Information for Postgraduate Students
Make the most of your Swinburne qualification! Expand your global network with a postgraduate overseas experience.
As a postgraduate student at Swinburne, you have access to international opportunities that will broaden your horizons.
Adding an international dimension to your postgraduate degree allows you to build on your academic achievements and further enhance your career.
- Overview - Take a Career Break!
- International Exchange Program
- Short-Term Intensive Programs
- Overseas Research
- Scholarships
- Swinburne Partner Universities - A Snapshot
- Choosing a Host Institution
- Planning Your Overseas Experience
- Contact Information
- Other Opportunities Abroad
Take a Career Break!
Taking time out from your busy working life for an overseas study program give you a chance to gain experience that you simply can't get in Australia.
An overseas study program is one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever have. It allows you to travel and experience different cultures and communities, while providing the opportunity to undertake some units intensely and fast-track your part-time studies.
International Exchange Program
The International Exchange Program allows you to take one full-time semester of study at one of Swinburne's many partner universities around the globe.
On exchange, you remain enrolled in Australia and pay your regular tuition fees at Swinburne, maintaining access to all the Swinburne support networks.
All tuition fees at the host university are waived as part of the exchange program. If you are a part-time student, a full-time semester of exchange is an opportunity to fast-track your studies and graduate sooner.
As postgraduate courses are highly specialised, each application for exchange is considered and approved on a case-by-case basis.
Short-Term Intensive Programs
Short-term programs are ideal if you have time or resource limitations.
Swinburne's partner universities commonly offer intensive study options for postgraduate students and some European universities allow you to study one or two units in five- or ten-week modules. This innovative learning style allows you to maintain unbroken focus on one unit of study.
Some partner universities also offer intensive programs between their traditional semesters, during summer.
As an alternative, you have the opportunity to study Swinburne units as part of a two- to four-week overseas program. For example, students form the Faculty of Business and Enterprise may have the opportunity to study two units over a four-week period at Northeastern University, Boston, USA.
To see which opportunity best suits your discipline, discuss your options with your faculty or school and the Swinburne Abroad Office.
Overseas Research
Students undertaking postgraduate research programs may also decide to conduct research abroad.
This is an opportunity to gather data overseas, or gain an international perspective on theory and thesis content.
Adding an overseas experience to a research program may include:
- Independent research or research projects overseas
- Joint or double research degrees, or co-tutelle programs
- International presentations of research findings at conferences overseas
Co-tutelle Programs
An individualised co-tutelle program enables PhD students to divide their research time between their home university and a foreign university, typically in France.
Students spend one year abroad and two years at home in a three-year PhD program, finishing with two PhDs - one from each institution.
Your faculty and Swinburne Research can help you determine which overseas opportunities suit your field.
Scholarships and Travel Grants
Swinburne offers a number of scholarships to support postgraduate students undertaking overseas programs.
Check with your faculty or school, the Swinburne Abroad Office and Swinburne Research (if applicable) to find out which you are eligible to apply for.
Postgraduate students applying for an International Exchange Program are eligible for scholarships through the Swinburne Abroad Fund, which recognises the importance of fostering and maintaining postgraduate student mobility.
Swinburne Partner Universities - A Snapshot
Aalborg University, Denmark
A trademark of Aalborg University is its unique emphasis on project-work.
Aalborg is a member of the prestigious European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) and emphasises cooperation with businesses, organisations and institutions within teaching and research.
Postgraduate disciplines include Business, Arts, Design, Technology, Engineering and Information Technology.
University of Art and Design Helsinki, Finland
At the University of Art and Design Helsinki (UIAH), Design students have the chance to study in the creative environment of the largest art school in Scandinavia.
UIAH hosts several events every year and students participate in exhibitions throughout the region.
Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, Malaysia
Swinburne's campus in Sarawak offers academic content identical to Swinburne's Hawthorn campus.
Studying at Sarawak allows you to add an international edge to your degree and experience Malaysia's unique culture and environment.
Postgraduate disciplines currently include Accounting and Multimedia.
University of Twente, The Netherlands
The University of Twente is an entrepreneurial research university and a member of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU).
The university is located right at the border of Germany and thus grants easy access to several major European cities.
Postgraduate disciplines include Arts, Business, Engineering and Science.
Linkoping University, Sweden
Linkoping University is unique for its interdisciplinary approach and entrepreneurial outlook.
Linkoping students have access to high-quality, modern facilities and have the benefit of studying within the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) network.
Postgraduate disciplines include Business, Information Technology and Technology/Engineering.
Northeastern University, USA
Northeastern University, in the heart of Boston, is one of the largest private universities in the USA.
NU encourages creative and entrepreneurial thinking in all students.
The partnership between Swinburne and NU includes a scheme called the Global Leadership Program, where students gain a master degree from each institution in just two years.
Students can internationalise their education without leaving Australia, or study two units in Boston.
Choosing a Host Institution
There are a number of factors that you should take into account when choosing a host institution for Exchange or intensive programs, such as disciplines offered at postgraduate level, academic strengths and reputation.
Research students can liaise with their supervisors to search for a suitable host.
Planning Your Overseas Experience
Do Your Research
Investigate what type of overseas program suits your commitments, resources, and study discipline or field of research.
Overseas programs are open to both domestic and international students.
Develop Your Plan
Work with Swinburne Abroad, your faculty or school, and Swinburne Research (if applicable) to develop and gain approval for your international experience.
For the International Exchange Prograrn and some short-tern programs, you must submit an application to Swinburne Abroad, who will liaise with your chosen host university.
Get it All Organised
It is your responsibility to organise your own travel arrangements, accommodation, insurance and visas.
As Swinburne strongly supports students who are undertaking programs abroad, you can approach Swinburne Abroad if you need additional assistance.
Other Opportunities Abroad
Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship - Harvard University, USA
For students who are seeking further postgraduate studies overseas, Harvard University offers a Fellowship scholarship program for a small number of successful students from abroad. The Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship program provides funding for students from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to conduct graduate study at Harvard University. For more information visit:
