Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication

2025 Deakin University Handbook

Year	2026 course information
Award granted	Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Communication
Deakin course code	D360
Course Credit Points	32
Course version	1
Faculty	Faculty of Business and Law
Course Information	For students who commenced from 2023 onwards
Campus	Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Online
Duration	4 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Course Map - enrolment planning tool	This course map is for new students commencing from Trimester 1 2026 Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central.
CRICOS code	111439A Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
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

Deakin's Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication empowers you to solve future challenges with a unique blend of business insight and communication expertise. Gain a strong foundation in all aspects of commerce at Deakin's world-class business school, with majors including accounting, finance and marketing. You will develop specialist expertise in analysis, communication and reporting to guide business, market and financial decisions, while working with real clients and industry-connected academics.

At the same time, sharpen your communication craft with majors such as public relations or journalism. Build the skills to create content that resonates across audiences and platforms. Both degrees offer hands-on learning through study tours, internships, work placements and exchanges. Graduate in just four years with globally recognised, job-ready skills to launch your career.

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

In the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication you will 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.

When you study a Bachelor of Communication at Deakin, you learn how to craft content that resonates with your audience across print, digital, audio and video platforms. Whether you’re breaking a critical news story, writing a press release, creating a national campaign or running a high-profile event, you will create persuasive messages that move people to action. Key study areas include:

• advertising^{^}
• journalism
• public relations
• digital and social media^{^}.

Our accomplished industry practitioners will inspire and support you on your journey towards building a sustainable career. You will learn in speciality spaces – from our industry-standard newsroom to the studio – shining a light on stories that matter.
The combination of practical assessments, industry events and internship opportunities mean you will graduate with a portfolio of work and a strong network ready to thrive in your future career.

^Advertising and Digital and Social Media major sequence not offered at Waurn Ponds Campus.

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, your Bachelor of Commerce component may give you eligibility for a range of professional memberships and accreditations.

Deakin’s accounting major enables students to apply for the:

The marketing major provides a one-year credit towards the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) five-year Certified Practicing Marketer and Chartered Marketer certification.

Students who complete the finance major are recognised through the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program.

The financial planning major satisfies the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) education standards, meaning students can provide financial advice in Australia and are eligible for financial planning certification programs including:

the Financial Adviser Association of Australia (FAAA) CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®.

The human resource management major enables students to apply for the Australian HR Institute (AHRI) membership.

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 - Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).

Career opportunities

Graduate from the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment and confidently start your career. The Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication sets you up with a wide-ranging skill set for the future. Your entrepreneurial mindset will be highly valued across many industries and your in-demand transferable skills mean you will adapt and thrive in a variety of roles.

Depending on your majors, you will have the practical experience needed to be successful as an:

accountant
account manager
brand specialist
business analytics professional
digital creative
economist
financial planner
human resource manager
international trade officer
journalist
marketing communications strategist
marketing manager
media researcher or planner
public relations professional
social and economic policy developer.

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.

Pathways

Students who complete the Diploma of Communication or the Diploma of Commerce at Deakin College will be guaranteed a place in the combined Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication and receive specified credit as per the existing agreements with Deakin College for the individual degrees that comprise this combined award.

Alternative exits

Bachelor of Commerce (M300)
Bachelor of Communication (A318)
Diploma of Business Studies (M201)

Articulated courses

Course Learning Outcomes

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Commerce	Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Communication
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply a broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of commerce and its applications.	Evaluate and apply knowledge of media and communication theories, frameworks, ecosystems, and creative practices to provide solutions to real-world contexts.
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.	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	Use technologies to identify, locate, evaluate, synthesise and disseminate and communicate information in the field of commerce.	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	Evaluate and critically analyse academic, professional and business information and values.	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	Identify solutions to a diverse range of authentic problems in commerce.	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	Take personal responsibility for actions, self-reflect and critique own performance and identify and plan future professional development.	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	Interact and collaborate with others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds.	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	Engage effectively in different environments and contexts reflecting social, sustainable, ethical, economic, and global perspectives in the field of commerce.	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.

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 Commerce
- 8 credit points of core 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 either AWL100 or MWL101)
- 1 major (8 credit points)
- 4 credit points of course elective units at levels 2 or 3
course requirements for both the Bachelor of Commerce (M300) 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

Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.

Students must complete 1 Bachelor of Commerce major sequence chosen from the below list. Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability:

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

^#Offer offered to continuing students only

Students must to complete 1 major sequence from the Bachelor of Communications:

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 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 *

_*_{MWL101 (Commerce core unit) and AWL100 (Arts employability sequence unit) are incompatible; therefore, students must choose from either MWL101 or AWL100.}_{If MWL101 is chosen in place of AWL100 as the A318 Bachelor of Communication employability sequence unit, students must choose a further 1 credit point elective unit from the range of units listed in A318 not previously studied.}

Students must complete 1 credit point of core from the Bachelor of Communications

Core:

ACC100

Gutenberg to Zuckerberg: Communication in Everyday Life

Course electives

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.

Estimate your fees

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.

Contact Student Central