Overview

This Graduate Diploma of Science (Biotechnology) is specifically designed for students who have a first degree in basic biological or chemical sciences. The course aims to provide an understanding of the fundamental principles of the key areas of biotechnology, including molecular biology, bioinformatics, medical, industrial, forensic and agricultural biotechnology.

View Graduate Diploma of Science (Biotechnology) course handbook
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Upgrade your skills

  • Laboratory skills
  • Problem solving
  • Communication skills
  • Research project skills

Stretch your career further

  • Science or Biotechnology teacher
  • Health and medicine professional
  • Agriculture professional
  • Pharmaceutical/environmental sales executives

Key codes

CRICOS course code
055215G
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Strong industry connections and co-creation

  • Leading secondary and/or tertiary organisation
  • Government agency
  • Melbourne Pathology
  • Scienceworks
  • CSIRO

Why Swinburne?

Top 20% for PG teaching quality in Australia

90.8% of PG graduates found employment within 4 months of completing their course

The median income for PG graduates five years out is $89K

Qualifications

Successful completion of a three-year undergraduate Science degree in a biological or chemical science (e.g. biology, botany, zoology, agriculture, forestry, health sciences, veterinary science, chemistry) equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree.

Successful completion of a three-year undergraduate Science degree in a biological or chemical science (e.g. biology, botany, zoology, agriculture, forestry, health sciences, veterinary science, chemistry) equivalent to an Australian Bachelor degree.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about credit

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about RPL

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for a Graduate Diploma of Science (Biotechnology), a student must complete eight units (100 credit points).

6
Core units
+
2
Elective units
=
Graduate Diploma of Science (Biotechnology)

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
The Microbial World
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO60002
Concepts of Biotechnology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO60003
Biotechnology of Genes and Proteins
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO60005
Environmental Biotechnology
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO60006
Minor Research Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO70003
Research Methods in Science
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO80005
Units of study Unit code
Microbes in the Environment
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
BIO60001
Forensic and Analytical Science
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
CHE60001
Environmental Management
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
ENV60001
Research Skills
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
NPS60001
Communicable Disease Control
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
PEH60001
Statistical Practice 1
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points
STA60001

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$34,600

Total fee* ($AUD)

$34,600

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$42,240

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2024 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

How do I pay my fees?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

Find out more about fees

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Finances
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.
Learn more about paying your fees

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
  • are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
  • have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
     

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Learn more about FEE-HELP

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Learn more about SSAF

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 are open. 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. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

Learn more about scholarships

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
GD-SCBIO
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! 

Course code
GD-SCBIO
Apply directly
Course code
GD-SCBIO
CRICOS code
055215G
Apply directly
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Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024