Frequently Asked Questions - Applying

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How do I apply?

There are four ways international students can apply to study at Deakin:

  • apply online
  • apply by mail or fax
  • apply in person
  • apply through our overseas representative.

      (Note: if you apply online, you do not have to pay the application fee.)

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I am an international student currently studying VCE in Australia. How should I apply?

Apply through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Put down your preferred Deakin University course as your number one preference.

      For more information, contact VTAC or speak to school's careers advisor.

What are the closing dates for applications?

While there is no formal closing date for applying for on-campus courses, interested applicants are advised to start the application process as soon as possible to allow enough time to apply for a student visa.

For off-campus courses, applications must be received by November 30 (for courses commencing in trimester 1) and May 31 (for courses commencing in trimester 2).

What happens after I apply?

On-campus students

  • As soon as a decision is made on your eligibility you will be informed of your outcome by post, courier or by email.
  • If you are successful, you will receive a Offer Letter stating the course for which you have been accepted, course fees to be paid and the Overseas Student Health Cover information.
  • You will also receive an Offer pack outlining the process of accepting an offer, as well as a Pre-departure Guide, which will help you in preparing to come to Australia.
  • If you are made an unconditional offer, you will be asked to pay tuition fees for the first trimester of the course. You will also be asked to sign and return an Offer Acceptance Form.
  • If a conditional offer is made, you must provide evidence that you have fulfilled the condition before an unconditional offer can be made.
  • When you have paid your fees an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCOE) will be sent to you. This form is used to obtain a student visa from the Australian Diplomatic Mission in your country or from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in Australia.

Off-campus students

  • As soon as a decision is made on your eligibility you will be informed of your outcome by post, email or courier. If you are successful, you will receive a Offer Letter stating the course for which you have been accepted and course fees to be paid.
  • You will also receive an Offer pack containing an Enrolment Form (award course applicants) or an Offer Acceptance Form (single unit applicants), information on enrolling at Deakin, a Deakin University Handbook, and a small envelope for you to send a photograph for your student identity card.
  • If you are made an unconditional offer, you will be asked to pay tuition fees for the first trimester of the course. You will also be asked to complete and return the Enrolment Form or Offer Acceptance Form together with your passport sized photograph in the envelope provided.
  • If a conditional offer is made, you must provide evidence that you have fulfilled the condition before an unconditional offer can be made.
  • Tuition fees and the General Service Fee must be paid at the time of acceptance of offer by bank draft in Australian dollars, credit card or by telegraphic transfer.
  • Upon receipt of your fees and necessary documents you will be formally enrolled in your course of study. Dispatch of study materials normally takes place in January/February for first trimester and May/June for second trimester.

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I want to change my application. What should I do?

If you have received an Offer Letter and would like to be considered for a different program, you will need to contact Deakin International and state in writing that you would like to change your course.

Your application will then be reassessed and you will be advised of the outcome.

What are the entry requirements?

Entry requirements differ from course to course, and whether you are applying for an undergraduate course or a postgraduate course. In addition, some courses have specific entry requirements that you will have to meet before you can apply.

All international students must also meet certain English language requirements in order to be granted admission into a Deakin University course.

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How do I apply for a research degree?

If you are interested in undertaking a research degree at Deakin, you will need to contact the relevant faculty to discuss research areas of interest before submitting an application. The University's Research Services division can provide you with useful information on priority research areas, contacts, scholarships and the application process.

How do I find out about the status of my application?

If you have applied through a Deakin University representative, they will be informed of the outcome of your application.

If you applied directly to Deakin University, you will be contacted by one of our staff who will advise you of the outcome of your application.

If you applied online, you can check the status of your application using the login name and password that were issued to you when you first applied.

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How long will it take for my application to be processed by the University?

You will receive an acknowledgement within 3 working days of lodging your application. If you have not received a response after that time, please contact Deakin International. Your application should be processed within 10-15 working days. However, please be advised that certain applications may require longer duration to process and during peak period there may be slight delay in processing your application.

If my application is unsuccessful, what can I do?

If you do not meet the academic entry requirements for Deakin University, you should consider completing a course at one of our pathway institutions. Pathway courses allow you to bridge the gap between your current qualifications and the entry requirements for undergraduate courses. Some pathway courses even allow you to gain direct entry into second year of selected Deakin courses.

If you do not meet English language requirements for Deakin, you should consider taking an English language course at the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI). DUELI offers a wide range of English language courses and is a part of Deakin University. The English for Academic Purposes course, for example, is designed specially to help students gain the necessary qualifications to meet Deakin's English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

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Can I lodge more than one application at any time?

No, you cannot lodge more than one application at any time. However, when you apply, you can list up to two different courses as your course preferences on your application form. Your application will be considered for your first preference. If you are not eligible for your first preference, you will automatically be considered for your second preference.

If you have been offered a place in a course but would like to change to a different course, you will need to contact Deakin International and state in writing that you would like to change your course. Your application will then be reassessed and you will be advised of the outcome.

What is a conditional offer?

A conditional offer is made when the applicant is required to fulfil certain conditions before they receive an unconditional offer. For example, applicants may be required to provide certified copies of previous studies or other relevant documentation, or to meet the University's English language requirements.

Once we have received evidence that you have fulfilled these conditions, you will be sent an an unconditional offer.

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Can I gain Credit for Prior Learning (credit transfer) for previous studies?

At Deakin University, you can apply for Credit for Prior Learning (credit transfer) based on your previous studies, which may reduce the duration of your course.

I have been asked to provide certified or notarised copies of my results. What are they?

A certified or notarised copy is a document that has been stamped and signed as a true copy of the original document by an authorised person. Authorised persons in this case include: registrars of schools and Universities, Justices of the Peace, members of the police force, medical practitioners, pharmacists, solicitors, dentists and magistrates. If you applied through a Deakin representative, s/he will be able to certify your document.

When you apply for your course, you are required to submit certified copies of your academic transcripts and English language test results along with your application. Later, when you enrol, you will be required to present your original documents to the enrolment officer.

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How do I transfer from another university to Deakin?

You can transfer to Deakin University by submitting a standard application form or by applying online. If you believe you are entitled to Credit for Prior Learning (credit transfer), you must send supporting certified academic transcripts with your application.

Can I defer my offer from Deakin and commence my studies only in the following trimester/year?

You can defer your offer for for up to 12 months. To do so, you will need to inform the Deakin representative whom you applied through or Deakin International as soon as possible. You will then be issued with a new offer letter.

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Deakin University acknowledges the traditional land owners of present campus sites.

20th October 2011