Who can apply?

What type of applicant are you?

Whether you've just finished year 12, or haven't studied for years, there will be a Deakin course or pathway for you.

Undergraduate applicant

Want to apply for a bachelor, diploma or associate degree?

Learn how to apply for an undergraduate degree

Postgraduate applicant

Interested in studying a masters, graduate diploma or graduate certificate?

Learn how to apply for a postgraduate degree

Research applicant

Want to study a research PhD or Master by Research?

Learn how to apply for a research degree

What type of degree do you want to study?

We offer a range of different degrees – from diplomas, bachelor degrees to research doctorates and everything in between. Find out what type of course you can apply for.

Learn more about the types of courses available at Deakin

Year 12 or non-school leaver?

Generally, VTAC applicants are considered as either being a Year 12 or a Non-Year 12 applicant depending on your highest educational claim.

Year 12 applicants

You are Year 12 or recent secondary applicant if you are:

a current Year 12 student
completed Year 12 in the previous two years
interstate Year 12 student
a New Zealand school leaver*
gap year student
an International Baccalaureate student^{^}

Non-Year 12 applicants

You are a non-school leaver if you:

are a TAFE/VET/higher education graduate
are a private provider student
have current or previous work experience
are a current university student
are a mature-age applicant.

Alternatively, you may not have studied before, but you can still apply for undergraduate study through a range of pathway options.

Applications are now open

The Deakin Application Portal has made applying for your ultimate course easier than ever. Plus, you can chat with our application experts on 1800 693 888 if you need support at any step.

Apply now

Are you a local or international student?

Local student

You are considered to be a local student if you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa.

Apply now as a local student

International student

You are considered an international student if you are living in Australia with temporary resident status, provided there is no limitation on study; or you are living abroad and are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident in Australia (this includes students studying at Offshore Teaching Partners).

Apply now as an international student

Do you want to apply to study on-campus or online?

Campus student

As a campus student, you’ll attend classes and tutorials in person at a Deakin campus, centre, affiliated industry or other physical site. Classes vary in size from 20 to 600 students; tutorials are generally smaller and more informal. Assessment may take a variety of forms, including written work and tests undertaken in class, participation in class or laboratory sessions and final examinations each trimester. Fieldwork or practical experience can also form a large part of the content and assessment of some units.

Online student

Online students take courses that are offered by distance education, which are the same as campus courses; the only difference is that rather than attend classes in person, you’ll study away from campus using online technologies, study guides and reading lists. Sometimes you’ll be required to attend an event such as an exam or an assessment at a designated physical site.

Deakin's non-degree students

There are many other types of students who study at Deakin, for example some are studying for professional interest or to build qualifications toward studying a degree.

DUELI student

Students undertake an English language course at Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) to:

enhance their English language skills for personal and professional development
develop their English skills to meet the English language requirements for enrolment into a Deakin undergraduate or postgraduate course
prepare for the IELTS test.

Study abroad student

Students enrolled at an overseas university become 'study abroad' students to study for a trimester or a full academic year at Deakin.

Study abroad students can experience the full diversity and beauty of Australia's landscape and culture, while gaining credit for their degrees back home.

They are normally required to pay tuition and student activity fees to Deakin directly.

Exchange student

Deakin University has formal exchange agreements with a number of universities around the world.

Students enrolled at one of Deakin's designated exchange partners are eligible to come to Deakin as an exchange student. They can study for one trimester or a full academic year and receive credit towards their home degree.

Exchange programs are run on a reciprocal basis, so students will continue to pay their tuition and student activity fees at their home university, rather than paying tuition fees to Deakin.

Non-award students

Non-award students are enrolled in a single unit, which does not lead to a degree. They pay full fees for their unit.

You might enrol in a single unit to pursue a personal or professional interest or see what university study is like.

Non-award students have the privileges and responsibilities of a Deakin student.

Cross-institutional student

Cross-institutional students are either enrolled in their course at another university and taking one unit at Deakin or enrolled in a course at Deakin and taking one unit at another university. Faculties of both institutions must agree.

Qualifying programs/pathways student

Students who do not meet the academic admission requirements for Deakin can choose to complete a course at one of Deakin's pathway providers which, on completion and meeting requirements, may allow them direct admission into the second year of selected Deakin undergraduate courses.

Deakin's pathway providers are:

Bendigo TAFE
Box Hill Institute
Chisholm Institute
Deakin College
Kangan Institute
South West TAFE
TAFE NSW
The Gordon.

Short course student

Students study short courses to fill a knowledge gap in their current role, develop a specific set of skills to boost immediate job prospects, or to gradually strengthen expertise to secure long-term employability.

Learn more about our short courses

Got a question but can't find the answer?

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions our future student advisers get about applying to Deakin:

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How do I apply?

If you're currently in Year 12, or applying for multiple courses or campuses, you must apply through VTAC. If you're applying direct to Deakin, first register and create an account on our application portal. If you're currently overseas you can also apply via an authorised agent. For more details, head to the How to apply page.