News from Deakin University

Difference between Financial Planning, Finance, and Accounting

Financial planning, finance and accounting are all offered as majors in the Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin.  When choosing between these options, it is important to fully understand where each course leads.

What is financial planning?

Financial Planning is a pathway to becoming an accredited financial planner.  Financial planners help people devise a plan to achieve financial security and meet financial goals.

As well as developing strategies and recommendations, financial planners act as life coaches, educators, and mentors.

It’s a profession that combines an interest in finance and investing together, with a love of working with people and while a level of numeracy skill is required, interpersonal skills are the primary focus. Graduates work in small and large financial planning organisations or set up their own practice.

What is finance?

Finance specialists have an in-depth understanding of the structure and operations of financial markets in Australia.  They typically work within large organisations at the corporate level in roles such as treasury, project funding, investment banking, financial analysis utilising their strong numeracy and analytical skills. Careers in finance allow graduates to work across industries and provide specialised advice to aid complex business decision-making.

What is accounting?

Accounting is a pathway to becoming an accredited accountant.  Businesses and individuals rely on accountants to assess their financial situation and advise on financial dealings. Graduates work with organisations compiling, analysing, verifying and preparing financial records.  Strong numeracy and analytical skills are required for this role and, depending on the size and type of organisation, accountants may work with clients or solely with internal stakeholders within a business.

Construction Management at Burwood Campus

From the start of 206, the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) is now also offered at Deakin’s Melbourne Burwood Campus.

Students graduate with market-ready skills for careers in construction management, quantity surveying and property development.  Students will also gain valuable hands-on experience through an industry placement elective, helping them kickstart their professional journey.  Collaboration with Deakin’s architecture students ensures a sound understanding of both disciplines, preparing students for the real world with a well-rounded, adaptable skill set that employers look for.  This course is professionally accredited by the Australian Institute of Building (AIB), the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS), the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), meaning the degree is recognised in more than 50 countries providing a global passport for work in Australia and beyond.

Find out more at Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours). 

Bachelor of Engineering (Industry) at Deakin

Design and innovation are at the heart of engineering at Deakin.  Our future-focused courses go beyond theory to provide you with the skills and experience you need to create innovative engineering solutions to the challenges of tomorrow. 

The Bachelor of Engineering (Industry) (Honours) extends this to equip students with technical expertise in an engineering field of their choice whilst also supporting them to complete a 12-month paid industry placement in their fourth year.

Students undertake core engineering units in their first year before selecting to major in either civil, electrical and renewable energy, environmental and sustainability, mechanical or mechatronics engineering.  

The VCE prerequisites for this course are: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an Additional Language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in one of Maths: Mathematical Methods or Maths: Specialist Mathematics or Maths: General Mathematics.The ATAR for 2026 entry was 79.80.

With an international skills shortage and approximately 100,000 more engineers required in Australia by 2030,* Deakin graduates are in demand. Environmental engineers and renewable energy engineers are also among the 15 fastest-growing jobs worldwide,^ offering exciting opportunities to make a global impact.  Depending on which field of engineering a student chooses during their degree, they could work in government, the private sector, consulting, or even education and research.

* Australian Council of Engineering Deans: Shortages of Engineers and Supply Projections, Dec 2021.^ World Economic Forum’s ‘The Future of Jobs Report 2025’.

Accelerated Bachelor of Education (Primary)

Did you know you can achieve a four-year equivalent qualification in only three years of full-time study if you undertake selected units in Trimester 3? 

Deakin University offers the Bachelor of Education (Primary) at its Burwood, Waurn Ponds, and Warrnambool campuses.  This degree has been developed and reviewed with input from professional educators and the education sector, meaning students’ learning is highly relevant to their future teaching careers.  Students gain confidence under the expert guidance of experienced staff who are recognised leaders and innovators in their fields.

Students get to choose a specialisation and develop advanced skills in a priority area of the primary curriculum, such as:

• health and physical education
• humanities
• English
• mathematics
• science
• the arts.

Of note is that this course can be fast-tracked over three years if students undertake units in Trimester 3.  Students are encouraged to browse Bachelor of Education (Primary) to find out more.