Bachelor of Commerce(Finance)/Bachelor of Arts

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Deakin University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Bachelor of Arts at Deakin University is a double degree designed for students who want to combine strong financial expertise with broad skills in communication, critical thinking, and humanities. It is ideal for students who are interested in both business and arts disciplines and want flexible career pathways across finance, media, government, or international organisations. The program is offered at Deakin University’s Burwood (Melbourne) Campus and Geelong Waterfront Campus, providing access to modern learning facilities and strong industry engagement opportunities.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: In the first year, students build foundational knowledge in both commerce and arts through core units such as Principles of Finance, Accounting for Decision Making, Academic Integrity and Critical Thinking. This year introduces key business concepts while also developing communication and analytical skills through arts-based studies like Understanding Society and Culture.

Year 2: In the second year, students deepen their finance expertise while expanding their arts specialisation with subjects such as Corporate Finance, Financial Markets, and Economic Principles, alongside arts units like Media, Culture and Communication or International Relations. This year focuses on applying financial theory and developing interdisciplinary thinking.

Year 3: The third year strengthens advanced finance knowledge through units such as Investment Analysis, Portfolio Management, and Business Finance, while arts studies explore areas like Global Politics or Contemporary Social Issues. Students begin integrating both disciplines for real-world problem-solving.

Year 4: In the final year, students complete advanced commerce and arts electives including International Finance, Risk Management, and Strategic Management, alongside a major capstone or research-based arts project. This year prepares graduates for professional employment by combining financial decision-making with strong communication and analytical abilities.

Focus Areas: Investment analysis, corporate finance, financial markets, international relations, communication, global studies, risk management.

Learning Outcomes: Graduates will be able to analyse financial systems, communicate complex ideas effectively, evaluate global issues, and apply interdisciplinary thinking to business and societal challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The finance component aligns with industry pathways such as CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) preparation and supports careers in banking, consulting, government, and international organisations.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Deakin University is internationally recognised for strong graduate employment outcomes and business education excellence, consistently ranked in global rankings such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Bachelor of Arts at Deakin University gives students hands-on experience by combining real-world financial training with communication, critical thinking, and global perspective skills. Students learn in industry-aligned environments where theory is constantly applied to real financial and social contexts, supported by Deakin’s strong digital learning ecosystem and business-focused teaching facilities. The program also encourages collaboration, case-based learning, and practical problem-solving using real industry scenarios: this is strengthened through access to professional tools, simulations, and work-integrated learning opportunities.

Deakin Finance Trading Room :(Financial Market Simulation Tools) Students gain hands-on experience using real-time financial market simulation platforms and Bloomberg-style data systems to analyse investments, stocks, and market movements in a controlled learning environment.
Deakin Business Analytics Platforms :(Data & Financial Software Tools) Students use industry-relevant software such as Excel, statistical tools, and business analytics platforms to interpret financial data and support decision-making processes.
Work-Integrated Learning :(Internships & Industry Projects) The program includes internship opportunities, industry-based projects, and real-world case studies where students work with organisations to solve financial and business challenges.
Group-Based Case Study Learning :(Collaborative Business Projects) Students regularly participate in team-based projects focused on financial planning, investment evaluation, and business strategy development, simulating real corporate environments.
Deakin Library & Digital Resources :(Learning Support Systems) Students have access to extensive digital financial databases, journals, and research tools through Deakin Library to support academic and industry-focused learning.
Industry Engagement Programs :(Professional Exposure Opportunities) Students benefit from guest lectures, networking events, and industry workshops with finance professionals and business leaders.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) / Bachelor of Arts at Deakin University develop a unique combination of financial expertise and strong communication, critical thinking, and cultural understanding skills. This dual qualification prepares students for diverse global careers where analytical finance skills and broader human insight are both highly valued. Typical career outcomes include Financial Analyst, Business Consultant, Policy Analyst, Investment Associate: these roles allow graduates to work across banking, consulting, government, and international organisations.

Career Support Services :(DeakinTalent & Career Development) Deakin University provides dedicated employability support through DeakinTALENT, offering career coaching, resume and interview preparation, networking events, internships, and access to graduate employment opportunities with industry partners.
Employment Stats & Salary :(Graduate Outcomes Data) Graduates entering finance and business-related roles typically achieve median starting salaries in the range of AUD $65,000–$95,000 per year, with strong long-term growth in consulting, banking, and corporate finance sectors.
University–Industry Partnerships :(Industry Engagement) Deakin has strong connections with major employers including banks, consulting firms, government departments, and multinational companies, providing students with internship opportunities, guest lectures, and industry-based learning projects.
Long-term Accreditation Value :(Professional Recognition) The finance component supports progression toward internationally recognised certifications such as the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), while the arts component strengthens transferable skills valued across global industries.
Graduation Outcomes :(Industry Readiness) Graduates gain strong analytical, communication, and financial decision-making skills, enabling them to work across finance, consulting, government policy, international business, and corporate strategy roles.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this program, graduates can pursue further study such as a Master of Finance, Master of Applied Finance, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of International Business, or Master of Business Analytics, allowing them to specialise further and progress into senior leadership, advisory, and global finance roles.