Ready to turn your studies into a global adventure?
No matter where you're joining us from, we'll guide you through the application process step by step – from finding the right program to submitting your application.
Before you apply, it’s important to know which program you’ll be part of. There are two main ways to study at Deakin: through an exchange or a study abroad program. The right option depends on your home university and how you’ve been approved to apply. Both programs offer flexible study options, including the possibility to study on campus or online.
Note: One Deakin unit generally equates to 3–4 US credits or about 7.5 ECTS in Europe and the UK.
If your home university is one of Deakin's exchange partners, you might be eligible for our exchange program. Through this program, you can study 3 or 4 credit points at Deakin (equivalent to 3–4 subjects per trimester) while remaining enrolled at and paying tuition fees to your home university. Your home university must nominate you before you can apply. Once we receive your nomination, we will send you the exchange application form directly.
If your university isn't a Deakin partner, an exchange place isn't available or you'd prefer to apply independently, our study abroad program is for you. Choose from any of our campuses and a wide range of disciplines. If you wish to study on campus, you can select either 3 or 4 credit points (equivalent to 3–4 subjects per trimester). As part of this program, you will pay Deakin tuition fees. Find more details on tuition fees.
Not ready to travel? You can also complete a study abroad program online at Deakin from anywhere in the world. You’ll stay enrolled at your home university and earn credit while connecting with peers across the globe. Choose from 1 to 4 credit points depending on your preferred study load (with a minimum of 1 credit point) and explore a wide range of online units across most disciplines. To study abroad online, you will pay Deakin tuition fees.
Exchange students continue paying tuition to their home university, while study abroad students pay tuition directly to Deakin. Fees are fixed regardless of the units you choose, including streamlined packages and pre-approved units. Remember to also budget for living costs, overseas student health cover, visa fees and travel expenses.
Before you apply, make sure you meet the program entry requirements.
It’s a good idea to check in with the international office at your home university before applying. For exchange students, your university generally needs to nominate you at least one month before the application deadline.
To study at Deakin, you need to demonstrate your English language proficiency. You will need to obtain the required scores on a recognised English language test, such as IELTS, Pearson or equivalent.
You must have completed Year 12 or equivalent or have at least two trimesters of full-time study outside Australia. You’ll also need a minimum GPA of 2.6 out of 4 (or equivalent).
Getting organised early makes the process smoother. Here's what you need to do before you apply:
Choose units for each trimester you’ll study at Deakin.* Pick from our pre-approved list, select a streamlined package or browse the Deakin Handbook. Have a few backup options in case your top picks can’t be confirmed, and double-check that your units are at the same campus and offered in the right trimester.
Select the Deakin campus that suits your study and lifestyle goals – we have four across Victoria. You'll need to know your campus before you can choose your units.
Make sure you have the following documents ready for your application:
*Study abroad and exchange students can’t enrol in optometry, medicine and medical imaging or nursing and midwifery units (except nursing students from VIA University Denmark and Jonkoping University Sweden). Enrolment in law units requires prior law school studies. They also can't enrol in units with placements or most work-integrated learning.
Ready to apply? All study abroad and study abroad online applications are submitted through our online application portal. If you’re applying through the exchange program, we will send you the application link directly once you have been officially nominated by your home university.
To get started, register for a profile and log in to the application portal. You will be asked to choose a course. Under keywords, search for 'Study Abroad' and select X050D Study Abroad (direct). You will then be taken to the application form, where you'll need to complete all sections and upload the required documents.
Once your application is complete, email Deakin Abroad to let us know you have applied. We’ll begin processing your application from there. You will find application deadlines and key trimester dates in the section below.
If you’ve met the academic requirements but not the required English Language proficiency, help is available. Deakin University’s English Language Institute (DUELI) offers English language courses at all levels to help you get ready for your study abroad or exchange program.
I was initially nervous about living so far from the UK for a year, but the team at Deakin made a tremendous effort to help everyone settle in. I’ve met so many wonderful people and created countless memories that I will cherish forever. My time at Deakin will always be one of the best experiences of my life.
University of East Anglia, UK
Plan your study journey with Deakin by keeping track of these important trimester dates. From application deadlines to orientation and exams, knowing these key milestones will help you stay organised and ready to make the most of your experience.
| Date | Event or deadline |
|---|---|
| Thursday 30 October | Application deadline |
| Tuesday 17 February | Deakin Abroad Welcome Session – Warrnambool Campus |
| Wednesday 18 February | Deakin Abroad Welcome Session – Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus (for Waurn Ponds and Waterfront Students) |
| Thursday 19 February | Deakin Abroad Welcome Session – Melbourne Burwood Campus |
| Monday 23 – Friday 27 February | Orientation week – all students |
| Monday 2 March | Trimester 1 teaching period begins |
| Friday 3 – Sunday 12 April | Intra-trimester break |
| Friday 22 May | Trimester 1 teaching period ends |
| Monday 25 – Friday 29 May | Study period |
| Monday 1 – Friday 12 June | Examinations |
| Thursday 2 July | Release of results |
| Date | Event or deadline |
|---|---|
| Monday 27 April (11:59pm AEST) | Application deadline |
| Monday 29 June – Friday 3 July | Orientation week – all students |
| Tuesday 30 June | Warrnambool Deakin Abroad Welcome Session |
| Wednesday 1 July | Geelong Deakin Abroad Welcome Session |
| Thursday 2 July | Burwood Deakin Abroad Welcome Session |
| Monday 6 July | Trimester 2 teaching period begins |
| Monday 10 August – Friday 14 August | Intra-trimester break |
| Friday 25 September | Trimester 2 teaching period ends |
| Monday 28 September – Friday 2 October | Study period |
| Monday 5 October – Friday 16 October | Examinations |
| Thursday 5 November | Release of results |
| Date | Event or deadline |
|---|---|
| Sunday 30 August | Application deadline |
| Monday 26 October – Friday 30 October | Orientation week – all students |
| Thursday 29 October (TBC) | Deakin Abroad Welcome Session |
| Monday 2 November | Trimester 3 teaching period begins |
| Monday 21 December 2026 – 1 January 2027 | Intra-trimester break |
| Friday 29 January 2027 | Trimester 3 teaching period ends |
| Monday 1 February – Wednesday 3 February 2027 | Study period |
| Thursday 4 February – Friday 12 February 2027 | Examinations |
| Thursday 25 February 2027 | Release of results |
| Date | Event or deadline |
|---|---|
| Friday 30 October 2026 | Application deadline |
| Monday 15 February – Friday 26 February |
Recommended arrival |
| Thursday 18 February (TBC) | Welcome Session (compulsory) |
| Friday 19 February – Saturday 20 February (TBC) | Welcome trip |
| Monday 22 February – Friday 26 February | Orientation week |
| Monday 1 March | Trimester 1 teaching period begins |
| Friday 26 March – Friday 2 April | Intra-trimester break |
| Friday 21 May | Trimester 1 teaching period ends |
| Monday 24 May – Friday 28 May | Study period |
| Monday 31 May – Friday 11 June | Examinations |
| Thursday 1 July | Release of results |
| Date | Event or deadline |
|---|---|
| Saturday 10 April | Application deadline |
| Friday 18 June – Friday 2 July | Recommended arrival |
| Thursday 1 July (TBC) | Welcome Session (compulsory) |
| Friday 2 July – Saturday 3 July (TBC) | Welcome trip |
| Monday 28 June – Friday 2 July | Orientation week |
|
Monday 5 July | Trimester 2 teaching period begins |
| Monday 9 August – Friday 13 August | Intra-trimester break |
|
Friday 24 September | Trimester 2 teaching period ends |
| Monday 27 September – Friday 1 October | Study period |
| Monday 4 October – Friday 15 October | Examinations |
| Thursday 4 November | Release of results |
| Date | Event or deadline |
|---|---|
| Monday 30 August | Application deadline |
| Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October | Recommended arrival |
| Thursday 28 October (TBC) | Welcome Session (compulsory) |
| Friday 29 October – Saturday 30 October (TBC) | Welcome trip |
| Monday 25 October – Friday 29 October | Orientation week |
| Monday 1 November | Trimester 3 teaching period begins |
| Monday 27 December 2027 – Friday 7 January 2028 | Intra-trimester break |
|
Friday 28 January 2028 | Trimester 3 teaching period ends |
|
Monday 31 January 2027 – Wednesday 2 February 2028 | Study period |
| Thursday 3 February 2028 – Friday 11 February 2028 | Examinations |
| Friday 3 March 2028 | Release of results |
Looking for more university-wide dates? Visit our key dates page for a full academic calendar.
Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll review it and check your documents. If anything’s missing or unclear, we’ll get in touch. If your application is successful, you’ll receive your offer letter via email within four weeks of the application deadline – be sure to check your inbox (and your junk folder, just in case!).
To accept your offer, simply follow the instructions in your letter: complete and return the acceptance and payment form, and pay any required fees. We will then issue your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). and arrange your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as the next step. If you are purchasing your OSHC independently, you will need to provide proof of your cover.
Once you’ve accepted your offer, it’s time to get everything organised for your Deakin experience.
Deakin offers a range of flexible living options to suit your lifestyle and budget, including on-campus residences, homestays and independent rentals. During your application, you’ll be asked whether you’d prefer to live on or off campus. This helps us share the right info with you at the right time. If you select on-campus housing, you’ll receive an invitation to apply later.
Use your Confirmation of Enrolment and Overseas Student Health Cover details to apply for a Student Visa (Subclass 500) through the Australian Government website. Be sure to apply under the non-award sector, which is for study abroad and exchange students not completing a full Australian qualification.
About four weeks before classes start, we’ll email you instructions to complete your online enrolment. If you need to change your units after enrolment, make sure to coordinate with your home university to ensure the credits transfer correctly towards your degree.
There’s a lot to think about before you arrive in Australia, from booking your flight to airport pick-up and packing. We offer an online pre-arrival information session to help you feel confident and prepared before you start. More details will be shared closer to the start of the program.
Our Deakin Abroad team is here to help you explore your options and guide you through the process of studying abroad or on exchange at Deakin. You can also download the Study Abroad Guide (PDF, 2.9MB).
Phone: +61 3 9246 8342
Email: deakin-inbound-sae@deakin.edu.au
