Employability units are built into the degree
Degree recognised by Design Institute of Australia
80+ hours of work experience built-in
Why choose design and business at Deakin
Turn creative thinking into a career solving complex challenges with a standout combination of design and business capabilities. Design begins with understanding people; business connects people to organisations, markets, and value creation. Together, they create solutions that are meaningful and commercially sound. You'll develop design expertise: engaging audiences through creative, distinctly human solutions no algorithm can replicate. Take a double major in Communication Design and Interactive and UX Design, or single major with minors such as public relations, digital media, advertising and photography.
Build business foundations in digital information, financial literacy, economics, management and marketing, specialising in marketing, entrepreneurship, human resources, business or project management. Graduate having practised turning design insights into compelling business ideas, and those ideas into stories that connect with the intended audience, moving full circle from insight to execution.
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Create with purpose
Combine design thinking with business skills to solve problems and craft stories that connect ideas with consumers and businesses, building a career across creative and commercial industries.
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Hands-on from day one
Real-world simulated classroom learning, real briefs and businesses, work-integrated learning each year, plus the chance to work in Deakin's Creative Hub.
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Industry-recognised learning
Study design recognised by the Design Institute of Australia (DIA) and business backed by Deakin Business School’s AACSB and EQUIS accreditations.
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Strong graduate focus
Study business at one of Victoria’s top 3 business schools and build practical, job-ready skills employers value with a creative portfolio of work that sets you apart.
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
Combine design thinking with business knowledge for careers in user experience, communication, marketing and project delivery. You could create audience-focused solutions, analyse business needs and turn ideas into outcomes.
UX (user experience) designer
Research how people use digital products and design clear, accessible experiences. You may map user journeys, create wireframes and prototypes, test ideas and collaborate with product and development teams.
- $110k
Typical salary in Australia
- 9.9%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Business analyst
Review and analyse business processes, identify opportunities for greater efficiency, lead project teams and communicate technical information across the business.
- $115k
Typical salary in Australia
- 4.1/5
Job satisfaction
Other roles include:
- Brand designer
- Communication designer
- Digital communications manager
- Marketing officer
- Project manager
- Social media designer
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
FAQs
Yes – every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning (WIL) in their degree. Each year, more than 30,000+ students complete a placement or internship with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, EY and the National Australia Bank. You can access WIL through placements, industry projects, field-based experiences, simulations and global programs, helping you apply your skills and graduate with the experience and confidence employers value.
DeakinTALENT is Deakin's award-winning career service, and you can access it for life – not just while you're studying. From personalised career coaching sessions and AI-enhanced resume support to a jobs and internships board with employment opportunities, it’s designed to give you the career management skills and connections you need to stand out. Every Deakin degree is built with input from employers, so your course is designed around real workplace needs, now and into the future.
Entry requirements and the minimum ATAR vary by degree and are detailed on the degree page, but if your ATAR is below the cut-off, you still have options. Use the pathway finder tool to find the opportunities available to you, including associate degrees and Deakin Guaranteed ATAR, which offers eligible students a guaranteed entry score that's on average 10 points below the lowest selection rank. If you don't have an ATAR, Deakin Uni Ready is a free, supported program designed to build your skills and confidence and open doors to degrees in arts, health, science and business. Access programs and equity schemes are also available.
At Deakin, employability isn't an add-on – it's built in. Our degrees are designed with industry input, so your skills are aligned to what employers actually need. Every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities such as placements, internships and industry projects, helping you build your professional network and practical experience before you even graduate. It's an approach that works: nine out of 10 Deakin graduates get a job within four to six months of finishing their degree.
Yes. Most eligible undergraduate students are offered a Commonwealth Supported Place meaning the government subsidises part of your tuition fees. If eligible, you can pay your student contribution using a HECS-HELP loan that you only start repaying once your income is above the repayment threshold. Deakin has scholarships that cater to our diverse student community, ranging from $5,000 per year for high ATAR achievers to $10,000 per year for students facing financial or personal hardship. The University also offers support services including financial counselling, budgeting help and access to short-term, interest-free loans to help you stay on track.
Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for student support and that starts the moment you accept your offer. Orientation is designed to help you feel welcome and get to know your community of classmates and teachers from day one. Across all campuses, there's a vibrant student community with clubs, events and opportunities to build real friendships. Deakin offers a range of services to help students stay healthy and safe, including sport and fitness facilities, free counselling, on-campus medical services and around-the-clock security.
Yes, and it's straightforward. You can transfer to Deakin in a few steps and apply for credit through recognition of prior learning (RPL), so you won't necessarily repeat subjects you've already completed. If you're coming from a TAFE partner, you may get guaranteed entry into second year with guaranteed RPL. Deakin's three-trimester system also means you may be able to start mid-year rather than waiting until March.
Most Deakin courses run across three trimesters per year instead of the traditional two semesters. Trimester 1 begins around March, Trimester 2 around July and Trimester 3 around November, each with roughly 12 weeks of teaching followed by an exam period. This means you can usually start your degree at three different points in the year and have more flexibility to manage your study load. Check the intakes by location section on the course page for details.
*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 Design/Bachelor of Business?
You will build design and business foundations, choose a major from each degree and apply your learning through practical experience.
Core foundations
Build creative foundations
Explore design thinking, creative processes and practices while learning how to communicate ideas with intention.
Learn business essentials
Develop your understanding of financial literacy, marketing, people and organisations, and the changing role of business in society.
Start shaping your future
Begin your employability sequence and reflect on your strengths, goals and the kind of creative business career you want to build.
Choose your direction
Develop design depth
Continue to build your knowledge and skill in design and use electives to broaden your creative practice, while keeping professional contexts in view.
Extend your business toolkit
Build skills in economics, digital information and social impact, then begin shaping your business major around your goals.
Make choice manageable
Balance required learning with room to explore, helping you develop your interests and go deeper in your studies.
Apply and connect
Apply both disciplines
Use design methods and business thinking together through more advanced major study, project work and problem solving.
Move into experience
Progress through employability learning and prepare for work-integrated learning in business through applied, professional contexts.
Build your story
Strengthen communication, leadership and self-management as you turn your learning into evidence for future roles.
Consolidate and graduate
Complete your majors
Finish your design and business majors through advanced learning that draws together technical, creative and commercial skills.
Broaden with electives
Use electives to add perspective from areas that complement your design practice and business ambitions.
Graduate with range
Leave with two connected degrees, practical experience and capabilities across design, strategy, communication and business.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Business, students must attain a total of 32 credit point.
As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester/semester and usually undertake two trimesters/semesters 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
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Units
Employability sequence
1 credit point from:
Plus 1 credit point from:
Students must complete 1 of the following 8 credit point Design majors:
Core units
Work Integrated Learning
Plus 1 credit point from:
Students Must complete 1 of the following 8 credit point Business majors:
AI and Business information Systems
What to expect while studying
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.
Work integrated learning is a core component of this degree. The Bachelor of Business offers Work Integrated Learning programs to enable students to enrich their studies with a range of international and domestic internships as well as volunteer experiences, while gaining credit towards their degree. Develop your professional work practices and networks while putting theoretical knowledge into practice.
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.
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 Design (A319) | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Business ( M325) |
|---|---|
| Apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the forms, functions, processes, languages and materials of communication design to meet client requirements in a rapidly changing industry setting. | Analyse and evaluate business opportunities and organisational challenges using business concepts and frameworks to inform sustainable value creation. |
| Articulate ideas using design-specific language, concepts, and media to initiate, resolve and generate professional outcomes in response to design briefs. | Influence business decisions and outcomes through ethical and professional judgement and communication by analysing problems and implementing business solutions. |
| Identify, evaluate and navigate a complex and ever-changing range of digital tools in order to strategically achieve successful outcomes in dynamic industry environments. | Communicate business ideas, analyses, and recommendations clearly and professionally to diverse stakeholders, collaborate effectively in teams, and use feedback and reflection to improve business practice. |
| Critically analyse and evaluate design methodologies, concepts, modes and media in order to generate ideas and resolve complex problems to achieve professional industry-based outcomes. | Critically evaluate business models, strategies, and practices to assess their economic, environmental, and social impacts, and advance recommendations that support sustainable outcomes. |
| Strategically evaluate design research methodologies to identify appropriate approaches to complex and ill-defined problems that generate and deliver diverse communication solutions. | Select and apply appropriate business technologies, demonstrating judgement of their relevance for the task and context. |
| Critically reflect on professional performance and growth in order to prioritise needs and maintain professional accountability in communication design settings. | Apply business knowledge and cultural intelligence, with adaptability and reflective practice, to identify and address opportunities for shared prosperity across Indigenous, regional, and international contexts. |
| Lead, deliver and perform respectfully and inclusively within a collaborative and professional team, applying agile and responsive approaches in the delivery of industry standard outcomes. | |
| Evaluate and apply design’s capacity to act as an agent of change that is responsive to the social, cultural and ethical needs of diverse communities in global contexts. |
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Design / Bachelor of Business
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400312311 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400512311 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400612311 - Online, Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) - Deakin code
- D3200
- 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
$14,971
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
VTAC
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Apply through VTAC
Applications are open. Apply through VTAC if you're:
- currently in Year 12 and applying for Trimester 1 or Semester 1
- applying for multiple undergraduate courses
Need help? Follow our step-by-step undergraduate guide to prepare and submit your application.
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.
Not sure if you'll meet entry requirements?
Deakin offers a range of pathways into the Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Business to suit your background and goals. Explore the pathways finder to see how previous study, diplomas or alternative qualifications can lead you into the course.
Alternate exits
- Bachelor of Business (M370)
- Bachelor of Design (A319)
- Diploma of Business Studies (M201)