B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) may look the same, but there are some major differences, such as the specialisations, career opportunities, salary structure, etc. Get to know the difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) in this article.
- Difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Highlights
- B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Eligibility Criteria
- B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Specialisations
- Entrance Exams for B.Com and B.Com (Hons)
- B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Syllabus
- B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Colleges in India
- B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Career Opportunities
- B.Com and B.Com (Hons.): Which is better?
- Faqs
B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) are two very popular courses among students who have studied commerce in their 10+2. Students who want to know the difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) should understand that B.Com has value in the job market if the candidate has completed his/ her M.Com or MBA, whereas B.Com (Hons.), being a specialisation course, offers better job opportunities and good packages than B.Com. B.Com (Hons.) is valued more by experts in the industry. The ‘Hons’ term indicates that a greater emphasis has been placed on the study, specialisation and other important aspects. The normal B.Com course provides an overview of commerce-related subjects and a few specialised programmes.
The B.Com course and B.Com (Hons.) course are 3-year undergraduate courses with almost the same course structure. While studying for a B.Com, candidates can acquire theoretical knowledge in finance, accounting, business, and marketing. However, with a B.Com (Hons) degree, individuals can specialise in a single subject, which can be particularly beneficial for employment. If you are someone looking for attractive packages after completing your degree, it is advisable to study B.Com (Hons), as B.Com degree holders tend to receive lower salaries. The aspirants are advised to know the difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) and then choose their preferred course among the two. Students can know the difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) if they go through this article.
Difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Highlights
The two courses are based on Commerce, the learning method is a bit different and B.Com (Hons.) imparts more knowledge on the marketing and financial aspects. Students thinking of studying either one of the courses between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) can follow the table below to know the difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) courses.
Features | B.Com | B.Com (Hons.) |
|---|---|---|
Duration | 3 years | 3 years |
Curriculum | The B.Com course provides an overview of all the subjects in the field of commerce. The subjects taught are the same as B.Com (Hons.). However, students pursuing B.Com will not be able to do a specialisation in a specific subject during their UG degree. | Although most of the subjects taught are the same as BCom, the major difference is that you can specialise in a specific subject or field through the B.Com (Hons.) course. Students can choose to do a specialisation (such as Accounting or Economics) during their bachelor’s degree. |
Objective of Course | The B.Com course aims to make students familiar with different aspects of the commerce stream. Students pursuing the course will learn how business and trading are done so that they can work as accountants or managers. | B.Com (Hons.) is a business-oriented course that develops the business skills of the students and provides in-depth knowledge of commerce. Students pursuing this course will have an advantage if they want to pursue Chartered Accountancy side-by-side. The job prospects will improve. |
Admission Criteria/ Cut-offs | Admission is done based on merit, that is the marks scored by the candidates in their class 12 board results. The cut-offs for this course are relatively lower than the cut-off for B.Com (Hons.) courses. While some colleges provide admission based on entrance exam scores. | The admission criterion is the same as the B.Com course. The cut-off for the B.Com (Hons.) course is very high, especially at prestigious colleges like SRCC, Ramjas College, Hans Raj College, etc, which are under Delhi University. Depending on the institution, candidates will be selected based on entrance test scores or merit. |
Jobs and Salary | Although there are several job options after pursuing B.Com, salary packages are not as attractive as those offered to B.Com (Hons.) graduates. Freshers can expect salary packages up to INR 14,000 to 20,000 per month. Graduates can work as Accountants, Bankers, Tax Consultants, etc. | Salary packages after pursuing B.Com (Hons.) are quite good as the course has high demand in the market. Graduates can expect an entry-level package of INR 25,000 to 45,000 per month. Salaries may vary depending on the college/university from which you have studied. Graduates get to work as Finance Consultants, Marketing Managers, etc. |
Also Read: 5 Reasons to Do MBA After B.Com - Advantages, Career Opportunities
B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Eligibility Criteria
Before selecting one course among B.Com and B.Com (Hons.), students should be aware of the eligibility criteria for both courses. Get to know the difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) as per their eligibility requirements.
B.Com Eligibility Criteria | B.Com (Hons) Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
Aspirants need to complete their class 12th from a recognised board of education in any stream. | Students from any stream Arts, Commerce or Science, can apply for this course. |
Students should try to achieve 50% or above in their 10+2 level so that they can get admitted to various colleges in India. | A minimum of 50% aggregate score or above in 10+2 in the top four subjects from an accredited institution is required for this course. |
Admission to this course does not have a specific age limit which means people from any age group, regardless of gender or community background, are accepted. | There is no lower or upper age limit to study BCom (Hons). |
Colleges mostly look into the percentage received by the candidate in their 12th board and select based on their academic performance. | The colleges and universities in India either admit candidates based on their merit or the entrance exam score. The entrance exams are conducted centrally like CUET or universities like Christ University conduct their own entrance tests for admission into BCom (Hons) courses. |
B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Specialisations
The BCom course has a few majors focusing on the commerce stream strictly, while the B.Com (Hons) course has diverse specialisations. The specialisations are job-oriented and develop the skills and expertise of the candidates in a particular field. Candidates should choose any of the specialisations to enhance their job opportunities. However, not all colleges in India provide all the specialisation courses. Find out the difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) below:
B.Com | B.Com (Hons.) |
|---|---|
Accounting and Finance | Accounting |
Banking and Insurance | Finance |
Taxation | Marketing |
Marketing | Human Resource Management (HRM) |
Human Resource Management | International Business |
Entrepreneurship | Banking and Insurance |
E-Commerce | Taxation |
- | Entrepreneurship |
- | Financial Markets |
- | Business Analytics |
Other B.Com (Hons.) specialisations that are offered by various colleges and universities include the following:
- B Com (Hons) Economics
- B Com (Hons) Investment Management
- Bachelor of Financial Markets
- B Com (Hons) Computer Applications
- B Com (Hons) Statistics
- B Com (Hons) Information Technology
- B Com (Hons) Tourism and Travel Management
- B Com (Hons) Banking and Finance
- B Com (Hons) Advanced Accountancy
- B Com (Hons) Banking and Insurance
- B Com (Hons) Business Economics
- B Com (Hons) E-Commerce
- B.Com (Hons) Foreign Trade Management
Entrance Exams for B.Com and B.Com (Hons)
The colleges and universities in India provide admission to the B.Com and B.Com (Hons) courses based on the merit of the candidates in the last qualifying examination. However, there are some colleges that accept national-level or institute-level entrance exam scores for admission. Based on what students have studied in their 10+2 curriculum, the questions will be asked in the exam. Students who want to know the difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) should be aware of the entrance exams that are conducted to provide admission to both courses.
Entrance Exam Name | Registration Date | Exam Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
March 1 to March 25, 2025 | May 13, 2025 | To be Notified | |
December 6, 2024 to April 16, 2025 | SET A - May 5, 2025 (9:00 AM to 10:00 AM) SET B - May 11, 2025 (9:00 AM to 10:00 AM) | May 22, 2025 | |
Christ University Entrance Exam (CUET) | December 8, 2024 to March 27, 2025 | April 6, 2025 | April 21, 2025 |
Till June 6, 2025 | June 14, 2025 | Last week of June | |
Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Exam | March 5 to April 13, 2025 | April 26, 2025 | Last week of May 2025 (Tentative) |
February 20 to May 26, 2025 | March 1 to May 31, 2025 | July 2025 | |
October 3, 2024 to July 2025 | January to July 2025 | To be Notified |
B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Syllabus
The B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) courses are undergraduate degree programmes for 3 years and are divided into 6 semesters. Those who want to know the difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.)
B.Com | B.Com (Hons.) |
|---|---|
Semester 1 | |
Financial Accounting | Financial Accounting |
Environmental Studies | Business Organization |
English Language | Business Mathematics |
Business Organisation and Management | Business Communication |
- | Microeconomics |
- | Computer Applications in Business |
Semester 2 | |
Language: English/ Hindi/ Modern Indian Language | Corporate Accounting |
Business Law | Macroeconomics |
Hindi/ Modern Indian Language | Business Law |
Business Mathematics and Statistics | Environmental Studies |
- | Cost & Management Accounting |
- | Indian Financial System |
Semester 3 | |
Income Tax Law and Practice | Income Tax |
Hindi/ Modern Indian Language | Indian Economy |
Computer Applications in Business | Business Statistics |
Company Law | Financial Management |
- | Company Law |
- | Marketing Management |
Semester 4 | |
Corporate Accounting | Entrepreneurship |
Cost Accounting | Fundamentals of Digital Marketing |
E-Commerce | Human Resource Management |
Business Communication (English/ Hindi) | Corporate Governance & Business Ethics |
- | Specialization paper 1 (Marketing/Finance/HR) |
Semester 5 | |
Principles of Microeconomics | Goods & Services Tax |
Principles of Marketing | Auditing |
Indirect Tax Law | Business Research Methods |
Human Resource Management | Specialization paper 2 |
Fundamentals of Financial Management | Specialization paper 3 |
Entrepreneurship | Project Work |
Auditing and Corporate Governance | - |
Semester 6 | |
Fundamentals of Investment | Strategic Management |
Banking and Insurance | Specialization paper 4 |
International Business | Specialization paper 5 |
Corporate Tax Planning | Specialization paper 6 |
Computerised Accounting System | Internship + Viva |
Office Management and Secretarial Practice | - |
Management Accounting | - |
Consumer Protection | - |
Personal Selling and Salesmanship | - |
Indian Economy | - |
B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Colleges in India
Students can find out the colleges in India for B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) courses in the table below. Those who want to find out the difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) can check out the colleges to understand.
B.Com | B.Com (Hons.) |
|---|---|
Presidency College, Chennai | Loyola College, Chennai |
Atma Ram Sanatan Dharm College, New Delhi | St Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli |
Kirori Mal College, Delhi | Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Ernakulam |
St Xavier's College, Palayamkottai | |
V.O. Chidambaram College | St Joseph's College, Devagiri |
Daulat Ram College | |
St. Xavier`s College, Kolkata | Women's Christian College, Chennai |
PSGR Krishnammal College for Women | Hindu College, Delhi |
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | |
Manipal Academy of Higher Education | |
Madras Christian College, Chennai | |
Stella Maris College | Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi |
Loyola College | Deshbandhu College, New Delhi |
Poornima University, Jaipur | Acharya Narendra Dev College, New Delhi |
Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics | |
Hemchandracharya North, Gujarat University | Fergusson College |
Gujarat University | Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce |
Bangalore Institute of Management Studies, Karnataka | Christ University |
Amity University | Presidency College |
Also Read: Top Universities in India for B.Com Admissions 2025: Fees, Entrance Exam, Colleges
B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) Career Opportunities
B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) graduates will get a plethora of job opportunities in India and overseas, as the demand for commerce graduates is increasing with each passing year, however, candidates must note that only a B.Com regular degree will not land them a decent job. Commerce graduates are encouraged to opt for specialised courses like the CA course , CS course , CFA course , CPA, etc., either while pursuing their B.Com regular or honours degree or immediately after graduating.
Top B.Com Career Opportunities and Salary
Students must pursue post-graduation in finance, accounting, or commerce after earning their regular BCom degree. A few of the top job opportunities include accountant, banker, insurance manager, etc, with a starting average salary of 2 LPA to 6 LPA.
Job Profiles | Job Description | Starting Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
Accountant | It is one of the best and most popular job roles, as every business needs accountants because they are necessary. | INR 2 LPA - INR 3.5 LPA |
Stock Broker | A stockbroker is a financial expert who places trades for clients in the market. A stockbroker may also be referred to as an investment advisor or a registered representative (RR). | INR 3 LPA - INR 6.5 LPA |
Import-Export Manager | An export-import manager is a must for all businesses that deal with the export and import of goods. An Export and Import Manager's primary duty is to anticipate the flow of commodities between the home country and other nations. | INR 4 LPA - 8 LPA |
Tax Consultant |
A tax consultant or advisor's main responsibility is to assist individuals and organisations in filing their taxes. They know tax law, tax observance, and tax strategy.
| INR 3 LPA - 4.5 LPA |
Auditor | An auditor plays a crucial role in a business because they essentially keep an eye on the financial accounts and accounting ledgers of various businesses. The financial accounts of organisations are examined by auditors to make sure they are accurate and legal. | INR 4.4 LPA - 6 LPA |
Banker | A banker is a specialist who offers clients financial guidance and suggestions for better money management. | INR 2.7 LPA - 4.5 LPA |
Top B.Com (Hons.) Career Opportunities and Salary
B.Com (Hons.) graduates can get an average starting salary package of INR 2.8 LPA to 8 LPA. Some notable job profiles that offer lucrative salary packages are Chartered Accountant, Finance Consultant, Risk Analyst, Cost and Work Accountant, etc.
Job Profiles | Job Description | Starting Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
Finance Consultant | A financial consultant plans a company's financial destiny. They essentially discuss the lucrative investments and other advantageous planning procedures needed in a business. | INR 5 LPA - 8 LPA |
Marketing Manager | A marketing manager is a person who is in charge of an organisation's or a product's marketing. He or she might be in charge of several different goods or programmes, or just one and choose the best time to launch a new product or service. | INR 2.8 LPA - 8 LPA |
Cost and Work Accountant | The responsibility of the cost and work accountant is to gather, assess, and analyse all financial data from all perspectives before providing the management with an interpretation of the results. | INR 3 LPA - INR 8.8 LPA |
Insurance Consultant | An insurance consultant assists individuals or organisations in assessing their needs and developing insurance plans for sudden risks. | INR 2.3 LPA - 4.5 LPA |
Business Manager | A business manager makes an effort to maintain the business's productivity, efficiency, and organisation at all times by establishing operating plans, carrying out performance evaluations, and monitoring all daily activities. | INR 3 LPA - 5 LPA |
Chartered Accountant |
Chartered Accountants offer financial services to a wide range of customers, including big businesses, the government, and even private citizens. An organisation's financial records, tax obligations, and finances are managed by a licensed chartered accountant.
| INR 6 LPA - 7 LPA |
Risk Analyst | Risk analysts are experts who assist with the technical aspect of a company's all-encompassing risk management strategy. Analysts gather and assess risk data, then share their conclusions with managers who utilise them to choose among potential solutions. | INR 4 LPA - 8 LPA |
B.Com and B.Com (Hons.): Which is better?
The students from a Commerce background prefer B.Com and B.Com (Hons.), which may look similar but have some slight differences. By now, you must have an understanding of these courses and the eligibility criteria, course syllabus and the job opportunities that are available. B.Com and B.Com (Hons.) are 3-year undergraduate programmes in the field of commerce. When looking at the difference between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.), candidates will notice that the BCom course focuses on the knowledge of commerce as a whole, while the BCom (Hons) course focuses on in-depth knowledge of different specialisations of the programme. Another major difference between these two courses in commerce is how they are taught; the BCom (Hons.) curriculum imparts more professional depth and employable skills than the regular B.Com course.
Students who will study BCom will get acquainted with accounts, insurance, finance, etc, which will eventually help them secure a job in accounting, finance, insurance and banking fields. A B.Com degree offers students adequate information needed to acquire a generalised understanding of all areas in the Commerce stream. BCom (Hons), on the other hand, is a business-oriented degree that creates the business skills of students and also offers detailed knowledge in the field of Commerce. When you complete a B.Com (Hons) degree, you can gain specialised knowledge in your chosen area of interest, which can ultimately develop your professional competency. From the BCom course, students get an overview of all the commerce-related topics like accounting, banking, economics, finance, etc. On the other hand, the B.Com (Hons) degree course provides detailed specialised knowledge in the subject of study or the specialisation that the candidate has selected, enhancing professional abilities. Accountancy, economics, finance, and other fields of commerce could be the specialisation area with a B Com (Hons) degree course. Therefore, BCom (Hons.) is unquestionably superior for more detailed study in the commerce stream.
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FAQs
Candidates must have passed class 12 or an equivalent from a recognized school board in India and must have mandatorily studied either one or all including business studies/ accounting/ economics/ math, and English in class 12. Some colleges administer entrance exams for B.Com admissions and students who pass the exam are admitted to the degree programme.
The specialization courses offered to B.Com (Hons) graduates are B.Com (Hons) Economics, B.Com (Hons) Investment Management, B.Com (Hons) Financial Market, B.Com (Hons) Computer Applications, B.Com (Hons) Statistics, B.Com (Hons) Information Technology, B.Com (Hons) Tourism and Travel Management, B.Com (Hons) International Business, B.Com (Hons) Banking and Finance, B.Com (Hons) Accountancy, B.Com (Hons) Banking and Insurance, etc.
The B.Com colleges in India are Shri Ram College of Commerce, Hindu College, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, GD Goenka University, BML Munjal University, Hansraj College, NCU Gurugram, IIHS Ghaziabad, Gargi College, Sri Venkateswara College, St. Xaviers College, KPB Hinduja College of Commerce, Mithibai College of Arts, Mulund College of Commerce, KC College, etc.
A wide range of employment is available in commerce, including business management, accounting, taxes, financial management, cost accounting, etc. However, candidates must note that only a B.Com degree will not get them a decent job and they are advised to do specialized courses like CA, CS, CFA, CPA, etc.
B.Com graduates get employment opportunities in the Finance Department, Taxation Department, Banking institutions, Insurance Sector, Law Management firms, Accounts Department and B.Com (Hons) graduates can work in departments like Business Consultancies, Stock Trading Companies, Brokerage firms, Banks, Foreign trade, Budget planning, Policy Planning, Inventory control, etc.
The recruiters that hire B.Com (Hons) graduates are Cognizant, Infosys Limited, Bajaj Allianz, J.P Morgan Chase & Co., Deutsche Bank, Conduent Inc., Cybage, IBM Corp., Tata Consultancy Services Limited, Computer Sciences Corporation, Capgemini, Accenture, etc.
Yes, you can do an MBA after completing your B.Com (Hons). An MBA degree after your B.Com can immensely boost your career prospects, increase your earning potential and open up new opportunities in the business world.
The B.Com or B.Com (Hons) syllabus includes Accounts, English, Economics, Maths/ Computer, Environment & Public Health, Business Communication, Computer Applications & IT, Managerial Communication, Indian Banking System & Central Banking, Elements of Company Law-II, Basics of Cost Accounting Labour, etc.
Both degrees expose you to several academic subjects and give you access to a wide range of employment options. As B.Com (Hons) is more business-oriented and in-depth, it is highly suitable for making a great career in Chartered Accountancy.
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