Studying at Swinburne Sarawak

If you’re looking for an international experience that offers academic, personal and professional benefits (but prefer to be at a Swinburne campus), Swinburne Sarawak located in Kuching, Malaysia could be the perfect fit for you. 

Kuching has a relaxed lifestyle, affordable cost of living, clean environment, greenery and friendly people. It is only a short distance from many beautiful beaches and nature reserves.

There are two options to study at our Swinburne Sarawak campus, depending on the type of overseas experience you are looking for.

Inter-campus studies program

Study for one or two semesters at our Sarawak campus. This program is a great way to immerse yourself in a new city and make friends from around the world while studying your same Swinburne classes.

Winter Term in Borneo

Want to experience just a taste of something different? This program will give you the chance to spend your winter break studying one full unit (12.5 credits). Six weeks will let you experience the sights, sounds and flavours of Sarawak. 

Our inter-campus studies program will let you study one or two semesters at our Sarawak campus in Malaysia. You’ll complete your same Swinburne classes (core units or electives) to give you direct credit towards your degree. Inter-campus study is a great way to experience a new city and way of life and meet international students from all over the world while having the familiar Swinburne experience.

Note: Your unit selection must be approved by your Course Director. You may not be able to undertake units offered at Sarawak campus that are not offered at Hawthorn. All units completed at Swinburne Sarawak will be listed on your academic transcript with a numerical grade.  

Key information

Semester dates

Semester 1: February to June

Semester 2: September to December

Costs

There is no upfront program cost. You will be enrolled into the academic units approved on your exchange study plan at Swinburne Hawthorn and charged the standard tuition fees. You will pay no tution fees to Swinburne Sarawak. 

However, students will need to pay MYR 3,500 to Swinburne Sarawak when accepting their offer. MYR 1,000 covers your visa application fee. MYR 2,500 is a security deposit to the Immigration Department of Malaysia that ensures you will not overstay your visa. This deposit will be refunded to you once you depart from Sarawak.

You will also need to cover your own travel and living costs, including accommodation, daily expenses, airfares and any other additional travel costs.

Accommodation

Students typically live in modern furnished apartments close to the Sarawak campus. Swinburne Abroad can provide details of off-campus accommodation in the Riverine Condominium Resort in Kuching City Centre.

Swinburne Sarawak also offers a range of on-campus accommodation options in their new Student Village, for students looking for convenience and a vibrant student community. For more information, visit the Sarawak accommodation page.

Funding 

Funding your overseas journey may be easier than you think

There are several scholarships and funding opportunities available to help you study at Swinburne's Sarawak campus, including Australian Government funding, Swinburne Abroad grants, and other scholarships.

Swinburne Abroad Travel Grants

Swinburne Abroad offers A$5,000 travel grants to assist with travel and living expenses for your overseas exchange.

These grants are available to both domestic and international undergraduate and postgraduate students. You can apply for a grant as part of the program application process. 

OS-HELP Loan

Eligible Australian students can apply for the Australian Government OS-HELP Loan of A$9,504 (for study in Asia) to help cover costs associated with your overseas program. You can get an extra loan amount if you study an Asian language in preparation for your overseas study in Asia.

Scholarships and funding opportunities for overseas programs are updated regularly. Explore funding for overseas programs to find out more about eligibility and how to apply.

Yeap Scholarship

In addition to the funding mentioned above, Australian students may also be eligible for the Yeap Scholarship, which offers A$10,000 to study for a semester at Swinburne Sarawak. Whilst on your exchange, you may also have the opportunity to complete an internship in Malaysia. Find out more about this incredible opportunity by visiting the Yeap Scholarship page.

Course information

Units available

Not all Swinburne Hawthorn units are available at Sarawak. However, the units that are available will be the exact same as the units here.

If the list of units offered at Sarawak has not been updated at the time of your application, please refer to the list available from the same study period (generally units offered in semesters and winter terms are consistent each year).

Undergraduate units

Postgraduate units


Credit information

Units at Sarawak are the same as units at Hawthorn.

4 units = 50 CP
3 units = 37.5 CP

Have a short-term experience spending six weeks exploring Malaysia and studying at Swinburne Sarawak during the Winter Term.

Sarawak is part of the island of Borneo, a tropical getaway of rainforest, beaches and home to the endangered Bornean orang-utan. An abundance of affordable and delicious food is available, with an extremely low cost of living. 

Enrol in one unit and attend weekday classes, fast-tracking your degree at home. On weekends, have the freedom to explore Borneo and surrounding South East Asian countries with fellow classmates.

Note: Your unit selection must be approved by your Course Director. You may not be able to undertake units offered at Sarawak campus that are not offered at Hawthorn. All units completed at Swinburne Sarawak will be listed on your academic transcript with a numerical grade.  

Key information

Cost

There is no upfront program cost. You will be enrolled in the applicable academic unit worth 12.5 credit points at Swinburne Hawthorn and charged the standard tuition fee. You will pay no tution fees to Swinburne Sarawak. 

However, students will need to pay MYR 2,800 to Swinburne Sarawak when accepting their offer. MYR 300 covers your visa application fee. MYR 2,500 is a security deposit to the Immigration Department of Malaysia that ensures you will not overstay your visa. This deposit will be refunded to you once you depart Sarawak.

You will also need to cover your own travel and living costs, including accommodation, daily expenses, airfares and any other additional travel costs.

Funding opportunities

There are several scholarships and funding opportunities available to help you study at Swinburne's Sarawak campus, including Australian Government funding (New Colombo Plan grants, OS HELP Loan), Swinburne Abroad grants, and other scholarships.

Scholarships and funding will be updated and listed when opportunities become available. To find out more about funding available, explore program fee help and scholarship options.

Program dates

Late June to late July

Application deadline

30 March

Courses available

Units offered by Sarawak in the Winter Term 2023:

  • BUS30025 Social Innovation Project
  • INB20009 Global and Digital Marketplaces
  • CSM80013 Building Information Modelling for Construction Management
  • MME30001 Engineering Management 1
  • MME40001 Engineering Management 2
  • PEH20005 Communicable Disease Control

If students choose a unit that has an exam, exams will be held in Melbourne the week after the program has concluded.

Credit equivalence:

4 units = 50 CP
3 units = 37.5 CP

Accommodation

Students are responsible for organising their own accommodation, but Swinburne Abroad can provide assistance and suggestions.

  • A young man holds a tropical fish while sitting on a boat wearing a life jacket. In the background are two other young men wearing life jackets and smiling at him.

    “I spent a semester studying at Swinburne’s Sarawak campus in Malaysia. I made some amazing friends, ate delicious food and got to experience a new culture. Plus, it was a super fun way to study my core units.”

    Rian , Swinburne Engineering student

How to apply

There are a couple of steps involved when applying to study at Swinburne Sarawak as an exchange student, including completing a study plan document and submitting an online application.

Start your application now
Not too sure about Sarawak but still want to study in Asia?

We have more campuses in Vietnam!

Swinburne Vietnam is an extension of Swinburne’s partnership with FPT University, where students can enjoy a semester exchange at one of Swinburne's campuses in Ha Noi, Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh.

Find out more

Not sure which program is right for you?

Want to study at our Swinburne Sarawak campus but not sure which program is right you? Speak to our friendly team to discuss your options.

Contact us