Starting midyear

Applications usually take between 20 minutes and an hour to complete. If you're required to complete the Language, Literacy and Numeracy test for a TAFE application, this may take some extra time. If you'd like to get through your application faster, we're on hand to walk you through it.

You may need to organise supporting documents before you apply, such as proof of name and citizenship, and certified and translated copies of previous academic results.

You'll be notified of the specific requirements for your application as you go through the process, and will be able to save your application and come back to it if you need time to gather the required documentation.

Yes you can. And we've found that in most cases, transferring unis or courses is easier than people think.

You can start the process by browsing our courses or booking an appointment to speak to a course and applications advisor at Swinburne.

Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.

See our handy scholarship guide to assist you in gathering the documents you may require for your application.

Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. Some scholarships are based on academic merit or community service. Other scholarships exist to support students from Indigenous backgrounds, students suffering financial hardship or who have relocated from regional areas to study.

TAFE (also known as Vocational Education or VET): Pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, traineeships, trades, certificates and diplomas.

You might be looking at VET because you’re interested in studying a skills-based vocation like electronics, plumbing, or community services. Maybe you’d like to start small before progressing into further study, or perhaps the eligibility criteria caught your eye. In many cases, it is broader (for example, you can apply for some TAFE courses without an ATAR).

TAFE courses can range from 10 weeks to three or four years in duration.

UniLink: A UniLink diploma is called so because it serves as a ‘link’ course between you and undergraduate study – which will also count as credit towards your degree. These courses are a great choice if you didn’t complete high school in Australia, or didn’t get the ATAR needed for your preferred bachelor degree.

UniLink diplomas are 8 months long.

Undergraduate (or UG): Bachelor degrees, double degrees and associate degrees. 

Many undergraduate degrees will take 3 years to complete full-time and will result in a bachelor’s degree. Double degrees are for those who’d like to study a little longer and graduate with twice the qualifications. Associate degrees will take around 2 years full-time, and can either send you off into the world of work or prepare you for further study.

Postgraduate (or PG): Graduate certificates and diplomas, master degrees, and doctoral degrees.

Postgraduate study is, in most cases, for those who have completed undergraduate study. In some cases, postgrad study can be undertaken by students with significant industry experience in lieu of undergraduate study.

Completed master and doctorate degrees will result in a ‘Master of’ and ‘PhD’ respectively. Or you could exit your master degree study early having completed sufficient units to achieve a graduate certificate or graduate diploma.

Postgraduate courses vary in length. While graduate certificates can be completed in 6 to 12 months, graduate diplomas and master degrees will take between 1 and 2 years full-time.