Swinburne University of Technology (SUT) (KAPLAN)

Swinburne University of Technology is a public Australian university based in Melbourne, Victoria, with a strong focus on technology, innovation, industry engagement and real-world learning. Founded in 1908, Swinburne gained university status in 1992 and has developed into a dual-sector institution offering both higher education and vocational education and training (VET). ?

Swinburne describes itself as a university creating social and economic impact through science, technology and innovation. Its courses are strongly connected to industry, and its facilities include specialised environments for areas such as advanced manufacturing, engineering, design, media, computing, health and science.

University Ranking

Swinburne is currently performing strongly across the major global rankings.

QS World University Rankings

• #291 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the latest QS overall ranking currently listed by Swinburne.
• Top 300 globally.
• #290 globally in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2026. 

For the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, Swinburne achieved particularly strong results in:

• Art & Design: Top 150 globally
• Communication & Media Studies: Top 250
• Physics & Astronomy: Top 250
• Architecture & Built Environment: Top 260
• Civil & Structural Engineering: Top 275
• Electrical & Electronic Engineering: Top 300
• Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering: Top 300
• Materials Science: Top 300
• Computer Science & Information Systems: Top 400
• Education & Training: Top 400. 

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026

Swinburne is in the world's top 300 universities in the 2026 THE World University Rankings. Its 2026 subject performance includes top-175 positions for Computer Science, Physical Sciences and Business & Economics, and a top-200 position for Engineering & Technology. 

Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)

Swinburne is also in the world's top 300 universities in ARWU 2025. In August 2026, Swinburne announced that it had maintained a top-300 ARWU position for the seventh consecutive year. 

US News Best Global Universities 2026–27

Swinburne is ranked #164 globally in the US News Best Global Universities 2026–27 ranking. It also performs particularly well in areas such as Space Science, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, AI and Computer Science.

Types of Courses / Study Levels

Swinburne is a dual-sector university, meaning international students can access both university-level and vocational education options.

The main study levels include: 

Vocational Education / TAFE

• Certificates
• Diplomas
• Traineeships
• Apprenticeships
• Pre-apprenticeships

These programmes focus on practical, employment-oriented skills.

Pathway / Transition Programmes

• UniLink Diplomas
• UniLink Bridging Program
• Swinburne Foundation Program
• Postgraduate Qualifying Program (PQP)
• English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS). 

Undergraduate

• Bachelor degrees
• Bachelor honours
• Associate degrees
• Double degrees
• Professional degrees/programmes
• Bachelor of Applied Innovation combinations.

Postgraduate

• Graduate Certificates
• Graduate Diplomas
• Master degrees
• Professional master degrees
• Research degrees.

Doctoral / Research

• PhD and other research programmes are available, with a separate research-degree application process for international students. 

Main Study Areas

Swinburne currently lists study areas including:

• Applied Innovation
• Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
• Aviation
• Built Environment & Architecture
• Business
• Design
• Education
• Engineering
• Film & Television
• Games & Animation
• Health
• Information Technology
• Law
• Media & Communication
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Science
• Trades & Apprenticeships. 

Highlights

Strong global ranking position

Swinburne is currently a top-300 university globally across QS, THE and ARWU measures, giving international students a globally recognised university option. 

Industry-integrated education

A defining feature is its emphasis on Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Swinburne reports that 97% of graduating bachelor students participated in WIL in 2025, following its strategy of embedding real-world experience into undergraduate study. 

Guaranteed industry experience

Swinburne's current positioning highlights guaranteed Work Integrated Learning in all bachelor degrees, while vocational students receive guaranteed industry immersion. 

Technology and innovation focus

Swinburne specialises in bringing people and technology together, with strong areas in engineering, IT, AI, space science, design, advanced manufacturing and applied innovation.

Strong design reputation

Art & Design is Swinburne's highest-performing QS subject area in 2026, ranking in the top 150 globally. 

Excellent specialist facilities

The university provides industry-style facilities and specialist environments, including advanced manufacturing and design facilities, engineering laboratories, creative studios and technology-focused learning spaces. 

Melbourne location

The main Hawthorn campus is only around 10 minutes from Melbourne's CBD and is well connected by public transport. 

Broad pathway options

International students who do not meet direct entry requirements can use Foundation, UniLink, Bridging, ELICOS and Postgraduate Qualifying pathways. 

AACSB-accredited business school

Swinburne's School of Business has AACSB International accreditation, a globally recognised quality benchmark for business education. 

Latest Updates — 2026

1. New Ad Astra_2030 strategy

Swinburne has moved beyond its Horizon 2025 strategy and is introducing Ad Astra_2030, described as a more ambitious agenda focused on bringing people and technology together to build a better world. 

2. Strong 2026 global ranking performance

Swinburne continued its strong global position in 2026, including top-300 positions in QS, THE and ARWU, while its QS subject rankings placed 17 subjects globally. Art & Design remained its strongest QS subject. 

3. Seventh consecutive ARWU top-300 result

In August 2026, Swinburne announced that it had been recognised among the world's top 300 universities in ShanghaiRanking's ARWU for the seventh consecutive year. 

4. New Virtual Universe launched

In April 2026, Swinburne launched its Virtual Universe, an immersive LED-screen environment designed to support astronomy research, education and public engagement. It provides an innovative learning environment connected to Swinburne's strength in astrophysics and space science. 

5. New research funding and Future Fellows

In September 2026, Swinburne announced five new Future Fellows research projects addressing areas including safer roads, housing stress and space science. 

6. New 2027 scholarship arrangements

Swinburne's current international scholarship information includes the 20% International Scholarship, 30% George Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship and the 20% ELICOS+ Scholarship for eligible 2027 applicants, subject to individual course exclusions and conditions. 

7. 2027 study planning is open

Swinburne has published 2027 intake information. For higher education, published 2027 dates include a 4 January 2027 Summer intake, followed by additional study-block intakes. Swinburne Online also has three teaching-period intakes and four quarterly intakes listed for 2027.

8. New industry-aligned programmes

Swinburne's 2025 annual report highlighted several developments that are now relevant to 2026 students, including the Master of Financial Technologies (FinTech), the new Bachelor of Design (Fashion), new psychology programmes and an AI and Digital Health major in the Bachelor of Health Science commencing in 2026.

9. Kaplan recruitment partnership

For international recruitment, Kaplan Australia and New Zealand is working with Swinburne as a recruitment partner in selected international markets. This does not make Swinburne a Kaplan-owned university, and Swinburne College's pathway partnership remains with UP Education. 

Scholarship

1. Swinburne International Scholarship

Scholarship value: 20% off tuition fees

Level: Undergraduate, postgraduate coursework and selected pathway programmes

Campus: Hawthorn

Student status: New international students

2027 availability: Yes

This is Swinburne's broad merit-based international scholarship. It is available to eligible international students commencing their studies at Swinburne's Hawthorn campus for the first time in 2027. The 20% reduction applies to tuition fees for the standard duration of the course, from the course commencement date to the course end date stated in the student's offer letter.

Eligible study types

For 2027, it covers:

• Undergraduate courses
• Postgraduate coursework courses
• Swinburne Foundation Program
• UniLink diploma
• Postgraduate Qualifying Program (PQP)

2027 exclusions

The current Swinburne page identifies the following exclusions:

Undergraduate

• Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting, including double degrees

Postgraduate

• Master of Physiotherapy
• Master of Occupational Therapy
• Master's degrees by research
• Doctorate degrees

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be an international student.
• Be commencing at Swinburne's Hawthorn campus for the first time.
• Meet the relevant academic and English/course-entry requirements.
• Meet the scholarship conditions stated in the offer.
• Not receive another Swinburne tuition-fee scholarship/reduced-fee arrangement simultaneously.
• Not receive another external tuition-fee scholarship/reduced-fee arrangement simultaneously.

2. George Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship

Scholarship value: 30% off tuition fees

Level: Undergraduate and postgraduate coursework

Campus: Hawthorn

Student status: New international students

2027 availability: Yes

This is Swinburne's higher-value merit scholarship and is designed to recognise high academic performance.

Successful students receive a 30% tuition-fee reduction for the standard course duration.

Eligible students

You must:

• Be an international student.
• Be commencing an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate coursework course at Hawthorn for the first time in 2027.
• Meet all course-specific entry requirements.
• Meet Swinburne's international scholarship requirements.
• Demonstrate sufficiently strong previous academic performance to be selected.

2027 exclusions

Undergraduate

• Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting, including double degrees.

Postgraduate

• Master of Physiotherapy
• Master of Occupational Therapy
• Master's degrees by research
• Doctorate degrees

3. Women in Engineering Leadership Scholarship

Scholarship value: 30% off tuition fees

Campus: Hawthorn

Commencement: 2027

Student type: New female international students

This is a new 2027 scholarship specifically supporting international women entering engineering and construction-related study. It also includes a professional-development/mentoring element.

Eligible courses

The current official Swinburne page lists:

• Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
• Master of Construction and Infrastructure Management
• Master of Engineering Science
• Master of Professional Engineering

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be an international student.
• Identify as a woman as per their passport.
• Be commencing the eligible course at Hawthorn for the first time in 2027.
• Meet the relevant course-entry requirements.
• Meet Swinburne's international scholarship eligibility criteria.
• Meet the scholarship's terms and conditions.

4. ELICOS+ Scholarship

This is particularly useful for international students who do not initially meet the English-language requirement of their main Swinburne course.

Benefit: Up to 10 weeks of ELICOS tuition refunded

The scholarship is available when a student packages an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) with an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programme.

Who is eligible?

The student must:

• Be applying for ELICOS plus an eligible principal Swinburne course.
• Not satisfy the English-language requirement of the principal course.
• Complete the ELICOS programme.
• Subsequently commence the principal Swinburne course.

5. Australia Awards Scholarships

This is a separate and much more substantial government-funded opportunity.

Benefit: 100% tuition-fee waiver

Student type: International students from eligible countries

Levels: Vocational education, undergraduate and postgraduate

2026 application period: 1 January–31 December 2026, subject to the relevant country programme/deadline.

Swinburne participates in the Australian Government's Australia Awards Scholarships, funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

What is covered?

The Swinburne scholarship page identifies:

• Full tuition-fee waiver for the duration of the course.

Other benefits and conditions are governed by the Australia Awards programme and the student's country-specific award conditions.

Eligibility

Eligibility is country-specific, so this cannot be treated as a scholarship available to every international applicant.

Applicants need to satisfy:

• Citizenship requirements for an eligible participating country.
• Country-specific priority-area requirements.
• Age requirements.
• Academic requirements.
• English-language requirements.
• Programme/study-area requirements.
• Swinburne's admission requirements.
• Australia Awards/DFAT conditions.

6. Medibank Next_Gen Scholarship 2027

Value: A$10,000

Duration: Up to one year

Number: 1

Student type: Current international student

Study level: Undergraduate or master's

2027 closing date: 31 October 2026

This is an excellent opportunity for an international student who is already studying at Swinburne.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be an international student.
• Be studying at Swinburne in Semester 1, 2027.
• Be in second year or above of an undergraduate degree, or enrolled in a master's degree.
• Be enrolled full-time.
• Study on campus.
• Demonstrate leadership and/or community involvement.

7. SNXG Engineering Scholarships 2027

Value:

• Second-year student: A$7,500
• Third-year student: A$7,500
• Master's student: A$10,000

Duration: One year

Number: 3

International students: Yes, subject to conditions

Closing date: 31 October 2026

These scholarships are funded by Technotia Laboratories through the Swinburne Engineering Excellence Group.

Eligible courses

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Professional)
• Master of Engineering

Eligibility

International applicants must:

• Be a second-year, third-year or master's student at Swinburne in Semester 1, 2027.
• Be enrolled full-time in an eligible course.
• Have achieved a Distinction average or higher in the previous year.
• Not hold a Swinburne International Scholarship.

Selection considers:

•  Previous academic study.
• Personal statement.

8. Pio and Marisa Iovenitti Memorial Engineering Excellence Scholarship

Value: A$10,000

Duration: One year

Level: Postgraduate

Course: Master of Engineering Science

International students: Yes

Closing date: 31 October 2026

This scholarship supports a student in the final year of the Master of Engineering Science and honours the contribution of Associate Professor Pio Iovenitti and Marisa Iovenitti.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or international student.
• Be a continuing Swinburne student in their final year of the Master of Engineering Science in Semester 1, 2027.
• Be enrolled full-time.
• Study on campus.
• Have completed 100 credit points.
• Have achieved at least a Credit average in the first year.

Application requirements

Applicants need:

• Personal statement of up to 500 words explaining their engineering career interest and how the scholarship would help.
• Academic transcript for the first year of the Master of Engineering Science.

9. Mandala Prize for Law 2027

Value: A$2,000 one-off payment

Level: Undergraduate

Course: Bachelor of Laws

International students: Yes

Closing date: 31 October 2026

This is a student-achievement award for a continuing Swinburne law student who has overcome hardship and demonstrated academic achievement.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be an international student or eligible Australian domestic student.
• Be a continuing Swinburne student in Semester 1, 2027.
• Be enrolled in the eligible law course.
• Have completed at least 100 credit points in LAW-coded LLB units.
• Have an average mark of at least 70 in LAW-coded LLB units.
• Demonstrate educational disadvantage.

Application

Students submit:

• A personal statement of up to 500 words or
• A two-minute video.

10. Swinburne Research Stipend Scholarships

For students considering a PhD or Professional Doctorate, Swinburne has a separate research scholarship system.

Eligible: Domestic and international students

Study: PhD / Professional Doctorate

Purpose: Living-cost support plus tuition-fee coverage

Swinburne Research Stipend (SRS) scholarships are awarded to candidates demonstrating exceptional research potential.

2026 scholarship types

The current round includes:

• Swinburne University Postgraduate Research Award (SUPRA)
• Research Training Program Stipend Scholarship (RTP Stipend)