickly!

You’ll find that your Business degree at RMIT will fly past, even if you’re doing a four-year ‘Applied’ major! As you near the end of your degree, you might sit there wondering where the time went and regret any missed opportunities. 

“Especially with COVID… I’ve missed out on the opportunity to go to uni events, socials and balls with my friends who are graduating soon. At least I went to our uni ball in my first year, but I know some of my friends didn’t get a chance to go at all,” said Marsha.  

Any regrets? 

Marsha finds that she regrets not getting involved in all the events, activities and opportunities that university has to offer in her first-year.

“I regret not joining a student committee earlier on and being more involved in my first year. Despite attending a few events in my first year, I wish I was more involved in uni life such as joining a student club,” she said. 

So, remember to jump right into uni activities and make the most of your first year!

What do you wish you had known before starting a Bachelor of Business at RMIT? 

Before starting a Bachelor of Business at RMIT, Marsha recommends keeping in mind that university is a lot more self-directed than high school! 

“You have to find your own way of doing things, you’ve got to be on top of things yourself, have your own plan for when things are due…also just balancing your life more — the social, uni and work all together,” said Marsha. 

What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities? 

“I think we’re one of the only unis that has a more practical Bachelor of Business,” said Marsha. The hands-on experience and industry connections you gain before graduating are super valuable in the workforce!  

“There’s always some sort of work-integrated learning opportunity integrated in your degree,” she added. 

What inspired you to choose a Bachelor of Business at RMIT?

Something that motivated Marsha to choose a Bachelor of Business at RMIT is the ‘Applied’ majors offered by the university. The opportunity to gain an entire year of full-time work experience during your degree really stood out for her. 

She was also inspired by the fact that RMIT was located in the city and was a little far from her high school zone. She hoped this would help her step out of her comfort zone. Looking back on her time at RMIT so far, she thinks it certainly did!

“I went to a school that was in between two other unis and by Year 12 I kind of wanted to break out of my school crowd and I thought RMIT was in the city so it would get students from everywhere. Being in the city, I knew it would be more linked to industry connections,” said Marsha. 

What are the possible career paths?

Studying a Bachelor of Business at RMIT University can take you anywhere within the world of business! Here are some of the career paths you could choose: 

Maitreyi Kulkarni is a Content Writer at Art of Smart Education and is currently studying a Bachelor of Media and Communications (Public Relations and Social Media) at Macquarie University. She loves writing just about anything from articles to poetry, and has also had one of her articles published with the ABC. When she’s not writing up a storm, she can be found reading, bingeing sitcoms, or playing the guitar.