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Masters Qualifying Program

Transition to a masters degree at Deakin University in just four months with the Masters Qualifying Program.

Key Information

Duration

4 months

Intake Dates

March, June, October

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Location

Melbourne Burwood

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2026 International Fees

A$21,000

CRICOS Course Code: 120731M

Course overview

Your pathway to postgraduate studies at Deakin University

The Masters Qualifying Program (MQP) is designed to help you develop the English language proficiency and academic skills required for success in postgraduate study.

Delivered by Deakin College in partnership with Deakin University’s English Language Institute (DUELI), the MQP provides a direct pathway to selected Deakin University masters degrees. Through a combination of English language development and discipline-specific learning, you’ll build the confidence and capabilities needed to thrive at the postgraduate level.

Plus, most MQP pathways include 1 unit of credit* into the masters, giving you more flexibility and lowering the total cost of your masters tuition fees.

Who should apply?

This pre-masters program is a non-award program designed for international students whose academic qualifications and/or English proficiency levels are marginally below the entry requirements for a masters program.

Course structure

To complete this program, students must complete four units in total:

Two skill-based units

  • Academic and Intercultural Communication for Postgraduate Study
  • Academic Writing and Research Skills Development for Postgraduate Study

Two discipline-based units

  • Managing Organisations
  • Evidence-Based Decision Making

The Academic Communication unit comprises a range of tasks and learning activities to engage international students in effective academic communication. The unit will provide students with cultural awareness of the study environment as well as the ability to effectively engage and participate in activities encountered in postgraduate study.

The Academic Writing and Research unit is a skills-based unit designed to develop international students’ writing, research, and critical thinking skills in preparation for successful postgraduate study. An active and critical approach to study forms the basis of the course and is integral to the tasks and activities undertaken to raise awareness of the expectations and conventions of academic study.

This unit introduces students to the study of management within organisations. An integrated view of both theory and practice will be examined, pointing out applications of social science and implications for management action. An analysis of organisational performance through a better understanding of effective people management will also be studied, investigating important issues such as increased awareness of and sensitivity to personal skills and employability, within the context of globalisation and the need for economic, socio-cultural and environmental sustainability.

This unit offers you a basic introduction to postgraduate research to better understand how evidence is used for decision-making. By exploring scholarly literature, you will become familiar with the objectives and importance of quality research, and the methods and processes involved in carrying it out.

Understanding research and the processes involved in conducting, designing, reporting, interpreting and evaluating research is an essential component of postgraduate study. Research activities, including primary and secondary research, account for a significant portion of postgraduate students’ time and effort at university, both within and beyond the classroom. Open engagement in this unit will provide students with a fundamental understanding of the research process and methodologies and ensure a solid grounding for future endeavours in postgraduate study. Students will also develop skills in the interpretation and evaluation of research results through the application of critical thinking and analysis skills.

Entry Requirements

Academic Entry Requirements

Completion of a three-year post-secondary study qualification (equivalent to post-Year 12), for example:

  • China – Completion of Certificate of Graduation or Graduation Diploma, 3 or 4 years full-time at Section 1 or 2 institutes (colleges and adult higher education institutions)
  • Cambodia – 3-year qualification post Diploma of Upper Secondary Education
  • Vietnam – 3-year qualification post Year 12

English Language Entry Requirements

An overall score of 6 or above in IELTS (Academic) with no individual band score less than 5.5, or equivalent.

If you do not meet the English language requirements, you may choose to enrol in an intensive English language course at Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) to improve your English language proficiency.

DUELI offers a wide range of English-language courses, from beginner to advanced levels, and is located on Deakin University’s Melbourne Burwood campus.

Applying for MQP

Applications can be made directly to Deakin College through our StudyLink application portal or via one of our education agents.

Scholarships

The following scholarships are available to MQP students:

You do not need to apply separately for these scholarships. You will be automatically assessed when you apply for the MQP.

Entry to Deakin University

To be eligible for entry into Deakin University, you must successfully complete all four MQP units and achieve a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60% overall, and aminimum of 60% in the skill-based units.

All masters degrees are only available at the Melbourne Burwood campus.

Students who successfully complete the MQP may be granted 1 credit point of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) upon entry to a masters degree at Deakin University.

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T1 (Trimester 1 entry); T2 (Trimester 2 entry); T3 (Trimester 3 entry)

For full postgraduate course details, please visit Deakin University’s website.

 

* Credit is not awarded for the Master of Public Health, Master of Health Economics, Master of Health Management and Master of Nutrition and Population Health. Credit for the Master of Communication will only be awarded to students who have previously studied in a cognate discipline.

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