In summary

  • Swinburne has launched an Australian-first that offers a new formal qualification to those who complete tertiary education but not a degree. 
  • The Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education Studies will be awarded to students who have completed four units of study.
  • This allows students to build their qualification with recognised course credit from any Australian provider and return to study with course credits.

Swinburne has launched an Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education Studies, in an Australian-first that offers a new formal qualification to those who complete tertiary education but fall short of a degree.

Students who have completed four units of study, including at least two units at Swinburne, will receive the award if they exit before completing a higher degree. This allows them to build their qualification with recognised course credit from any Australian provider, as well as return to study with course credits towards their degree.

Swinburne’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Education, Experience and Employability Professor Laura-Anne Bull says the university is thrilled to be creating tailored and innovative pathways to success for all.

“The traditional educational model of studying a three- or four-year higher education degree full time until graduation is outdated. The Undergraduate Certificate of Higher Education Studies meets students where they are and supports their further study and professional development,” Professor Bull says. 

“Leaving university for any reason often comes with a negative stigma, but it shouldn’t.”

“Swinburne is proud to empower students to demonstrate their learning while providing a clear pathway to continue their education later without ‘starting over’, whether that’s in three months or three years.”

This latest offering is a key initiative of Swinburne’s new Ad Astra strategy, helping every learner leave with an outcome that meets their needs.

Extensive mapping of all units has been completed to ensure students will meet the course learning outcomes, meaning students who completed units in Semester 2, 2025 are already eligible for this qualification. 

Professor Bull hopes the award improves retention and challenges the long-held negative narrative that follows those who leave university early.

“Encouraging lifelong learning has never been more important and is the key to securing Australia’s future workforce,” she says.

“Our learners are diverse, and so are their needs. Being able to engage with foundation concepts and academic practices in an agile way helps students build confidence in applying learning to real-world contexts, laying the groundwork for future academic and career success.”

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