Explore our history

Home to ~350,000 alumni, we have a proud 50-year history of innovation in education and research. Made possible by the purpose, places and people of Deakin.

Visit Deakin’s History website

Our timeline

From paving the way in distance education to being the first University in the world to open a research office in India, we’ve done it. Find out what other noteable events made Deakin.
Explore our timeline
A sepia-toned image features a grassy field with a distant building. Overlaid numbers mark different years. A man in a suit stands in the field, and a smiling woman is visible in the foreground.
A man in a suit stands in a field, gazing at a distant large building complex. Several cars are parked next to the building. The scene is monochrome, suggesting it is taken in a past era.

Our foundation

Deakin was born on December 10 1974 from a powerful idea and became Victoria's fourth university.
Learn about our foundation
A group of people sitting on benches and the grass, engaged in conversation, in front of a large, historic white building with arched windows and columns. The sky is clear and sunny, creating a relaxed outdoor setting.

Our antecedents

We wouldn't be Deakin without the antecedent institutions that have helped form us.
Discover our antecedents
Abstract orange and pink cover art with overlapping wavy patterns and circular motifs. Text reads Currency, Deakin University, and Deakin 30 years 1977–. Bold yellow numbers partially visible.

Our archives

Go back in time with our digital archives, publications and exhibitions about Deakin's history.
Explore our archives