Promote justice, reduce poverty, build community resilience and improve lives. At Deakin, we're committed to preparing the next generation of humanitarians to respond with compassion, critical thinking and practical skills in an increasingly complex world.
A postgraduate qualification can be undertaken by students who have already completed an undergraduate degree or possess significant, demonstrable work experience. Postgraduate courses include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, masters and PhDs, as well as specialist programs for industry professionals.
Research degrees are research based master’s or PhD programs that focus on a single area of expertise. They provide students the opportunity to carry out highly specialised research under expert supervision.
Learn from experienced Deakin academics who bring years of field expertise across humanitarian and development organisations. You’ll gain a strong balance of theory and practical skills, enabling you to design, resource, implement and evaluate impactful development projects in the communities you serve.
Benefit from our strong partnerships with international and local NGOs, UN agencies and government bodies like the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Whether you're just starting or upskilling, Deakin’s courses in humanitarian and development studies equip you to contribute across public and private sectors, in Australia and abroad.
Our courses connect disaster response, humanitarian relief and long-term development. Designed with industry input and led by expert academics, they blend theory with hands-on insight.
This course brought together my passions and hopes with theory and grounded research. The support in the research units was fantastic and overall the course provided a more stable foundation for making a quality contribution to development work.
Kelley Chisolm
Master of International and Community Development (now Master of Humanitarianism and Development)
Deakin has over 40 years of expertise in international and community development and is home to one of Australia’s longest-running programs in this field. We also pioneered the country’s first graduate program in humanitarian assistance, giving you a recognised edge in a competitive field.
Deakin’s industry-shaped courses and practical, real-world approach to learning will prepare you to be adaptable across the jobs of the future. You'll graduate ready to work in diverse roles across the humanitarian and development sectors, with a focus on locally led approaches.
Enhance your education with global volunteering, study abroad opportunities and valuable networking through Deakin’s partnership with the Network on Humanitarian Action. Gain hands-on experience in local internships and build international connections that will enrich your career in humanitarian work.
Elevate your studies with a research degree in humanitarian studies. Under the mentorship of leading experts, you’ll have access to cutting-edge facilities and opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking research addressing global challenges.
The Centre for Humanitarian Leadership, a collaboration between Deakin and Save the Children Australia, connects you with experienced humanitarian professionals and academics. This partnership offers you unique opportunities to engage with real-world humanitarian issues, combining practical knowledge with academic expertise to equip you to make a tangible impact in the sector.
As a graduate, you may find opportunities in roles and organisations such as:
Whether it's an earthquake, a bushfire, or flood, studying humanitarian assistance at Deakin can train you to help communities get back on their feet.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
Got a question about our humanitarianism and development program? Our course advisers are available to speak to you about your study options and how we can help you further your career.
Domestic students
1800 693 888
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International students
+61 3 9918 9188
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