Why Study / Key Benefits

• The UniLink Bridging Program is a pathway for international students who do not currently meet the entry requirements for a Swinburne UniLink diploma.
• It is particularly useful for students who have completed Australian Year 12 or an equivalent overseas qualification but are missing the required academic prerequisites for a UniLink diploma.
• It can also be used by students transferring from another Australian education provider who do not meet the entry requirements for their intended UniLink diploma.
• The programme develops academic knowledge and tertiary-level communication skills before students progress to a UniLink diploma.
• Students benefit from smaller classes, additional teacher support and one-to-one academic assistance.
• Swinburne highlights development of commercial awareness, digital literacy, concept development, creative problem-solving, communication and teamwork.
• Successful completion provides a recognised pathway into a relevant UniLink diploma, which can subsequently provide advanced standing toward a bachelor's degree.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

Students must successfully complete four units:

• 1 core unit.
• 3 elective units.

The core unit is:

• Academic and Communication Skills B — COM00003.

Design discipline:

Students should complete three electives including at least one of:

• Global Communication — CMS00001
• Design Fundamentals — DDD00002
• Drawing and Illustration — GRA00004

Engineering / Science discipline:

Students must complete:

• General Mathematics — MTH00011

plus two electives including at least one of:

• Product Development, Design and Technology — DPD00001
• Foundation Mathematics — MTH00012

General elective units currently listed include:

• Information Technology — COS00005
• Introduction to Management — MGT00002
• Marketing — MKT00003

Disciplines / Specialisations

The programme does not have conventional majors or specialisations. Instead, students select a pathway/stream based on their intended subsequent study.

Current pathway areas are:

• Design
• Engineering / Science
• General units

Programme Highlights

• International students only.
• 4-month full-time pathway.
• Hawthorn campus.
• Three intakes each year.
• CRICOS registered: 112999E.
• Four units: one core plus three electives.
• 50 credit points based on Swinburne's standard 12.5-credit-point unit structure.
• Small class sizes.
• Additional academic support.
• 24/7 support for Academic English and skill development is highlighted by Swinburne.
• Designed to bridge academic/prerequisite gaps before a UniLink diploma.
• Direct progression into a relevant UniLink diploma after successful completion.
• Subsequent UniLink diploma study can provide advanced standing toward a bachelor's degree.

Career Outcomes

The UniLink Bridging Program itself is a pathway qualification rather than a professional degree, so Swinburne does not identify independent graduate occupations for the four-month programme.

Career opportunities arise from completing the subsequent UniLink diploma and bachelor's degree.

Depending on the selected pathway, Swinburne identifies potential industries and areas including:

• Arts and communication
• Business
• Design
• Engineering
• Health science
• Information technology
• Science

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current programme information confirms:

• Course code: TE-UBP1.
• CRICOS code: 112999E.
• International students only.
• Duration: 4 months full-time.
• Campus: Hawthorn.
• 2026 intake currently listed: 19 October 2026.
• 2027 intakes currently listed: 22 February 2027 and 21 June 2027.
• Application deadlines currently listed: 14 October 2026, 17 February 2027 and 16 June 2027 respectively.
• Students must successfully complete four units.
• Students should select their electives according to the intended UniLink diploma.
• Successful completion provides the entry pathway to a relevant UniLink diploma.

International Student Visa Requirements

The programme is CRICOS registered under code 112999E and is available to international students. International students studying in Australia on a Student visa must study full-time and on campus.

The Australian Student visa is subclass 500.

Key requirements generally include:

• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Meeting applicable Student visa eligibility requirements.
• Genuine Student requirement.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Evidence of financial capacity where required by the Department of Home Affairs.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Compliance with all conditions attached to the individual Student visa.