Flexible study options
Deakin offers flexible study options for those who are unable to study on-campus and/or full-time.
Part-time research degrees
Research degrees can be undertaken on a part-time basis, which is treated as “half-time”. This will suit many candidates, but obviously it is going to take twice as long to complete the degree (up to 4 years for Masters degree and up to 8 years for a PhD). For this reason, and also because there is a risk of losing focus on the research topic over such a long period, candidates are encouraged to enrol full-time if at all possible. The issue of part-time study should be discussed early on with any potential supervisor.
It is normally possible to switch your candidature from full-time to part-time or vice versa at any stage. However, part-time study is subject to university approval concerning the suitability of your proposed topic of research to this mode of study. In general the university will recognise the compelling needs of HDR students to enrol part-time.
Off-campus research degrees
Although the vast majority of research students study on-site at one of our four campuses, it is an option to study off-campus depending on your chosen field of study. Deakin currently has a number of HDR students who reside in other states and in other countries. Students are required to have computer and internet access as a significant amount of university correspondence is sent in this way. Candidates are given a Deakin University email account and are expected to check this regularly. Email can be forwarded from this to another preferred address, but it is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure this is maintained.
Off-campus study is subject to university approval concerning the suitability of your proposed topic of research to this mode of study.
Your faculty may also require that you attend certain events (e.g. colloquium or seminars).
Further information can be found on the Library web site.
