What is a Bachelor of Commerce [B. Com]?

Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com) is a 3-year undergraduate degree program that focuses on various aspects of commerce and business. It is one of the most popular undergraduate courses in India and is offered by most universities and colleges. B. Com covers a wide range of topics in commerce, including accounting, economics, business law, management, and finance. The program may also offer specializations or elective courses in areas such as international business, entrepreneurship, banking and finance.

B. Com is your gateway to a world of opportunities, financial acumen, and a versatile skill set that opens doors to a wide range of career paths. Upon completing a B. Com degree, graduates can pursue various career paths in business, finance, accounting, marketing, or related fields. Some may choose to continue their education by pursuing a master’s degree (an MBA or M. Com) for further career advancement.

In this blog, we will discuss all aspects of the B. Com course, including eligibility criteria, fees, syllabus, career prospects and benefits.

B. Com Course: Highlights

The B. Com course is a well-rounded and versatile program. The undergraduate degree program provides students with a broad understanding of business and commerce. The program curriculum covers a wide range of business and commerce topics, giving students a strong foundation in the field. In addition to a strong foundation in the fundamentals of business, the B. Com course opens up a wide range of career opportunities. Here are some of the highlights of the B. Com course:

B. Com Course Duration

For B. Com course duration is typically 3 years, divided into 6 semesters. However, some institutions offer a 4-year B. Com. course that includes an internship year.

B. Com. Course Eligibility Criteria

Not everyone is eligible to do B.Com. You need to clear certain eligibility criteria that you need to fit into. These are the following criteria:

• You need to have passed the 12th standard in the commerce stream
• 12th standard graduates from other streams may also apply based on the discretion of the university and institution.
• Colleges have cut-off percentages. You need to have scored more or equal to the cut-off percentage. Only then can you get admission. Colleges keep reducing cut-off percentages till seats get full.
• Private colleges can grant direct admission irrespective of the candidate’s percentage.

B.Com. Admission Process

India has many top universities in the country, but each of them has different admission procedures. However, these procedures are not too different from each other when it comes to admission for the B.Com. degree course.

The following is the common admission procedure you will have to go through for the B. Com course:

• After passing your 12th standard, you have to fill out the university forms available on the university website.
• Fill out the form in which you can provide a list of preferred institutions.
• With the form, you have to attach a digital copy of your 12th standards mark sheet and pay the required online fees.
• Based on your 12th score and preferred colleges, you will be granted admission.
• On the rare occasion, you don’t get admission into the college of your choice, you can wait till the university admission procedures are over and approach for direct admission.

Some universities may have a different admission procedure, but it will not differ much from the procedure stated above.

B.Com. Course Fees

The B.Com. course fees vary depending on the institution and the location. However, the fees for the B.Com. courses are generally affordable.

In India, the average course fees for a (B. Com course vary between INR 10,000 and INR 1,00,000. However, some institutions also offer scholarships and financial aid to students who meet the eligibility criteria.

B.Com. Subjects

B.Com. subjects in most universities are the same. The subjects will give you an idea of what to expect in the degree, and prepare accordingly. The following are the subjects in the B.Com. degree course. These subjects are common throughout the 3 years of the course. Other subjects and specializations get added on each year.

Common Subjects

• Accountancy
• Financial Accounting
• Office and Secretarial Practice
• Mathematics
• Business Economics
• Business Studies
• Bookkeeping
• Cost Accountancy
• Environmental Studies
• Business Law
• Marketing Management
• Business Management
• Business Computing
• Quantitative Methods

1st Year

2nd Year

3rd Year

*Note: – The curriculum subjects can differ from one institution to another.

Salary after B. Com Course in India

Source: https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Degree=Bachelor_of_Commerce_(BCom)/Salary

There are many factors that decide your salary after graduating from B.Com. – factors like the company you land a job in, industry, the economic situation in the country, additional courses and certifications, and further studies. Currently, a B. Com graduate can expect a starting salary in the range of INR 10,000 to INR 25,000. Promotions, increments, and job changes will only improve your salary figures.

The salary of a B. Com graduate varies depending on the industry, experience, skills and location. However, according to PayScale, the average salary for a B. Com graduate in India is Rs. 4.5 lakhs per annum.

List of B. Com Specializations

During your 3 years of education in B.Com., you can choose specializations. These specializations are the deciding factors for your future career. Information on them will help you make up your mind in advance.

Here is the B.Com. specialization list:

• B.Com. in Law
• B.Com. in Accounts & Finance
• B.Com. in Economics
• B.Com. in Marketing
• B.Com. in Tourism & Travel Management
• B.Com. Honours
• B.Com. in Banking & Insurance
• B.Com. in Taxation
• B.Com. in Human Resources
• B.Com. in Financial Management

These specializations open doors to excellent careers in the fields they are related to. These specializations also ensure graduates get good salaries and benefits. You can also think of doing professional degrees like Chartered Accountancy and Company Secretary. Many B.Com. graduates do these courses.

B.Com. Scope in India

A B. Com degree in India offers an extensive scope for graduates. It equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in various professional domains. Graduates can excel in finance, accounting, and auditing roles, pursuing further qualifications like CA, CMA, or CS, which are highly regarded in the industry.

They can also enter the banking and financial services sector, working as financial advisors, investment bankers, or loan officers. Alternatively, they can explore entrepreneurial ventures, serve in government roles, engage in consulting, enter the education sector, or contribute to the non-profit and social sectors.

With the e-commerce boom, there are growing prospects in trade, logistics, and retail management. Overall, the program opens doors to a diverse array of career pathways, making it a highly valuable and versatile choice for Indian students.

Career or Jobs Opportunities after B. Com Course

Before deciding to do B.Com., you have to know what jobs and careers become available to you. This will help you decide the subjects and specializations to choose and further motivate you to do well in your course.

Here, we present the career job opportunities accessible to B. Com graduates in India:

1. Accountants

After specialising in accounting subjects, you can become an accountant and land a good job. Many companies are in constant need of good accountants and they also pay well.

2. Banker

Many commerce students aim for banking jobs. These are some of the cushiest jobs that have excellent pay and benefits. Banking jobs also have a lot of job security.

3. Office Administrators

Office administrators are the ones in charge of running an office. They have many important roles and responsibilities. They are also in charge of managing the petty cash and the

4. Marketing Executives 

Owing to a B.Com. graduate’s knowledge of products, services, finance, accounting, and marketing, they do well in the field of marketing. Marketing jobs also come with additional perks like sales commissions.

5. Insurance Brokers 

Insurance is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. Many B.Com. graduates find stable careers in this industry. Insurance brokers have high earning potential.

How to Choose the Top B. Com College In India

To get the most out of your B.Com. degree course, do it from the right college. This will result in you getting a high-quality education and opportunities to make a successful career. Here are some parameters that will help you to choose the top B.Com. college.

1. Affiliations

Find out which university the college is affiliated to. If the university is government-approved and reputable, you can be confident that the college is a top college. Also, look for affiliations with other institutions and organisations.

2. Reputation

Top colleges quickly gain a reputation, and they are famous in the city and state they are located. You will not have to work hard to check out the reputation of the college.

3. Faculty

One of the most important parameters to judge a college by is the quality of the faculty. Most B.Com. courses are good, but if they are not taught by good teachers, what’s the point? Faculty information is always present on the college’s website.

4. Reviews & Ratings 

There are many honest websites that provide accurate reviews and ratings. You can check those out, you can also contact alumni networks to get their opinion on the college.

5. Placements 

Top colleges tend to have the best companies come to them for placements. There are many colleges that give 100% placements, but you have to take note of the companies that come for campus placement.

Look for these parameters and you will find the best B.Com. college for yourself.

Top Companies Hiring B. Com Graduates

Companies also become big motivating factors for students to choose B.Com. and do well in the course. Here are the top companies hiring B.Com. graduates: –

1. ICICI

India’s largest private bank is always on the lookout for new talent. They hire quite a few B.Com. each year.

2. HDFC

HDFC is quickly expanding into other areas of business and is in expansion mode. They also hire a lot of B.Com. graduates.

3. PwC – 

Though PriceWaterhouseCooper is based in London, this professional services company has big plans for India and is hiring a lot of B.Com. graduates.

4. LIC

The national insurance provider is one of the most profitable companies in the country. B.Com. graduates can find clerical, executive, and agent careers here.

5. SBI

The biggest nationalised bank in the country is a dream place to work for many. They have taken over many banks and need B.Com. graduates for further expansion.

Benefits of Doing B. Com Course

1. Professional Course

The B.Com. course is a professional course aimed at giving students an opportunity to start their careers trite after graduation. Even all the subjects and specializations are related to business and industry.

2. Stepping Stone for Higher Education

One of the biggest reasons why students choose B.Com. is that they can use the knowledge gained in the degree of higher education. MBA, PGDM, MMS, CA, and CS are some of the postgraduate courses for B.Com. graduates.

3. Many Jobs & Industries to Choose From

Commerce is pretty much an integral part of every industry, so B.Com. graduates can find a job anywhere. They have the luxury to choose which industry they want to work in.

4. Entrepreneurship Opportunities

In the B.Com. degree course, students learn everything about starting a business. Many B.Com. graduates take the plunge into entrepreneurship and find success.

5. Financial Security

B.Com. graduates get decent starting pay and go on to earn more. Their job is also quite secure in most industries, so the factor of financial security is considered to be a huge benefit.

Difference Between B.Com. and B.Com. (Hons)

B.Com. (Hons) is another popular form of B.Com. But there are a few fundamental differences between the two. B.Com. has more general subjects whereas B.Com. (Hons) has a wider choice of specialised subjects. B.Com. is more commerce and job-oriented whereas a B.Com. (Hons) is more business-oriented.

Both degrees are also good for students wanting higher education. B.Com. is more suited to an MBA and PGDM while a B.Com. (Hons) is more suited for CA and CS. Students can definitely consider both these degrees for excellent careers.

Other Related Courses

There are other courses as well that are related to B.Com. It is important to know about these courses as well before choosing B.Com. to have an idea of the education options available. The related courses are: –

• BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
• BBM (Bachelor of Business Management)
• BMS (Bachelor of Management Studies)
• BBS (Bachelor of Business Studies)
• BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application)

Many students choose these courses as well, as they are business and commerce-related just like B.Com. But these courses are a lot more expensive to pursue.

Required Skills for B.Com. Course

There are some skills required to do well in B.Com. They will help you excel in the course. Here are the required skills: –

• Communication Skills – Communication skills are important because during the course, and in your career, you will be working with many people.
• Accounting Skills – Accounting is one of the main subjects in B.Com. It plays a huge role in the marks you score, the careers you get, and the salary you earn.
• Presentation Skills – Most modern B.Com. courses need this skill. You will be presenting assignments in your course, and even in your career.
• Management Skills – Many B.Com. graduates go on to become managers. So, if you have good management skills, you can go far in your career.
• Well Informed – B.Com. students need to have good knowledge of the economy and current affairs as this knowledge is tested in the B.Com. course.

Even if you don’t have these skills, you can work on and develop them.

Conclusion

B.Com. is the right course to pursue if you want to work in the ever-growing commerce industry of the country. There are many careers you can pursue, and most of these careers come with good salaries and benefits. But the most important thing to know is that you have to do the B.Com. course from the right college. So, invest some time in searching for a good college and get on the fast track for a good career.

ASM’s CSIT (College of Commerce Science & Information Technology) is the best place to pursue B.Com. This college is located in Pune, a city known for its high-quality education. It is also affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University which is one of the best universities in Asia. get in touch with the college’s counsellors or fill out the enquiry form on their website. They will get in touch and you can get all the info about their B.Com. degree course.