About the university
Deakin University was founded in 1974 in Geelong as Victoria's first regional university and is named after Alfred Deakin, one of Australia's founding prime ministers. It has grown into a multi-campus university with about 40,000 students. It is ranked 227th in the world by QS and 218th by Times Higher Education in 2027.
Deakin is best known for practical, career-focused degrees and for flexible study, including a large online campus. Its strengths include IT and cyber security, sport science, nursing and health, education and business. Many master's degrees can be completed in 1 to 2 years depending on your previous study, and most run in three trimesters, which gives more start dates than a typical two-semester university.
The Melbourne Burwood campus, in the city's eastern suburbs, hosts business, IT, data science and nursing. Engineering, AI and cyber security are mainly at Geelong Waurn Ponds, while architecture and construction are at the Geelong Waterfront campus on Corio Bay. Geelong is about an hour from Melbourne by train and is cheaper to live in, and regional study can count towards extra post-study work time.
Deakin has a long presence in India and was one of the first foreign universities to open a campus at GIFT City in Gujarat, which has its own courses and fees. Its fees are lower than the Group of Eight universities in Melbourne, and every eligible international applicant is considered for a 20% merit scholarship, which makes it a popular value choice for Indian students.
- Founded
- 1974, Victoria's first regional university, named after Alfred Deakin, Australia's second prime minister
- Type
- Public university
- Total students
- About 40,100 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 28% (THE 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 34.4 to 1 (THE 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool and online (Deakin Cloud); a campus at GIFT City, Gujarat
- Intakes
- Trimester 1 (March), Trimester 2 (July) and, for many courses, Trimester 3 (November)
Rankings
QS World University Rankings 2027
227 in the world
THE World University Rankings 2027
218 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master of Information Technology
- Fee / year
- A$45,800
- Duration
- 1–2 years (depends on prior study)
- Intakes
- Trimesters 1, 2 and 3 (Burwood or online)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$45,800
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Intakes
- Trimesters 1, 2 and 3 (Burwood or online)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$45,800
- Duration
- 1.5–2 years
- Intakes
- Trimesters 1, 2 and 3 (Burwood or online)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
Master of Applied Artificial Intelligence
- Fee / year
- A$45,800
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Intakes
- Trimesters 1, 2 and 3 (Geelong Waurn Ponds or online)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$45,800
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Intakes
- Trimesters 1, 2 and 3 (Geelong Waurn Ponds or online)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
Master of Professional Accounting
- Fee / year
- A$48,000
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Intakes
- Trimesters 1, 2 and 3 (Burwood or online)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration (International)
- Fee / year
- A$51,800
- Duration
- 1–2 years
- Intakes
- Trimesters 1, 2 and 3 (Burwood or online)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
- Postgraduate
Master of Engineering (Professional)
- Fee / year
- A$47,800
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- Trimesters 1, 2 and 3 (Geelong Waurn Ponds)
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (AUD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Information Technology | 1–2 years (depends on prior study) | A$45,800 | ≈ ₹29.8 lakh |
| Master of Data Science | 1–2 years | A$45,800 | ≈ ₹29.8 lakh |
| Master of Business Analytics | 1.5–2 years | A$45,800 | ≈ ₹29.8 lakh |
| Master of Applied Artificial Intelligence | 1–2 years | A$45,800 | ≈ ₹29.8 lakh |
| Master of Cyber Security | 1–2 years | A$45,800 | ≈ ₹29.8 lakh |
| Master of Professional Accounting | 1–2 years | A$48,000 | ≈ ₹31.2 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration (International) | 1–2 years | A$51,800 | ≈ ₹33.7 lakh |
| Master of Engineering (Professional) | 2 years | A$47,800 | ≈ ₹31.1 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Deakin University with similar universities in Australia.
Scholarships
- Bachelor's and master's
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship
Value: 100% or 50% off tuition fees for the full degree
Eligibility: Exceptional international applicants; separate application required.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's and master's
Deakin International Scholarship for Excellence
Value: 25% off tuition fees for the full degree
Eligibility: Based on academic merit.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Bachelor's and master's
Deakin International 20% Merit Scholarship
Value: 20% off tuition fees for the full degree
Eligibility: Based on academic merit; considered automatically when you apply.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Postgraduate
Deakin alumni discount
Value: 10% off each unit
Eligibility: Deakin graduates returning for postgraduate study.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Deakin accepts the Indian Class XII (AISSCE and state boards) for entry, with at least five subjects (four core and one elective). Each course sets its own minimum percentage, shown on the course page.
- Engineering, IT and computer science expect mathematics in Class XII.
- Deakin College runs foundation and diploma pathways if you are below the direct-entry score.
- Apply online directly or through an authorised Deakin representative.
Postgraduate
- Master's degrees need a recognised bachelor's degree. Course length depends on your field: a related degree can reduce many IT and business master's degrees to 1 or 1.5 years.
- Some business degrees, such as the Master of Business and the MBA, consider professional experience when setting your course length.
- Most master's degrees run in Trimesters 1, 2 and 3, so you can start in March, July or November.
- Accept your offer and pay the deposit to receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class XII mark sheets (bachelor's)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (master's)
- English test result
- CV and work experience letters for business courses that count experience
- Financial documents for the student visa
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (master's) | 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for the master's degrees on this page. |
| IELTS Academic (bachelor's) | 6.0 overall for most bachelor's degrees; nursing asks for 7.0 (with 6.5 in writing). |
| Other tests | PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and other tests are accepted; check the course page for the equivalent score. |
Accommodation and living costs
Deakin has on-campus residences at Burwood, Waurn Ponds, Waterfront and Warrnambool. Geelong and Warrnambool are noticeably cheaper than Melbourne. The costs below are our estimates built from the figures in our Australia study guide; check Deakin's accommodation pages for current prices.
| Item | In AUD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared houseOur estimate for Melbourne; Geelong and Warrnambool are usually cheaper | A$1,100–2,000per month | ≈ ₹71,500 – ₹1.3 lakh |
| On-campus residenceOur national estimate for student accommodation | A$1,600–2,800per month | ≈ ₹1 lakh – ₹1.8 lakh |
| Living costs you must show for the visaDepartment of Home Affairs requirement | A$29,710per year | ≈ ₹19.3 lakh |
Campus and location
Deakin spreads across Melbourne's eastern suburbs, the coastal city of Geelong and Warrnambool on the Great Ocean Road. Your campus depends on your course, so check it before you apply.
- Melbourne Burwood: business, IT, data science, public health and nursing.
- Geelong Waurn Ponds: engineering, AI, cyber security and sport science, with a large research precinct.
- Geelong Waterfront: architecture, construction and commerce, in heritage wool stores on Corio Bay.
- Warrnambool: nursing and other courses in a small coastal city.
- GIFT City, Gujarat: Deakin's campus in India, with its own courses and fees.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Graduates of Australian degrees can apply for post-study work. Studying at a regional campus such as Geelong or Warrnambool may add extra time; outcomes still depend on your course, experience and English.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Post-study work for Indian master's graduates | Up to 3 years (Temporary Graduate visa, under AI-ECTA) | Study Australia / Department of Home Affairs |
| Work allowed during the course | Up to 48 hours a fortnight in session; unlimited in breaks | Department of Home Affairs |
| National minimum wage | A$26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026 | Fair Work Commission |
| International students at the university | 28% | THE World University Rankings 2027 data |
Studying in Australia
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Australia. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
Which Deakin campus will I study at?
It depends on the course. IT, data science and business are mainly at Melbourne Burwood; engineering, AI and cyber security at Geelong Waurn Ponds; architecture and construction at Geelong Waterfront.
How much is the Master of Information Technology?
A$45,800 a year in 2027. It takes 1 to 2 years depending on your previous study.
Does Deakin have a November intake?
Yes. Many courses run in three trimesters, so you can start in March, July or November. Check the course page for the trimesters it offers.
Will I get a scholarship automatically?
The Deakin International 20% Merit Scholarship is considered automatically. The Vice-Chancellor's scholarship (50% or 100%) needs a separate application.
Does Deakin have a campus in India?
Yes, at GIFT City in Gujarat. It offers its own courses and fees, separate from the Australian courses on this page.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session and without a limit in scheduled breaks.
Sources
- Deakin University: International Course Guide 2027 (opens in a new tab)
- Deakin University: Master of Information Technology (international) (opens in a new tab)
- Deakin University: Master of Business Analytics (international) (opens in a new tab)
- Deakin University: international student scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- Deakin University: International 20% Merit Scholarship (opens in a new tab)
- Deakin University: GIFT City campus, India (opens in a new tab)
- Times Higher Education: Deakin University (WUR 2027) (opens in a new tab)
- QS World University Rankings (opens in a new tab)
- Study Australia: Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) (opens in a new tab)
- Department of Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.deakin.edu.au (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details