Pathways to the Bachelor of Arts
Before exploring your pathways to study, please select the kind of applicant you are via the tabs below. If you have graduated from Year 12 in the last two years, you are considered a recent Year 12 student. If you're unsure, learn more about your applicant type.
Based on last year's rankings, your ATAR doesn't quite meet the requirements for this course. But that doesn't mean it's out of reach - ATARs can change from year to year, and there are plenty of other pathways to make your study goals a reality.
If your Year 12 studies have been affected by difficult circumstances or disadvantage, you may be eligible for Deakin's Equity schemes and scholarships program, formerly known as the Special Entry Access Scheme, which can help boost your aggregate score. Alternatively, you can follow an alternate pathway to your dream course:
Gain an associate degree
Gain a qualification from a Deakin partner
Study at a TAFE or RTO
Currently, bachelor degrees at Deakin require a minimum ATAR of 50. But that doesn't mean you can't plan for the future. Many Deakin courses recognise workplace experience, so you could seek to gain industry skills and knowledge by entering the workforce and apply for university at a later date. Or, if you want to continue studying, you can follow an alternate pathway to your dream course:
Gain an associate degree
Gain a qualification from a Deakin partner
Study at a TAFE or RTO
This course is available at the locations indicated above. You can choose from our range of locations across Victoria depending on your preferences and ATAR - giving you the freedom to follow a study path best-suited to your circumstances.
Based on last year's rankings, you meet the ATAR requirements for this course. Your next step is to visit the course page to check you meet any additional entry requirements. Then, you can confidently begin your application.
If your ATAR meets the requirements for the course, but not your preferred campus, you have a few options. You can start your studies straight away and apply to transfer your course after completing a certain number of units. If your Year 12 studies have been affected by difficult circumstances or disadvantage, you may be eligible for Deakin's Equity schemes and scholarships program, formerly known as the Special Entry Access Scheme, which can help boost your aggregate score. Alternatively, you may be able to gain entry to your preferred campus through an alternate pathway:
Gain an associate degree
Gain a qualification from a Deakin partner
Study at a TAFE or RTO
ATAR: Eligible ATAR is based on 2026 early and first round VTAC offers, including relevant adjustment factors. ATAR requirements for 2027 are currently unknown. Please use past ATAR only for guidance, as ATAR is subject to increase or decrease.
N/A: Course is not available at this location.
NP: Course is available at this location, but the ATAR is not published.
New: Course is available at this location, but the ATAR will not be available until next year
If you meet one of the minimum course entry requirements below, you can start your application right away. There may be additional course requirements, including English language criteria, so be sure to check the eligibility criteria on the course page before applying. If you don't meet the requirements, you could still achieve your study goals by following an alternate pathway or browsing similar courses.
Alternate pathways to the Bachelor of Arts
Gain an associate degree
Deakin's associate degrees help set you up for success at university and are the ideal pathway for students who:
- Did not meet entry requirements for this course
- Recent Year 12 students with an ATAR below 50
- Recent Year 12 students with no ATAR (also known as unscored VCE)
- Recent Year 12 students who have not met the minimum English Language requirement
- Recent VCE Vocational Major (VM) students with no ATAR and/or have not met the minimum English Language requirement
- Applicants re-entering education after a break from school
Following successful completion of your associate degree, you will receive significant credit for the units you have already studied as part of your pathway course. The following courses are available at Deakin as a pathway for this course:
Qualification from a Deakin partner
Our partners are a great stepping stone to study at Deakin University.
Many students who have completed a diploma or advanced diploma will be eligible for recognition for their study. Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at Deakin University.
Guaranteed RPL
Students who successfully complete the CUA50725 Diploma of Graphic Design (or CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design) or the 22594VIC Diploma of Justice at any Australian TAFE are eligible for 8 credit points of guaranteed RPL. Students who successfully complete the CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (or CUA51120 Diploma of Visual Arts) are eligible for 7 credit points of guaranteed RPL.
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future. This course has majors, to maximise RPL specific majors may need to be selected. Once you have accepted your Deakin offer and are enrolling, we strongly urge you to make an appointment with a Student Adviser at Student Central.
Fast-track your university study with a Deakin College diploma. Students attending Deakin College will gain a diploma equivalent to the first year of a Deakin University bachelor degree. Once you've successfully completed your Deakin College diploma to meet the required academic and course entry requirements, you can apply for the relevant bachelor degree at Deakin. What's more, you'll gain direct entry into the second year - meaning you can pursue your dream career sooner. Entry from: * cp = credit point Visit Deakin College website to find your pathway to Deakin
Qualification from other TAFEs and RTOs
If you are unable to study at a Deakin partner TAFE, you can choose to undertake similar study at another TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Applications from these institutions do not guarantee entry to Deakin, so be sure to boost your application with your study results, a resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation.
Many students who have completed a diploma or advanced diploma will be eligible for recognition for their study. Find out more about recognition of prior learning (RPL) at Deakin University. For more information about non Deakin partner TAFEs and RTOs, visit myskills.gov.au.
Guaranteed RPL
Students who successfully complete the CUA50725 Diploma of Graphic Design (or CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design) or the 22594VIC Diploma of Justice at any Australian TAFE are eligible for 8 credit points of guaranteed RPL. Students who successfully complete the CUA51125 Diploma of Visual Arts (or CUA51120 Diploma of Visual Arts) are eligible for 7 credit points of guaranteed RPL.
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future. This course has majors, to maximise RPL specific majors may need to be selected. Once you have accepted your Deakin offer and are enrolling, we strongly urge you to make an appointment with a Student Adviser at Student Central.
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