What type of student am I?

An undergraduate student is a student who is undertaking their first course at university. At Deakin University courses which are classified as undergraduate include bachelor degrees and bachelor degrees (Honours).

A postgraduate student is one who is undertaking further study at a higher level than a bachelor degree. At Deakin postgraduate study courses include: graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, masters by coursework or by research and doctorates.

As Australia's leading provider of flexible professional education, Deakin University offers postgraduate study programs that you can fit around work and lifestyle demands. If you are interested in undertaking learning on a lifelong basis for career or personal reasons, postgraduate study is an important option to consider. Have a look at the postgraduate student information for the areas of study available and how to apply for postgraduate study, including both on and off-campus study. The entry requirement for postgraduate courses is normally the completion of a bachelor degree from a TAFE or University, however some postgraduate study may also be offered to those who have gained significant work experience.

Information about research and doctorates can be found through Research Services.

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You are a mature-age/non-school leaver if you are:

• an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or hold an Australian permanent humanitarian visa
• 21 years or over on 1 January of the year of intake
• not currently studying an Australian or overseas Year 12 qualification
• studying an overseas Year 12 qualification
• enrolled at a tertiary institution and want to transfer to a course at Deakin

If you are an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or the holder of a permanent Humanitarian Visa then you are considered to be an Australian student.

To be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) you must be an Australian citizen; or a New Zealand citizen or holder of a permanent visa who will be residing in Australia for the duration of your unit/s of study.

All Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa will receive a Student Learning Entitlement (SLE). The SLE entitles a student to the equivalent of 7 years of full time study in a CSP.

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Deakin University defines an international student as:

• any student living in Australia with temporary resident status, provided there is no limitation on study; or
• any student living abroad who is not an Australian citizen and does not have permanent residency in Australia (this includes students studying at Offshore Teaching Partners).

For further information on applying for study as an international student please visit Deakin International.

On-campus students attend the campus in person, and usually receive a combination of lectures and tutorials. Lectures vary in size from 20–600 students, whereas tutorial classes are generally smaller, more informal and allow for open discussion of issues raised in lectures. 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 semester. Fieldwork or practical experience can also form a large part of the content and assessment of some units.

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Off-campus courses, or courses offered by distance education, are the same as on-campus courses; the only difference is that rather than attend classes in person, you study away from campus using a variety of other methods, including online technologies, study guides, reading lists and audiovisual materials. Deakin University’s off-campus courses are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the US-based Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), which is an indicator of institutional and educational quality.