Studying at NIKERI Institute
What is NIKERI Institute?
The National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation (NIKERI) Institute enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians the flexibility to access higher education while maintaining their family, work and community commitments.
Our courses are highly flexible thanks to our unique Community Based Delivery which is a combination of online teaching and on campus intensives. This allows you to balance your studies with other commitments, regardless of where you live in Australia.
The key difference of choosing to study at NIKERI Institute is that you are part of a culturally safe learning environment, studying in smaller classes alongside other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
What is Community Based Delivery?
Community Based Delivery (CBD) is the name for the unique style of course delivery at the NIKERI Institute.Your studies through the institute will differ to the way that courses are usually offered at Deakin. They have been adapted to be supportive and flexible to your needs.
When you study at NIKERI Institute you will come and live at our Waurn Ponds (Geelong) campus to complete a 1 or 2 week long intensive study block. You will do this approximately 2-3 times per trimester.
You will then return home and complete you’re studies via Deakin’s innovative online learning platform where you will be supported by our academic teams and your local tutor to keep your studies on track.
What courses can I study through NIKERI Institute?
You can study education, law, nursing, social work, arts, research, public health and land and sea country management through NIKERI Institute. A full list of the courses offered can be found here.
Students who choose to study another Deakin course not offered through NIKERI Institute are still supported through their university experience and encouraged to connect with NIKERI Institute supports such as the Indigenous Tutorial Network.
How do I apply?
We value the life experience and knowledge of our students. Admission to NIKERI Institute is based on alternative entry – an ATAR or high school graduation certificate is not a necessity.
Applications are accepted based on answers to the online application form, submission of required documentation, a small assessment task and an interview.
To find out more information about the application process visit the NIKERI Institute website.
Indigenous Direct Admissions Program
The Indigenous Direct Access Program (IDAP) is a Testing and Assessment initiative, which is a pathway to determine your eligibility for enrolment in one of Deakin University’s course programs that are delivered in our culturally contextualised space at NIKERI Institute.
The week-long on-Country immersion experience will assist you to prepare for your learning journey, through the Community Based Delivery Model (CBD). It is a great enabler to assist you in gaining an understanding of university study expectations, help you build relationships, and offers tailored support for completing the entry task (testing) and interview process (assessing) with NIKERI Institute. Have no fear we are here to support you through this process.
When is it held?
The program will be held at NIKERI Institute, Deakin University Waurn Ponds (Geelong) Campus from Monday 6 to Friday 10 November 2023. The program includes learning opportunities to support you in the application submission for your chosen course, yarning circles with academic staff, on campus tours and group activities and a cultural excursion on Wadawurrung Country.
While on campus you will stay at our Kitjarra Student Residences and be provided with all meals and transport during the week. Meals, accommodation and transport are fully funded.
Who can attend?
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants who have applied as a pathway to determine your eligibility for enrolment at NIKERI Institute for 2024 are invited to attend. The program will be capped to maximise the applicant experience, so please ensure you register today to secure your place for IDAP.
Bushtucker garden at Kitjarra
Our lovely Kitjarra Residences chef Tania saw the empty gardens beds at the back of the Kitjarra Kitchen as the perfect location for an edible garden. A short time after commencing in the chef position, Tania, our Kitjarra Coordinator Dale and the Manager of Grounds...
Indigenous Direct Admissions Program 2023
The 6th to the 10th of November 2023 saw NIKERI host our second in person Indigenous Direct Admission Program (IDAP) held since 2019. The programs main aim is to provide support for potential NIKERI Institute students when completing their alternative entry task and...
Today’s learner, tomorrow’s leader
The National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute at Deakin University has been providing higher education opportunities to First Nations students for over 30 years. The NIKERI Institute gives access to university through our...
Exciting new educators
Dedicated education student Terri- Anne Logan is a student who commenced her study in 2020 at the start of the COVID restrictions and although she was not able to benefit from the CBD model, she demonstrated great commitment to her study. She attended the zoom...
Health high achievers
Outstanding nursing student Shanese Friel completed her final year of a Bachelor of Nursing. Originally from Darwin, NIKERI Institute has supported her to engage in placements in rural and remote areas and the flexibility to study both in Melbourne and Darwin as...
NIKERI student represents Deakin at ATN Conference
In October one of our Bachelor of Early Childhood Education students, Bonnie-Rose Taffe was invited to represent Deakin at the Australian Technology Network Conference in Canberra. The student panel discussed motivations to take up higher education, classes returning...
Indigenous Direct Admissions Program 2022
The 7th to the 11th of November 2022 saw NIKERI Institute host our first Indigenous Direct Admission Program (IDAP) since 2019. IDAP is part of the Testing and Assessment initiative through Away From Base (AFB) Funding, which is a pathway to...
Scholarships supporting students to succeed
Remote or regional location, family commitments or work obligations shouldn’t impact your ability to access university. At the National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute our Community Based Delivery approach supports students...
Grounded in Flux exhibition
During Reconciliation Week, NIKERI Institute collaborated with the Deakin Art Gallery to produce Grounded in Flux, a reflexive exhibition which celebrated the universities research strengths and community engagement. Student artworks produced as part of the elective...
The Nyaal precinct
Deakin’s Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus is home to a new cutting-edge interactive learning precinct ‘Nyaal’, opened in 2021. Called Nyaal, a Wadawurrung word meaning 'to open your eyes', the highly interactive and technology rich facility at Deakin's Waurn Ponds campus...
Grounded in Country – One Year of NIKERI Institute
After officially renaming to the National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute in March 2020, our Director, Professor Gabrielle Fletcher was joined by Professor Mark Rose and Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Melinda Kennedy for the...
Aboriginal Studies elective units at Deakin
From the initial unit in 2017, Deakin now offer 4 Aboriginal Studies elective units with more in development. Developed and taught by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander academics from NIKERI Institute, the elective units are available to all Deakin students across...