Our pathways finder helps you to discover all the opportunities available to you, so you can walk away with an achievable plan to make your dream course a reality.
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:
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:
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:
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.
VET Study
Successfully complete any of the following:
- a Certificate IV in a related discipline
- a Diploma in any discipline*
- 50% completion of a Diploma in a related discipline*
*not applicable to a Deakin College diploma
Higher education study
Successful completion of relevant study, equivalent to at least two Deakin University units, at an accredited higher education institution.
Relevant work or life experience and/or test
Either of the following:
- work or life experience that demonstrates your readiness for this course, as assessed by our admissions team
- completion of a STAT, which is an aptitude test assessing a range of competencies considered important for university study.
Alternate pathways to the Bachelor of Psychological Science
Transfer from a related Deakin course
Gain valuable skills and knowledge to unlock your study options. With this pathway, you can start studying in a related Deakin course, before applying to transfer once you've achieved the requirements for your preferred degree. Course transfers are subject to availability and meeting the required course transfer guidelines for the degree. In some circumstances, a course transfer may require you to change your campus of study. To ensure you get on the right study path, it's a good idea to speak with a student adviser first and discuss your options. The following degree is a recommended pathway to this course:
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 have successfully completed CHC52021 (or CHC52025) Diploma of Community Services at any Australian TAFE are eligible for 8cp* 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. 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 to your Deakin course is guaranteed, if you successfully complete the qualification below, at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Eligible diplomas include:
Community Services
Nursing
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select diplomas:
CHC52021 (or CHC52025) Diploma of Community Services - 8cp* 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. 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.
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed, if you successfully complete the qualification below, at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Eligible diplomas include:
Community Services
Mental Health
Nursing
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select Diplomas:
CHC52021 (or CHC52025) Diploma of Community Services - 8cp* 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. 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.
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed, if you successfully complete the qualification below, at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Eligible diplomas include:
Community Services
Counselling
Mental Health
Nursing
Youth Work
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select diplomas:
CHC52021 (or CHC52025) Diploma of Community Services - 8cp* 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. 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.
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed, if you successfully complete the qualification below, at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Eligible diplomas include:
Community Services
Diploma of Nursing
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select diplomas:
CHC52021 (or CHC52025) Diploma of Community Services - 8cp* 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. 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.
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed, if you successfully complete the qualification below, at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Eligible diplomas include:
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Community Services
Counselling
Nursing
Mental Health
Paralegal Services
Youth Work
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select diplomas:
CHC52021 (or CHC52025) Diploma of Community Services - 8cp* 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. 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.
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed, if you successfully complete the qualification below, at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Eligible diplomas include:
Community Services
Diploma of Nursing
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select Diplomas:
CHC52021 (or CHC52025) Diploma of Community Services - 8cp* 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. 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.
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed, if you successfully complete the qualification below, at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Eligible diplomas include:
Community Services
Diploma of Nursing
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select Diplomas:
CHC52021 (or CHC52025) Diploma of Community Services - 8cp* 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. 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.
VACCHO provides vocational education and training to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community health sector. Deakin University is excited to partner with VACCHO to create pathways between our courses to open up more opportunities for further study.
Depending on the Deakin course you're interested in, eligible courses include:
Diploma of Counselling
Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice
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.
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 have successfully completed CHC52021 (or CHC52025) Diploma of Community Services at any Australian TAFE are eligible for 8cp 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. 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.
Deakin's Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) will teach you critical thinking and problem-solving skills while exploring cognitive, forensic, child and adolescent psychology.
Study Deakin's Bachelor of Criminology/Bachelor of Psychological Science to explore behavioural neuroscience and psychopathology alongside causes and consequences of crime.