Key facts
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
Make a smart business decision – advance your career with Deakin's Master of Commerce. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and principles integral to accounting, finance, economics, marketing and management.
Designed to accommodate any educational background, this course provides choice and flexibility so you can tailor the course to your career aspirations. Explore a broad range of business concepts or choose from a variety of specialisations. You will learn contemporary business practices, including cutting-edge tools and techniques, to navigate the dynamic business industry.
Ready to shift your job prospects into the next gear with specialised commerce expertise?
Whether you're embarking on a career change or looking to deepen your current skill set, our Master of Commerce will enable you to build advanced-level knowledge to apply in real-world business scenarios. You will sharpen your critical thinking skills and become an expert at evaluating complex business problems, giving you the insight to make informed decisions based on sound financial and ethical considerations.
With options to study at our Melbourne Burwood Campus or online, you can tailor your learning to fit your commitments. Plus, by undertaking one of our work-integrated learning units you can weave practical experience into your degree and significantly enhance your job prospects.
Deakin's Master of Commerce has achieved accreditation from multiple prestigious professional bodies. By choosing relevant units from the program, you gain the opportunity to fulfil the recognition requirements set by professional bodies such as 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). Such recognition opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities and establishes a solid foundation for professional advancement.
Read MoreCourse information
- Award granted
- Master of Commerce
- Year
2025 course information
- Deakin code
- M755
- CRICOS code?
- 027129E Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- 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 open electives, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point module, DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin.
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
^ MMT/MPT code denotes Study Tour version of the unit
Open elective units
Students are able to select 4 credit points of open 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)
- Deakin stackable short courses (0.5cp microcredentials)
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:
MAA701 Accounting (Group 1 unit) MAF752 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)
Stackable short courses
Mix and match Deakin stackable short courses (0.5 credit point microcredentials) to earn up to 1 credit point of open electives, subject to eligibility. Any stacking must add up to a whole number to be used for credit. For more information, visit the Deakin stackable short course options.
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.
- Accounting
- Artificial Intelligence for Business
- Business Analytics
- Digital Transformation
- Digital Finance
- Event Management
- Finance
- Financial Planning
- Human Resource Management
- Information Systems
- International Trade and Business
- Leadership
- Management Consulting
- Marketing
- Marketing Technology
- Professional Practice
- Project Management
- Property and Real Estate
- 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.
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
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.
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
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. 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 standard holiday breaks. Learn about key dates at Deakin.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 provides students the opportunity to complete one or more elective work integrated learning units.
Explore Business and Law WIL opportunities.
Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, you may commence this course with admission credit and complete your course in 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent).
Academic requirements
1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 8 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (with 8 credit points of admission credit applied^*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree (honours) (AQF 8) or higher in a related discipline
- completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline, and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
- completion of a graduate certificate or graduate diploma or higher in a related discipline
- evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent
1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (with 4 credit points of admission credit applied^*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline, and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
- evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent
2-years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 16 credit points
To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline
- evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent
^Related discipline degree: A 'related discipline' award for this course is a Bachelor degree in Commerce or Business in which students have completed studies explicitly in core areas covering finance, management, marketing and economics.
^Relevant work experience: Relevant work experience is determined as business experience either in a broad commerce role or in a managerial position with business oversight responsibilities in any field.
*Recognition of prior learning will still be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more below.
English language proficiency requirements
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Admissions information
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
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
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning.
You can refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
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 tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in 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 eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this 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 international student 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.
We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.
For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact us.
Careers
Career outcomes
The specialisations in commerce studies lead to careers in virtually every area of business and government in Australia and internationally.
As a Deakin graduate, you will have the business mindset and practical experience needed to succeed in a variety of roles including:
- economist
- human resources manager
- international trade officer
- IT and systems professional
- marketing assistant/manager
- professional accountant
- social and economic policy developer.
Professional recognition
Deakin Business School holds 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 relevant units within the Master of Commerce, you may be eligible for entry to 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.
| Deakin 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 |