Your commitment

To engage and succeed as a student at Deakin, there are three standards which you are required to meet:

1. Access to a device such as a desktop computer or laptop.
2. Connectivity to the internet.
3. Capability to use our online learning environments.

Before you commence your studies, check you have access to the equipment and systems you will need to effectively complete your studies using the information below.

Some courses may have specific hardware requirements to support software.

Hardware requirements

Deakin recommends a desktop or laptop computer for the best learning experience. While mobile devices like tablets and smartphones can access many communication and learning tools, some course components including online examinations require the computing capability of a desktop or laptop computer.

When choosing a computer for your studies, please use the following requirements as a baseline:

Software requirements

• Many of Deakin’s student services are web based and are best experienced using a modern web browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
• Microsoft 365, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and 100GB of OneDrive storage is available to students through the Deakin Software Library.
• Your course/s may require additional specific software, which have higher or additional system requirements. Please check if your course is listed below.

Security

To provide secure access to many of Deakin’s services, you will be required to use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). To run this, you'll need the DUO app on your phone or tablet and at least Apple iOS 14 or Android 10 or higher (if a compatible device isn’t available, a mobile phone that can receive SMS/texts can be used).

Connectivity requirements

Deakin courses require reliable broadband internet connectivity, with upload and download capacity. At our campuses, this is available by connecting to our wireless network called Eduroam (for portable devices) or through shared computing facilities in our libraries and computer labs. You can also access Eduroam at many partner institutions within Australia and worldwide.

For online learning at home, you will need your own internet service provider (ISP). An NBN 50 plan (50Mbps download / 20 Mbps Upload), will allow high quality streaming of learning content and fast upload of assignments. While slower NBN plans or mobile hotspots can be used, your experience may be reduced at which point coming on campus and using the mentioned above-mentioned resources is an option.

Virtual Private Network

In addition, some specialist services and content, such as Library resources under copyright licencing, require students to access these from either a Deakin IP address (available when connecting to the Deakin network at any Deakin campus) or via a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Supervised online exams

Please note some courses have supervised online exams as the final assessment due to a accreditation by an external body, or for course completion. Any student required to undertake a supervised online exam will require:

• Stable broadband with at least 3 Mbps upload and download
• Fully charged device
• Access to a laptop computer for on-campus exams or desktop/laptop for remote exams. Computers must meet the above hardware and software requirements (including latest operating system updates).

Course specific requirements

School of Information Technology

To cater for more demanding workloads carried out during some courses in the School of Information Technology, the following minimum specifications are advised:

Cyber Security studies

Students studying cyber security are encouraged to purchase an Intel-based computer for their studies. Several units within the cyber security area will examine scenarios that require an intel CPU architecture for some activities. Students with ARM-based computers, such as the M-series Macs, will not be able to run components of these activities.

Support services

Deakin also offers a range of services for students experiencing difficulties in meeting these requirements.

• Financial assistance
• Scholarships
• Disability support
• Student access programs
• WorkVentures has affordable computers: please communicate your computing requirements to WorkVentures before making any purchases.