Key information

Destination: Shanghai and Ningbo

Dates: 23 November - 7 December 2026  [2 week program]

Program cost: A$2,500 approx. + airfares

Funding: A$10,130 or A$5,065 OS-HELP Loans available for eligible students  

Program eligibility: Undergraduate students

Application deadline: 15 August 2026

Overview

Shanghai is a fascinating meeting point of traditional and contemporary art and culture, blending influences from East and West. In this cosmopolitan megacity, you’ll create a city film or media project of your choice.

From there, we’ll travel by bullet train to Ningbo, just one hour away, for the film studio production at Xiangshan Global Studios, China’s second-largest film studio. Over five days, you’ll be hosted in the film studio hotel and work on a Sci-Fi production, taking on Head of Department roles and learning about film studio and virtual production techniques.

Our workshops will cover:

  • Set Design & On-Set Filmmaking
  • Virtual Production (LED Volume Filmmaking)
  • Virtual Asset Creation (Unreal Engine)
  • HoD roles (Director, Assistant Director, Director of Cinematography)
  • Screen Writer
  • Lighting Technicians

The studio will provide everything you need- sets, props, costumes, cameras and lights.

In the second week, Zhejiang Wanli University will be our base as we team up with Chinese students to produce a short film project of your choice, establishing cross-cultural exchange and creative partnerships.

This study tour is open to students from the School of Social Sciences, Media, Film and Education. While some experience in screen, film, or media production is advantageous, team work, creativity and curiosity are what matter most.

China is rapidly becoming a global powerhouse in film and entertainment. Gaining insight into its unique production and distribution systems will give you a competitive edge in understanding the future of media. Plus, learning Virtual Production will prepare you for the next wave of innovation in filmmaking.

Highlights / tentative itinerary

  • 23 - 25 Nov – Shanghai – Short film/screen production to learn about Chinese culture
  • 26 Nov – Bullet train to Ningbo
  • 27 - 30 Nov - Xiangshan Global Studios
  • 27 Nov - The magic of filmmaking
  • 28 Nov - Mastering the Virtual – Pre-production
  • 29 Nov - The Art of Pre-Production: From Script to Screen
  • 30 Nov - Lights, camera, action: Virtual Production
  • 1 Dec - Zhonggu Haiyincheng - Keep Running Theme Park
  • 2 - 7 Dec - Zhejinang Wanli University. A short film project of your choice, in collaboration with Chinese students. 


Academic information

Which unit/s can this program be taken for as credit?

FTV20007

Can this unit be taken as an elective by students in any Swinburne degree? 

Yes

Eligibility

To qualify for this program, you must:

  • be enrolled into an Undergraduate degree
  • submit a 250 word motivation statement with your online application
     

Note: this program is open to UG students from all study areas. In your online application, please outline your motivation for participating in the study tour and explain why you would be the appropriate person for this program. 

Explore China with a filmmaking lens- this program will give you hands-on skills.

Program cost

A$2,500 approx. + airfares

See the list below for inclusions and exclusions of the program fee.

Inclusions

  • Accommodation
  • Some meals
  • Ground transport
  • Welcome and farewell dinners
  • Travel and medical insurance
     

Exclusions

  • International airfares
  • Academic tuition fees
  • Visa (if required)
  • Personal expenses

Note: the program cost is approximate at the time it is listed online and is subject to change.

Funding

Funding your overseas journey may be easier than you think

OS-HELP Loan

Eligible Australian students can apply for an Australian Government OS-HELP Loan of A$10,130 or A$5,065 to help cover costs associated with your overseas program.

For more information on funding and eligibility, see Fee Help and Scholarships.

Information sessions

Information sessions will be scheduled to run in August 2026. Register your interest to be kept up to date with information aboutt this program, including upcoming information sessions., or contact Max Schleser for more information.

Register your interest

Application

Keen to apply? You can submit your application now. Applications will be assessed after the application deadline.

Final application deadline: 15 August 2026
Apply now
Questions?

For further details on this program, please contact:

Associate Professor Max Schleser
mschleser@swin.edu.au

Swinburne Abroad
studytours@swin.edu.au