Pathways to the Bachelor of Arts
Before exploring your pathways to study, please select the kind of applicant you are via the tabs below. If you have graduated from Year 12 in the last two years, you are considered a recent Year 12 student. If you're unsure, learn more about your applicant type.
I'm a current or recent Year 12 student
Based on last year's rankings, your ATAR doesn't quite meet the requirements for this course. But that doesn't mean it's out of reach - ATARs can change from year to year, and there are plenty of other pathways to make your study goals a reality.
If your Year 12 studies have been impacted by difficult circumstances or other disadvantage, you could quality for Deakin's Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) to boost your ATAR. Otherwise, you can follow an alternate pathway to your dream course:
Gain an associate degree
Gain a qualification from a Deakin partner
Study at a TAFE or RTO
Currently, bachelor degrees at Deakin require a minimum ATAR of 50. But that doesn't mean you can't plan for the future. Many Deakin courses recognise workplace experience, so you could seek to gain industry skills and knowledge by entering the workforce and apply for university at a later date. Or, if you want to continue studying, you can follow an alternate pathway to your dream course:
Gain an associate degree
Gain a qualification from a Deakin partner
Study at a TAFE or RTO
This course is available at the locations indicated above. You can choose from our range of locations across Victoria depending on your preferences and ATAR - giving you the freedom to follow a study path best-suited to your circumstances.
Based on last year's rankings, you meet the ATAR requirements for this course. Your next step is to visit the course page to check you meet any additional entry requirements. Then, you can confidently begin your application.
If your ATAR meets the requirements for the course, but not your preferred campus, you have a few options. You can start your studies straight away and apply to transfer your course after completing a certain number of units. If your Year 12 studies have been impacted by difficult circumstances or disadvantage, you could qualify for Deakin's Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) to boost your ATAR. Or, you can achieve a spot at your preferred campus by following an alternate pathway:
Gain an associate degree
Gain a qualification from a Deakin partner
Study at a TAFE or RTO
ATAR: Eligible ATAR is based on 2024 early and first round VTAC offers, including relevant adjustment factors. ATAR requirements for 2025 are currently unknown. Please use past ATAR only for guidance, as ATAR is subject to increase or decrease.
N/A: Course is not available at this location.
NP: Course is available at this location, but the ATAR is not published.
RC: Admission to this course is based on a range of criteria.
I'm not a current or recent Year 12 student
If you meet one of the minimum course entry requirements below, you can start your application right away. There may be additional course requirements, including English language criteria, so be sure to check the eligibility criteria on the course page before applying. If you don't meet the requirements, you could still achieve your study goals by following an alternate pathway or browsing similar courses.
Get career ready with a Bachelor of Arts
Current student Jean shares why she chose to study at Deakin and her Bachelor of Arts experience. Discover how an arts degree provides you with the flexibility to combine your career goals with your passions and interests.
Pathway into your degree with an Associate Degree of Arts
Did you miss out on your goal ATAR? Deakin’s unique associate degree pathway provides you with the stepping stone to enter your target degree, no ATAR required. Learn how the Associate Degree of Arts provides guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Criminology.
Alternate pathways to the Bachelor of Arts
Associate degree
Deakin's associate degrees help set you up for success at university and are the ideal pathway for students who:
- Did not meet entry requirements for this course
- Recent Year 12 students with an ATAR below 50
- Recent Year 12 students with no ATAR (also known as unscored VCE)
- Recent Year 12 students who have not met the minimum English Language requirement
- Recent VCE Vocational Major (VM) students with no ATAR and/or have not met the minimum English Language requirement
- Applicants re-entering education after a break from school
Following successful completion of your associate degree, you will receive significant credit for the units you have already studied as part of your pathway course. The following courses are available at Deakin as a pathway for this course:
Qualification from a Deakin partner
Our partners are a great stepping stone to study at Deakin University.
Many students who have completed a diploma or advanced diploma will be eligible for recognition for their study. Find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at Deakin University.
Guaranteed RPL
Students who have successfully completed CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design or 22594VIC Diploma of Justice at any Australian TAFE are eligible for 8cp* of guaranteed RPL.
* cp = credit point
- Deakin College
- Bendigo TAFE
- Box Hill Institute
- Chisholm Institute
- Kangan Institute
- TAFE NSW
- South West TAFE
- The Gordon
Fast-track your university study with a Deakin College diploma. Students attending Deakin College will gain a diploma equivalent to the first year of a Deakin University bachelor degree. Once you've successfully completed your Deakin College diploma to meet the required academic and course entry requirements, you can apply for the relevant bachelor degree at Deakin. What's more, you'll gain direct entry into the second year - meaning you can pursue your dream career sooner.
Entry from:
- Diploma of Communication - up to 8cp* RPL
- Diploma of Film, Television and Animation -up to 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
Entry Pathways
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed if you successfully complete any Diploma or Advanced Diploma at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Entry from:
- any Diploma or Advanced Diploma
Recommended qualifications are:
- Graphic Design
- Justice
- Professional Writing and Editing
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select diplomas:
- CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design - 8cp* RPL
- 22594VIC Diploma of Justice - 8cp RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed if you successfully complete any Diploma or Advanced Diploma at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Entry from:
- any Diploma or Advanced Diploma
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select Diplomas:
- CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed if you successfully complete any Diploma or Advanced Diploma at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Entry from:
- Any Diploma or Advanced Diploma
Recommended qualifications are:
- Business
- Graphic Design
- Justice
- Youth Work
- Visual Arts
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select diplomas:
- CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design - 8cp* RPL
- 22594VIC Diploma of Justice - 8cp RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed if you successfully complete any Diploma or Advanced Diploma at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Entry from:
- any Diploma or Advanced Diploma
Guaranteed RPL
Recommended diplomas are below, students will also receive guaranteed RPL upon successful completion:
- 22594VIC Diploma of Justice - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed if you successfully complete any Diploma or Advanced Diploma at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Entry from:
- any Diploma or Advanced Diploma
Recommended qualifications are:
- Business
- Graphic Design
- Screen and Media
- Youth Work
- Visual Arts
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select diplomas:
- CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design - 8cp* RPL
- 22594VIC Diploma of Justice - 8cp* RPL
* cp = credit point
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
Entry Pathways
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed if you successfully complete any Diploma or Advanced Diploma at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Entry from:
- Any Diploma or Advanced Diploma
Recommended qualifications are:
- Business
- Visual Arts
Entry Pathways
Entry to your Deakin course is guaranteed if you successfully complete any Diploma or Advanced Diploma at any time in the five years preceding your Deakin application (and you provide proof of completion).
Entry from:
- any Diploma or Advanced Diploma
Guaranteed RPL
Students are eligible for guaranteed RPL for select diplomas:
- CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design - 8cp* RPL
RPL is correct at the time of publishing for the listed diploma and bachelor degree. Course changes and availability may impact RPL in the future.
* cp = credit point
Qualification from other TAFEs and RTOs
If you are unable to study at a Deakin partner TAFE, you can choose to undertake similar study at another TAFE or Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Applications from these institutions do not guarantee entry to Deakin, so be sure to boost your application with your study results, a resume/CV, a personal statement, and/or any other supporting documentation.
Many students who have completed a diploma or advanced diploma will be eligible for recognition for their study. Find out more about recognition of prior learning (RPL) at Deakin University. For more information about non Deakin partner TAFEs and RTOs, visit myskills.gov.au.
Guaranteed RPL
Students who have successfully completed CUA50720 Diploma of Graphic Design or 22594VIC Diploma of Justice at any Australian TAFE are eligible for 8cp* of guaranteed RPL.
* cp = credit point