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BCom vs. BBA: Which business degree is right for you?

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Posted ─ 2025-10-17
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If you’ve been searching online for the difference between a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), you’ve probably noticed that there’s rarely one definitive answer. Although different online forums and blogs attempt to answer the question, the reality is they all seem to conflict. So, is there really a difference?

Historical differences between the BCom and BBA

The BCom and BBA are two common undergraduate business degrees found in Canada.


Historically, the differences between the BCom and BBA revolved around curriculums. Rather than being interdisciplinary, the programs used to focus more heavily on specific business disciplines.

While BCom programs were traditionally more theoretical and quantitative, BBA programs were more management-oriented, which influenced their respective program titles.

Today, the differences between BCom and BBA programs are much less clear. Scott Entwistle, Recruitment & Admissions Manager at UBC Sauder, notes that although the programs historically differed, their evolution over time has increased their similarity at most post-secondary institutions in Canada.

“These are programs that come from different backgrounds,” he says. “But now, with both the BCom and BBA becoming so flexible and interdisciplinary, the lines are completely blurred and don’t really exist.”
 

How the BCom and BBA have grown in similarity

BCom and BBA programs generally meet the same accreditation standards for business programs.


So, what makes these programs similar now? To start, most BCom and BBA programs receive the same accreditation. Despite their distinct titles, accredited BCom and BBA programs meet the same benchmarks, ensuring recognition by employers and graduate schools.

UBC Sauder holds AACSB Accreditation, an internationally recognized standard for business and accounting programs across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. This accreditation is regarded as the most prestigious and longstanding form of specialized accreditation an institution and its business programs can receive.


Examples of AACSB accreditation standards
  • Faculty and Professional Staff Resources
  • Curriculum
  • Teaching Effectiveness and Impacts
  • Engagement and Societal Impact

Another key similarity between BCom and BBA programs is their curriculums. At most post-secondary institutions, these programs build foundational business knowledge before allowing students to specialize in specific business disciplines. At UBC Sauder, BCom students can choose from 11 unique specializations:

  • Accounting
  • Business Technology Management
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • General Business Management
  • Combined Major in Business & Computer Science (BUCS)
  • Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management
  • Marketing
  • Operations and Logistics
  • Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources
  • Real Estate

The answer: Focusing on what really matters

When choosing an undergraduate business program, it’s the experiences that matter.


Now, you might be wondering: “If the BCom and BBA are similar, which one should I choose?” Entwistle’s advice would be to consider what different programs have to offer in addition to academics.

“The academics are the core of your degree, but it’s what you’re going to layer on top that will translate what you’ve learned in class to applicable work experience.”

The idea of looking at opportunities both in and outside of the classroom resonates with current students as well. Masoom Mehta, a fourth-year UBC BCom student didn't notice much of an initial difference between the BCom and BBA when applying to universities—but what did set them apart was the opportunities that different programs offered to students.

“What drew me to the UBC BCom was the early exposure to case-based courses, professional development and the strong balance between academics and extracurricular experiences,” she says. “Serving as President of the UBC Sauder International Students Association and as a BCom Student Ambassador, along with participating in opportunities like case competitions, has helped me grow into a more confident and well-rounded person than I could have imagined when I first applied.”

Masoom with the UBC Sauder International Student Association team.


Masoom’s experience reflects what many BCom students find at UBC Sauder—hands-on learning, meaningful connections and experiences that broaden global perspectives. From Co-op positions, experiential learning, to more than 40 clubs within the Commerce Undergraduate Society (CUS), the UBC BCom offers experiences and resources that prepare students for any area of business they want to pursue:

UBC Sauder placed first at JDC West 2025, a prestigious business competition in Western Canada that hosts twelve premier post-secondary institutions annually.


These experiences not only enrich students’ learning, but are also highly valued by employers when hiring business school graduates.
 

Choosing the program that aligns with your path

Ultimately, choosing the right business program depends on what you want out of your undergraduate journey. Reflect on the skills and experiences you want to gain, and choose the program that best supports those goals.