Course overview

Gain a competitive business foundation with global application. Through Deakin's Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Commerce, you'll develop your understanding of the international forces shaping government, business and communities, and gain skills to analyse and interpret these forces.

Take your business ideas to the world stage. You'll develop knowledge and capabilities and gain insights through valuable international experiences.

You’ll commit to an exciting international learning program, either as a student at one of our university exchange partners or in an approved internship. Develop your understanding of foreign governments, businesses and communities on the ground, and immerse yourself in the culture while you’re there.

Want to take your business ideas global??
 

This course will equip you with a solid foundation in business, and the international context you need to live and work anywhere in the world.

Choose a major commerce sequence that reflects your specialised passion:

• accounting
• economics
• finance
• financial planning
• human resources management
• management
• management information systems
• marketing.

This combined course is led by academics who are experts in their field, so you’ll always be learning the latest concepts, ideas and approaches from inside the industry. Plus, you’ll benefit from networking with and learning from their real-world connections.

Deakin's Bachelor of Commerce is internationally recognised with EQUIS and EPAS accredited by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), and AACSB accredited. We are also the only Australian university with all three accreditations, meaning you are graduating with a degree that is of a global standard.

Course structure

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of International Studies/Bachelor of Commerce, students must complete 32 credit points as follows: 

16 credit points of International Studies units must be completed as follows -

• 6 credit points of core units - AIR200, AIS101, AIS102, AIS204, AIS303, AIS304
• an 8-credit-point approved major sequence
• an approved international experience (2 credit points minimum)*
• Academic Integrity AAI018
• Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

*It is envisaged that students will complete the international experience in the third or fourth year of their course. 

16 credit points of Commerce units must be completed as follows -

• 8 credit points of core units - MAA103, MAE101, MAF101, MIS171, MLC101, MMK101, MMM132 and MWL101.
• **one prescribed Commerce major sequence of 8 credit points
• A minimum of 4 credit points at level 3 of Commerce coded units

**Note: The Food and Agribusiness major will no longer be offered. It is only offered to students who commenced prior to 2023

Within the total 32 credit points no more than 12 credit points of units may be taken at level 1. 8 of these will be core Commerce, 2 core International Studies and 2 may be used for the Arts major. 

Course requirements for both the Bachelor of International Studies (A326) and the Bachelor of Commerce (M300) must be satisfied.

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.

Additional course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Mandatory student checks

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.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Work experience

This course includes completion of 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 or AIS331) *in-country language program (in Chinese, Indonesian or Arabic)
• 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 an in-country language program can be taken to achieve one credit point of the international experience requirement

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 credit transfer. 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 credit transfer. Your credit transfer 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.

Career outcomes

This combined course provides the skills and experience necessary to take up a wide range of employment opportunities in virtually every area of business and government, in Australia and overseas. Graduates can enter a wide range of roles in the public sector including diplomacy, defence, immigration, education, finance, communication, trade, development and aid. You can also work in private large corporations and small or medium sized businesses with an international orientation, and non-government organisations with regional and global links. Potential careers include professional accountant, economist, financial planner, human resources manager, social and economic policy developer, international trade officer and marketing assistant/manager.

Professional recognition

Students who complete the accounting major sequence are eligible to apply for:

• the CA Program of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ)
• Associate membership for the CPA Program
• IPA Program of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

Students who complete the marketing major sequence are eligible for a one-year credit reduction from the five years needed to become a Certified Practicing Marketer by the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI).

Students who complete the financial planning major sequence will satisfy the education standards prescribed by the Financial Adviser Standards (FAS) to be able to provide financial advice in Australia and be eligible for entry into the certification programs of the professional financial planning associations – the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification Program offered by the Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) and the Fellow Chartered Financial Practitioner designation offered by the Association of Financial Advisers (AFA).

Commerce graduates may also be eligible to apply for membership to these key professional bodies (depending on units taken):

• Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI)
• Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML)
• Institute of Public Accountants (IPA)

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.