Your global adventure starts here

Studying at Deakin is about more than classes – it’s about the people you meet, the places you explore and the memories you’ll carry with you. It’s also about joining a university recognised worldwide for its commitment to teaching excellence and student success. Whether you stay for a short-term program, trimester or a year, every moment offers opportunities to learn alongside leading experts in fields like architecture, sport science and education.

A group of study abroad students in Melbourne enjoying ice cream.

What makes studying at Deakin unforgettable

Hear from students around the world as they share stories of adventure, discovery and life in Australia. Start your own unforgettable experience at Deakin.

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Make the most of your overseas study adventure

At Deakin, we’re here to help you get the most out of your international study experience. If you’re studying as part of your degree or exploring something new, our range of unit offerings are designed to fit your academic goals – and give you a rich taste of life in Australia.

Exchange

If your university is an exchange partner with Deakin, you can join us through our exchange program. You will stay enrolled and pay any tuition fees at your home university and earn credit while studying with us in Australia. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture while staying on track with your degree.

Study abroad

Not from one of our exchange partners? Not a problem. Our study abroad program lets you apply directly to Deakin and pay tuition fees to us. You'll experience the same world-class education and vibrant campus life as local students, while gaining valuable international perspectives.

Australian Studies Summer School group on the surfing day in Torquay.

Australian Studies Summer School

Looking for a short-term study experience? January is the perfect time to visit Melbourne – with its vibrant summer atmosphere, the city comes alive. This intensive three-week program lets you discover Australia's incredible history and culture through an exciting blend of field trips and classroom learning, all while earning credit toward your degree.

Discover the program

Live your best student life in Australia

Deakin’s campuses are spread across vibrant Victoria, offering a mix of bustling city life, stunning coastal views and a friendly, diverse student community ready to welcome you. Study in Melbourne, Geelong or Warrnambool, and take advantage of countless opportunities to explore, connect and grow, both inside and outside the classroom. Build lifelong friendships, enjoy exciting events and experience a lifestyle that balances study with adventure.

Discover life beyond the classroom

How to apply 

Ready to gain a global perspective and make Deakin part of your story?  Find everything you need to know to get started, including eligibility criteria, English requirements, visa information and how to apply.

Learn how to apply now

Bianca Marie Ines Nieves sitting on a rock

Choosing Deakin is one of the best decisions I have made. The different modes of teaching and learning were eye-opening, and living on campus helped me meet people from all over the world. I am forever grateful for the friendships and global perspectives I have gained.

Bianca Marie Ines Nieves 

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Design your study experience

Enjoy the freedom to shape a study experience that suits your goals at the #1 Victorian university for course satisfaction. With flexible study options, world-class teaching and strong industry connections, you’ll build a unique education that travels home with you.

Not sure where to start? Your choice of campus shapes both your academic path and daily life. From the vibrant energy of Melbourne to the coastal charm of Geelong or the relaxed pace of Warrnambool, each location offers study options designed to fit your style and goals.

Pre-approved study options

Fast-track your study plan with units that don’t require prerequisites, making it easier to get started without extra approvals. You can browse by faculty and trimester to find flexible choices that match your schedule and study goals.

Explore our pre-approved units

Explore individual units

Browse Deakin’s wide range of coursework units using our Handbook. To find units suited to your current study stage, we recommend filtering by unit level 1, 2, or 3 – these correspond to undergraduate courses. You can also narrow your search by campus, study area, trimester or keyword to find what sparks your interest. Some units may have prerequisites, so be sure to check the details.

Browse the Deakin Handbook

Streamlined trimester packages

Jump straight into Australian life with ready-made trimester packages in areas like global business, sport science, psychology and more. Or mix and match individual units to create your own unique study plan.

Browse our streamlined offerings

More ways to explore Deakin

Looking to deepen your academic experience with hands-on research? Deakin offers short-term, non-award stays of up to 12 months through our Visiting Research Program. Work alongside leading academics across fields like science, engineering and health, gaining practical experience in a supportive, world-class environment. It’s the perfect way to broaden your skills, build connections and engage with cutting-edge research.

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Study online with us

Can’t make it to Australia? Join us online. Choose from a range of flexible online units and study with over 78,000 students worldwide. You’ll have access to the same world-class teaching, digital resources and personalised support – wherever you are.

Explore our online study options

Key enrolment and orientation dates

Planning your study adventure? With Deakin’s flexible trimester system, you can start in March, July or November. Application deadlines, orientation sessions and study periods vary each trimester so check the key dates to stay organised and on track.

See important dates

Why students around the world choose Deakin

Studying abroad should be flexible, rewarding and full of opportunity. At Deakin, you’ll find all that and more. Here’s why students choose us for their international journey.

Globally recognised learning

Join a university ranked #207 worldwide and earn credit towards your degree. With world-class teaching and research, you’ll build skills and experience that open doors, wherever your journey takes you.

#1 Victorian university for course satisfaction

Our courses are designed with industry and delivered by experts, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and resources – so you gain real-world skills and experience during your time at Deakin.

Vibrant campus life

Student life at Deakin is all about connection, creativity and discovery. Whether you’re in Melbourne, Geelong or Warrnambool, you'll enjoy innovative spaces, cultural events, plenty of opportunities to get involved, plus comfortable, supportive accommodation options to help you settle in and thrive.

Support every step of the way 

We’re ranked #1 in Victoria for student support, meaning you’ll have expert guidance at every stage – from pre-departure to your time on campus. Got a question? Reach out to us at deakin-inbound-sae@deakin.edu.au – we're happy to help.

Australian Studies Summer School

This immersive three-week program gives international students the chance to explore Australia's history, geography, politics and culture through engaging classes and academic-led field trips. Based at our Melbourne Burwood Campus during summer, the program combines cultural and academic discovery with the buzz of a city alive with events, including the iconic Australian Open. Earn valuable academic credit while experiencing life in one of the world's most liveable cities.

What's included

The program cost for 2027 is AUD $5,200 and includes tuition for our Australian studies unit (AIX290), on-campus accommodation, airport pickup on arrival, a welcome dinner, as well as a surf day and cultural excursions.

Credit

Earn approximately 3–4 US credits or 7.5 ECTS in Europe and the UK, transferable to your home university via digital transcript (My eQuals).

How to apply

Applications for the 2027 program are now open. Visit the application portal to get started. Applications close Thursday 15 October 2026. For questions, email deakin-summer@deakin.edu.au.

2027 program dates

The 2027 program runs from 3 to 23 January, with this schedule:

  • Program start and check-in: Sunday 3 January
  • Orientation and welcome dinner: Monday 4 January
  • Surf day: Monday 11 January
  • Farewell session (TBC): Thursday 21 January
  • Program end and check-out: Saturday 23 January
  • Release of results: Thursday 25 February
A Summer Studies Program student from Study Abroad surfing in Australia.

What three weeks at Deakin's Summer School looks like

Watch students from around the world surf, explore Melbourne and discover Australian culture in just three weeks. Come spend January with us.

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Frequently asked questions

You might be eligible for our exchange program if your home university has a formal agreement with Deakin. To participate, you’ll need to contact your home university’s international office, as they must nominate you to us. Exchange students cannot apply directly to Deakin. If accepted, you will stay enrolled and pay any tuition fees to your home university.

If you are not nominated for an exchange or your university doesn’t have an exchange agreement with Deakin, you can apply to us as a study abroad student and pay tuition fees to Deakin.

Both options allow you to experience university life in Australia and gain credit towards your degree.

If you apply to Deakin as a study abroad student, your tuition fees are based on your study load. The fees are the same whether you study on campus or online. The main difference is that online students can enrol in as little as 1 or 2 credit points (up to 4), while on-campus students must enrol in either 3 or 4 credit points. Use the table below to check the fees and how many units to select when you apply.

Study load (credit points)2026 fees (AUD)
2027 fees (AUD) Units to select when applying
1 credit point study abroad (online only) $2,900 $3,000 Select 2–3 units to ensure preferred options
2 credit points study abroad (online only) $5,800 $6,000 Select 3–4 units to ensure preferred options
3 credit points study abroad (minimum on-campus enrolment) $8,700 $9,000 Select 5–6 units to ensure preferred options
4 credit points study abroad (maximum on-campus enrolment) $11,600 $12,000 Select 6–8 units to ensure preferred options

Note: When selecting units in your application, 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.

Study abroad and exchange students enrolling on campus at Deakin must undertake a full-time study load of minimum 3 credit points and a maximum of 4 credit points each trimester. Most Deakin units are worth 1 credit point each. Virtual exchange and online study abroad students can select between 1 and 4 credit points, depending on their preferred workload.

One Deakin unit generally equates to 3–4 US credits or about 7.5 ECTS in Europe and the UK.

Yes. You can take a maximum of 1 credit point online. The rest of your study load must be on campus. You still need to enrol in the required minimum number of units.

Start with our list of pre-approved units. These don’t require prerequisite checks and are processed faster, making it easier to get your study plan underway.

You can then explore further using the Advanced Unit Search in the Deakin Handbook to find units (subjects) that suit your interests and meet your home university’s requirements.

The tool lets you search by keyword, unit code or study area and filter results by:

  • Teaching period (Trimester 1, 2 or 3)
  • Study mode (on campus or online)
  • Campus location (Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront or Warrnambool)
  • Unit level – select levels 1, 2 or 3 (these are undergraduate units suitable for study abroad and exchange students). If you are looking for postgraduate or masters level units, these units start with 7.
  • Prerequisites.

Each unit listing includes details like credit value, availability, including which trimester and campus it's offered in.

Deakin has a detailed Glossary that covers a wide range of university terms.  For something more focused on enrolment codes and terms relevant to selecting units, check out the Enrolment Codes and Terminology page.

When you finish your program, you will receive access to your academic transcript via My eQuals. Your transcript is safely stored online and protected using banking-level security. You can also grant access to your home university to view your academic transcript through this platform.

Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.

Contact us

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

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