Open Universities

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The Open Access Pathway for the Bachelor of Business at La Trobe University, studied through Open Universities Australia (OUA), is designed to offer flexible entry without needing a minimum ATAR or extensive prior qualifications. This means that students who may not have achieved a high ATAR score or do not have traditional academic qualifications can still pursue a Bachelor of Business degree through this pathway.

The pathway allows you to start by studying a small number of specific subjects.² These subjects are carefully selected to provide a solid foundation in business principles and practices. By successfully completing these subjects, you demonstrate your ability to handle the academic demands of the degree.

Once you successfully complete these subjects, you gain entry into the full Bachelor of Business degree and receive credit for those subjects. This means that you will not have to retake these subjects when you progress to the full degree, allowing you to save time and money. Additionally, the credit you receive will count towards your overall degree requirements, bringing you closer to graduation.

La Trobe Business Open Access Pathway Subjects

To gain entry into the Bachelor of Business degree through the Open Access Pathway, you must successfully complete two of the following four core business subjects:

Subject Code	Subject Name	Key Area of Study
BUS1001	Data Analytics Concepts	Introduces fundamental data analysis, statistical methods, and tools essential for modern business decision-making.
BUS1BUE	Economic Issues and Public Policy	Covers core economic principles, how markets function, and the role of government policy in the economy.
BUS1SBY	Sustainability	Explores environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors and how businesses can operate ethically and sustainably.
MGT1OBE	Organisational Behaviour	Focuses on understanding human behaviour within organisations, including motivation, teamwork, leadership, and culture.

The Pathway Advantage

No Upfront ATAR/Entry Requirement: You don't need a specific ATAR or selection rank to enrol in these individual subjects.
Credit Towards Your Degree: Since these are all core subjects from the first year of the full degree, you won't be studying extra content. Once you complete the required two subjects successfully, they count directly towards your Bachelor of Business degree.
Flexibility: As OUA subjects, they are studied 100% online, allowing you to manage your study load and start date to suit your personal and professional schedule.

You can enrol in these subjects one by one, giving you the chance to ease into university study and confirm it's the right path for you before committing to the full degree.⁵

Enrollment Process: La Trobe Bachelor of Business (OUA)

The enrollment path generally involves four key stages:

1. Choosing Your Course and Subjects

Since this is a flexible, open access course, the first step is subject enrollment, not full course application:

Select Your Subjects: You enroll in subjects (units) directly through the OUA website, not the standard La Trobe University application portal. The degree requires 24 subjects in total.
Start Small: You can begin by enrolling in just one or two subjects to fit your schedule and test the waters, especially if you are studying part-time.
Course Structure: The degree is structured around core business courses in the first year before you commit to one of the available specialisations (majors) like Finance, Marketing, or Human Resource Management.

2. Meeting Entry Requirements (Open Access)

The Bachelor of Business is available through an open access pathway, which simplifies entry for mature age students or those without a recent high ATAR.

Non-ATAR Entry: There is no ATAR requirement for this course when applying through OUA.
Alternative Pathways: Entry is largely based on prior work history or previous academic qualifications. The university considers applicants with significant work experience or completed qualifications like a Diploma.

3. Advanced Standing Application (If Applicable)

If you have prior study, you can apply for Credit for Prior Learning, also known as Advanced Standing.

Application: You must formally apply for Advanced Standing to reduce the overall length of your degree.
Required Documents: This process requires you to submit documents such as your official academic transcript and detailed unit descriptions from your previous qualification, along with a CV.
Duration Reduction: If you have a relevant Diploma, you may be eligible for up to one year (eight subjects) of Advanced Standing, reducing the full-time course duration from three years to two years.

4. Full Course Admission and Graduation

After successfully completing a minimum number of subjects through OUA (usually four units), you can formally apply for full admission to the Bachelor of Business degree with La Trobe.

Formal Application: Once admitted, your OUA studies are recognised toward your degree.
Completion: Upon finishing all 24 required subjects (minus any Advanced Standing granted), you receive the official Bachelor of Business degree from La Trobe University.
Career Outcomes: Graduates are prepared for careers in management, consulting, and finance roles.