Victorian universities reveal their plans for online and on campus study in 2023 and beyond

One major Victorian university will make its “primary delivery method” a permanent mix of online and campus study, with others adopting similar models.

Deakin students graduate after completing most of their degrees online. Picture: Alison Wynd

Scores of Victorian university students will continue learning online next year and into the future, despite all Covid restrictions having lifted.

And tuition fees appear set to remain the same, whether they opt to study online, on-campus or through a mixture of both methods.

The state’s biggest universities have confirmed they will continue offering online study options, with many students choosing to earn their degrees remotely, or at least in part.

At Swinburne “the primary delivery model” is moving to a combination of online and face-to-face learning.

The university said the hybrid model provided students with greater flexibility “appropriate to contemporary student lives”, but stressed the same amount of time, if not more, went into tutorial preparation and assessment by lecturers.

Only Deakin University directly answered questions on whether tuition fees for online study would be cheaper than on campus, revealing they would not.

Deakin University graduates celebrate. Picture: Alison Wynd

“Deakin online courses have equivalent tuition fees to on campus courses with the same high standards for teaching and learning (but) online students have reduced services and amenities fees,” deputy vice-chancellor, academic, Prof Elizabeth Johnson said.

One third of Deakin students were now enrolled in fully online courses, with many more including one or more online subjects within their on campus courses, she said.

Universities Australia acting chief executive Peter Chesworth said the future of university study was now hybrid learning, “to ensure universities attract and retain students”.

While face-to-face learning would remain a feature of degrees that required practical experience, in other courses online study opened up the chance of a university education to people who might otherwise miss out, he said.

Australian Catholic University (ACU), Swinburne and La Trobe also confirmed that while on campus tuition would be an option for more courses in 2023 than existed over the last two years, online study was now a permanent option for many units.

Australian Catholic University has received “a strong number” of applications for wholly online courses. Source: Google Maps

A University of Melbourne spokesperson said from Semester 1, 2023, its undergraduate programs would be delivered on campus while graduate programs would be offered in three ways, “campus-based, online and dual-delivery – depending on the program”.

“Many on campus subjects have online options available for students who are still unable to return to campus,” they said.

And Monash’s deputy vice chancellor, education, Prof Sharon Pickering, said while many of that university’s students had also returned to on campus learning, Monash continued to offer students unable to attend classes a way to continue their studies online, and offered postgraduate students an online “world-class, tailored learning experience”.

ACU Provost Professor Meg Stuart said since launching ACUOnline for 2022 the university had received “a strong number” of applications for wholly online courses.

Online study made university learning more available to students who might not otherwise be able to access courses, Prof Stuart said.

At La Trobe, 84 per cent of all learning activities are now offered either on campus or with a choice between on campus and online.

At Latrobe University 84 per cent of courses are now offered on campus or with a choice to study online. Source: Google Maps

“Online and hybrid learning is chosen by our students who want more flexible learning . . the pandemic has accelerated what was already in development, reflecting increased student demand for flexible study options”, a spokesperson said.

Originally published as Victorian universities reveal their plans for online and on campus study in 2023 and beyond