Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Communication (Advertising)

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2025 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Communication (Advertising)
Deakin course code	D353
Course version	1
Faculty	Faculty of Business and Law
Course Information	For students who commenced from 2021 to 2022
Campus	Burwood (Melbourne), Online. For students who commenced prior to 2023 only
Duration	4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
CRICOS code	104737E Burwood (Melbourne)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition	The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
The final intake for this course was Trimester 3 2022. Continuing students should discuss unit selections with their enrolment officer and refer to the Handbook Archives for their course structure.

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Deakin's Bachelor of Commerce/ Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) empowers you to solve the problems of the future and be part of the next generation of 'big idea' thinkers. In this complementary double degree you will learn to think more critically as you gain a strong foundation in all aspects of commerce at Deakin's world class business school. Choose from nine commerce majors to explore an area of passion and graduate with a world-class, globally recognised degree. At the same time, you will develop an understanding of complex audiences and media effectiveness through your communication (advertising) degree.

Both degrees offer opportunities to get involved in hands-on learning including overseas study tours, international and domestic internships, work placements and exchanges. Graduate with a combination of sought-after skills in just four years and be ready for an exciting career in your chosen field.

Want versatile, job-ready skills in both commerce and communication (advertising)?

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

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

At the same time, explore the complementary communication (advertising) component and strengthen your understanding of the principles and practice of advertising, brand communication for the digital era, complex audiences, media effectiveness and creative thinking. Key study areas include:

advertising principles and practices
branded content
copywriting and ideation
emerging advertising media
creative work
strategic planning.

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

Professional recognition

Deakin Business School is in the top 1% of business schools globally by holding both AACSB and EQUIS accreditations. These prestigious accreditations are awarded to business schools that meet strict standards of quality, academic and professional excellence, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing improvement and innovation in their courses, ensuring our graduates are employable worldwide.

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 (FAS) 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).

Commerce graduates may also be eligible to apply for membership to these key professional bodies (depending on units taken):
* Australian HR Institute (AHRI)
* Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML)
* Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)

The Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) is designed to satisfy accreditation requirements set by the International Advertising Association (IAA), ensuring you’re across the latest industry standards and remain connected to industry after you graduate.

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 Commerce/ Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) graduate, you’ll be ready for a variety of career opportunities including:

accountant
economist
financial planner
human resource manager
marketing manager
account manager
advertising art director
advertising copywriter
digital creative
brand specialist
digital marketer or media specialist
marketing and communications officer
media researcher or planner
social media coordinator.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

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 Commerce (M300)
Diploma of Business Studies (M201)

Articulated courses

Bachelor of Communication (Honours) (A451)

Course learning outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Commerce (M300)	Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Communications (Advertising) (A334)
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply a broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of commerce and its applications	Apply knowledge of advertising principles, planning processes and creative practice to the evaluation of brand messaging and develop engaging, research-driven and ethically sound multi-channel advertising media content.
Communication	Communicate commerce concepts and information effectively including in oral, written and visual forms in a cohesive and understandable manner to academic audiences, business professionals and laypersons	Articulate knowledge of advertising industry conditions and apply visual, spoken and textual communication skills to achieve effective advertising outcomes across various cultural and organisational contexts.
Digital literacy	Use technologies to identify, locate, evaluate, synthesise and disseminate and communicate information in the field of commerce	Evaluate and apply the software, hardware and digital content that is used to research, produce, disseminate and consume advertising-related media.
Critical thinking	Evaluate and critically analyse academic, professional and business information and values	Identify and critically analyse contemporary advertising and media platforms as a means of building the adaptability required to develop creative brand content applicable to various sociocultural and organisational contexts.
Problem solving	Identify solutions to a diverse range of authentic problems in commerce	Apply theories and principles of advertising strategy, consumer behaviour, client management and creative process in response to real world client briefs and standard and complex communication problems.
Self-management	Take personal responsibility for actions, self-reflect and critique own performance and identify and plan future professional development	Maintain professional practice and future career development using self-directed learning skills that encourage reflective practice consistent with a selected specialisation in the areas of communication strategy, advertising management and creative practice.
Teamwork	Interact and collaborate with others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds	Contribute positively to collaborative projects, demonstrate the ability to plan and strategise in the context of team driven campaigns, including the ability to display initiative, provide considered feedback and be flexible in the context of project delivery.
Global citizenship	Engage effectively in different environments and contexts reflecting social, sustainable, ethical, economic, and global perspectives in the field of commerce	Engage with and critically evaluate research materials on ethical and intercultural communication and apply reflective practice principles to model the responsibilities expected of advertising practitioners who work within diverse social, cultural and regulatory frameworks.

Course rules

To complete the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) students must pass 32 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate:

DAI001 Academic Integrity Module (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period

16 credit points from the Bachelor of Commerce include:

8 credit points of core units
1 major (8 credit points)
a minimum of 4 credit points of Faculty of Business and Law units at level 3

16 credit points from the Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) include:

12 credit points of core units
4 credit points of course electives from specified lists

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.

Course structure

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:-

DAI001

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin [replaces MAI010]

Core units

Bachelor of Commerce -

MAA103

Accounting for Decision Making

MAE101

Economic Principles

MAF101

Fundamentals of Finance

MIS171

Business Analytics

MLC101

Law for Commerce

MMK101

Marketing Fundamentals

MMM132

Management

MWL101

Professional Insight

Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) -

Level 1

ACC100

Gutenberg to Zuckerberg: Communication in Everyday Life

ALA101

Advertising Principles and Practices

ALA102

Creative Brand Communication

Level 2

ACC213

Dilemmas, Defamation, Deception and Disinformation

ALA201

Art Direction and Visualisation

ALA202

Copywriting and Ideation

ALA203

Integrated Brand Communication

Level 3

ACC320 Communication Internship A: Placement [No longer available for enrolment, replacement unit AWL300]

ACC321 Communication Internship B: Career Development [No longer available for enrolment, replacement unit AWL302]

ALA302

Transmedia Storytelling for Brands

ALA303 International Advertising Campaigns [No longer available for enrolment, replacement unit ACC302]

ALA304

Creative Advertising Campaigns

Course Electives

Complete 2 credit points of course electives from level 1 (List A)

ADT103

UX Fundamentals [replaces ACG103]

ALJ111

Introduction to Journalism

ALJ112

News Reporting

ALM101

Making Social Media

ALR103

Introduction to Public Relations

ALR104

Strategic Communication and Writing

Either

IND101

Introduction to Aboriginal Studies

IND102

Aboriginal Australian Stories and Songlines

Complete 2 credit points of course electives from level 2/3 (List B):

ADT202

Web and Interface Design [replaces ADV201]

MIS203

Managing Information in the Digital Age

ACC302

Advertising: Desire, Consumption and the Attention Economy

ALM216

Social Media Strategy [replaces ACC303]

Feature Writing

Video Journalism

Gamified Media

Quantified Media

Ethics, Persuasion and Society

Either

IND203

Caring for Country

IND301

Politics of Resistance in Indigenous Australia

Majors List

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

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.

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. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

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 photocopying or travel.