Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Commerce

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year

2025 course information

Award granted Bachelor of International Studies / Bachelor of Commerce
Deakin course codeD338
Faculty

Faculty of Arts and Education

CampusOffered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
OnlineYes
Duration4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool

This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2025.

Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.

CRICOS course code075376C Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7

Note: Students enrolled at Geelong 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

Gain a competitive business foundation with global application at a university ranked in the top 1% globally for Business and Management studies. Studying Deakin's Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Commerce, means you will develop your understanding of the international forces shaping government, business and communities, and gain skills to analyse and interpret these forces.

Take your business ideas to the world stage – develop knowledge and capabilities and gain insights through valuable international experiences. 

You will commit to an exciting international learning program, either as a student at one of our university exchange partners or in an approved internship. Additionally, you will get the exposure necessary to develop your understanding of foreign governments, businesses and communities on the ground, and immerse yourself in the culture while you are there.

Want to take your business ideas global?

This course will equip you with a solid foundation in business, and the international context you need to live and work anywhere in the world.

Choose a major commerce sequence that reflects your specialised passion:

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

This combined course is led by academics who are experts in their field, so you will always be learning the latest concepts, ideas and approaches from inside the industry. Plus, you will benefit from networking with and learning from their real-world connections.

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. 

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 International Studies/Bachelor of Commerce graduate, your skills will be in demand in a range of careers, including:

  • diplomat
  • foreign affairs officer
  • foreign exchange analyst
  • import/export manager
  • international management consultant
  • NGO policy officer
  • politician
  • 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.

Alternate exits

Bachelor of Commerce (M300)
Bachelor of International Studies (A326)

Course Learning Outcomes

Please refer to the Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) of each of the single degrees.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Commerce students must pass 32 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate: 

  • DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
  • 16 credit points from the Bachelor of International Studies
    • 6 credit points of core units
    • 1 international studies major (8 credit points) 
    • an approved international experience (2 credit points minimum)^
  • 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Commerce
    • 8 credit points of core units
    • 1 commerce major (8 credit points)
    • a minimum of 4 credit points at level 3 of commerce coded units
  • a maximum of 12 credit points at level 1. 8 of these will be core commerce units, 2 core international studies units and 2 units may be used for the arts major.
  • Course requirements for both the Bachelor of International Studies and Bachelor of Commerce must be satisfied

Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University’s vocabulary. 

Note:

It is envisaged that students will complete the international experience in the third or fourth year of their course.

^(i) Students enrolled in D338 or D323 are not able to accommodate AIS331 International Internship B (4 credit points) within the 16 credit points allocated to the Bachelor of International Studies. However, AIS330 International Internship A (2 credit point) placements can be for up to 12-weeks if desired. Please contact the Unit Chair for further information.

^(ii) It is envisaged that students would complete the international experience in the third or fourth year of their course.

Course structure

Bachelor of International Studies units

Core units

AIS101Intercultural Communication

AIS102Working in International Contexts

AIR200Global Capitalism and Power

AIS204Gender, Globalisation and Development

AIS303International Studies Capstone Portfolio

AIS304International Futures

Bachelor of International Studies Majors

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.

Anthropology

Arabic

Chinese

Indigenous Studies~

Indonesian

International Relations

Middle East Studies

Politics and Policy Studies

Spanish

~ The Indigenous Studies major sequence is offered in the online mode only. International on-campus students must first seek approval from Student Central with a course map plan to ensure they do not exceed one-third (or equivalent) of their course completed online and meet all other course and enrolment rules.

Bachelor of Commerce units

Core units

MAA103Accounting for Decision Making

MAE101Economic Principles

MAF101Fundamentals of Finance

MMK101Marketing Fundamentals

MLC101Law for Commerce

MWL101Professional Insight

MIS171Business Analytics

MMM132Management

Bachelor of Commerce Majors

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
All students in the Bachelor of Commerce are required to complete at least one major sequence chosen from the following:

^ These majors are the recommended pathway to qualify for membership of professional organisations.

*Offer offered to continuing students only

Work experience

This course includes completion of least 2 credit points of international experience, selected from one or more of the following:

  • Trimester of study at an overseas university exchange partner
  • International internship (AIS330 or AIS331^) *in-country language program (in Chinese, Indonesian or Arabic)
  • Approved study abroad program or approved study tour (AIS203 or other)
  • Approved onshore internship with an international organisation (available for AIS330 only).
  • 2 credit points of consecutive language units other than an in-country language program can be taken to achieve one credit point of the international experience requirement

^Note:

(i) Students enrolled in D338 or D323 are not able to accommodate AIS331 International Internship B (4 credit points) within the 16 credit points allocated to the Bachelor of International Studies. However, AIS330 International Internship A (2 credit point) placements can be for up to 12-weeks if desired. Please contact the Unit Chair for further information.

Further details can be found at Work Integrated Learning.


Course duration

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

Further information

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

Research and research-related study

Independent research components are embedded across a number of units.

Fees and charges

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

Estimate your fees

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students website.