Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Professional recognition
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks
• Alternative exits
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Work experience
• Research and research-related study

Course overview

Combine arts major sequences with complementary commerce majors in Deakin's Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce to create a unique qualification. Learn to think more critically as you gain a strong foundation in all aspects of business with a focus on a commerce major like economics or marketing. At the same time, a complementary choice from Deakin’s arts major sequences will mean you graduate with the balanced education employers want. 

Want versatile job-ready skills in both the arts and business? 

Students at Deakin’s world-class business school graduate with work-ready skills and practical experience. Combine this with your arts major sequence and you be will equipped with the transferable skills to launch a career in many industries.

In this combined course, you’ll study a range of topics across both areas. Hone your business knowledge through one of our leading commerce majors:

• accounting
• economics
• finance
• financial planning
• food and agribusiness
• human resources management
• management
• management information systems
• marketing.

At the same time, explore a complementary area of the arts and strengthen your understanding of people, society, politics, language or the world. Choose from:

• anthropology
• criminology
• gender and sexuality studies
• geography and society
• history
• international relations
• language and culture studies
• philosophy
• politics and policy studies
• sociology
• studies of religions
• sustainability and society.

Because your teachers are active in their fields, you’ll enjoy a classroom that’s innovative and contemporary while providing industry expertise. Plus, you’ll have the chance to grow your connections through their professional networks.

Each degree offers opportunities to get involved in hands-on learning including study abroad, international and domestic internships, work placements and exchanges. Graduate with a well-rounded and global perspective employers will love.

Professional recognition

Depending on the major sequence you choose, your Bachelor of Commerce component may give you eligibility for a range of professional memberships and accreditations.

Students who complete the accounting major sequence are eligible to apply for:

• the CA Program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
• Associate membership for the CPA Program
• IPA Program of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Students who complete the marketing major sequence are eligible for a one-year credit reduction from the five years needed to become a Certified Practicing Marketer by the Australian Marketing Institute (AIM).

Students who complete the financial planning major sequence will satisfy the education standards prescribed by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) to be able to provide financial advice in Australia and be eligible for entry into the certification programs of the professional financial planning associations – the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Program offered by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and the Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner designation offered by the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA).

Students should consult with a course adviser to identify any additional requirements for membership for each professional body, and also consult with the professional body.

Career opportunities

As a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce graduate, you’ll be ready for a variety of career opportunities including:

• art centre manager
• artist agent
• careers counsellor
• image consultant
• import/export manager
• marketing and communications manager
• media analyst
• NGO advisor
• public relations manager
• public servant
• small business owner
• trade delegate.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

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

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

See course entry for Bachelor of Arts (A300) or Bachelor of Commerce (M300)

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Commerce, students must complete 32 credit points as follows: 

16 credit points of Arts coded units, of which:

• Two major sequences of at least 8 credit points each. Majors must comprise 2 credit points at level 1 and a minimum of 2 credit points at level 3 (unless otherwise stated)

Or;

• One major of at least 8 credit points and one minor of at least 4 credit points consisting of a minimum of 1 credit point at level one and no more than 1 credit point at level 3 **

And;

• A minimum of 4 credit points at level 3 of Arts coded units
• A maximum of 6 credit points at level 1 of Arts coded units

** Students completing minors in Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian and Spanish are permitted to complete 4 credit points across any 2 levels. i.e. students may complete 2 credit points at level 2 and 2 credit points at level 3

16 credit points of Commerce coded units, of which:

• 8 credit points of core units.
• One major sequence of 8 credit points must be included.
• A minimum of 4 credit points at level 3 of Commerce coded units

Students must also complete AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Arts (A300) and the Bachelor of Commerce (M300) must be satisfied.

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.