Flexible study options

We give you the flexibility to study when and how you want, so you can fit your studies into your busy life.

Full- or part-time study

At Deakin, you can switch between part-time and full-time study and set your own pace throughout your education.

Each unit (subject) is worth one credit point. If you're enrolled in three or more credit points in a trimester, you're considered a full-time student. Any fewer and you're considered part time. You can choose how many credit points you study each trimester. You're able to do more than four credit points in a trimester, but you'll need faculty approval.

Online and combined study

We have a range of materials, tools, resources and programs that you can use to enhance your learning. You can supplement your on-campus study or study entirely online, or even do a combination of on-campus and online subjects if it fits better with your timetable.

Learn more about online study at Deakin

Stackable short courses

A fully customisable study experience, each short course can be undertaken individually or in parallel with others. Complete one for a standalone credential or stack multiple short courses as part of a full Deakin postgraduate degree.

Browse our stackable short courses

Intensive study

With intensive study you can complete a unit with just a few contact days per trimester. Depending on the unit, you’ll either come in for a few days in a row, a few blocks of days (like a couple of weekends for example) or a number of single days over a trimester. The intensive workshops and seminars give you face-to-face peer discussion and networking, but still let you keep up your other activities.

Flexible starts

At Deakin we understand that juggling work, life and study can be complicated. That’s why we offer Start Anytime, so that you can fit your studies around your life and other commitments.

Find out more about Start Anytime

Combined courses (double degrees)

Combined courses (or double degrees) let you study two degrees at once and complete both sooner and more cheaply than you would if you did them separately. Popular combined undergraduate courses include Bachelor of Commerce/Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts/Master of Teaching (Secondary) and Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery.

Find a course that's right for you

Campus options

Deakin has four physical campuses around Victoria: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront and Warrnambool campuses, as well as an innovative online study platform.

Many of our courses are offered at multiple campuses. The ATAR requirements may vary, but the courses are the same.

You also have the option to transfer between campuses, so if you don't quite meet the ATAR requirements for your preferred course, you can study at a different campus for a trimester or two, then transfer.

Studying a single unit

If you just want to test the waters and see what studying at Deakin is all about before enrolling in a full course, consider studying a single unit (or two). The unit can count towards a degree if you decide to enrol in one afterwards, and you'll get to satisfy your personal and professional interests. Many tertiary-level units are available, but some may have prerequisites or special requirements – we’ll let you know.

Search for a single unit to study in the Deakin Handbook

Find out how to apply for a single unit

Cross-institutional study

If there's a unit that you want to do as part of your course that we don't offer, but it's available at another tertiary institution, you may (with faculty approval) be able to enrol and gain credit towards your Deakin degree.

Likewise, students from other universities may apply to enrol in units at Deakin.