80+ hours work-integrated learning
AACSB and EQUIS accredited business school
Study overseas for a trimester or more
Why choose Deakin
Gain a competitive commerce foundation with global application at a top 3 business school in Victoria. By studying Deakin's Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Commerce double degree, you will develop an understanding of the international forces shaping government, business and communities, along with the skills to analyse and interpret them.
Understand how data, markets and money drive real decisions and apply this knowledge in global contexts. Choose commerce majors from accounting to marketing, and international studies majors including Middle East studies and Anthropology.
International experience is built into your degree, with opportunities to take part in an exciting international internship, study overseas or join an in-country language program. You will gain first-hand insight into foreign governments, businesses and communities, and immerse yourself in new cultures, building the global perspective and experience employers value.
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Global career outcomes
Prepare for careers in communications, diplomacy, NGOs, trade and aid, with graduates working for organisations such as the United Nations and World Vision.
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International experience built in
Complete a required international experience through exchange, internship, study tour or language study.
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Degrees shaped by employers
Learn from experts with industry networks and build experience through approved internships with international organisations.
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Global business credibility
Study at a top 3 business school in Melbourne, with global AACSB and EQUIS dual accreditation.
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 global awareness with commercial expertise to pursue careers across government, international organisations, trade, policy and consulting, supported by cross-cultural capability and practical international experience.
Policy officer
Research and analyse complex issues, consult with stakeholders and prepare policy advice, briefings and reports that support decisions across government, NGOs and other organisations.
- $113k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 14.8%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Management consultant
Analyse organisations, markets and data to identify challenges, develop practical strategies and advise clients on improving performance, including in international and cross-cultural contexts.
- $105k
Typical salary in Australia
- 4.2/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Diplomat
- Foreign affairs officer
- NGO policy officer
- Politician
- Trade delegate
- Foreign exchange analyst
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.
Related courses
*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 International Studies/Bachelor of Commerce?
Build global perspective alongside business capability. Begin with core learning in both disciplines, then shape the double degree through one major in each area and an international experience.
Build your base
Start with business essentials
Build knowledge in key commercial areas as a foundation for your major study.
Build your global perspective
Begin exploring intercultural communication and international contexts, helping you see how people, institutions and markets connect.
Ease into future choices
Early sequence study starts to reveal your strengths and interests.
Deepen both disciplines
Develop more complex perspectives
Examine global systems and social issues in greater depth while strengthening analytical and business thinking.
Shape your two majors
Tailor your studies as you continue your international studies pathway and build on your commerce major.
Strengthen professional habits
Applied tasks help you build confidence in research, communication and evidence-based decision-making.
Apply and specialise
Advance both major pathways
Develop deeper subject knowledge and a clearer sense of where your combined expertise can take you.
Gain work‑integrated experience
Complete at least 80 hours of work‑integrated learning through consulting programs or internships.
Connect ideas across contexts
Bring your learnings together and analyse issues with commercial awareness, cultural insight and a broader view of change.
Finish with perspective
Complete capstone-style learning
Reflect on your development and think ahead to future professional directions.
Turn theory to practice
Draw on your international experience to deepen your understanding of organisations, communities and global environments.
Finish career ready
Graduate with discipline depth, cross-cultural capability and practical experience – some commerce pathways may also support professional recognition.
Course structure
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Compulsory 0-credit point units
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Units
Bachelor of International Studies
Refer to the details of each major sequence for availability.
Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Spanish majors only available to students who commenced prior to 2027
~ The Indigenous Studies major sequence is offered in the online mode only. International on-campus students must first seek approval from Student Central with a course map plan to ensure they do not exceed one-third (or equivalent) of their course completed online and meet all other course and enrolment rules.
Bachelor of Commerce Majors
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.
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.
- Deakin's accounting major enables students to apply for the:
- 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®.
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.
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.
All students must complete at least 2 credit points of international experience, selected from one or more of the following:
- trimester of study at an overseas university exchange partner
- international internship (AIS330)
- approved study abroad program or approved study tour (AIS203* or other)
- approved onshore internship with an international organisation (available for AIS330 only).
- 2 credit points of consecutive language units other than in-country language program can be taken to achieve one credit point of the international experience requirement
AIS203 Immersion Program: Japanese Politics, Society and Culture [No longer available for enrolment, AWL203 replaces this unit]
AIS330 - Internship units are normally undertaken in third year (or equivalent) and are subject to completion of specified prerequisite units and special application requirements, including Unit Chair approval of their planned placement.
For further information on the international student experience and on previous students' overseas internships, explore Arts and Education WIL opportunities.
Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.
However, international students living in Australia on a student visa, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), must enrol in at least one unit that is offered as a Campus located unit and can, in addition enrol in units offered online. International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as online study. Please note enrolment in one face to face unit in compulsory study periods is only allowed if the student is completing their final unit of study and will not exceed maximum one third (or equivalent) online requirement.
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 International Studies A326 | Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Commerce M380 |
|---|---|
| Review, analyse and apply key concepts in International Studies relating to international politics and society, globalisation and development, intercultural competency, global citizenship and professional development with reference to one or more Social Science disciplinary perspectives and appropriate theories and technical knowledge. | Integrate specialist disciplinary knowledge in commerce to analyse financial, economic and market systems and generate data driven insights that inform organisational and investment decisions in interconnected local, regional and global markets. |
| Apply learnings from personal and professional development in diverse organizational contexts to effectively communicate cross-cultural ideas, arguments and analyses to diverse audiences using a range of different mediums. | Apply analytical frameworks, quantitative methods and tools for commerce to interpret financial, economic and organisational data, exercising ethical professional judgement to develop evidence based analyses and advice in commercial contexts. |
| Employ a range of digital technologies and platforms to conduct research, engage in discussion and debate, document personal and professional skills and attributes, communicate effectively with and deliver reports and presentations to a diverse range of audiences within and outside the field of International Studies. | Communicate commercial ideas, analyses and recommendations clearly and professionally to diverse stakeholders, and collaborate effectively with others, using feedback and reflection to improve professional practice. |
| Analyse and critically evaluate conceptual and theoretical approaches to issues of international politics and society, intercultural competency, global citizenship, and professional development in the context of an increasingly complex globalised world that requires appreciation of local, national, regional and international dynamics and their interactions. | Critically evaluate economic and business models, strategies and practices to assess how commercial activity can balance financial performance with environmental and social sustainability. |
| Employ initiative and creativity in conjunction with appropriate Social Science methods of research and analysis to systematically investigate and generate context-sensitive and pragmatic solutions to complex real-world problems. | Select and apply technologies to analyse complex commercial problems, evaluate alternative courses of action and generate evidence based insights that inform decision making in commerce contexts. |
| Exercise autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a sustained and ongoing commitment to learning and skill development in International Studies contexts including but not limited to communities of practice and scholarship. | Apply commercial knowledge and cultural intelligence to identify and address opportunities for shared prosperity across Indigenous, regional, and international contexts. |
| Work and learn collaboratively and productively with others in the field of International Studies and with stakeholders from other disciplines and backgrounds to achieve shared goals. | |
| Analyse and respond appropriately to issues of cultural, social and political inequity; the transferability of knowledge and skills in different geographic, knowledge and organisational contexts as a reflective scholar and practitioner, taking into consideration cultural and socio-economic diversity, social and environmental responsibility and adherence to professional and academic ethical standards. |
Approved by Faculty Board
- Award granted
- Bachelor of International Studies / Bachelor of Commerce
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400514473 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place
- Deakin code
- D377
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 075376C 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
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Apply directly through StudyLink Connect. Depending on your location, you may need to apply through a Deakin Authorised Agent, who can support and submit your application.
See our guide to applying to Deakin for application steps and requirements.
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.