The γ decay of 65 Ni has been studied from particle-γ coincidence data on the 64 Ni(d,pγ ) 65 Ni reaction. γ -ray spectra at excitation energies below E x ≈ 2 MeV have been studied and compared with previous measurements. Coincidences corresponding to E x ≈ 4.4-6.1 MeV have been used to constrain the shape of the nuclear level density and γ -strength function of 65 Ni by means of the Oslo method. The experimental γ -strength function presents an enhancement at γ energies below E γ ≈ 3 MeV. In addition, a resonance-like structure centered at E γ ≈ 4.6 MeV is seen together with accumulated strength at E γ ≈ 2.6-3.6 MeV. The obtained results contribute to the systematic study of γ decay in the Ni isotopes, which is of great interest for the understanding of both single-particle and collective nuclear structure phenomena.