Get ahead with Deakin Accelerate
Get the same benefits as studying a fifth or sixth VCE subject, while gaining university credit and reducing the cost of your future degree at Deakin. If you’re planning to complete an extra subject in Year 12, discover how our VCE extension program, Deakin Accelerate, gives you the additional experience of uni life, plus exposure to new learning styles, subject variety and a dynamic environment created especially for this program.
Boost your ATAR
VCE extension studies can contribute to your ATAR as a fifth or sixth subject. After successfully completing the program, you'll gain between three and five increment points to your ATAR aggregate, depending on your results.
Earn uni credit for free
You'll gain credit on successful completion of your Accelerate units, which you can put towards a related Deakin course. Plus, there are no tuition fees – we pay them for you.
Transition into uni
Become familiar with uni life, expectations and learning styles so you can make the perfect transition into uni after Year 12. Join our community and enjoy access to our study and student support services.
How Deakin Accelerate works
You’ll study two first-year university units through the Accelerate program, one in Trimester 1 (March–June) and the other in Trimester 2 (July–October). If you choose to study on campus, you'll attend classes and seminars during the day – there are various times to choose from so you can pick one that fits in best with your VCE timetable. If studying online is more your thing, you can access online classes and participate in discussions and activities in your free time at school, or after hours when it suits you.
Choose how and when you want to study
You can study at one of Deakin’s four physical campuses – Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waterfront, Geelong Waurn Ponds or Warrnambool – or if you need choice and flexibility in your studies, take advantage of our premium online learning platform.
No matter how you choose to study, you'll benefit from our online learning platform, which allows you to access classes, seminars, resources and more. Whether you're using your desktop, tablet or mobile, you'll have access to course content 24/7 and get answers in real time. When, where and how you study is up to you.
Discover what you can study
Browse our wide range of study areas to find the perfect subject for you. Learn about the first-year units you can study in the program, plus campus information, co- and pre-requisites and more.
Deakin Accelerate
Hear what past Deakin Accelerate students have to say about the program.
Your guide to the application process
Who should apply?
Apply to the Deakin Accelerate program if you’re:
- a high achiever with above-average Year 11 results
- looking for an extra challenge in VCE
- a self-starter who can work independently
- keen to make a head start on your university degree.
What do I need to apply?
To be eligible for the program you must:
- be completing Year 12 in 2023
- meet the prerequisite or co-requisite VCE subject requirement
- achieve an average of at least 65% across your Year 11 subjects.
How do I apply?
Research
Which subjects are you interested in and what do they involve?
Are there any co-requisite or prerequisite subjects you need to complete?
Will you complete the units on campus, online or a mix of both?
Apply
Applications close on Friday 2 December 2022 at 11.59pm.
All applications must be submitted via the application portal by the student named on the application.
Applications cannot be accepted via email.
Receive your offer
You'll be notified in mid-January about the outcome of your application. Once you’ve received an offer, you’ll have one week to formally accept it and confirm your place in the program.
Start Deakin Accelerate
Come along to Orientation, which will be held in late February 2023. Trimester 1 begins on 6 March 2023.
The program allowed me to enter uni with more confidence than I ever could have imagined. More confidence in my chosen degree and in my ability to complete the work to a high standard. It's made a massive difference to my first-year uni experience so far.
Noah Foster
Past Deakin Accelerate student – Law | Current Deakin student - Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws
Got a question but can't find the answer?
We've curated some of the most commonly asked questions our future student advisers get from about the Deakin Accelerate program.
Common questions
Skip to next topicWhen can I apply for Deakin Accelerate?
Applications for the 2023 Deakin Accelerate program open on 1 August and close at 11.59pm on 2 December 2022.
For more information on future student services and courses:
How do I apply for the program?
Once applications are open you will be able to download the application pack and begin collating your application. There will be a link to the Application Portal at the top of the Deakin Accelerate webpage where you will be able to submit your application by the due date.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Will late applications be considered?
Unfortunately we cannot consider your application if it's submitted after the closing date of 2 December 2022 at 11.59pm. This is to ensure the process is fair for all students and there's enough time to assess all applications.
For more information on future student services and courses:
How does Deakin assess applications and make selections?
Deakin is committed to providing opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds. Successful applicants will be selected on the basis of academic performance, responses to the student questions and school recommendation.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What supporting documentation should I provide with my application?
Supporting documentation can help strengthen your application by demonstrating your academic and personal achievements. The documentation should be relevant and specific, and can include a certificate of achievement, a school certificate or a letter of reference from your teacher or employer.
For more information on future student services and courses:
When will I find out if my application was successful?
After the closing date, we'll review all applications and determine who to make offers to. Offers will be made via email (to the email address you supply in your application) in mid-January 2023. There will be an Enrolment support session held online to help guide you through the enrolment process.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What happens if I decide to withdraw from the program?
If you decide you can’t continue with the program, you can apply to withdraw at any stage via StudentConnect under the Enrolment heading in the left-hand menu. After applying to withdraw, you will be sent a confirmation email once it has been processed and will no longer be eligible for an increment addition to your ATAR. We will also notify your school of your withdrawal for their records.
For more information on future student services and courses:
How does the program contribute to my ATAR?
If you successfully complete both Accelerate units, the program can contribute as a fifth or sixth subject in the calculation of your ATAR. You must ensure you meet any co/pre-requisites and the restricted study combinations outlined in the Victorian Tertiary Entrance Requirements (VICTER).
For more information on future student services and courses:
How do I know which Deakin courses I’ll be able to put my units towards once I finish the program?
You'll find a list of some of the courses you can put your credits towards on the study area pages of the 2023 Deakin Accelerate brochure. Even if your Deakin course is unrelated to your Accelerate units, you still might be able to put the credit you’ve earned towards electives.
If you don’t find your dream course in the Deakin Accelerate brochure, please get in touch with us to confirm your options.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Does completing the program provide me with guaranteed entry to Deakin?
At the completion of the program, you will still need to have achieved the required ATAR to gain entry to your preferred course at Deakin. Remember that Accelerate can help by contributing as a fifth or sixth subject in the calculation of your ATAR.
For more information on future student services and courses:
My school hasn't heard of the program and want to know how it works?
Schools that are new to the program may have questions about how students are able to study at university in Year 12. We encourage your school to reach out and talk to us directly to have all their questions and concerns answered.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Where will I go for support with an assessment?
A great place to start is the unit discussion boards, where you will be able to see questions from other students and get answers from academics, usually within one business day. Or, you can contact your Unit Chair for any information relating to units or assessments.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Will there be sessions to help me get started with my university studies?
We run a Deakin Accelerate Orientation to help you get ready to commence your studies. In the sessions, you will meet academics and be introduced to our online learning platform by a past Accelerate student.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Will my school need to enter the Accelerate subjects into VASS?
Deakin’s Enrolments and Faculty Specialist Support team are responsible for entering students’ subject details into VASS. Schools will receive an email when this has been completed for their participating students.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Find out more
For more information about the Deakin Accelerate program, you can read our FAQs or get in touch using our online enquiry form.