International students
We welcome students from all over the world to study with us at Swinburne in Melbourne – Australia’s best student city.
Welcome to Swinburne
Are you an international student considering studying at Swinburne? You’ve come to the right place! We have thousands of international students from all over the globe studying with us.
Find important information about applying to Swinburne, what you’ll need to move to Australia and where help is available, and finally, starting your new life in Melbourne as a Swinburne student.
On this page:
Why choose Swinburne?
Top 1% university worldwide
QS World University Rankings 2024
Top 250 university globally
Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
24th under 50*
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024
*Best universities in the world under 50 years old5 stars for postgraduate teaching quality
Good Universities Guide 2023
Considering studying at Swinburne?
At Swinburne, our courses are designed with your future in mind. Explore our variety of courses, find out about course fees and scholarships available for international students, learn about Swinburne’s Work Integrated Learning program and take a virtual tour of our Hawthorn campus to help with your decision.
-
Find a course
Search our degrees, diplomas and master programs, and find information about pathways to a degree. Explore a range of flexible study options to suit your needs and career goals.
-
Scholarships for international students
Find a scholarship for your study at Swinburne in Melbourne, Australia.
-
Course fees for international students
Learn more about Swinburne’s course fees and payment information as an international student.
-
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne guarantees real industry experience in all our bachelor degrees in the form of placements, internships or industry-linked projects.
-
Virtual campus tour
Explore our Hawthorn campus in 360-degree view to see how your future life and study could be at Swinburne.
-
International student stories
Discover how students from all over the world are enjoying life at Swinburne while successfully building a career in Australia and their home countries.
Learn more about Melbourne
Discover what makes Melbourne, where Swinburne’s campuses are located, a desirable destination for international students. With a fantastic array of culture, sport, live music, museums, shops and restaurants, find out for yourself why Melbourne has been Australia’s top ranked student city since 2015 and fifth globally in QS Best Student Cities 2025.
Applying to Swinburne
You’ve made an excellent decision to study with us! Find out what you will need to apply directly or how to connect with an education agent in your home country to help with your application and student visa requirements.
There are different processes to follow for international students who are transferring to Swinburne from another institution in Australia or already studying Year 12 in Australia.
-
Step 1
Check entry requirements
Make sure you've met the academic and English language requirements.
-
Step 2
Submit your application
Apply directly or find an education agent from our international network to help you.
-
Step 3
Understand your offer
Congratulations – you have now received a letter of offer from Swinburne.
-
Step 4
Accept your offer
Be sure to pay your deposit and purchase a student health cover beforehand.
-
Step 5
Apply for student visa
Once you have a Confirmation of Enrolment, you can apply for a student visa.
-
Step 6
Enrol in your course
After you accept your offer, you can enrol and select your units of study before leaving for Melbourne.
Ask our international team
It can help to talk to someone with first-hand experience about moving to Australia to study at Swinburne. Chat directly to our international students or recruitment staff about their experiences.
Preparing to come to Melbourne
We’ve put together some instructions to help you prepare for your arrival in Australia and transition seamlessly into your new home in Melbourne. Be sure to check out our advice prior to leaving your home country.
-
Plan your arrival in Melbourne
-
Money, living costs and banking in Australia
-
Arriving in Melbourne
Welcome to Melbourne
Your adventure of living and studying in our exciting city starts now. Learn how to get around Melbourne and find out everything you need to know about your orientation.
-
Getting around Melbourne
-
Getting to the Hawthorn campus
-
Orientation
Starting at Swinburne
Now that you’ve arrived and have started to settle into Melbourne living, it’s time to begin your new life as a Swinburne student. Learn about what support services we have available for international students and discover our wide range of groups to join where you can meet like-minded people.
Studying with Swinburne outside of Australia?
If you're currently studying with Swinburne on our Sarawak campus in Malaysia, through one of our education partners, or online from your own home and would like to continue your study at Swinburne's Hawthorn campus in Australia, reach out to an education agent near you or chat to us directly.
Want to study a Foundation Year, UniLink, undergraduate and postgraduate course?
You are an international student if you are:
- not an Australian or a New Zealand citizen
- not an Australian permanent resident
Want to study a vocational education (TAFE) course?
You are an international student if you are:
- not an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- not an East Timorese asylum seeker
- not a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) holder
You are also considered an international student if you are on a temporary visa such as student visa, bridging visa and business visa.