Semester 1 starts on Monday 3 March, 2025. Whether you're new to study or an expert, looking at a diploma or a master, in anything from engineering to design to health – there's a course at Swinburne for you.

Join us this January

Looking at study in 2025? Attend our January Study Expo to meet us and find everything you need in one place.

  • A staff member at Swinburne's Study Expo discussing course options with attendees at one of the busy study area stalls.

    2025 Study Expo

    When: Tuesday 21 January, 4.30pm - 6pm 
    Where: Swinburne Hawthorn Campus
    Cost: Free

    • Browse our study areas and courses
    • Chat to academics and teaching staff
    • Access on-the-spot course advice and application help
    • See our campus
    • Free gelato on us

Why choose Swinburne?

Custom-fit courses

Our courses are designed for maximum flexibility, because study should fit you, not the other way around

Networking built in

Swinburne students work with companies like Deloitte, KPMG, Metro Trains and Peter MacCallum while they study

Earning power

Our students are the #1 earners in their field in science, health, design, and IT, 5 years out from graduating1

Accomplished alumni

Swinburne graduates are Nobel Prize-winning2, Oscar-nominated3, planet-discovering4 kinds of people

Download a course guide

Whether you’re returning to study, looking to upskill or wanting to change careers, we have a range of courses to suit your needs.

Download now

Hear from us

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    Beating the bots: 5 ways to stand out from AI

    Artificial intelligence has found its way into nearly everything we do. But humans have a few tricks up our sleeves that no AI model can take from us.

    Wednesday 13 November 2024
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    Why Returning to Study Won't Break Your Brain

    Life experiences like work and/or parenting have already sharpened your problem-solving skills. As a mature age student, you have nothing to worry about with neuroplasticity and rational thinking on your side. Plus, studying will only improve your brain’s health. 

    Wednesday 13 November 2024
  • Signs it’s time to switch university

    Feel like you’ve gone off course and not vibing your current university? Here are signs that it’s time to switch to Swinburne.

    Tuesday 01 October 2024

How to apply for Semester 1

Need a hand with your application?

We've got you covered. Book a free, one-on-one appointment with a Swinburne course expert – no matter what stage of the application journey you're up to.

Book a one-on-one appointment

Frequently asked questions

  1. Get a sneak peek at Swinburne campuses and facilities
  2. Meet academics and teaching staff
  3. Ask your questions and explore your options in real time

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.

Find more on supporting documents

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, coming along to an event, or reading more about transferring to Swinburne.

You'll find information about fees and scholarships across our website, but if you'd like to talk to someone who can give you tailored advice – including how you can afford uni, which government subsidies and scholarships you might be eligible for, and more – we recommend booking a chat with us. It's free, quick, and gets straight to the point.

Book a one-on-one appointment

Vocational Education and Training or VET (also known as TAFE): 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).

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.

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

Many undergraduate degrees will take 3 years to complete 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, and can either send you off into the world of work or prepare you for further study.

Postgraduate (or PG): Graduate certificates, graduate 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.

More resources

  1. Swinburne design, health, and IT undergraduates, and Swinburne science, arts, and design postgraduates are the #1 earners in their fields 5 years out from graduating according to the QILT Student Experience Survey.
  2. Dimity Hawkins, Swinburne PhD candidate and founding member of Nobel Peace Prize-winning organisation ICAN. 
  3. Garth Davis, director of Lion (2016), which garnered six nominations at the 89th Academy Awards.
  4. Professor Matthew Bailes, astrophysicist at Swinburne, winner of the Shaw Prize, and discoverer of the 'diamond planet'.

Have questions about starting in Semester 1?