Deakin’s popularity continues to rise

Deakin University's popularity with school students continues to rise, with the number of students putting Deakin as their first preference for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in 2008 increasing by 10 per cent compared to 2007, figures released by the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre show.

"This is an outstanding result that reflects well on the work we have done over the past four or so years to ensure that we offer relevant and contemporary courses," said the Vice- Chancellor of Deakin University, Professor Sally Walker.

Professor Walker said that Deakin's Nursing and Primary Teaching courses at its Melbourne Campus at Burwood were in the State's top 10 courses for first preferences for CSPs. School leaver first preferences for the Bachelor of Nursing increased by 21 per cent at the Melbourne Campus at Burwood and 11 per cent for the Bachelor of Education (Primary).

"Our health courses attracted strong interest from school leavers. CSP first preferences for the Bachelor of Health Sciences course (new in 2007 at Deakin's Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds) increased by 67 per cent.

"CSP first preferences for our Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences at Waurn Ponds were up by 105 per cent for school leavers.

"There has also been increased demand for nursing, teaching and environmental science courses at Warrnambool. Preferences for the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Freshwater Biology and Management) increased by 67 per cent and by 16 per cent for the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Marine Biology). Nursing and Midwifery (new in 2007 at Warrnambool) also experienced a 73 per cent increase in CSP first preferences for school leavers.

"We are particularly pleased with the increased demand for our courses in Geelong and Warrnambool. Deakin has a strong commitment to providing educational opportunities for those in rural and regional communities."

The VTAC figures for 2008 CSP first preferences show strong demand among school leavers for combined degrees. At Deakin's Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds these included the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Commerce (up 88 per cent) and the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Law (up 63 per cent).

Deakin demonstrated strong growth in Science and Technology courses, with demand strong from both school leavers (first preferences were up 25 per cent) and other applicants (up 19 per cent).