First round offers: Deakin set to welcome the next generation of students

"Deakin is delighted to this year offer places to more than 6,000 prospective new students, because it is our vibrant and diverse student community which has created the rewarding learning experience Deakin has become known for," Professor Smith said.

"This has been evident in our rise in the international rankings, highlighted by the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, which has for the last two years running been ranked as the world's best in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) rankings of Sport Science Schools and Departments.

"Accordingly, our Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science continues to be among the most popular with our prospective students this year.

"Deakin is continuing to grow, with numbers now at more than 57,000, up from 39,000 students in 2010.

"We are proud to host students at our regional Victorian and Melbourne campuses from right across Australia and the world, and as Victoria's first regional university, we remain committed to the communities we serve.

"That's why we will continue to offer courses that are not just popular with students but will ensure they are ready for the jobs of the future, from when they graduate and beyond.

"This year we have introduced a range of additional course offerings for our students across various campuses, including Advertising, Engineering - Environmental (Honours), Medical Imaging (Regional and Remote Scheme) and studies in 3D Animation.

"Across the board, we are seeing continuing popularity of STEM-based courses, particularly those in the health and science fields, reinforcing our reputation for innovation in these areas.

"Nursing has climbed from our second most popular course to become the number one choice among prospective students, swapping place with Arts, which is this year number two.

"Deakin was also the first Australian university to specialise in online learning and it's especially pleasing to see the growth of our Cloud-based study option. We have this year made offers to 325 students who want to study in the Cloud.  Overall numbers have grown from 10,000 in 2010 to more than 14,000.

"Innovation is embedded in the Deakin DNA and we are committed to ensuring more students have more opportunities to learn, no matter where they live, and no matter when they can find the time to study.

"It's not surprising that we're also seeing the continuing popularity of courses in the health, and science fields.

"It's still very early in the process, with Round Two offers still to come and further opportunities for potential students to apply directly to study at Deakin."

New courses at Deakin for 2018 (ordered by most popular):

1. Visual Communication
2. Advertising
3. Engineering - Environmental (Honours)
4. Medical Imaging (Regional and Remote)
5. 3D Animation

Most popular courses at Deakin for 2018 (ordered by most popular):

1. Nursing
2. Arts
3. Exercise and Sport Science
4. Business
5. Commerce
6. Arts / Commerce
7. Optometry
8. Food and Nutrition Sciences
9. Science
10. Biomedical Science