VIU’s BBA Degree students studying outside

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Majors and Minors

Program calendar icon Program Length

  • 4 Years

Program credential icon Credential

  • Bachelor Degree

Program location icon Location Offered

  • Nanaimo

Put your plans for a career in business into action with the valuable knowledge and skills gained from Vancouver Island University’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program. Through innovative instruction and real-world research projects, students are challenged to think creatively and adapt easily to an ever-changing global environment to give them the tools necessary to become leaders in their field.

A Bachelor degree in business offers diverse career opportunities in global management, administration, and entrepreneurship. With small class sizes, available instructors, and meaningful real-world projects, graduates leave this business degree program with high-level skills and foresight giving them that competitive advantage as they climb the corporate ladder or pursue their own business goals.


The Bachelor of Business Administration Program

Business plays a major role in the structure and functioning of contemporary society. Rapid changes in technology, resource allocation, structural shifts in the economy, changes in consumer preferences, global competition, and shifts in the employment market all necessitate a better understanding of the role and nature of business in today’s society.

The BBA provides a well-rounded business education with a focus on global business operations, emerging markets, and technology-enabled organizations. Students develop an in-depth understanding of one of the business majors and learn a broad range of managerial capabilities, problem solving and communication skills. Electives allow flexibility, adaptability and creativity and prepare graduates for diverse careers in global management, administration, and entrepreneurship, as well as a range of postgraduate opportunities.

VIU’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) allows electives to improve students’ understanding of the intellectual and applied linkages between Social Sciences, Humanities and Business. Students will develop an appreciation and understanding of how to achieve organizational objectives in an often diverse and turbulent external environment. Lectures are augmented by seminars, research projects and computer simulations. Students are encouraged to take electives from the Social Sciences and Humanities.

Graduates of the former two-year Business Management diploma program will be able to enter the third year of the BBA and will receive credit for courses completed as part of their diploma.

Upon successful completion of the first two years of the BBA, students who apply will be awarded a Diploma in Business Administration.

Degree Planning

At the end of the second year, once students have completed all required first and second year courses, students need to declare their educational goals in consultation with a BBA Degree Advisor. Declaration of educational goals will indicate the student's plan to satisfy the requirements for the degree, including the options (Majors/Minors) they intend to pursue.

Common First Year

Year 1

Year 1 is a common year for all options with the BBA. Year 1 consists of 30 credits. Note: Because of prerequisite issues, students MUST follow the course sequence indicated below.

COMMON First Year For All BBA Programs

  
Year 1—Fall SemesterCredits
ACCT 100 - (Financial Accounting I)3
ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research)3
MGMT 192 - (Principles of Management)3
Six elective credits* 
(including MATH 151 for students without Mathematics 12)
6
Total Credits15

COMMON First Year For All Majors

  
Year 1—Spring SemesterCredits
ENGL 204 - (Business and Technical Writing) (effective September 2012) or,
ENGL 225 - (Business and Technical Writing) (prior to September 2012)
3
FNCE 130 - (Intro to Finance)3
MARK 160 - (Introduction to Marketing)3
MGMT 292 - (Organizational Behaviour)3
Three elective credits*3
Total Credits15

*Note: Elective credits must be chosen from outside the Faculty of Management.

Requirements for a Major

In addition to the general degree requirements listed below, all BBA students must complete at least one Major.

Years 2-4 requirements can be seen on the Bachelor of Business Administration Major pages:
 

Completion Requirements

  • Upper-Level Requirement: depending on the major selected, a minimum of 42 or 45 upper-level credits is required, with a minimum 2.0 (“C”) grade point average calculated on all upper-level courses attempted or completed. If such a course has been repeated, grades from all attempts will be included in the calculation.
  • Graduating GPA: a graduating GPA of at least 2.0 (“C”) is required.
  • General Electives: 18 elective credits must be completed from outside of Business (ie. not courses with the following prefixes - ACCT, ECON, FNCE, MARK, MGMT, QUME).
  • Second Major: Students completing a second major must have all the required courses and have completed 18 elective credits from outside of Business (ie. not courses with the following prefixes - ACCT, ECON, FNCE, MARK, MGMT, QUME).
  • A minimum of 60 credits must be completed at Vancouver Island University.

Computer Competency

Students entering the Bachelor of Business Administration program are expected to have computer skills that include the ability to create multi media presentations in Powerpoint, knowledge of database applications using Access and comprehensive understanding of word processing, spreadsheets and website navigation. Students will be expected to demonstrate these computer skills throughout the program with no further instruction. Students who DO NOT have the required computer skills should enrol in QUME 185.

For a detailed description of required computer skills refer to the Faculty of Management's Required Computer Competencies.

International Student Exchanges, Internships and Experiences

Many business career opportunities may be found working abroad or working with global organizations. Business faculty are developing experiences for students to acquire the international perspective, skills and cultural sensitivity needed to succeed in today’s business environment. These initiatives include work abroad, internships, international study, joint/double degree options and mentor programs. Ties have been developed with the South Pacific, Europe, South America and China. Interested students should discuss their objectives with faculty members early in their program.

Note: Priority will be given to students with Mathematics 12. Students without Mathematics 12 must have a minimum of a C+ in Pre-calculus 11 (or equivalent) and must upgrade with MATH 151 or MATH 065 during the first semester. If MATH 151 is required, a minimum grade of C will be needed to move forward in the BBA program.

Transfer from North Island College and Camosun College

Transfer from these business programs will be on a course-by-course basis. Transferring students will have the same status as continuing VIU Students.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $163.14 per credit) 4,894.20
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition) 195.77
Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.21 per credit) 216.30
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month) 212.72
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) 265.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year (Note: Books and supply costs vary depending on course load and course type.) 1,100.00
Notes

* The above table is based on ten 3-credit courses taken over two semesters.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (2 semesters x $10870.72 per semester) 21,741.44
Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester) 926.80
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month) 212.72
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) 265.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year (Note: Books and supply costs vary depending on course load and course type.) 1,100.00
Notes

Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.

* The above table is based on ten 3-credit courses taken over two semesters.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Business Administration program has an intake in September and in January. 

Application Fee:
$44.27
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Shirley McGregor
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Shirley.McGregor@viu.ca
Comments:

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.

 

Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Business Administration program has an intake in September and in January

Application Fee:
$44.27
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Shirley McGregor
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Shirley.McGregor@viu.ca
Comments:

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.

 

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Testing Required:
No
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Karen Cheung
Email: Study@viu.ca
Comments:

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.

Visit the Department Website

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.