Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Communication
2027 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2027 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Communication |
| Deakin course code | D3100 |
| Course credit points | 32 |
| Course version | 1 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Business and Law |
| Course information | For students who commenced from 2027 onwards |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Online |
| Duration | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for students commencing from Trimester 1 2027 will be available soon Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7 |
| Supplementary information | Note: Students enrolled at Waterfront (Geelong) campus in this combined course will be required to undertake units of study at both Waurn Ponds (Geelong) and Waterfront (Geelong). |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Professional recognition
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Course learning outcomes
- Course rules
- Majors
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Research and research-related study
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Combine business with professional communication skills and graduate with a versatile skill set valued across industries. Study at the #1 university in the state of Victoria for graduate business employment while building knowledge in business and communication before tailoring your degree through majors, minors and electives.
Choose to major in advertising, public relations, journalism or digital and social media. Get hands-on experience, explore new mediums and craft impactful content in our world-class facilities.
Pair your communication major with a business major in marketing management, human resource management, project management, entrepreneurship and innovation, business management or AI and business information systems. Gain practical experience through 80+ hours of work-integrated learning, including internships, consulting projects and study tours, and graduate ready for careers across business, media, government and the community sector.
Professional recognition
Deakin Business School holds the prestigious and globally recognised AACSB and EQUIS accreditations, which attest to quality, academic and professional excellence, ongoing improvement, innovation and graduate employability.
Depending on the major you choose, Bachelor of Communication component graduates will be eligible to apply for the following professional accreditation depending on their choice of major:
Students who complete the Advertising major - International Advertising Association.
Students who complete the Public Relations major - Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA).
Career opportunities
Graduate from the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment and confidently start your career. The Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Communication sets you up with a wide-ranging skill set for the future.
Depending on your majors, you will have the practical experience needed to be successful as an:
- advertising account manager
- brand specialist
- business analyst
- business entrepreneur
- communications strategist
- digital communications manager
- digital marketer or media specialist
- human resources officer
- journalist
- marketing specialist
- project manager
- public relations professional
- social media manager.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Alternative exits
| Bachelor of Business (M370) | |
| Bachelor of Communication (A318) |
Course learning outcomes
| Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Business | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Communication | |
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | Evaluate and apply knowledge of media and communication theories, frameworks, ecosystems, and creative practices to provide solutions to real-world contexts. | Evaluate and apply knowledge of media and communication theories, frameworks, ecosystems, and creative practices to provide solutions to real-world contexts. |
| Communication | Work creatively, and professionally in written, oral, and multimedia formats to communicate with stakeholders, to achieve defined outcomes and to engage target media audiences. | Work creatively, and professionally in written, oral, and multimedia formats to communicate with stakeholders, to achieve defined outcomes and to engage target media audiences. |
| Digital literacy | Locate, gather, synthesise, produce, and publish information using industry-standard software across a range of media forms and platforms to inform and engage diverse audiences. | Locate, gather, synthesise, produce, and publish information using industry-standard software across a range of media forms and platforms to inform and engage diverse audiences. |
| Critical thinking | Exercise intellectual curiosity, reflexive self-awareness, and ethical judgement to critically analyse and evaluate data and information to inform decisions about communication and media industry practices | Exercise intellectual curiosity, reflexive self-awareness, and ethical judgement to critically analyse and evaluate data and information to inform decisions about communication and media industry practices. |
| Problem solving | Respond to complex and unpredictable challenges and situations that arise in a professional context and devise pragmatic and creative media and communication solutions that are strategic, legal, and ethical. | Respond to complex and unpredictable challenges and situations that arise in a professional context and devise pragmatic and creative media and communication solutions that are strategic, legal, and ethical. |
| Self-management | Recognise and exhibit actions consistent with principles of autonomy, responsibility and accountability required to work effectively as a communication professional in a range of contexts. | Recognise and exhibit actions consistent with principles of autonomy, responsibility and accountability required to work effectively as a communication professional in a range of contexts. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate respectfully and effectively in a timely way with people from different backgrounds and disciplines to foster successful relationships and achieve shared goals. | Collaborate respectfully and effectively in a timely way with people from different backgrounds and disciplines to foster successful relationships and achieve shared goals. |
| Global citizenship | Apply relevant industry frameworks to inform ethical decision making that is respectful and inclusive of Indigenous voices and diverse cultures and demonstrates an awareness of civic and social responsibility. | Apply relevant industry frameworks to inform ethical decision making that is respectful and inclusive of Indigenous voices and diverse cultures, and demonstrates an awareness of civic and social responsibility. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication you must pass 32 credit points. This includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in your first study period
- 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Business
- 7 credit points of core units (excluding MPB202)
- 1 credit point of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course elective units
- 1 major (8 credit points)
- a minimum of 4 credit points from the Faculty of Business and Law at level 3
- 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Communication
- 1 credit point of core units
- 3 credit points of employability sequence units (inclusive of AWL100)
- 1 major (8 credit points)
- 4 credit points of course elective units at levels 2 or 3
- a maximum of 12 credit points at level 1 across both courses
- a minimum of 10 credit points at level 3 across both courses.
Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Business (M370) and Bachelor of Communication (A318) must be satisfied.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
Majors
Students must complete 1 Bachelor of Business major sequence chosen from the below list. Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability:
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Students must to complete 1 major sequence from the Bachelor of Communication:
Course structure
Compulsory 0-credit point module
| DAI001 | Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin * |
*To be completed in first trimester of study.
Core units
Students must complete 8 credit points from the Bachelor of Business
| MAA104 | Financial Literacy |
| MAE120 | Economics for Business |
| MIS103 | Digital Information Management |
| MMK101 | Marketing Innovation |
| MMM132 | Managing People and Organisations |
| MPB200 | Shaping the Future of Business |
| MPB201 | Business Impact in Society |
Students must complete 1 credit point of core from the Bachelor of Communication
| ACC100 | Gutenberg to Zuckerberg: Communication in Everyday Life |
Course electives
Students must complete a 1 credit point Work Integrated Learning unit.
Recommended business WIL units:
| MWL305 | Business for Social Impact |
| MWL316 | Consultancy Experience |
| MWL318 | Internship |
| MWL319 | International Consultancy Experience |
Employability Sequence
| AWL100 | Your Future Direction |
Plus 1 credit point from:
| AWL200 | Leadership and Transformation |
| AWL201 | Communication and Persuasive Presentation |
| AWL202 | Entrepreneurial Mindset |
| AWL203 | Expand Your Experience |
Plus 1 credit point from:
| AWL300 | Internship |
| AWL301 | Enhance Your Experience |
| AWL302 | Your Professional Story |
Work experience
This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more work integrated learning units.
Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.
International Students:
This course includes Work Integrated Learning (WIL) formally registered as part of the course on the CRICOS register. The total work integrated learning hours will differ depending on the WIL unit you choose. For more information about WIL hours, please check the unit information in the handbook or the unit guide.
For information about how WIL units may impact student visa holder work rights, please visit Home Affairs. See 8105 Work limitation.
Course duration
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Research and research-related study
Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.
Fees and charges
Tuition fees will vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study, your study load and/or unit discipline.
Your tuition fees will increase annually at the start of each calendar year. All fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD) and do not include additional costs such as textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment, mandatory checks, travel, consumables and other costs.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.
Further information
Contact Student Central for assistance in course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements. Student Central can also provide information for a wide range of services at Deakin. To help you understand the University vocabulary, please refer to our Enrolment codes and terminology page.