Business from first year, with room to explore.
Smith Commerce is a four-year, direct-entry undergraduate business program at Queen’s University. Its 126-unit curriculum requires a broad Commerce foundation and includes between 24 and 36 non-Commerce units, giving students room to study beyond business.
The first two years cover the core management areas. In Years 3 and 4, students choose from a wider set of electives and can build depth in fields such as accounting, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, analytics, strategy, organizational behaviour, international business, and digital technology.
Smith suits students who want business immediately, a highly involved campus community, flexible upper years, and a major international exchange opportunity—without committing to a formal specialization on day one.
Grades qualify you; the supplement helps distinguish you.
Ontario high school applicants need an OSSD and six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses. Smith Commerce specifically requires English 4U, Calculus and Vectors 4U, and one additional 4U mathematics course.
- PrerequisitesEnglish 4U, Calculus and Vectors 4U, plus one additional 4U mathematics course.
- Course minimumsQueen’s currently lists a minimum grade of 80% in each of those three prerequisite courses.
- Top sixThe remaining three courses may be 4U or 4M, subject to Queen’s course-combination rules.
- SupplementEvery Commerce applicant must complete Queen’s mandatory Supplementary Application.
The published 2025–26 cycle used February 1, 2026 for the Commerce application and February 15, 2026 for the supplement. Those dates have passed. Applicants for a later intake should use Queen’s live deadlines and their SOLUS To-Do List.
One written response. One video response.
Queen’s currently delivers its Supplementary Application through Kira Talent. Applicants receive randomized questions and complete one written response and one video response. Queen’s says the entire process takes about 30 minutes and provides practice opportunities plus published scoring rubrics.
- Your ability to communicate a clear response
- Self-awareness and thoughtful reflection
- Potential for leadership and teamwork
- Judgment supported by specific examples
- Read the official rubrics before practising
- Build a small bank of genuine experiences
- Practise explaining actions, impact, and lessons
- Test your camera, microphone, and connection
Do not memorize a perfect speech. Practise a repeatable structure: answer the question directly, give a specific example, explain your own decisions, and end with what changed or what you learned.
A common foundation before customization.
Build fundamentals
Begin core work in management, accounting, economics, mathematics, organizational behaviour, and business problem-solving.
Complete the core
Continue across finance, marketing, operations, data, technology, law, and other essential business functions.
Choose your direction
Select Commerce electives, non-Commerce courses, exchange, certificates, and eligible double-degree pathways.
Smith describes 11 fields of study rather than requiring every student to follow one rigid major. This makes the degree flexible, but students planning for regulated or credentialed paths—especially accounting—should map prerequisites carefully.
Eligible students can also explore options such as the Certificate in Social Impact, BCom/JD, and selected international double degrees. Each has its own admission and academic requirements.
Community and global exposure are central.
Group projects, presentations, cases, and student-led initiatives make collaboration a visible part of the program.
ComSoc offers hundreds of student-held roles across clubs, conferences, services, and leadership teams.
Academically qualified Commerce students are guaranteed an exchange allocation to a partner school.
A residential campus environment can create a close community, but students should consider travel, housing, and personal fit.
Smith reports more than 130 partner schools across over 45 regions. Students normally apply in second year and study abroad for a semester in Year 3 or 4. Exchange is a major strength, but destination allocation, eligibility, travel costs, visas, and course planning still require preparation.
Strong support—without a formal co-op sequence.
Smith’s Career Advancement Centre provides coaching, recruiting events, employer connections, job postings, and support for summer work after first, second, and third year. Students still apply and compete for internships; the degree does not guarantee a placement.
Official Smith BCom 2024 report. Figures use the school’s reporting methodology and should be read with the report’s definitions, sample information, and market context.
In that report, the largest graduate industries were financial services, consulting, and accounting. Those results show common pathways—not promises. Individual outcomes depend on grades, skills, networking, experience, recruiting preparation, work authorization, and labour-market conditions.
Budget beyond tuition.
Smith currently lists annual tuition and fees, including the Student Assistance Levy, of $17,798.42 for Ontario domestic students, $20,365.16 for out-of-province domestic students, and $63,106.73 for international students. Future fees are subject to change.
The school estimates residence, meal plan, textbooks, supplies, and student fees can add roughly $17,750–$22,250 per year. Exchange can introduce airfare, insurance, visa, housing, and currency costs as well.
Queen’s offers admission awards, need-based bursaries, government assistance, and other scholarships. Review both the Smith fee page and Queen’s Student Awards information for your applicant category.
View official feesWho might thrive here?
- Want a direct-entry business degree
- Enjoy a social, team-oriented campus environment
- Value flexible upper-year course choices
- Want a well-developed exchange program
- Will actively pursue clubs, internships, and recruiting
- Need a guaranteed co-op placement
- Prefer mostly independent academic work
- Want to remain in the GTA throughout university
- Are uncomfortable with a highly involved student culture
- Have not budgeted for residence or exchange costs
Smith Commerce combines early business study, a flexible curriculum, an active community, and exceptional exchange access. Its opportunities are substantial, but students get the most value by participating—and by entering with a realistic plan for cost, internships, and the kind of campus life they want.
Verify before you apply.
Every factual claim was checked against Queen’s University or Smith School of Business material. Requirements, dates, fees, curriculum, and outcomes can change.