Planning your future
Deciding to embark on a new and exciting journey can be daunting. Everyone's situation is different — that’s why we offer a range of study pathways to our uni diplomas and degrees.
When thinking about your future, you’ll find yourself considering a number of options. You may be looking for an alternative path to your preferred course. Maybe you want to progress from a diploma to a degree? Perhaps you want to study overseas?
You may want to switch from another educational institution or even return to study from the workforce after taking a break.
Whatever your situation, if you meet our admission requirements we can help you with study pathways to suit your circumstances and lifestyle.
I'm coming to Swinburne from:
You can also study at Swinburne as a PhD student and help make ground-breaking, internationally-recognised research that advances the world around us.
Do you help students find their courses?
Resources are available to assist Career Practitioners and international agents and partners.
High school
Whether you finished high school at Year 10, 11 or 12, you can study at Swinburne. You can also study with us if you’re a homeschooled student or via the VETSS program. Choose your pathway below:
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Transition to university from VCE
Have you recently finished Year 12? Maybe you’re a Year 10 or 11 student and you’re considering your options? Want to know more about admission requirements? We’ve got you covered.
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Homeschooled students
If you’re one of the 20,000 homeschooled students in Australia and looking to further your education at a tertiary level, Swinburne is a university that accepts homeschooled students.
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Vocational Education and Training for Secondary Students
Vocational Education and Training for Secondary Students (VETTS) previously known as VETiS, allows secondary students to complete VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) or VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning) while undertaking vocational studies.
Did you know you could study some courses for low-fee or free in 2022?
You could have some or all your tuition fees covered in 2022 thanks to government initiatives JobTrainer and Free TAFE for Priority Courses.
JobTrainer is available if you are 17-24 years or a job seeker of any age, impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Free TAFE for Priority Courses is available if you are under 20 years old, or enrolling in a course at a higher level than you have completed before.
If you don't tick either of these boxes, you could still have a chance! There are other factors too. The best way to find out if you’re eligible is to apply.
Previous study
You can study with us at Swinburne if you’ve completed previous study at a tertiary level (including TAFE and VE). Choose from the following pathways:
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Diploma to degree pathways
Progress from a diploma to a degree through guaranteed entry or obtain course credits for studies completed with us or with other educational institutions.
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Direct entry into university
Whether you want to study VE, undergraduate or postgraduate programs at Swinburne, we offer a variety of courses and pathways that are designed with your future in mind.
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Transferring to Swinburne from other universities
Receive credit for units completed in other courses at other institutions. Check out our credit calculator to see how much credit you may be awarded.
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Pathway planner
Associate degrees and UniLink diplomas can help you if your ATAR is just below the score you need for direct entry to your preferred course. Think of it as taking a slightly different route to the same destination.
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Special Tertiary Admissions Test
There are many university pathways, depending on your specific circumstances. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a quick option that can fast-track your progress and set you up for a fulfilling career.
Interested in honours to postgraduate study?
Many undergraduate degrees at Swinburne offer an additional specialised honours (fourth) year. An honours year allows you to take your undergraduate studies to a more advanced level. It involves a substantial original piece of research, presented as a thesis, and is a point of entry into postgraduate research studies.
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Indigenous students
Studying at a tertiary level can represent a big jump in your academic journey. At Swinburne, we offer a range of academic support services to help you get the most out of your university experience and achieve your academic goals.
Work experience
We recognise the skills you’ve acquired through relevant work experience or prior learning. Advance your learning and achieve your academic goals at Swinburne. Choose from the three options below:
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Recognition of prior learning in the workplace
Find out how to gain recognition for prior learning, convert work experience to a degree, or apply for credit transfer to enrol with advanced standing. -
Experienced assessment pathways
Discover how to skip studying and obtain a qualification with knowledge and skills you already have. Gain recognition for your expertise, boost your CV and land that promotion.
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Returning to study
If you want to retrain for a promotion or career change, we understand the challenges you may face when you come back to uni and return to study. That’s why we offer additional services for non-school leavers that can make your study life easier.
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Short courses
Increase your career prospects through our professional development courses in business, leadership, computing, personal effectiveness, health, safety, trades that are designed to build skills that are immediately applicable in the workplace.
Play Swintopia
Want to try Swinburne on for size from the comfort of... wherever you are? Explore our virtual campus, hear from students, meet the locals, and collect handy info like course guides.
Need help finding your way in Swintopia? Read our FAQs.
Study as a PhD student
We offer a range of research degrees that enable you to advance your investigative skills in your chosen field. Study as a PhD at Swinburne and contribute to our internationally-recognised research that helps shape the world around us.
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Entry requirements for research degrees
Find out about all our higher degrees by research including PhD, professional doctorate, master by research, partnered and offshore PhD programs.
Studying overseas
Currently at Swinburne and want to see the world? Maybe you want to experience studying in Australia? Study overseas and gain credit for your studies back home.
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Swinburne study abroad
Studying abroad gives you the chance to challenge yourself, explore new cultures and make memories that last a lifetime. What are you waiting for?
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Study Abroad in Melbourne
Study in Melbourne, Australia and experience the unique and vibrant student lifestyle this cosmopolitan city has to offer — all while gaining credit for your studies back home.
Help students plan their academic journey
Are you a Career Practitioner or an international agent or partner? We have the resources available to enable you to assist students in planning their academic journeys here at Swinburne.
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Resources for Career Practitioners
Are you a career practitioner and want to book an event with Swinburne? Download or order our course guide, or contact our schools recruitment team, today. -
Information for international agents and partners
An easy and convenient guide with information for international student agents and agencies, supporting students to apply and enrol at Swinburne.
Want to speak to someone in person?
Many of our courses can provide pathways to uni that allow you to move through qualification levels, with completed study considered as an entry requirement to your next qualification. Book a one-on-one appointment to get help with your application to study at Swinburne.