Currently studying at Swinburne?

If you're a student already studying at one of our Australian campuses and want to study overseas, please visit our Study Abroad and Exchange page.

Find out how

Student Exchange Program requirements and fees

To be able to participate in our Student Exchange Program, you must receive a nomination from your home institution, which must be one of our partner universities.

Academic requirements

  • Successful completion of one year of university studies
  • Students from US universities need a GPA of 2.6 or higher
  • Students from Mexican universities need a GPA of 70 per cent or higher
  • If you choose design or film and TV subjects, you will need to submit a portfolio with your application showcasing your work


English requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide documentary evidence of your English skills, such as:

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5)
  • TOEFL iBT: 60 with no band below 10 in reading, 9 in listening, 16 in speaking, 19 in writing


Students from Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden may apply with an alternative language assessment. Contact us for more details by calling +61 3 9214 3866 or email us your question via exchange@swinburne.edu.au.

Tuition fees

Students that come to Swinburne as an exchange student are not required to pay tuition fees to Swinburne. You will continue to pay your regular tuition fees (if applicable) to your home university.

Please note that additional costs such as your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) may apply.

You will need to pay for your own travel, accommodation and living expenses (such as food, bills, transport, books and stationery).

These costs are not covered by the Student Exchange Program fees:

  • return airfare to Melbourne, Australia
  • travel insurance
  • visa (where applicable)
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – Health insurance is mandatory for all international students studying in Australia. Some countries have a reciprocal arrangement with the Australian government. If your country of residence is not one of these, we can arrange appropriate insurance for you. This will be explained in your letter of offer.
  • extra excursions and social activities – Swinburne Student Life offers many sporting and cultural clubs, as well as volunteer opportunities. They also organise low-cost day and weekend trips.


You can get an idea on the cost of living in Melbourne from Study Australia or Numbeo.

Accommodation costs will depend on your choice. There are on-campus and off-campus options, including homestay, shared rentals, individual rentals, bed and breakfasts, hotels and serviced apartments.

Take a look at our accommodation page to learn more or to speak to a student accommodation adviser at Swinburne.

Study Abroad Program requirements and fees

If you’re currently enrolled in a university overseas that isn’t a partner of Swinburne, you can still experience the fun and excitement of studying in Australia through our Study Abroad Program. Awesome!

Academic requirements

  • successful completion of one year of university studies
  • students from US universities need a GPA of 2.6 or higher
  • students from Mexican universities need a GPA of 70 per cent or higher
  • if you choose design or film and TV subjects, you will need to submit a portfolio with your application showcasing your work


English requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide documentary evidence of your English skills, such as:

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5)
  • TOEFL iBT: 60 with no band below 10 in reading, 9 in listening, 16 in speaking, 19 in writing


Students from Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden may apply with an alternative language assessment. Contact us for more details via studyabroad@swinburne.edu.au.

Semester tuition fees for 2025

You will be charged per subject, with the option of studying 3 or 4 subjects per semester. Tuition fees include tuition costs, airport pick-up, and social and orientation program especially designed for Study Abroad Program students.

  • 3 units (subjects) per semester: A$8,220
  • 4 units (subjects) per semester: A$10,960


f your home university is part of our partner network, you may be able to qualify for special partner rate fees. Please contact us for more details via email studyabroad@swinburne.edu.au.

You will need to meet your own travel expenses, accommodation charges, living expenses (including food, bills, transport, books and stationery) and any additional spending money.

Travel costs not covered in the freshman abroad program fees: 

You will need to pay for your own travel, accommodation and living expenses (such as food, bills, transport, books and stationery),

These costs not covered in the freshman abroad program fees: 

  • return airfare to Melbourne, Australia
  • travel insurance
  • visa (where applicable)
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – Health insurance is mandatory for all international students studying in Australia. Some countries have a reciprocal arrangement with the Australian government. If your country of residence is not one of these, Swinburne can arrange appropriate insurance for you. This will be explained in your letter of offer. 
  • extra excursions and social activities – Swinburne Student Life offers many sporting and cultural clubs, as well as volunteer opportunities. They also organise low-cost day and weekend trips.

You can get an idea on the cost of living in Melbourne from Study Australia or Numbeo.

Accommodation costs will depend on your choice. There are on-campus and off-campus options, including homestay, shared rentals, individual rentals, bed and breakfasts, hotels and serviced apartments.

Take a look at our accommodation page to learn more or to speak to a student accommodation adviser at Swinburne.

Have you checked with your home university?

We recommend you contact your home university about your plans to study at Swinburne, as they may have additional eligibility criteria and fees.

Want to study abroad in Melbourne?

Love the idea of studying abroad in Melbourne but unsure where to start? The friendly Swinburne Abroad team can help!
Email studyabroad@swinburne.edu.au or call +61 3 9214 3866.

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