Key facts
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
Gain real-world business expertise that you can apply to a range of careers or to the management of your own business. Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Commerce will give you a foundation in commerce and business theories with opportunities to put them into practice through hands-on industry experience.
The Graduate Diploma of Commerce builds on an undergraduate qualification in any discipline. This one-year program is designed to give you advanced knowledge of the key business disciplines, which can then be applied to business-related careers across any field.
On completion of the Graduate Diploma of Commerce you may progress to Deakin’s Master of Commerce.
Read MoreCourse structure
To complete the Graduate Diploma of Commerce, students must attain a total of 8 credit points, consisting of 5 credit points of core units and 3 credit points of elective units, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point unit, MAI010 Academic Integrity. Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point. Electives may be selected from the full range of units available in the Master of Commerce (see M755 Master of Commerce entry for list of units available).
5
Core units
3
Elective units
8
Total units
Core units
* MPM701A is a Start Anytime unit
^ MPT code denotes Study Tour version of the unit
Compulsory 0-credit point unit
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Elective units
Select 3 credit points of units from the full range of units available in M755 Master of Commerce.
Key information
2021 course information
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud Campus
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Cloud Campus
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Cloud Campus
Additional course information
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning into the Graduate Diploma of Commerce may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate postgraduate studies. There are negotiated Recognition of Prior Learning arrangements in place for CPA members.
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks listed here: https://www.deakin.edu.au/courses/key-dates.
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Work experience
This course provides students the opportunity to complete one or more elective work integrated learning units.
More information: WIL Programs
Entry requirements
Entry information
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must meet the course requirements.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Minimum admission criteria:
*Note: relevant professional experience that demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of business or other related field
IELTS / English language requirements
Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.
It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that she/he has the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses. (more details)
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 2020 students (PDF, 581.6KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Recognition of prior learning
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for Recognition of Prior Learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your Recognition of Prior Learning.
Your Recognition of Prior Learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
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 tuition fees.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 15% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees. Your Immediate Family Members may also be eligible to apply for this bursary.
Apply now
How to apply
Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance
For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.
Entry pathways
Further study options
Alternative exits
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.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of a contemporary body of commerce and business theories and their application. |
| Communication | Apply appropriate communication skills within the context of commerce and business. |
| Digital Literacy | Apply appropriate digital technologies to find, use, manage and disseminate complex commerce knowledge and ideas. |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse a range of business related information to make informed business decisions, and to provide informed recommendations and courses of action. |
| Problem Solving | Conceptualise, construct and recommend solutions to real world and ill-defined problems faced by decision-makers in a business environment. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate independent study and learning the field of commerce. |
| Teamwork | Work with and learn from others from different business disciplines and backgrounds. |
| Global Citizenship | Not explicitly addressed as a learning outcome in this award. |