Why Study / Key Benefits

• Study an emerging space-sector discipline combining science, technology, data, policy and commercial applications.
• Explore real-world challenges connected with NASA’s Artemis programme and Australia’s Moon to Mars initiative.
• Swinburne states that students may contribute to projects associated with missions to the International Space Station and Moon.
• Develop knowledge of orbital mechanics and space systems, space data analysis and visualisation, space law, ethics and regulation, design thinking, innovation and research/project design.
• Gain laboratory access from first year and study in small, hands-on classes.
• Work Integrated Learning is guaranteed across Swinburne bachelor degrees. For this degree, students undertake three professionally focused, industry-linked projects.
• The programme brings together science, engineering-related concepts, computing/data, policy and entrepreneurship rather than focusing only on traditional astronomy.
• Swinburne currently highlights Top 50 in the World for Space Science in the US News Best Global Universities Rankings 2025–2026 and Top 5 in Australia for Physics in ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025. These are university/subject-area rankings, not rankings specifically for this bachelor’s major.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

Swinburne's published structure below is the indicative Semester 1 2026 sequence. Swinburne states that sequencing can vary because of advanced standing, exemptions and changes to unit offerings.

Year 1 – Science foundations and introduction to Space Technology:

Semester 1:

• Data Science Principles – COS10022
• Choose two:
  • Concepts of Biology – BIO10001
  • Chemistry 1 – CHE10001
  • Energy and Motion – PHY10001
• Choose first mathematics unit:
  • Calculus and Applications – MTH10012, or
  • Preliminary Mathematics – MTH00007

Semester 2:

• Sustainability Challenges in Science – NPS10003
• Your Career in the Space Sector – AER10001
• One elective
• Choose second mathematics unit:
  • Linear Algebra and Applications – MTH10013, or
  • Essential Mathematics – MTH10010.

Year 2 – Space science, policy and data:

Semester 1:

• Space and Microgravity Science – AER20001
• Space Policy, Law and the New Space Economy – LAW10027
• Two electives

Semester 2:

• Societal Challenges in Science – NPS20011
• Space Environment, Data, Visualisation and Applications – AER20002
• Two electives.

Year 3 – Space industry, innovation and research:

Semester 1:

• Design and Entrepreneurship for the Space Industry – AER20003
• Space Innovation Research Challenge – AER30001
• Two electives

Semester 2:

• Grand Challenges in Science – NPS30004
• Space Industry Research Project – AER30002, 25 credit points
• One elective.

Core Space Technology major units are:

• Your Career in the Space Sector – AER10001
• Space and Microgravity Science – AER20001
• Space Policy, Law and the New Space Economy – LAW10027
• Space Environment, Data, Visualisation and Applications – AER20002
• Design and Entrepreneurship for the Space Industry – AER20003
• Space Innovation Research Challenge – AER30001
• Space Industry Research Project – AER30002.

Key subject areas include:

• Microgravity and space science
• Orbital mechanics and space systems
• Space environments
• Remote sensing
• Satellite navigation
• Space debris
• Space data and visualisation
• Space policy and law
• Space ethics and regulation
• Space entrepreneurship and commercial strategy
• Research and innovation
• Indigenous and cultural perspectives.

Professional placement:

• Optional professional work placement is available for 50 or 100 credit points.
• Published placement units include:
  • Work Experience in Industry A – WEI20001
  • Integrated Professional Placement A – Science – NPS20003
  • Work Experience in Industry B – WEI20002
  • Integrated Professional Placement B – Science – NPS20004.
• Students undertaking a 6- or 12-month professional placement have an increase in total course fees.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The selected discipline is Space Technology.

The major combines several disciplines:

• Space science
• Space technology
• Microgravity science
• Space systems
• Remote sensing
• Data analysis and visualisation
• Space policy and law
• Space ethics and regulation
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Research and project design.

Programme Highlights

• New Space Technology major, first available from Semester 1 2026.
• 3-year Bachelor of Science.
• 300 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus.
• CRICOS 088402K.
• Three professionally focused, industry-linked projects.
• Guaranteed Work Integrated Learning.
• Practical study linked to NASA's Artemis programme and Australia's Moon to Mars initiative.
• Study of microgravity, space environments, remote sensing, satellite navigation and space data.
• Space policy, law, ethics and regulation.
• Design and entrepreneurship for the space industry.
• 25-credit-point Space Industry Research Project.
• Opportunity to select a second major or supporting minor/advanced minor under course rules.
• Swinburne reports Top 50 worldwide for Space Science in US News Best Global Universities Rankings 2025–2026.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne specifically lists these career opportunities:

• Satellite systems technician
• Space scientist
• Mission operations officer
• Space data analyst
• Space robotics technician
• Space policy analyst

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• Space Technology is a new major and was first offered from Semester 1 2026.
• The latest published 2027 starts are 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027, both at Hawthorn.
• Application deadlines are 24 February 2027 and 28 July 2027 respectively.
• Mathematics is a course prerequisite. Students who do not meet the prerequisite must successfully complete MathsLink Methods.
• The indicative study sequence is for Semester 1 2026 and may change for future intakes.
• The Bachelor of Science has specific Informed Choices requirements. These include safely navigating laboratories and operating scientific equipment, interpreting visual information, applying safety procedures, processing complex information and participating in laboratory activities. Swinburne identifies some components as adaptable with reasonable adjustments.
• Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning are assessed case by case.
• The course has pathways including the Diploma of Science (UniLink), which is listed as an 8-month full-time pathway with up to 8 units of credit.
• Exact 2027 tuition fee: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.
• Exact additional professional-placement fee: Not publicly specified – please confirm with IPU.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant Australian visa is the Student visa (subclass 500).

For this course:

• The Bachelor of Science is CRICOS registered under 088402K.
• International students in Australia holding a Student visa are required by Swinburne to study full-time and on campus.
• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is required for the normal Student visa application.
• OSHC is generally required unless an exemption applies.
• Applicants must satisfy the Genuine Student requirement.
• Applicants must meet applicable health, character, financial and documentary requirements.

Current Student visa work conditions:

• Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.
• Students studying a master's by research or doctoral degree have a different work condition, but that exception does not apply to this bachelor's degree.
• The Student visa can permit a stay of up to 6 years, depending on the course and enrolment period.