Key facts
English language requirements
IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent
Duration
The time and cost can be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. This means you can fast track the masters degree from 2 years down to 1.5 years, or even 1 year duration. See entry requirements below for more information.
Locations
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course overview
The Master of Commerce aims to provide a contemporary business course with a variety of choices and flexibilities to suit students’ skills and preferences. The Master of Commerce has been designed for students who are from any field of study whether their background is in business or another area such as education, arts, or engineering, who want to upskill or to change their career paths or to advance their understanding of core business knowledge to pursue a career in the modern commercial world.
Once you have commenced this course, you'll have the option to complement your primary studies in commerce with a specialisation in a wide range of business-related fields. Designed to meet industry demand for skilled professionals with a breadth of transferrable skills, a specialisation can help deepen your knowledge in a particular business field and benefit your future career.
The Master of Commerce is designed to prepare our graduates to face the dynamism in the modern commercial world and equip them with cutting edge techniques so that they are able to utilise the tools, technology, and data they need for their future work settings as well as how to use data to inform business decisions that employers look for.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Commerce
- Year
2023 course information
- Deakin code
- M755
- CRICOS code?
- 027129E Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- 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 9.
Course structure
The Master of Commerce is typically 8, 12 or 16 credit points. The exact number of credit points you study depends on how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) - your professional experience and previous qualifications - which can save you time and money.
For students undertaking 16 credit points, you study 5 credit points of course electives, one specialisation of 4 credit points, taken from the available Faculty-wide specialisations, 3 credit points of core units, and 4 credit points of general electives, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, MAI010 Academic Integrity Module.
Most units (think of units as 'subjects') are equal to 1 credit point.
Core Units
complete 3 credit points of core Master of Commerce units:
Compulsory 0-credit point module
To be completed in the first trimester of study:
Course Electives
Students complete 5 credit points of course electives, which must include at least one from each of the following groups:
Group 1- Capital Markets
Group 2- Business and Technology
Group 3- Business and Society
Group 4- Business and Ethics
^ MPT code denotes Study Tour version of the unit
* MIS770A denotes a Start Anytime unit
Elective units
Students are able to select 4 credit points of general electives which can be chosen from:
- any units listed in the Postgraduate Faculty-wide specialisations
- Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units
- other postgraduate units offered by the University (subject to eligibility)
Note: Students may use their elective unit choices to complete a second specialisation.
Additional Notes:
Students seeking professional recognition by CPA Australia and CA ANZ should complete the following units within their course:
MPA701 Accounting (Group 1 unit) MPF753 Finance (Group 1 unit)
MPE781 Economics for Managers (Group 3 unit)
MLC707 Business Law (Group 3 unit) MLC703 Principles of Income Tax Law (Accounting specialisation or elective) MAA703 Accounting for Managers (Accounting specialisation)
MAA705 Corporate Auditing (Accounting specialisation or elective)
MAA716 Financial Accounting (Accounting specialisation or elective)
MAA725 Advanced Accounting Principles and Practice (Elective)
MAA789 Accounting Systems and Analytics (Accounting specialisation or elective)
Specialisations
All students must complete one 4 credit point specialisations chosen from the following list of Faculty-wide specialisations.
Note: It is important that students use their course elective choices (or general elective unit choices) to satisfy prerequisite requirements of their chosen specialisation.
Refer to the details of each specialisation for availability.
- Applied Research
- Accounting
- Artificial Intelligence for Business
- Arts and Cultural Industries
- Business Analytics
- Business Law
- Cyberlaw
- Digital Transformation
- Digital Finance
- Event Management
- Finance
- Financial Planning
- Human Resource Management
- Information Systems
- International Trade and Business
- Leadership
- Management Consulting
- Marketing
- Marketing Technology
- Project Management
- Property and Real Estate
- Public Sector Studies
- Supply Chain Management
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)
- Online
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Online
For students commencing before T1 2022, please see the 2021 handbook for the Master of Commerce course structure.
Additional course information
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
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
Depending on your previous qualifications and professional experience, your course will be 1, 1.5 or 2 years duration.
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 year 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 a masters qualifying program (MQP)
- Evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent
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)
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.
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.
Online studies
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.
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.
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).
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 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.
Apply now
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.
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
Alternative exits
- Graduate Certificate of Commerce (M516)
- Graduate Diploma of Commerce (M616)
Careers
Career outcomes
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, 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.
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.
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).
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 | Synthesise a broad base of critical commerce knowledge with specialised discipline knowledge and apply this in contemporary business contexts, drawing from this to explore advanced concepts through conducting independent research on a chosen commerce-related issue |
| Communication | Demonstrate business communication techniques to convey complex commerce concepts and proposals to both specialists and non-specialists |
| Digital Literacy | Apply appropriate digital technologies to find, use, manage and disseminate complex commerce knowledge and ideas, and to make evidence-based business decisions. |
| Critical thinking | Critically analyse a range of complex business-related information to make and evaluate informed business decisions in regard to investment, ethical, economic, and business management issues. |
| Problem Solving | Conceptualise and construct informed recommendations and solutions to real-world and ill-defined problem faced by decision-makers in a business environment. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate initiative and independence in learning and research in both a broad and a specialised field of commerce |
| Teamwork | Work and learn with others from different business disciplines and backgrounds |
| Global Citizenship | Interpret and reflect on the impact of ethics, culture and internationalisation on contemporary business issues |