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.

Help students plan their academic journey

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:

Did you know you could study some courses for low-fee or free?

You could have some or all your tuition fees covered thanks to government initiative Free TAFE for Priority Courses.

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: 

  • Group of 4 students sitting and studying together, one presenting / lecturing , in the SPW building.

    Pathways to university

    You do not need to have a specific academic history or perfectly linear plan to pursue a certain course or career. There are alternative pathways to get into a bachelor degree – you might just need a little help finding these options.

    Learn more (Pathways to university)
  • A group of students walk through Hawthorn campus

    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.

    Learn more (Direct entry into university)
  • Law student at the Hawthorn campus smiling to camera

    Transferring to Swinburne

    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.

    Learn more (Transferring to Swinburne)
  • Young woman sits on bench smiling at camera

    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. 

    Learn more (Special Tertiary Admissions Test)
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.

Explore our honours courses

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: 

  • Media student working in the studio editing a video

    Recognition of prior learning in the workplace

    Find out how to gain recognition for prior learning through relevant work experience that is formally recognised when commencing a degree or vocational education course at Swinburne.

    Learn more (Recognition of prior learning in the workplace)
  • female business course student wearing yellow taking notes in the classroom

    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.

    Learn more (Experienced assessment pathways)
  • Male student working at a job after graduation

    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.

    Learn more (Returning to study)

  • 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.

    Learn more (Short courses)
Want help applying for midyear 2025?

Get tailored, on-the-spot support with your application at drop-in application week (Mon 30 June–Fri 4 July) – whether you’re enrolling fresh or switching courses.

Learn more

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.

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.

  • A tourist girl with a backpack looking at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

    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?

    Learn more (Swinburne study abroad)
  • Portrait of Asian women travel in Melbourne the most liveable city in the world of Victoria state of Australia.

    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. 

    Learn more (Study abroad in Melbourne)

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.

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.

Book an appointment