Why university?
A university education will help your teen secure their future and gain invaluable life skills. It is a key time to discover their purpose and prepare for professional success. The right university will be a safe place to grow as a person and mature into the next stage of life. We know every student has unique interests and learning styles, that’s why Deakin offers students an exceptional learning experience and is consistently ranked first for student satisfaction in Victoria.
Parents and caregivers guide
Choosing a university is a big decision. You want what is best for your child, but it can be difficult to know where to start or how to provide support. Our parents and caregivers guide covers the entire process, from preferencing tips to choosing a course and career planning, making it easy to support your teen as they take this important first step.
We're excited to welcome students onto campus
Campus life is at the heart of the Deakin experience. Students can once again head onto campus to meet their teaching teams, new friends in person; learn and study in our world-class facilities; and make the most of our social, vibrant and diverse spaces. But we’re also all about flexibility, so your child can incorporate online learning options when it suits.
Where to start
Now is an exciting time for your teen to explore their interests and research all of their future course and career options. Deakin is Victoria’s #1 university for teaching quality and we have over 300+ degrees designed and taught by industry leaders. Our students are highly skilled and ready for the workforce, going on to achieve incredible career success across all industries in Australia and around the world.
Support their university journey
It’s never too early to take an active interest in your teen's future. There are plenty of ways you can show your support and help them prepare for their university journey.
Year 10
Year 10 is an exciting year as it marks the beginning of the senior years of high school. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore your teen’s interests through work experience and research different study options that will lead into their future career.
Learn more about supporting Year 10 students
Year 11 & 12
There is a lot to think about during your child’s final years of high school. Your encouragement and understanding has a significant impact on their growth as they begin planning the next phase of their life. We've put together some tips on how to help them stay focused, prepare for exams and develop the skills needed for university.
Open all year
Discover why 60,000+ students choose to study at Deakin. From in-person campus tours and expos, to online information sessions and live Q&As, you have year-round opportunities to experience all that Deakin has to offer.
Virtual Open Day On-Demand
Available anytime
Discover over 80+ on-demand information sessions and access all our study and general information, when and where you need it.
Campus Open Day
7–28 August
Get a firsthand look at our facilities and study spaces and talk to current students to get the inside word on what it's like to study at Deakin.
#1 university for student satisfaction
We have facilities and services available so that students feel happy, safe and supported as they build friendships, make connections and start their university adventure*.
Pathways to university
Did you know that there is more than one way for your child to get into university? It can feel like there is a lot of pressure on exam results, but a high ATAR score isn't the only way to begin studies at Deakin. There are many pathways and flexible options to fast-track your child’s entry into their preferred course. Explore their options with our pathways finder tool.
Transition to Deakin: a guide for students and parents
We chat with two of our student ambassadors about how they transitioned from Year 12 into university life at Deakin.
Beyond their ATAR
Regional Access Scheme
The Deakin Regional Access Scheme looks beyond your teen’s ATAR to recognise all the skills, experience and achievements that make them unique and prepare them for study.
Indigenous Access Scheme
The Indigenous Access Scheme recognises the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, considering skills, experience and community work.
Special Entry Access Scheme
Special Entry Access Scheme acknowledges unavoidable factors that can disrupt your teen’s studies, like illness, financial hardship, natural disasters and remote living
Award-winning university career service
University is just the first step towards your teen’s professional career. Our dedicated career and employment service, DeakinTALENT, offers advice and encouragement to all students, as well as an extensive suite of programs and services to help them secure their dream job post-graduation^.
Deakin is one of the world's top universities, which means that top quality teaching, world class support and highly advanced faculties are guaranteed during my course.
Rijja Malihi
Bachelor of Laws/Arts
Got a question but can't find the answer?
We've curated some of the most commonly asked questions our future student advisers get from parents and caregivers of Year 12s and soon-to-be uni students.
Common questions
Skip to next topicWhat is Change of Preference (COP)?
Change of Preference (COP) is a stage in the VTAC application process relating to the input of course preferences. You can include up to eight course options on your preference list. During COP periods, you can change the order of your preferences, as well as add or remove courses.
For more information on future student services and courses:
How do Year 12 students apply?
Current Year 12 students must apply through VTAC. Applications open on August 1st. When you apply, you can list up to eight courses, in order of preference, within the VTAC application system. Once ATARs are released, applications will be assessed and offers will be sent out in the December, January and February 2023 rounds.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Do entry requirements change between offer rounds?
No – entry requirements, including folio submissions and interviews, remain the same when applying through VTAC, regardless of the offer round.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What is SEAS?
VTAC's Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) is for those who may not have been able to reach their full potential for study due to a range of challenging factors. SEAS enables institutions to consider the circumstances you've experienced and their impact on your studies when making selection decisions.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What are SEAS aggregate points?
The Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) adds points to your aggregate to reflect the level you may have achieved if your circumstances had been different. This can increase your chance of receiving an offer but does not guarantee it. Deakin will give a maximum of 15 aggregate points per applicant.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Does Deakin offer any guaranteed entry courses?
Our Associate Degree of Arts is a guaranteed pathway into our Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Criminology. You can also apply to transition, with credit, into a range of other bachelor degrees, though this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What study support is available to online students?
During your tailored, online orientation program you'll gain access to our dedicated study support site, chock-full of helpful resources, including the library. For more personalised support there's also one-on-one mentoring sessions and student success coaches available via numerous channels, plus our 24/7 online tutoring and writing feedback service.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What if my child is under the age of 18?
Students under the age of 18 are welcome to study at Deakin. Our Underage Student Management Policy recognises that they might need some additional support and require the appropriate involvement of a parent of caregiver. We do have some guidelines for underage international students, to ensure they get the most of their studies in Australia.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Can I check on my child’s academic progress?
According to our Privacy Policy, we're unable to provide personal information about students unless the student has given their explicit consent. This is regardless of whether the student in question is under 18 or if the parent or caregiver is paying their fees or expenses.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Footnotes
*Australian Graduate Survey 2010 –2015, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016 –2021 (GOS), Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT)
^Australian Graduate Recruitment Industry Awards, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 winner for most popular career service in Australia
Need more information?
Contact us to chat with an expert adviser about your child's study and pathways options.
1800 MY FUTURE (1800 693 888)
myfuture@deakin.edu.au
Enquire online