Undergraduate program is the first stepping stone of your professional journey. If it is placed correctly, the rest of the journey will be in the right direction as well. This is the reason why this decision is so critical and important. Many of us get overwhelmed by the choices we have and pick the wrong undergrad program resulting in wastage of time and resources.
If you are a commerce student, there are two prominent and popular options available for you. One is the Bachelors of Commerce or commonly known as BCOM and the second is the Bachelors of the Business Administration BBA. Now the difficult part comes, which is more suitable for you?
To find the right answer, let us look closely into the topic and understand the differences between BBA and BCom. We will also try to understand which degree is better suited to you as per your career goals and ambitions. In many cases, BBA might give you that extra advantage in the ever-competitive Job market.
What are the BCom and BBA Degrees ?
Both BCom and BBA are undergraduate degrees that take three years to complete. They are ideal for students who want to have careers in Commerce, Management, and business. But the similarity ends just there. The curriculum and the aim of both of these programs have stark differences.
What is a BCom?
A BCom is a base of a strong foundation in commerce-related subjects such as Finance, Accounting, Economics, and Taxation. These courses are designed to suit career paths for students who want to specialize in Banking, Economics, and Finance.
What is a BBA?
BBA is a program that develops the base for a broader spectrum of business and management careers. These programs also include subjects like finance and accounting but from the view of business and management. Other subjects include marketing, Human resources, Entrepreneurship, and organizational behavior. BBA builds the base for career in leadership roles in business management.
BBA vs BCom: Key Differences
1. Focus of Curriculum:
- BCom is more about the technicalities and skills needed for the fields of Finance, Economics, and Accounting
- BBA offers a vast and diverse curriculum options more focused on Business management, Strategic thinking, leadership skills. The course also focuses on how to navigate real-world business scenarios.
2. Developing Skill Set:
- BCom students are taught to develop sharp data analytical and mathematical skills, which are high in demand and are valuable in the accounting and Finance related careers.
- BBA on the other hand is more focused on teaching students the range of skills needed for managing business. These include; management skills, problem solving skills, strategic thinking and planning, and leadership.
3. Career Routes:
- BCom opens career ways in professions that require technical knowledge and understanding of Financial principals. These careers include Accounting, Finance, Banking, and audit & taxation.
- BBA graduates have a wide range to pick from when it comes to picking a career. They can go into pretty much every field related to business management and leadership. Their options include, HR, Operations, Management, Finance, and Entrepreneurship.
4. Entrepreneurship:
- BBA teaches students how to be a good leader. They are given entrepreneurial training, practical learning through case studies, and leadership challenges, covering all aspects of business whether you are planning on a career or want to start your business.
- BCom builds a very strong and solid foundation in Commerce and Finance but does not include the management or entrepreneurship the way BBA does.
5. Advanced Studies:
- Most of the BCom students go for higher education and advance programs like the Chartered Accountancy, MCom, and Company Secretary.
- BBA students usually go for an MBA to further enhance academics and learn high Management Skills. This further opens high-level management positions and earning potential for them.
BBA or BCom: Which is Better?
Choosing your undergrad program is a big decision as it is the milestone of your lifelong career. While making the decision, keep in mind your ambitions, interests, and the career path you want to pursue. Let us now discuss these factors one by one to understand what factors you should consider while making this life changing decision.
Career Adaptability
If we compare the two programs, BBA is undoubtedly the more flexible career option of the two. BCom graduates are mostly recruited in the Finance, Banking, and Accounting sectors. BBA graduates on the other hand have a lot to choose from. From marketing to finance, and from HR to operations, they can pick any career in business management.
As per LinkedIn statistics, Approximately 57% of BBA grads work in managerial and leadership positions within the first five years of graduation.
Industry Demand
Business management opportunities have increased in the past decade. Because of new startups and growth of companies, business managers are high in demand. According to the report by the Bureau of Labour Statistics, an estimated increase of 5% from 2023 – 2032 is expected in Management jobs. This hike will create about 505,000 new jobs in business fields such as marketing, HR, and operations. This gives BBA graduates a competitive edge over others in hireability and job readiness.
Skill Development for the Future
Today’s business environment is very dynamic with cut throat competition and high stakes. Companies prefer to hire professionals who are trained and able to manage teams and resources and make strategies for the changing marketing conditions. BBA develops these skills in professionals to enable them to take up challenges that are needed to succeed in business management and leadership roles.
Peter Drucker, a renowned management consultant, said, “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”
Why is BBA a Better Option ?
If you still can’t decide about which of the two options is for you, let us see why BBA is the right choice for you:
1. In depth Business Knowledge:
BBA is a complete and comprehensive package for the basic business education. It is a good choice or rather the only choice for people who aspire to start their own business or want to get to the top management position in an enterprise. You will get knowledge and skills that are applicable in all industries.
2. Leadership Development:
BBA students are better prepared for managerial roles right out of college because the curriculum is focused on problem solving, Supervision, and headship. This head start is not only good for the start but also promises long-term career growth.
3. Better Networking Opportunities:
To complete your BBA program you are expected to do internships, practical assignments, projects, and industry visits. These interactions give you access to the dynamic professional network right from the beginning of your career.
4. Higher Earning Potential:
If you compare the average PayScale of the BBA and BCom professionals; BBA professionals earn approximately 10% more than their BCom counterparts within the first term of their career. That is one of the reasons why many students opt for BBA rather than BCom. The reason for this disparity is that BBA students are more attractive for employers because of the management skills and Business operations that they learnt during their program.
5. Move forward to MBA:
If you are planning to do an MBA in future, then BBA is the right program for you. It will develop the base for the MBA as all the curriculum you will be studying is taught in BBA at the basic level. This gives you an added benefit for becoming successful in MBA.
Bradford International Alliance, the perfect choice for BBA:
Bradford International Alliance, offers international BBA programs with more than ten majors. Our students can continue to do their MBA with us choosing from more than a hundred specializations as well. Brad is an award winning, higher education institution that has the honor of becoming the first member of ACBSP in the GCC region.
We are committed to high education standards that are evident in our BBA and MBA courses.
The Final Verdict: Which Course is Best, BBA or BCom?
Choosing BBA or BCom depends on your career choices. If you are interested in Finance and are considering banking and accounting the right career for you then BCom is a good choice for you. But, if you see yourself as a business owner or in managerial or executive roles in various industries, then BBA is the right choice for you.
The distinctive way forward in the dynamic world of business is acquiring the skills that match with the current skill gap of the industry. BBA provides a well rounded education to prepare you for these top tier roles that are highly in demand globally.
So, in case you are wondering which course is best, BBA or BCom? BBA is an obvious winner for those who want to grow in the corporate world.