What type of student will I be?

An undergraduate student is any individual who is engaged in a program of study (generally three years) that leads to a bachelors degree. At Deakin University courses which are classified as undergraduate include associate degrees, bachelors degrees and bachelors degrees (honours).

A postgraduate student is one who is undertaking further study at a higher level than a bachelor degree. At Deakin, postgraduate study courses include: graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, masters by coursework or by research, and doctorates.

As one of Australia's leading providers of flexible professional education, Deakin University offers postgraduate study programs that can fit around your work and lifestyle demands.

Visit our postgraduate student web site for information on areas of study available and how to apply for postgraduate study, including both on and off-campus study. The entry requirement for postgraduate courses is normally the completion of a bachelor degree from a TAFE or University, however some postgraduate study may also be offered to those who have gained significant work experience.

Information about research and doctorates can be found through Research Services.

You are a current Year 12 student if you are currently studying:

• VCE (or Adult VCE)
• senior level VCAL
• an interstate Australian Year 12 certificate
• a New Zealand Year 12 certificate or
• International Baccalaureate

You are a non-Year 12 applicant if you are currently:

• having a gap year
• studying at another university, TAFE institution or Independent Tertiary College
• in the workforce or
• not currently employed but are looking to improve your skills.

You are classified as a mature age student if you are moving into tertiary study and are 21 years or over on 1 January of the year of intake. This term falls under the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) linked to undergraduate applications through VTAC.

If you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa then you are considered to be an Australian student.

To be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) you must be an Australian citizen; or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study.

To be eligible to defer your CSP student contributions through HECS-HELP, you must be an Australian citizen, or a holder of a permanent humanitarian visa.  Permanent residents are not eligible for HECS-HELP. Visit www.studyassist.gov.au for more information.

Deakin University defines an international student as:

• any student living in Australia with temporary resident status, provided there is no limitation on study; or
• any student living abroad who is not an Australian citizen and does not have permanent residency in Australia (this includes students studying at Offshore Teaching Partners).

For further information on applying for study as an international student please visit Deakin International.

On-campus students attend Campus in person, and usually receive a combination of lectures and tutorials. Lectures vary in size from 20–600 students, whereas tutorial classes are generally smaller, more informal and allow for open discussion of issues raised in lectures. Assessment may take a variety of forms, including written work and tests undertaken in class, participation in class or laboratory sessions, and final examinations each trimester. Fieldwork or practical experience can also form a large part of the content and assessment of some units.

Off-campus students take courses that are offered by distance education, but which are the same as on-campus courses; the only difference is that rather than attend classes in person, off-campus students study away from Campus using a variety of other methods, including online technologies, study guides, reading lists and audiovisual materials. Deakin University’s off-campus courses are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the US-based Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which is an indicator of institutional and educational quality.

An honours student is any individual who chooses to expand their undergraduate degree with a specialist year of study. Honours can be undertaken as part of a degree or following the completion of an undergraduate degree and provides students with the opportunity to refine their analytical and research skills while expanding employment and study options.

More information on this exciting program can be found on the honours website

A research candidate is someone undertaking a research degree. Deakin University requires the candidate to complete an approved program of research (PhD or Masters degree) under the guidance of one or more supervisors. The supervisors will be experienced and active researchers with expertise in the field of study. While the candidate contributes to the selection of the research program, it must be approved by the supervisors as suitable for a research degree. A finite period of time is allowed for completion of the degree because it is the candidate's ability to make a significant contribution in a limited time which is being assessed.

The results of the research are incorporated into a thesis which is submitted for examination at the end of the program. The thesis must be a self-contained, integrated, and coherent body of work which constitutes a substantial original contribution to knowledge as judged by independent experts.

Learn more about becoming a research candidate.