Thinking of studying with Swinburne?
Discover why thousands of international students from Sri Lanka choose Swinburne for their education.
Where Swinburne ranks globally
As one of the world's top 300 universities*, Swinburne University of Technology is renowned for quality teaching, research and graduate outcomes.
Top 40
for Business Administration and Computer Science
Top 100
for Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Top 150
for Civil and Mechanical Engineering
Top 200
for Artificial Intelligence, Nanotechnology and Nursing
Top 300
for Education, Management and Chemical Engineering
*Academic Ranking of World Universities 2025
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Popular undergraduate courses
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Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
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Bachelor of Computer Science
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Bachelor of Business Analytics
Popular postgraduate courses
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Master of Business Information Systems
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Master of Information Technology (Professional Computing)
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Master of Professional Accounting
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Browse study areas
Entry requirements
Undergraduate
Undergraduate courses include associate degrees and bachelor degrees (including honours). International students can also enrol in a number of certificates and diplomas.
To apply for an undergraduate course (such as a bachelor degree or an associate degree), you normally need to have a secondary school qualification equivalent to Year 12 in Australia.
The minimum score required is typically 8 overall across three subjects in Sri Lankan GCE A-Levels. Several study areas require higher minimum scores.
For specific entry requirements, please refer to the relevant course pages. Alternatively, you may consider a pathway course.
Each course offered by Swinburne has a minimum English language requirement for entry. Please be sure to also check your course page for information specific to the course.
If you have not met the academic or English language requirements, there are other pathways at Swinburne that can allow you to progress towards a degree:
- UniLink diplomas (equivalent to the first year of a bachelor degree) if you prefer extra support from teachers
- Swinburne Foundation Program if you have completed Year 11 in Australia or an equivalent overseas qualification
- ELICOS if you need to improve your English language skills to meet the entry requirements.
Postgraduate
Postgraduate courses include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, master degrees by coursework, master degrees by research, and doctorate degrees (PhD).
To apply for a master degree, you normally need to have an undergraduate qualification equivalent to a bachelor degree, an honours degree or a graduate diploma in Australia.
The minimum overall score required is normally a GPA of 2.0 or Grade C in a three-year (or longer) bachelor degree from a recognised institution.
To apply for a doctorate degree (PhD), you normally need to have a qualification equivalent to an honours degree or a master degree in Australia.
Higher degrees by research (including master by research and doctorate degrees) also have additional entry requirements.
Several study areas require higher minimum scores. For specific entry requirements, please refer to the relevant course pages. Alternatively, you may consider a pathway course.
Each course offered by Swinburne has a minimum English language requirement for entry. Please be sure to also check your course page for information specific to the course.
If you have not met the academic or English language requirements, you may consider the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (PQP). This pathway program will equip you with skills for postgraduate studies, such as academic literacy and research techniques.
Completing this program will guarantee entry into the first year of several master degrees at Swinburne, including business, information technology, media and communication, project management and more.
Scholarships for international students
When you apply to Swinburne, your application is automatically considered for an international scholarship. That means you do not need to submit any additional application. If successful, we will notify you in your letter of offer. Examples of our international scholarships include:
Swinburne International Scholarship
Worth 20 per cent off tuition fees, this merit-based scholarship is offered to eligible international students commencing an undergraduate, postgraduate or pathway course at our Hawthorn campus for the first time in 2026.
George Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship
Worth 30 per cent off tuition fees, this scholarship recognises high academic performance and is offered to international students commencing an undergraduate or postgraduate course at our Hawthorn campus for the first time in 2026.
Fees for international students
To enrol in a course at Swinburne, you will need to pay tuition fees. Please note that our tuition fees vary across courses. There are also other fees, such as the Student Services and Amenities Fee.
Graduate ready for a career
Whether you are planning to return to Sri Lanka, stay in Australia or embark on a new adventure in another country, a degree from Swinburne will prepare you for a career in your chosen industry. Stand out and become the next generation of talent our global workforce needs.
Real industry experience
Build your resume early through internships, placements or industry projects and tackle real-world challenges – embedded in your studies as Work Integrated Learning.
Career development services
Enjoy access to career consultants, employability workshops and networking opportunities through our Careers Launchpad and International Student Job Club.
Bridging business and information technology
Sachi learns not only from industry experts in the classroom but also through real-world placements – identifying problems, applying knowledge and proposing solutions – as part of Work Integrated Learning at Swinburne.
Ready to apply?
While you can apply directly, we recommend using a Swinburne-authorised education agent in Sri Lanka. They are highly knowledgeable and can help you understand entry requirements, prepare your documentation, assist with visas, and answer your questions about Swinburne and Melbourne.
Application process
The steps to apply are the same whether you are applying directly or through an education agent. Each step in the application process brings you closer towards an exciting future at Swinburne.
There are different processes to follow for international students who are transferring to Swinburne from another Australian institution or for those already studying Year 12 in Australia.
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Step 1
Check entry requirements
Make sure you have met the academic and English language requirements for your course.
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Step 2
Submit your application
Apply directly or find a Swinburne-authorised education agent to help you.
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Step 3
Understand your offer
Congratulations – you have now received an offer letter from Swinburne.
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Step 4
Accept your offer
Be sure to pay your university deposit and organise your Overseas Student Health Cover afterwards.
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Step 5
Apply for a student visa
Once you have a Confirmation of Enrolment, you can apply for a student visa.
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Step 6
Enrol in your course
After you accept your offer, you can enrol and select your units of study before leaving for Melbourne.
Information for parents
As a parent, it is common to have concerns about sending your child to study in another country. They will have to adjust to a new education system, find a suitable place to live, and deal with life away from home.
That is why we provide a range of services to help our students achieve academic success, maintain personal wellbeing and navigate life in Melbourne. These are organised by dedicated staff members, including our International Student Advisors.
Student life on campus
As a student at Swinburne, you will have plenty of opportunities to join a vibrant community. With regular activities on campus, you can easily meet like-minded students with shared interests from day one.
Immerse yourself in campus life, enjoy your time in Melbourne, make new friends inside and outside of the classroom, and explore our student clubs, which include:
1,609 students from Sri Lanka
currently studying on campus in Melbourne
Our partner in Sri Lanka
As a future-focused university, we actively collaborate with leading educational institutions around the world, including Nawaloka College of Higher Studies (NCHS) in Sri Lanka. Established in 2014, the partnership enables students to start their studies in Colombo or Kandy. Upon completing the Swinburne Foundation Program or a UniLink diploma, students can transfer directly into a number of bachelor degrees on our Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
From Sri Lanka to Australia
Leshan started his journey in mechanical engineering at Nawaloka College of Higher Studies and completed his degree in Australia through an international partnership program.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, we strongly recommend using one of our authorised education agents in Sri Lanka for easier application. We have agents in Colombo, Kandy and other cities.
As part of your student visa application, the Australian Government may require you to demonstrate that you are genuinely applying to enter Australia as a student. This includes addressing why you chose your specific course and Australia as your study destination.
You will be asked to provide written responses to a list of questions with your application. Be sure to plan ahead, research your course (and other similar courses), and keep your answers direct and consistent. You may also need to attach supporting documents.
As Australia's best student city, Melbourne is consistently voted as one of the most liveable cities in the world. It is also one of the most culturally diverse in Australia, with 40 per cent of its population born overseas (including more than 65,000 people from Sri Lanka).
Melbourne's yearly Lankan Fest is a joyful celebration of Sri Lankan culture with major sponsors such as the local and state governments. The city is also famous for regularly hosting international sporting events, including cricket matches played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
To help you estimate how much money to allocate, you can try using the cost of living calculator on the Study Australia website. Most students choose live in a shared house, buy groceries in bulk, cook their meals at home, and use public transport to reduce expenses. Food and drink outlets near universities, including Swinburne, often offer cheaper deals for students.
The good news is that as a Swinburne student, you will get free access to Adobe Creative Cloud for the entire duration of your studies. That is a collection of 20 applications for graphic design, video editing, web development, photography, prototyping and more.
If you have a Student (subclass 500) visa, you can work a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight during study periods (e.g. a semester) and unlimited hours during term breaks and holidays.
While working, you must still prioritise your studies. This means you must remain enrolled in your course, meet attendance requirements and maintain satisfactory academic results.
You may also need a Tax File Number (TFN). Please note that visa regulations may change. For the most current information, please visit the Study Australia website.
You will need a new visa to stay in Australia after completing your studies. The Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa, for example, allows recent graduates to work temporarily in Australia.
You may also be eligible to submit an expression of interest for a visa through SkillSelect. Some employers may also be able to sponsor you for a new visa. Please note that visa regulations may change. For the most current information, please visit the Study Australia website.