Explore the legacy of Deakin’s study centres and their vital role in supporting off-campus students before the digital age.
By Deakin Archives.
As Deakin University shifted from traditional teaching to student-centred learning, supporting off-campus students became vital to the success of distance education. Among the resources Deakin offered to complement the course materials mailed to students, one stood out: the study centre.
Many of Deakin’s early off-campus students were mature-aged, working parents living in remote parts of Victoria. Juggling jobs, parenting, and household responsibilities, they often found it hard to make time and space for study.
For these students, study centres became more than just a place to learn, they were a refuge.
Quiet, supportive, and community-driven, these centres helped students connect with others on similar journeys, offering both academic support and a sense of belonging.
For these [off-campus] students, study centres became more than just a place to learn, they were a refuge.
Distance education was a founding principle of Deakin University, and study centres brought that vision to life. The 1974 Deakin University Act outlined this commitment:
‘To arrange for the provision of study centres at appropriate places whether in or outside Victoria where students taking distance education programmes can have access to library and other study facilities and can be given tutorial and practical assistance,’ the Act states.
Founding Vice-Chancellor Fred Jevons was inspired by the UK’s Open University, a pioneering ‘university without walls.’ In 1971, it operated 260 study centres across the UK, offering students access to resources and in-person support. Deakin aimed to provide the same opportunity for students across Australia.
Deakin’s study centres were designed as dedicated spaces where students could focus, access materials, and get help.
Each centre typically included:
By 1978, Deakin had ten study centres. Most were housed in existing educational facilities. For example:
These centres were fully integrated into Deakin’s distance education program.
Study centres weren’t meant to replace the home-based learning model – they were designed to enhance it.
These centres were fully integrated into Deakin’s distance education program. While the same courses were offered on-campus and off-campus, dedicated teams within the Institute of Distance Education handled the logistics for remote learners, including operations, printing, and Library services.
Occasionally, ‘Weekend Schools’ were held at study centres, giving students the chance to meet tutors and engage in face-to-face discussions. Although enriching, these events were optional. Study centres weren’t meant to replace the home-based learning model – they were designed to enhance it.
With the rise of the internet, the need for physical study centres declined. Once students had access to home computers and online resources, many of the challenges study centres were designed to solve – especially resource access – faded away.
Today, Deakin’s study centres are a unique chapter in the University’s history. They reflect a bold, early commitment to making quality education accessible, especially for students in regional and remote communities.
Want to learn more? Visit Bridging the Distance: Deakin’s Leadership in Distance Education, an exhibition at the Deakin Library celebrating the university’s pioneering role in off-campus learning.
Exhibition dates:
Visit the Deakin Library website for more information.
This story originally appeared as a Deakin Article blog.
Today, Deakin’s study centres are a unique chapter in the University’s history. They reflect a bold, early commitment to making quality education accessible.
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