Bachelor of Business – Social Impact major

Bachelor of Business – Social Impact major

Your guide to majoring in Social Impact with the Bachelor of Business at RMIT.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See course admissions

Duration:
Full-time 3 years
Part-time 6 years
Fees:

Commonwealth supported places

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See course admissions

Duration:
Full-time 3 years
Fees:

AU$42,240 (2025 annual)

Next intake:
February, July, October
Location:
Melbourne City

Introduction to the major

When you choose the Social Impact major in the Bachelor of Business at RMIT University, you are equipping yourself for the opportunity to make any career in business a socially impactful (and ethical and responsible) one.

Many larger organisations are embracing the Global Sustainable Development goals, and by taking on the Social Impact major you are positioning yourself right in the middle of that positive change. 

This major does not require knowledge from specific business specialisations, but rather will see you approach social issues from the perspective of different specialisations. This provides a strong overview of those disciplines, how they relate to ethical and responsible business practice, and how these may lead to social impact.

It allows you to see ‘business’ holistically, understanding the impact of all business practices in society, but also to become a social impact specialist within your chosen specific field – with a broad understanding of the impact your organisation makes in the world. It provides many horizontal and vertical career opportunities in business.

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RMIT Bachelor of Business - Social Impact

Learn about the Social Impact major and minor within the Bachelor of Business, by hearing firsthand experiences from students and academic staff. 

 

About the Bachelor of Business

With the Bachelor of Business at RMIT you will enjoy a cross-disciplinary, flexible and personalised degree that allows you to pursue a range of diverse interest areas across business. You will gain practical real-world experience throughout your degree with the College of Business and Law and our industry partners.

About the Bachelor of Business Professional Practice

The Bachelor of Business Professional Practice is a four-year degree offering you access to all the options within the three-year Bachelor of Business, complemented by an exclusive internship of up to one year and Work-Integrated Learning experiences. 

Why choose to major in Social Impact with the Bachelor of Business?

Tailor your learning

Undertake in-depth study in Social Impact, complemented with a choice from 14 majors and 32 minor areas.

Industry informed

Partner with industry as part of your studies and get a head start on your career.

Lead the charge

Equip yourself with sought after skills that will help you be a leader in social impact across organisations.

Our student success stories

Meet Pieter Lamb, an RMIT Business graduate with a commitment to sustainability. While at RMIT, Lamb created a new product called the Skrunch-It – an idea that came to life when he noticed a gap in the market for products that promote the convenient recycling of soft plastics.

Skrunch-It was Pieter’s innovation to help address the issues associate with the recycling of soft plastics, by lowering the barriers preventing people from actively recycling. As a result of Pieter's industry collaboration, RAM Group became an RMIT industry partner, inviting more students to work with their company, as part of their work-integrated learning (WIL) subjects.

We believe we can have a positive impact not only on individuals trying their best to recycle, but create a more efficient process for collecting, sorting, and recycling. Most of Australia already has the technology and infrastructure set up to pick up recyclables from your home, but loose soft plastics are not accepted.

- Pieter Lamb, Bachelor of Business, winner of RAM Group / Brighten Social Impact Award

Career outcomes

The Bachelor of Business opens up a wide range of career opportunities which you can choose to focus on based on how you tailor your subject selection. Our wide range of industry partners and real-life focus produces industry demanded graduates.

The Social Impact major will give you all the tools and knowledge you need to be a leader and influencer within your chosen field, giving you the opportunity to embrace on the challenge to effect change, even within an organisation that has less of a tradition in social impact.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Business who choose to major in Social Impact may go onto careers in the following roles:

  • social marketer
  • social impact investor
  • people manager for diversity and inclusion
  • government policymaker for society's wellbeing
  • accountant reporting on sustainability.

Subject selection guide

The following guide will help you understand what your subject plan will look like if you decide to major in social impact with the Bachelor of Business:

You will undertake eight subjects focusing on:

Key to subject selection

Essential Course (must be completed first) “”
Introductory Course *
Intermediate Course +
Advanced Course #
Capstone Course ^

Complementary majors and minors

By integrating a second major or a range of minors you will deepen your expertise in a specialised area while gaining a well-rounded understanding of how your chosen interest's principles intersect with other fields.

This combination of knowledge and skills will prepare you for the complexities of the modern business landscape and equip you to make a meaningful impact in your chosen career path.

All majors and minors in the Bachelor of Business are complementary. Suggested combinations are listed below: 

Economics major

The Economics major will help you understand the behaviour of individuals, organisations and governments in the face of scarcity.

Marketing major

The Marketing major will provide knowledge and skills in understanding consumer behaviour, brand management and marketing communication.

Management and Change major

The Management and Change major will provide knowledge and skills in managing organisational change, such as identifying potential barriers, communicating change and creating a change management plan.

Global Business major

The Global Business major will provide you with knowledge and skills in international trade, cross-cultural communication and global business strategy.

Bachelor of Business full course information

This is just one of the 14 majors that you can choose from. Visit the Bachelor of Business course page to find full course information, explore your study options, and get details on entry requirements, pathways, fees, plan structure and how to apply.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information