Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne University of Technology

Contact

PO Box 218
Hawthorn VIC 3122

Phone No: 1300 794 628

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Web site: http://www.swinburne.edu.au

Accreditation

CRICOS provider code: 00111D

RTO provider code: 3059

Campus locations

Croydon

12-50 Norton Road
Croydon VIC 3136

Hawthorn

John Street
Hawthorn VIC 3122

Online

Prahran

39-59 Green Street
Prahran VIC 3181

Swinburne Online

Wantirna

369 Stud Road
Wantirna VIC 3152

At Swinburne University of Technology, we're creating the next generation of engineers, designers, bioethicists, space lawyers, cyber experts and more — today.

More than a piece of paper

With real industry experience offered in all courses, our students connect seamlessly with industry while studying at a uni ranked in the top 300 in the world*. Gain cutting-edge skills with the university that's co-designing courses with global luminaries like Amazon Web Services, Siemens, Oracle and Adobe.

Next gen_tech at your fingertip

Whether you want to measure brain activity down to the millisecond, simulate earthquakes, or make waves - literally - we have the cutting-edge facilities to help. Like our Smart Structures Laboratory, Neuroimaging Facility, OzSTAR and Ngarru Tindebeek supercomputers, exclusive Keck Observatory access, French-Australian Centre for Energy Transition, and more, enabling endless new discoveries.

Join our community. Be unapologetically you.

We believe in bringing people and technology together for a better world. Importantly, we know our differences are what make us stronger - like smaller class sizes,a caring and vibrant community, and an environment where students, teachers, researchers and industry can come together to make an impact.

Learn about our next gen courses, research, industry partnerships and more at Swinburne University of Technology.

*Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

Courses

For all courses listed with VTAC, visit CourseSearch.

Events

A day in the life of a Swinburne student 

Explore your study area & get a glimpse of uni life, with interactive workshops, tours & talks.

For more information:  https://www.swinburne.edu.au/collaboration-partnerships/school-programs/workshop-events/immersion-days/

VTAC Hacks Podcast 

Tune in as our experts guide you through tips and tricks to make the most of your VTAC preferences.

For more information:  https://www.swinburne.edu.au/vce

Open days

Admission criteria

Principals of Selection

Applicants are selected in line with Swinburne's approved admission and selection policies. Selection is based on meeting minimum entry requirements and an assessment of the applicant's capacity to succeed in their chosen course. This may include academic performance, prerequisite studies, English language proficiency, and other criteria such as interviews, portfolios or relevant work experience where required.

Applies to:

  • All Applicants

Entry Requirements - Current and recent Year 12

Swinburne selects applicants based on a combination of academic achievement and course-specific entry requirements. This may include ATAR, completion of prerequisite studies, and performance in relevant subjects. Some courses may also consider additional selection tasks such as interviews, portfolios, or other evidence of aptitude. Selection is guided by Swinburne's approved admissions policy and aims to assess each applicant's potential for success. Specific selection criteria are outlined in the individual course entries.

Applies to:

  • Applicants with recent secondary education

Entry Requirements - Applicants with higher education or VET study

Applicants with prior higher education or vocational education and training (VET) qualifications are assessed based on their previous academic performance, including ATAR results where applicable, and the relevance of their completed studies. Admission decisions consider the level and content of prior qualifications, as well as any course-specific requirements and additional selection criteria. Detailed information can be found in individual course entries.

Applies to:

  • Applicants with higher education study
  • Applicants with VET study

Entry Requirements - Applicants with work and life experience

Applicants with relevant work experience may be considered for admission based on a combination of academic qualifications and practical experience. Selection criteria can include ATAR, prerequisite studies, STAT results, skills assessments, interviews, portfolios, and work experience. Not all courses accept work experience as part of their selection process and applicants should refer to individual course listings for specific requirements.

Applies to:

  • Applicants with work and life experience

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

Non-Year 12 applicants can be considered for entry into courses that accept the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as an alternative entry method, provided they complete the STAT multiple-choice test.

In some cases, STAT results may also be used to meet course prerequisites. For example, the STAT multiple-choice test may be considered for applicants who have not met the mathematics prerequisite, while the STAT written English test may be accepted in place of the English prerequisite.

To be eligible for admission based on the STAT, applicants must be at least 19 years old and must not have completed a Year 12 qualification within the last two years.

Applies to:

  • Applicants with higher education study
  • Applicants with work and life experience
  • Applicants with VET study

Bridging Programs - MathsLink: General

Upon successful completion Swinburne's MathsLink General bridging program, students will be recognised by Swinburne as having completed the equivalent of a pass in VCE units 3 and 4 of General Mathematics, satisfying the Mathematics prerequisite for admission to relevant courses.

The prerequisite for entry into MathsLink General is satisfactory completion of two VCE units (any study combination) of any Mathematics (or the interstate equivalent).

Non-Year 12 applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For more details on the program, including its duration and how to apply, please visit our course search page below.

Applies to:

  • All Applicants

Work Experience

Swinburne recognises relevant work and life experience as a valid basis for entry into a range of Vocational Education and Undergraduate courses.

Applicants are typically required to provide a detailed Curriculum Vitae, position descriptions for relevant current and past employment, and letters of recommendation from employers.

Specific requirements such as the type and duration of experience, and the evidence needed, may vary between courses. For full details, please refer to the individual course listings.

Applies to:

  • Applicants with work and life experience

Validity period of past studies

If you're studying at another university or institution and decide to switch to Swinburne, your results from your previous institution will be used to assess your eligibility for entry into an undergraduate course.

We consider your results, when they were completed, and whether you finished the course:

  • If your higher education study (either complete or incomplete) was undertaken in the last seven years, we will consider those results as a basis for admission.
  • If your results are from more than seven years ago and you did not complete your university degree, you will be considered for entry, but you may sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) (where STAT is included in specific course admission criteria).
  • If you completed your degree more than seven years ago, we will consider whether your results and qualifications are a suitable basis for entry to your chosen course.
  • If you have completed or partially completed a vocational education course (such as an advanced diploma), we may consider it, provided the study was undertaken within the last 7 years.

Where course entry requirements include prerequisite subjects, you must present evidence of having successfully acquired the required knowledge and skills through current or previous studies.

Individual course admission criteria will identify where that prerequisite study needs to have been undertaken within a certain time period. To find out more, please refer to the individual course listings.

Applies to:

  • Applicants with higher education study
  • Applicants with VET study

VCE Prerequisite units - Validity period

Some courses list VCE units as prerequisites within their selection criteria. For mathematics units, they must have been completed within the past five or ten years, depending on the course. This information is provided in each course listing. For English and design-based courses, there are no restrictions regarding the timing of prior study completion.

Applies to:

  • Applicants with higher education study
  • Applicants with work and life experience
  • Applicants with VET study

Advanced Standing

Applicants may apply for academic credit, or advanced standing, based on their prior study. Academic credit is granted in the form of exemptions within the course, potentially reducing the number of subjects an applicant needs to complete to gain their qualification.

Applicants will be required to upload evidence to their application for academic credit, which typically includes academic transcripts and unit outlines detailing the learning outcomes for each unit. Applicants must submit their application for advanced standing after accepting their offer and before commencing their studies.

Applies to:

  • Applicants with higher education study
  • Applicants with VET study

Pathways

As a dual-sector university, Swinburne offers multiple pathways to help you gain entry into your preferred degree, regardless of your ATAR.

You can start by completing a practical certificate or diploma through our vocational education programs, gaining valuable hands-on skills. Upon successful completion, you can then progress into your chosen bachelor degree. Depending on how closely your completed study matches your destination degree, you may also receive academic credit that allows you to complete your degree sooner.

Swinburne also offers packaged pathways, which secure your place in the bachelor degree once you complete your TAFE qualification. This means you don't need to reapply to transfer after finishing your vocational studies. Packaged pathways can be selected through your VTAC preferences.

To explore your options, use the Swinburne Pathways Finder tool to find the best route to your chosen degree.

Applies to:

  • All Applicants

Recognition of prior learning

Applicants are able to apply for academic credit, also known as advanced standing, based on either formal training and/or extensive work and life experience. For more information and guidelines on how to apply for RPL, please visit our site below.

Applies to:

  • Applicants with higher education study
  • Applicants with work and life experience
  • Applicants with VET study

English language test validity

Swinburne will consider the results of the following English language tests where the applicant has sat for the academic version of the assessment.

  • IELTS - International English Language Testing Systems
  • OET - Occupational English Test
  • PTE - Pearson Test of English
  • TOEFL iBT - Test of English as a Foreign Language (Internet - based test)

These tests need to be taken within the last two years to be considered for assessment.

Applies to:

  • All Applicants

Overseas qualifications

Applicants with qualifications completed overseas must upload a copy of their original transcripts and completion certificates along with a translated copy of all documents.

If your qualification was completed overseas in a language other than English you will need to meet the English language proficiency requirements outlined here.

Please upload any academic results from IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE or OET tests taken within the past two years to VTAC. Note that each Swinburne course has a minimum English language requirement for entry. Use VTAC's Course Search to find the English language requirements for your chosen course

Applies to:

  • Applicants with higher education study
  • Applicants with VET study

Special consideration

Institutional access and equity queries should be directed to:

Access & equity through VTAC (SEAS):

Swinburne is committed, through the principles of equity, to increasing and enhancing practices and educational opportunities for students who have been unable to reach their full educational potential or whose access to the course of their choice may have been restricted because of life circumstances. This commitment is based on a philosophy of inclusion which characterises the university's approach to service provision for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. As part of this commitment, Swinburne will consider applications from domestic students under SEAS categories one through four of the VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS), offering additional consideration for course selection where SEAS adjustments can be applied.

Additional information

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Swinburne's Moondani Toombadool Centre is available to help Indigenous students with the admissions process and choosing courses. Further information is available on the Swinburne website or by calling +61 3 9214 8481  

When applying through VTAC, applicants with recognition as Indigenous Australians are eligible for special consideration through the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS).

Enrolment

Receiving your offer

Successful applicants, including those who have received a supplementary offer, will receive an email (sent to the address provided in their VTAC course application) with information about their offer, including instructions on how and when to accept and enrol.

Deferral - VET

Successful applicants may apply to defer the commencement of their studies for up to one year. Deferrals are not granted automatically and may not be permitted for all courses. To check if your chosen course accepts deferrals, find your course via our search page. Courses that do not accept deferrals will contain information as such on the page. Deferments are not granted to allow the commencement of another tertiary course.

Deferral - Higher Education

Successful applicants may apply to defer the commencement of their studies for up to two years. Deferrals are not granted automatically and may not be permitted for all courses. To check if your chosen course accepts deferrals, find your course via our search page. Courses that do not accept deferrals will contain information as such on the page. Deferrals are not granted to allow the commencement of another tertiary course.

Student and campus services

Available services

A range of services are available to Swinburne students including accommodation, careers and employment, disability, childcare, student counselling, health services, sport and recreation, financial services, study support programs, advocacy, student representation, and clubs and social activities.

Disability or long-term medical condition

Prospective students with a disability or long-term medical condition are encouraged to contact Swinburne's Disability Services to discuss their needs in the university environment. All enquiries are treated confidentially.

Accommodation

Swinburne has on-campus accommodation at Hawthorn including college rooms, shared apartments and studio apartments. Swinburne can also provide advice and assistance to students in obtaining off-campus accommodation, such as Homestay, private rental/share housing and local hostels.

International students

Swinburne welcomes international students and provides a number of specialist services and programs to assist students with their academic and personal needs.

Financial assistance

Scholarships

Institutional scholarships queries should be directed to:

  • Contact phone number: 1300 794 628
  • Institutional web page: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/scholarships
  • E-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.

Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students. Some scholarships are based on academic merit or community service. Other scholarships exist to support students from indigenous backgrounds, students suffering financial hardship and students who have relocated from regional areas to study.

Search our range of university, government and privately funded scholarships by visiting the Swinburne scholarships website

Government loans

The Australian Government loan schemes are there to assist eligible students with their study fees. HECS-HELP assists eligible students in Commonwealth supported places to pay their student contribution amounts. FEE-HELP assists eligible fee-paying students to pay all or part of their tuition fees for higher education courses. VET Student Loan assists eligible students to pay all or part of their tuition fees for vocational education and training (VET) higher level qualifications (i.e. diplomas and certificates).

Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship

Current Year 12 students do not need to apply separately for the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship. If you preference and receive an offer for a Swinburne degree and achieve an ATAR of 95 or above, you will automatically be awarded the scholarship.

Applicants who receive an offer at Swinburne are guaranteed a place in university accommodation if they apply before the deadline specified on Swinburne's accommodation webpage.

Financial advice

Swinburne students are able to book a free appointment with a campus financial adviser who can provide information about Centrelink benefits and other possible sources of income. Among other things, our advisers can help applicants with budgeting for the year, applying for loans or grants, emergency financial assistance and a payment plan for some vocational education fees. They can also assist applicants who are unable to afford books and equipment.

Student profile

Further information