BCom Honours vs BCom General: Which Commerce Degree Should You Choose?

You just walked out completing your class 12th boards, full of excitement and energy to start college. It feels like everything will fall into its own place once you score well, until you are hit by the biggest question: which course to pursue – BCom (general) or BCom? Wherever you search, you will find similar yet different options, which makes it even more confusing to choose between the two. This is not an unusual thing, many students face this dilemma.

Some might tell you that BCom (honours) is more prestigious and a higher number of candidates are pursuing this. While a few seniors might suggest that you go for BCom general and keep your career options open. Although no one is wrong here, still simply going by what others say won’t lead you to the right decision.

Both BCom Honours and BCom General degrees are valuable in their own way; the difference lies in their approach. In this blog, we discussed both degrees in detail to provide you a clear picture. Continue reading to get an insight on BCom Honours vs BCom General. The comparison will aid you in choosing the right commerce degree.

What is BCom (General)?

In India, a BCom is considered the jack of all trades. You learn the key concepts of commerce, business, and economics, but the course will not delve too deeply into a single subject. You can say that BCom (General) is like tasting everything that’s on the menu, such as finance, marketing, business law and other core areas. This makes it appropriate for students who are still figuring out their options.

In such cases, a BCom general lays a solid foundation to prepare you for multiple career pathways without being limited to one specialisation.

Key Features of BCom (General)

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  BCom course duration: 3 years.
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  Eligibility: Must have passed 10+2 in commerce, preferably from a recognised board, with a minimum of 50% marks.
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  Subjects covered: Accounting, business law, economics, etc.

Who Should Choose BCom General?

This course is ideal for students who:

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  Wish to appear in competitive exams like SSC, UPSC or banking, where you don’t need specialisation.
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  Want a balanced curriculum with all career options open.
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  Are planning to pursue an MBA or MCom in the later stage. If so, a versatile UG degree would be suitable.

Related: Top 10 BCom Colleges in India with Rankings

What is BCom (Honours)?

If BCom General is a buffet breakfast, then BCom Honours is like a special meal served at your table. BCom Honours is more focused, detailed and specifically designed for those who know exactly what they want in the future. Because it is an in-depth course, BCom Honours is generally viewed as a more rigorous programme. Thus, universities have a higher cut-off for this course than the general one. This course is best to prepare you for investment banking, research and core finance careers.

Key Features of BCom (Honours)

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  Course Duration: 3 years.
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  Eligibility: 10+2 pass out in the commerce stream with a minimum of 60% marks from a recognised board. (Marks range may vary as per the college)
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  Subjects Covered: Taxation, Management, Statistics, Mathematics, etc.

Who Should Choose BCom Honours?

BCom Honours is a focused programme, best for those who are clear about their future. Therefore, this programme is best suited for students who: 

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  Have a clear future plan of working in finance, accounting, investment banking, taxation, etc.
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  Want to pursue professional courses like CFA, CA or ACCA along with graduation.
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  Wish to go deep on the academic side of the commerce field and enter the research and teaching field.
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  Aspire to land in corporate strategy roles right after graduation.

BCom Honours vs BCom General: Subjects Covered

The subjects covered in both degrees are generally the same, with only a few differences in the last year because of the specialisation you will choose. Here are the topics covered in both degrees: 

Apart from this, you can further customise your course by choosing an appropriate specialisation. Here are some of the high-paying BCom specialisations you can go for: 

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  Accounts and Finance
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  Economics
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  Investment Management
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  Insurance and Banking
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  Financial Markets
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  International Business
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  Computer Applications
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  Taxation

Key Differences: BCom General vs BCom Honours

Now that you are well aware of what each course brings for you, let’s see a side-by-side comparison to help you understand the difference better. 

Difference Between BCom Honours vs BCom General: Who Earns More?

Salary is an important factor when choosing a degree or career path. In fact, salary is often the main deciding factor when comparing two degrees. However, your pay scale will depend on various factors like skills, experience, company, location and other factors.  At some positions, you might feel that a BCom Honours graduate earns more. For example, job roles like CA, CFA or CMA are high-paying careers.

According to various surveys and polls, it is seen that BCom honours graduates earn 20-30% higher salaries in the finance industry as compared to general graduates. Here’s the average salary of BCom graduates on a general level: 

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  Average salary of a BCom (General) graduate: INR 3 – 8 LPA
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  Average salary of a BCom (Honours) graduate: INR 4 – 12 LPA

That said, your salary will increase with experience and your expertise.

Career Opportunities After BCom

After completing BCom or BCom Honours, you can explore several career opportunities. Since both degrees cover commerce, whether the basics or in depth, the job opportunities are usually the same unless you go for CA, CFA, or ACCA qualifications.

Here is the list of job roles which most of the students pitch for after completing their degree:

BCom Honours vs BCom General: Which One Should you Choose?

After all these explanations, if you are still confused about which course to pursue, let’s make it simpler for you to understand. If you want a broader understanding of commerce and do not want to limit yourself to any particular specialisation, a BCom (general) is an excellent option for you. This course will give you the flexibility to explore various fields like marketing, management, government services, or even entrepreneurship.

On the other hand, if you are sure about making your way deep into finance, accounting, or research, then BCom Honours will hit the right chord.

Final Wrap Up

At the end of the day, both BCom general and BCom honours cover similar topics. Neither can guarantee you success if you do not know how to benefit from the degree. So, before you decide anything, ask yourself a few questions, like your career path, your willingness to go to the depths of the field, and your interest. Remember, your degree will be beneficial only if it aligns with your requirement, not what other students are choosing. The commerce field is full of opportunities and stable career growth; both courses can yield fruitful results in their own ways.