Key facts
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
Deakin's Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication 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 eight commerce majors to explore an area of passion and graduate with a globally recognised degree. At the same time, you will develop an understanding of complex audiences and media effectiveness through your communication 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 ?
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 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^
- Journalism
- Public relations
- Digital and social media^
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.
^Advertising and Digital and social media major sequence not offered at Waurn Ponds Campus.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Communication
- Year
2023 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400411461 - Waterfront (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400511461 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400611461 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS) - Deakin code
- D360
- CRICOS code?
- 111439A Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Approval status
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Course structure
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Communication , students must complete 16 credit points from the M300 Bachelor of Commerce and 16 credit points from the A318 Bachelor of Communication, plus the compulsory 0-credit point module, MAI010 Academic Integrity Module.
16
Commerce units
16
Communication units
32
Total
Students will undertake 16 credit points from M300 Bachelor of Commerce and 16 credit points from A318 Bachelor of Communication
Course requirements for both M300 Bachelor of Commerce and A318 Bachelor of Communication must be satisfied as below:
Compulsory 0-credit point unit:-
To be completed in the first trimester of study.
- MAI010 Academic Integrity Module
Plus
16 credit points of Commerce coded units:-
8 credit points of core units (MAA103, MAF101, MAE101, MWL101 (or AWL100*), MIS171, MMM132, MLC101, MMK101)
one Commerce major sequence of 8 credit points must be included
Level 3 - at least 4 credit points (which must be course grouped to a Faculty of Business and Law undergraduate degree)
*Please note:
- MWL101 (Commerce core unit) and AWL100 (Arts employability sequence unit) are incompatible; therefore, students must choose from either MWL101 or AWL100.- If AWL100 is chosen in place of MWL101 for the M300 Bachelor of Commerce core unit, students must choose a further 1 credit point elective unit from the range of units listed in M300 not previously studied.
16 credit points of Communications coded units:-
- 3 credit points of thematic core units (ACC100, ACC213, ACC310)
- 3 credit points of employability sequence units (inclusive of either AWL100 or MWL101)
- 1 major sequence (8 credit points) as described under the course A318 Bachelor of Communication
- 2 credit points of Communications electives from either second or third year.
Thematic core:
Employability Sequence:
Plus one credit point from:
Plus 1 credit point from:
Communication Major Sequence List:
- Advertising
- Journalism
- Public Relations
- Digital and Social Media
*Please note:
- 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.
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waterfront (Geelong)
- Online
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).
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
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.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Work experience
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
Current or recent Year 12
If you are currently studying Year 12 or completed Year 12 in the previous two years and have not attempted higher education or VET/Polytechnic study since, your selection is based on the following.
VCE Prerequisite subjects
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection consideration
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Higher education study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of higher education after secondary schooling, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Please complete and submit a personal statement if you would like any of the following to be considered:
- factors outside your control
- your professional work
- life or community experience
Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
VET study
If you have undertaken at least one unit of Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your secondary education and subsequent academic records as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test - Multiple Choice
All Deakin Business School undergraduate courses require a minimum of 55 on the STAT Multiple Choice (MC) where the applicant has not completed senior secondary education (or equivalent) in the last ten years (from commencement date of the course applied for). The STAT MC is not required if the applicant has undertaken any tertiary study (minimum Certificate IV) within the last ten years (from commencement date of the course applied for).
Personal statement
Please complete and submit a personal statement if you would like any of the following to be considered:
- factors outside your control
- your professional work
- life or community experience
Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago or did not finish Year 12, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
VCE Senior Secondary prerequisite studies
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL or equivalent.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test - Multiple Choice
All Deakin Business School undergraduate courses require a minimum of 55 on the STAT Multiple Choice (MC) where the applicant has not completed senior secondary education (or equivalent) in the last ten years (from commencement date of the course applied for). The STAT MC is not required if the applicant has undertaken any tertiary study (minimum Certificate IV) within the last ten years (from commencement date of the course applied for).
Personal statement
Please complete and submit a personal statement if you would like any of the following to be considered:
- factors outside your control
- your professional work
- life or community experience
Learn more about the personal statement.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Selection adjustments
Subject adjustment
A study score of 30 in Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics equals 3 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in any Business, English other than EAL, any Information Technology or Maths: Further Mathematics equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Access and equity
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you’re from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.
Admissions information
Learn more about this course and others that Deakin offers by visiting VTAC for more information. You can also discover how Deakin compares to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning by visiting the ComparED website.
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enables Deakin to consider disadvantageous circumstances you may have experienced and their impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you're from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements.
You can also find out about different entry pathways into Deakin courses if you can't get in straight from high school.
Finally, Deakin is committed to admissions transparency. As part of that commitment, you can learn more about our first intake of 2022 students (PDF, 804.3KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose to study as each unit has its own costs. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
Applications for Trimester 1, 2024 open in August. Each year, thousands of students prepare for uni with the help of Deakin support services. We offer a huge range of support, including one-on-one consultations, webinars, online resources and events throughout the year.
Direct applications are open for applicants who are not currently in Year 12, including:
- recent Year 12 students who completed secondary education in the past two years
- applicants with work and life experience
- applicants with TAFE study
- applicants with higher education study.
Please note: If you’re applying for more than one course, you need to apply through VTAC.
Entry 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)
Contact information
Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services and how we can help you further your career.
Call us 1800 693 888 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm)
Live Chat Mon–Thurs, 8am–7pm, Fri 8am–5pm
Careers
Career outcomes
Bachelor of Commerce/ Bachelor of Communication graduates may be suited to careers across a range of sectors, including government, business and community organisations.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
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 (AMI).
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)
Depending on the major sequence 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 sequence - International Advertising Association.
Students who complete the Public Relations major sequence - Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
See course entry for Bachelor of Commerce (M300) or Bachelor of Communication (A318)
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