#1 Melbourne university for business undergraduate employment
#2 business school in Melbourne for career impact
#1 Melbourne university for communications course overall satisfaction
Why choose business and communication at Deakin
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.
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Proven employability
Study with Deakin Business School, ranked #2 in Melbourne for career impact, and build sought-after communication skills.
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Practical learning for every student
Gain at least 80 hours of practical experience through internships, consulting projects and study tours.
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Degrees shaped by employers
Apply your learning to real business and media challenges in Deakin's world-class facilities.
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Combine business and communication
Pair a business major with advertising, public relations, journalism or digital and social media
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Develop business acumen alongside strong communication and strategic skills, opening pathways into management, marketing and communications roles across industries.
Project manager
Plan, coordinate and deliver projects by managing people, budgets, timelines and resources, helping organisations achieve strategic goals across a wide range of industries.
- $150k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 9.3%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.1/5
Job satisfaction
Marketing and communications manager
Lead marketing and communications strategies that build brand awareness and engagement, combining commercial insight with strong storytelling and audience understanding.
- $115k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 9.4%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.5/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Business manager
- Digital communications manager
- Business development manager
- Human resource manager
- Marketing manager
- Small business owner
FAQs
Deakin's campuses in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool are set in vibrant, multicultural communities where it is easy to connect and feel at home. As the #1 university in Australia for international student happiness and student satisfaction, you will be supported at every step of your journey. You can join clubs and societies through the Deakin University Student Association (DUSA), attend social events, go on trips and live on campus to meet people from around the world. Each campus has fitness centres, cafes and 24-hour security, as well as prayer rooms and multifaith chaplains.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
As an international student at Deakin, you can work part time according to the conditions of your visa. On a Student Visa (Subclass 500), you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during trimesters. When you are on a trimester break you can work as much as you want. Compulsory work experience that forms part of your degree does not count toward this limit. Find part-time roles and internships through DeakinTALENT and learn more about working in Australia.
Most students studying full time at Deakin need a Student Visa (Subclass 500). You can apply for this visa after you accept your offer and receive your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). To apply, you will need a valid passport, your CoE, proof of Overseas Student Health Cover and any other documents required by the Department of Home Affairs. Apply as early as possible, but do not book travel until your visa has been granted. Find out more about student visas.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in an undergraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin is the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. Our degrees are developed with industry insight, so you will gain career-ready skills from the beginning. Each Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities including placements, internships and projects with well-known industry partners. Our dedicated international student career support program helps you learn about the Australian workforce, make connections and build your network through placements. You will get support with your resume, help looking for an internship or a job after graduation and even advice about your career options overseas.
There is more than one way to study at Deakin. If you do not meet the academic requirements, Deakin College offers a guaranteed pathway to Deakin with small, supportive classes on campus. If you meet the academic requirements but not the English requirements, you can enrol in a Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) English pathway program and progress to your chosen Deakin degree upon successful completion. Deakin also has formal pathway agreements with partner institutions in countries like China, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and the United States, so you can start your studies locally before transferring to Australia to complete your degree.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Communication?
This double degree pairs sharp business thinking with professional communication skills, producing a graduate who can lead, create and connect across virtually any industry. Over four years, you will build expertise in both disciplines through an integrated program designed for the versatile careers of the future.
Foundations in business and communication
Establish your business grounding
Engage with foundational concepts in financial literacy, management, marketing innovation and economics.
Enter the world of communication
Begin exploring how communication operates professionally, from content creation to audience engagement and storytelling.
Develop your professional identity
Build early career-readiness through structured employability learning woven into your first-year program.
Choosing your path through both degrees
Progress toward your majors
Start advancing through the major sequences in both the business and communication components of your degree.
Build practical communication skills
Develop hands-on capabilities in your chosen communication discipline, working with real content, tools and platforms.
Connect learning to industry
Engage with work-integrated learning that gives you early professional experience and valuable networks.
Applied expertise and integration
Advance through your major sequences
Move into upper-level study in both your business and communication majors, developing the depth and sophistication employers look for.
Work on real-world challenges
Tackle applied projects that draw on both degrees simultaneously, reflecting the integrated nature of modern professional roles.
Expand your elective choices
Use arts and education elective units to add further breadth and personal interest to your program.
Capstone and professional readiness
Complete both major sequences
Finalise advanced study across your business and communication majors, graduating with a genuinely dual qualification.
Fulfil work-integrated learning
Complete the 80+ hours of WIL embedded in the degree through internships, consulting projects or study tours.
Graduate ready for a wide range of roles
Step into careers across business, media, government and the community sector with a skill set that few single degrees can match.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication you must pass 32 credit points.
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.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Students must complete 8 credit points from the Bachelor of Business
Students must complete 1 credit point of core from the Bachelor of Communication
*To be completed in first trimester of study.
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
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 complete 1 major sequence from the Bachelor of Communication:
Students must complete a 1 credit point Work Integrated Learning unit.
Recommended business WIL units:
Employability Sequence
Plus 1 credit point from:
Plus 1 credit point from:
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.
Bachelor of Communication component graduates who complete the Advertising major will be eligible to apply for the following professional accreditation:
What to expect while studying
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.
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.
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.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS – Please note that due to Australian Government regulations, student visas to enter Australia cannot be issued to students who enrol in Deakin online courses.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Business (M325) | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Communication (A318) |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Communication
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400412323 - Waterfront (Geelong), International full-fee paying place
1400512323 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place - Deakin code
- D3100
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 121325F Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$45,200
for 1 yr full-time AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships recognise your hard work and achievements. Our support can ease the financial pressure of studying in Australia so you stay focused on your success. Numbers are limited, so apply early for the best chance.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
Apply through VTAC
If you are an international student completing an Australian Year 12 in Australia or overseas, you must submit an application through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). In addition, you may also apply directly to Deakin through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's international student application service.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.