Deakin College

Deakin College is located in Melbourne and Geelong, Australia. The college offers a range of study programs which provide a direct pathway to courses at Deakin University. Students who successfully complete their Deakin College program are guaranteed entry to one of 50 undergraduate degree programs at the Deakin University, joining over 22,000 students who have progressed from the college to undergraduate study. Deakin College has a large international community, with international students making up around 60 per cent of the college's population of more than 1,500 enrolled students.

Deakin College has three intakes per year, allowing students to start a course when it is convenient for them. The college allows students to complete a diploma course in just eight months, making it possible for students to progress to university degrees much earlier than those opting for a conventional pathway program.

Deakin College has three sites, which are located on three of Deakin University's campuses. This means that students at Deakin College enjoy access to the same state-of-the-art services and facilities provided by the university. Deakin College's three campuses are Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waterfront, and Geelong Waurn Ponds. The campuses are conveniently located within their respective cities, and all three sites are well connected by public transport.

The two coastal cities of Melbourne and Geelong offer a modern and dynamic living experience, with a range of restaurants, cafes, and bars complementing stunning beaches and bustling art and cultural districts. Melbourne is known for its cultural diversity, and it is regularly ranked as one of the top cities in the world for quality of life. Geelong also offers a fantastic standard of living, as a dynamic regional city close to world-famous beaches and natural wonders.

International students applying for courses at Deakin College are required to meet the college's academic and English language entry requirements. These requirements will vary depending on the type of course being undertaken.

For the foundation program at Deakin College, students are required to have successfully completed the equivalent of Australian Year 11. For entry into diploma courses, applicants are required to have successfully completed Australian Year 12 or equivalent. The Diploma of Engineering and Diploma of IT (Artificial Intelligence pathway only) programs also require students to have completed a pre-requisite subject of mathematics at an equivalent of Australian Year 12 level.

To find out more about country-specific academic entry requirements and for further details on accepted equivalent qualifications, students can contact Deakin College's admissions department for help and guidance.

The language of instruction at Deakin College is English. Accordingly, international students are required to have demonstrable proof of English language proficiency to be admitted onto a course. Required English language proficiency test scores vary on a course-by-course basis and students are encouraged to contact the college should they need more information on specific requirements and accepted test providers.

Deakin College offers tuition fee scholarships to select international students studying either foundation or diploma level programs commencing in 2025. The college is committed to helping its students achieve their educational and professional goals, and its international scholarships are designed to help international students with the costs of studying. The scholarship is valued between 10 and 20 per cent of tuition fees for a foundation and/or diploma program. Students are required to pass every unit of their course to retain the scholarship throughout their program of study.

International scholarships are automatically awarded to students who are enrolled as an international student residing outside of Australia, and are citizens of any of the following countries:

• Brunei
• Cambodia
• China
• Hong Kong
• Indonesia
• Japan
• Korea
• Laos
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Sri Lanka
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Vietnam

The international scholarship cannot be awarded in conjunction with any other Deakin College scholarship, but it can be awarded in conjunction with the Deakin University scholarship. Full and detailed information on the college's scholarships and their associated criteria can be found on Deakin College's scholarship information page.

Deakin College's three Australian campuses are all located within the Deakin University campuses in the State of Victoria. The three locations are Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waterfront, and Geelong Waurn Ponds. Deakin College students benefit from access to all of Deakin University's facilities. These include a range of study rooms, labs, studios and sports facilities. Deakin College students can even join the university's clubs and societies.

Melbourne Burwood is Deakin College's largest campus and is home to an array of cutting-edge facilities, modern study spaces, and a comprehensive range of sports gyms and courts. The modern Waterfront campus in the centre of downtown Geelong is equipped with purpose-built classrooms, a state-of-the-art library, computer labs, creative areas, and shared learning and study spaces. The Deakin Waurn Ponds campus is home to the Geelong Technology Precinct which facilitates research and development for both industry partnerships and new enterprises in the region. The Waurn Ponds campus also houses the engineering training centre and Deakin Medical School.

Students at Deakin College have a range of accommodation options to choose from. Living on campus allows students to immerse themselves in the Deakin experience and meet other students. Each of Deakin's halls of residence are comfortable, secure, and welcoming.

Students can also opt to live off campus. There is a range of housing options outside of college-managed accommodation, including full board, shared housing and rental properties, which students can find through Deakin University Houseme. The college also works with a homestay organisation that provides students with the opportunity to live with a local family, couple, or single person. This option is popular with students arriving in Melbourne for the first time. A homestay is a great way for international students to improve their English and experience Australian life and culture first-hand.

Students are supported throughout their time at Deakin College through a wide range of specialist support services. 

At Deakin College, student learning advisors and student mentors are always on hand to provide academic support to students. Advisors and mentors help international students improve their study skills while ensuring that all students achieve success in their chosen courses. Each course also has an academic coordinator who provides course-related advice.

Deakin College is committed to providing well-being support and advice to students in order to help them through any issues they may face while studying. Students are provided with welfare support at all of the college's campuses. They can make appointments with a professional counsellor to discuss any study issues or personal difficulties, in addition to accommodation problems, family matters, homesickness, and mental health issues.

The Disability Resource Centre (DRC) promotes inclusion and access across the college's campuses, with specialised assistance for those impacted by disability or mental health conditions. DRC staff work with students to identify services that will ensure that everyone at the college can meet their full academic potential. Deakin College students also have access to medical centres on all three campuses. Deakin's private and confidential medical services are staffed by a range of highly trained doctors and nurses.

Deakin College is renowned for preparing students for academic and professional success. In particular, the college helps international students prepare for university-level education. Deakin College is the preferred pathway provider for the world-renowned Deakin University, and the college ensures that its students are equipped with the transferable skills and knowledge to successfully complete an undergraduate degree at the university.

Once at the university, students have access to extensive industry connections, global opportunities and comprehensive support services to ensure graduates are job ready. Deakin University holds the number one graduate employability ranking for Victorian universities.

Deakin graduates have gone on to achieve remarkable accomplishments in various industries, both locally and internationally. Their success stories serve as inspiration for current students and highlight the effectiveness of Deakin's approach to education and career preparation.

Many Deakin College alumni continue to engage with current students at the college through mentoring and networking opportunities.

Deakin College offers a wide array of courses, all of which are designed to provide students with alternative pathways to university study. There is a range of diploma courses in popular areas of study, including business, commerce, communication, design, engineering, health sciences, information technology, science, and film, television, and animation.

Diploma programs at Deakin College are equivalent to the first year of university undergraduate courses. Each diploma program consists of eight specialised academic units. Typically, each of these units has four focused hours of classes per week, with a two-hour lecture and two-hour seminar. Students are also expected to complete four to six hours of private study for each unit per week. At Deakin, students can expect continuous assessments for diploma courses throughout their studies, with the majority of units culminating in a final two-hour exam. Diploma courses serve as pathways to a wide range of majors and specialised degrees at Deakin University.

Deakin College's foundation program, meanwhile, prepares students for entry into first-year undergraduate degree studies. The foundation program is similar to Australian Year 12 (High School) and prepares students for further study in either a Deakin College diploma, or for entry into the first year of a Deakin University bachelor's degree. The program is aimed at those who have completed the equivalent of Australian Year 11. The foundation program (standard track) consists of eight academic units: four core units and four elective units. The extended track program has an additional four core units.

Deakin College purposefully keeps its class sizes small at both diploma and foundation level to ensure students have the best possible educational experience. There is a maximum of 25 students in foundation classes and 30 in diploma classes.