Master of Commerce

Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning into the Master 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 - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Study overseas and earn a dual degree

The Deakin Business School offers the opportunity to study a dual degree with an overseas partner university in Sweden. You’ll learn at world-class business schools and have the chance to explore another country and culture. Learn more about the Master of Commerce/ Master in International Strategic Management

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.

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.

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.

Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.

All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.

Admission to study postgraduate coursework at Deakin is based on recognition of your
professional experience and previous qualifications.

1 year full time (2 years part time) – 8 credit points
Admission is based on:

• Bachelor honours (AQF8) degree in a related discipline, or
• Bachelor degree in a related discipline, plus two years relevant work experience, or
• Graduate certificate or graduate diploma in a related discipline, or
• Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent.

1.5 years full time (3 years part time) – 12 credit points
Admission is based on:

• Bachelor degree in a related discipline, or
• Bachelor degree in any discipline, plus two years relevant work experience, or
• Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent.

2 years full time (4 years part time) – 16 credit points
Admission is based on:

• Bachelor degree or other qualification at a higher AQF level in any discipline, or
• Successful completion of Masters Qualifying Program (MQP) with a minimum weighted average mark of 60% for each discipline-based unit and a pass grade in the two communication and academic skills instruction units, or
• Successful completion of Masters Qualifying Program Extended (MQPE) with a minimum weighted average mark of 60% for three discipline-based units or a pass grade in one skill-based unit and a minimum weighted average mark of 60% for two discipline-based units, or
• evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent 

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 Deakin Policy Library.

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.

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 via Cloud (online). International students may undertake a maximum of up to one third (or equivalent) of their study as Cloud (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.

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.

Commerce graduates would normally be precluded from one or more of the core units and required to undertake substitute units from the full range of MCom units. These students are expected to specialise in an area other than their undergraduate major(s).

The tuition fees you pay are calculated depending on the course you choose.

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 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.

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Alternative exits

• Graduate Certificate of Commerce (M516)
• Graduate Certificate of Professional Accounting (M506)
• Graduate Diploma of Commerce (M616)
• Graduate Diploma of Professional Accounting (M696)

The specialisations in commerce studies lead to careers in virtually every area of business and government in Australia and internationally. Broad career paths include becoming a professional accountant, IT and systems professional, economist, financial planner, human resources manager, social and economic policy developer, international trade officer and marketing assistant/manager. As this is a very broad course there are further possibilities in other professions especially if taken with further study.

By choosing appropriate units within the Master of Commerce, you may satisfy the professional recognition requirements for entry into alternate professional bodies including CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ), the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA).