Undergraduate
Undergraduate (your first degree)
An undergraduate degree is generally completed between two to four years, depending on the pattern of study and any recognition of prior learning you may have. Associate degrees, bachelor and bachelor with honours are all undergraduate degrees.
Postgraduate
Postgraduate (further study)
A postgraduate qualification can be undertaken by students who have already completed an undergraduate degree or possess significant, demonstrable work experience. Postgraduate courses include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, master’s and PhDs, as well as specialist programs for industry professionals.
Research
Higher Degrees by Research (supervised research)
Research degrees are research based master’s or PhD programs that focus on a single area of expertise. They provide students the opportunity to carry out highly specialised research under expert supervision.
Choosing the right course
If you're interested in a career in this discipline, Deakin can help you get there.
Are you new to this area of study?
If you haven't previously worked or studied in this area, you'll need to complete an undergraduate course before moving on to our specialised postgraduate programs.
Browse the undergraduate offerings in some of our other health sciences and allied health disciplines.
- Occupational therapy
- Family, society and health
- Allied health
- Health sciences
- Public health
- Health promotion
Are you working or studying in this area?
If you've completed an undergraduate course or have professional experience in this field, Deakin's postgraduate offering will help you reach your career goals.
Current skills and knowledge
Our courses in disability will provide you with relevant, up-to-date skills and knowledge, geared towards changes to government funding and care in disability, such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Taught by leading academics
Course Director Dr Patsie Frawley (Master of Disability and Inclusion) is a leading researcher in sexuality and disability, abuse prevention and self advocacy. Her national research projects in self advocacy resulted in the peer education program Sexual Lives and Respectful Relationships – ran by and for people with an intellectual disability.
Ready for a rewarding career in the health industry? Learn more about your study options and employment opportunities in the growing sector of disability and inclusion.
I envisage a world where inclusion isn't dependent on whether someone has a disability. Our students graduate with the tools, passion and skills to create change.
Lecturer, School of Health and Social Development
Student Kellie Hall talks about her experiences studying the Graduate Certificate of Disability and Inclusion at Deakin University.
Tailor your degree to suits you passions and interests with a Bachelor of Heath Sciences at Deakin

Research with us
Increase your job opportunities by being better informed about positive options and techniques to assist and support the one in five members of the Australian population who has some form of disability.
Research related to this discipline is conducted by the following groups:
Leaders in their field
Leading School of Health and Social Development academics Professor Susan Balandin, Dr Patsie Frawley, Dr Erin Wilson and Dr Jo Watson are globally-recognised experts in research, teaching and learning. Their innovative approaches to social inclusion and disability contribute to the contemporary approaches of our courses.
Collaborative programs
Sexual Lives: Respectful Relationships uses a community-driven and collaboratively developed model to deliver a peer-led relationships and sexuality program for people with disabilities in local communities. It was developed in collaboration with people with intellectual disability and University researchers.
Browse other disciplines within health sciences and allied health
Choose an area that you're interested in and learn how Deakin's extensive range of study options and experiences can help turn your dreams into reality.