Why Study / Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Science, majoring in Astronomy and Astrophysics, provides an interdisciplinary science education focused on understanding the universe, astronomical phenomena, astrophysical systems, computational methods and scientific data.

Key benefits include:

• Study topics covering stars, exoplanets, black holes, galaxies, cosmology, dark matter and the origins of life.
• Practical exposure to astronomy and astrophysics technologies and research environments.
• Access to Swinburne facilities and resources including OzSTAR, the OzVU virtual universe and the Keck Telescope remote control room.
• Learning through Victoria’s largest Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, according to Swinburne.
• Development of skills in large-scale data modelling and interpretation, scientific reasoning, research, data analysis, science communication and advanced astrophysics technologies.
• Guaranteed industry experience through Swinburne’s Work Integrated Learning approach, including professionally focused, industry-linked projects.
• Opportunities to combine the Science degree with another major, co-major, minor or advanced minor, depending on the approved course structure.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The degree contains 300 credit points made up of Science core studies, the Astronomy and Astrophysics major and approved additional study.

Science core studies include areas such as:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Sustainability
• Societal challenges in science
• Grand challenges in science.

Astronomy and Astrophysics major:

The major comprises 100 credit points. Current handbook units include:

• Matrices, Vector Calculus and Complex Analysis – MTH20014
• Earth, Moon, Mars and Beyond – AST10002
• Astrobiology and the Origins of Life – AST20002
• Introduction to Supercomputing – AST20004
• Galaxies and their Place in the Universe – AST20003
• Cosmology and the Large-scale Structure of the Universe – AST30002
• From Stars to Black Holes – AST30001
• Research Skills in Astrophysics – AST30003.

Indicative study sequence:

Year 1:

• Data Science Principles
• Concepts of Biology or Chemistry 1 or Energy and Motion, according to the approved structure
• Calculus and Applications or Preliminary Mathematics
• Sustainability Challenges in Science
• Discovering the Universe
• Elective study
• Further approved mathematics.

Year 2:

• Earth, Moon, Mars and Beyond
• Astrobiology and the Origins of Life
• Introduction to Supercomputing
• Societal Challenges in Science
• Elective study.

Year 3:

• Cosmology and the Large-scale Structure of the Universe
• Galaxies and their Place in the Universe
• From Stars to Black Holes
• Research Skills in Astrophysics
• Grand Challenges in Science
• Elective study.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The selected major is:

• Astronomy and Astrophysics

The Bachelor of Science currently provides majors including:

• Applied Mathematics
• Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Biochemistry
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Physics
• Space Technology.

Programme Highlights

• Astronomy and Astrophysics major within a 3-year Bachelor of Science.
• Access to astronomy and astrophysics resources including OzSTAR, OzVU and the Keck Telescope remote control room.
• Study of stars, exoplanets, black holes, galaxies, cosmology, dark matter and astrobiology.
• Training in scientific data analysis and large-scale data interpretation.
• Supercomputing and computational science exposure.
• Research Skills in Astrophysics in the final year.
• Work Integrated Learning is incorporated into the degree through industry-linked projects.
• Optional paid 6-month or 12-month professional placement.
• Access to guaranteed laboratory experience from Year 1.
• Swinburne identifies its Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing as Victoria’s largest Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing.

Swinburne currently also reports:

• Top 5 in Australia for Physics, ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025.
• Top 50 in the World for Space Science, US News Best Global Universities Rankings 2025–2026.
• #1 in Victoria for Graduate Employability and Salary, based on QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne lists career opportunities associated with the Astronomy and Astrophysics major including:

• Research astrophysicist
• Instrument scientist
• Data scientist
• Software developer
• Science communicator
• Energy and climate modeller.

The skills developed can also be relevant to areas involving:

• Scientific research
• Computational modelling
• Data analysis
• Astronomy and space science
• Scientific programming
• Science communication
• Technology and instrumentation.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The Astronomy and Astrophysics major was introduced as a new major with its first available intake in Semester 1 2026.
• The current published 2027 starts are 1 March 2027 and 2 August 2027.
• International applicants should meet both Swinburne’s academic admission requirements and English-language requirements.
• Mathematics is a specific prerequisite for the Bachelor of Science.
• Students who do not meet the mathematics prerequisite may need to complete an appropriate MathsLink bridging programme.
• The course includes practical science activities involving scientific instruments, laboratories, data interpretation and other safety-related activities.
• Swinburne’s Informed Choices information identifies sensory, mobility, professional/duty-of-care, learning and knowledge-creation, and interpersonal capabilities relevant to participation in the course. Some activities essential to safety and professional practice may have limited flexibility for adjustment.
• Professional placement is optional rather than part of the standard 300-credit-point degree, and placement participation is subject to the relevant selection and course requirements.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this course in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa (Subclass 500).

Key requirements and conditions include:

• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is required for the course when the visa is decided.
• Students must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Applicants must provide the documentary evidence requested by the Department of Home Affairs, which can include identity documents, financial-capacity evidence and English-language evidence.
• Financial evidence may need to demonstrate funds for travel, 12 months of living costs, tuition fees and applicable school costs for accompanying school-aged dependants. The exact evidence requirements depend on the applicant and the current Document Checklist.

Genuine Student requirement:

For Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024, applicants are assessed under the Genuine Student requirement.

Applicants must address:

• Their current circumstances, including family, community, employment and economic ties.
• Why they want to study the selected course in Australia with the selected provider.
• Their understanding of the course and studying and living in Australia.
• How completing the course will benefit them.
• Any other relevant information.

Work rights:

• Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.
• Students can generally work unlimited hours when their course is not in session, subject to the applicable visa conditions.
• Students cannot work before their course starts.
• The individual visa grant and VEVO record should always be checked for the conditions applying to the particular student.