Our Deakin Abroad team is available to answer any questions about the Australian Studies Summer School, including applying and preparing for your time at Deakin.
Email: deakin-summer@deakin.edu.au
Australian Studies Summer School 2027
Spend your January studying in Melbourne
From 3 to 23 January 2027, study contemporary Australia and experience summer in Melbourne – while earning university credit.
Why choose Deakin’s Summer School?
Turn your January into a short-term study experience in Melbourne. Summer School brings together university study, campus life and the chance to enjoy an Australian summer.
Earn university credit
Learn about contemporary Australia with Deakin academics and earn credit that may contribute towards your degree at your home university.
Experience more of Australia
Take part in guided visits and cultural activities, including Surf Day, with free time to explore Melbourne and discover more of Victoria and Australia.
Meet people from around the world
Live on campus alongside other Summer School students and enjoy plenty of opportunities to get to know each other and share experiences beyond the classroom.
What's Summer School really like?
Find out from our past students! Get a glimpse of what three weeks of studying and exploring Melbourne looks like.
What’s included in your Summer School experience
Your AUD $5,200 program fee in January 2027 covers tuition, accommodation and a range of activities. With many of the practical details organised for you, you can focus on settling in, meeting other students and making the most of your time in Australia.
Your program fee includes:
- tuition for AIX290 – Australia Today: An Introduction to Australia
- on-campus accommodation at Melbourne Burwood Campus
- airport pickup on arrival
- orientation activities
- welcome dinner
- surf day
- academic excursions and cultural activities
- welcome pack.
Study Australia in and beyond the classroom
As part of Summer School at Deakin, you’ll study AIX290 – Australia Today: An Introduction to Australia, which explores contemporary Australian society and culture and Australia’s place in the world.
Topics include Australian history, Indigenous Australia, cultural diversity, politics, popular culture and contemporary issues, helping you build a broader understanding of the people and perspectives that shape Australia today.
Your learning also takes you beyond the classroom. Academic-led visits connect what you’re studying with Melbourne’s cultural and historical sites, which may include Federation Square, the Shrine of Remembrance, the Immigration Museum, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Museum of Chinese Australian History and ACMI, Australia's national museum of screen culture.
Program activities and locations may be subject to change.
Ready to apply?
Applications for the 2027 Australian Studies Summer School are open. Apply by Thursday 15 October 2026 to spend January studying in Melbourne.
Live and learn in Melbourne
Spend three weeks living and studying at Deakin’s Melbourne Burwood Campus alongside other Summer School students. Staying on campus gives you plenty of opportunities to connect, while tram and bus connections make it easy to explore Melbourne beyond campus.
January brings Melbourne to life. Make the most of long summer days exploring the city’s cafes, laneways, galleries and neighbourhoods, head to the beach or experience major events like the Australian Open. Between classes and program activities, you’ll also have free time to discover more of Melbourne and Victoria.
Melbourne is ranked Australia’s #1 student city and #4 in the world,* as well as #1 globally for student diversity. Known for its multicultural community and vibrant mix of food, arts, culture and sport, it’s an exciting place to study, meet people and experience student life in Australia.
Inside Deakin’s Summer School
Discover how three weeks at Deakin come together, from classes and Melbourne excursions to Surf Day, summer events and time with new friends.
2027 program dates
The 2027 Australian Studies Summer School runs from 3 to 23 January, with key dates including:
- Program start and check-in: Sunday 3 January
- Orientation and welcome dinner: Monday 4 January
- Surf Day: Monday 11 January
- Farewell session: Thursday 21 January (TBC)
- Program end and check-out: Saturday 23 January
- Release of results: Thursday 25 February
Program activities and dates may be subject to change.
Frequently asked questions
Applications for the 2027 Australian Studies Summer School are now open. Apply through the online application portal by Thursday 15 October 2026 at 11.59pm AEDT.
If you have questions about applying, email deakin-summer@deakin.edu.au.
The Australian Studies Summer School runs for three weeks, from 3 to 23 January 2027. The program includes classes, site visits, cultural activities and free time to explore Melbourne and Victoria.
AIX290 – Australia Today: An Introduction to Australia is worth 1 Deakin credit point, which is approximately 7.5 ECTS or 3–4 US credits. Check with your home university before applying to Summer School to confirm how the credit can contribute towards your degree.
The Summer School program delivers the unit AIX290 - Australia Today: An Introduction to Australia. This unit is taught through a mix of classes, seminars and academic-led site visits in Melbourne. The unit includes six one-hour classes, six one-hour seminars and five two-hour site visits. Assessment includes a class exercise, a report and an essay.
The program schedule will provide more detailed class and activity times.
On-campus accommodation at Deakin’s Melbourne Burwood Campus is included in your program fee.
Burwood is Deakin’s largest campus and is home to students from Australia and around the world. You’ll have access to spaces for studying and socialising, as well as library, exercise and food facilities on campus. Public transport also connects the campus with Melbourne’s city centre.
Yes. Alongside your classes, excursions and program activities, you’ll have free time to explore Melbourne and Victoria or plan your own activities. Weekends include free days for you to make the most of your time in Australia.
The Deakin Abroad team will support you throughout your Summer School experience, from preparing for your arrival to settling into life at Deakin.
While you’re here, you’ll also have access to a range of Deakin support services, including health and wellbeing services, counselling, disability and accessibility support, inclusion services and campus safety.
If you have a disability, health condition or other support needs that may affect your studies or participation in the program, we recommend getting in touch before you arrive so we can help you prepare for your time at Deakin.
Yes. Students from eligible fee-waiver exchange partner universities can use 0.25 of a full exchange spot per student to cover Summer School tuition, subject to approval and available exchange places.
Start by checking with your home university. If you are eligible, your abroad team will get in touch with us to officially nominate you for the program.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
*QS Best Student Cities Rankings 2027
