Overview

GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, formerly known as AustraLearn, offers semester and year abroad programs at Swinburne University of Technology. Swinburne is a responsive and student-centered institution. Swinburne offers courses in areas as diverse as engineering, business, design and biotechnology. Its strong vocational emphasis means that courses are practical and provide students with real outcomes and industry links. Swinburne is a research leader in advanced areas ranging from social sciences and manufacturing to microphotonics and astrophysics, and is ranked in the Top 10 for Australian Research Council discovery grants for research universities. Swinburne is entrepreneurial, cutting-edge and innovative, offering industry-relevant courses and a personalized experience. Above all, we are International, with over 7000 international students from over 100 countries. Swinburne's courses are structured to provide opportunities to test home-grown assumptions. After all, how do you get a global perspective if you stay at home?

At Swinburne, you’ll have the ability to study a range of subjects from across all academic disciplines. You’ll have the opportunity to study alongside local and international students, with access to the facilities and services provided to all Swinburne students. On top of this, you'll be studying at Melbourne’s best university for teaching quality, generic skills, and staff qualifications and one of the top 500 universities in the world. **

* According to the Good Universities Guide 2011
**The Times Higher Education – QS World University Rankings

 

Location

About Melbourne

Swinburne has five campuses around Melbourne, Australia, and one campus in Malaysia. The majority of Swinburne’s study abroad students study at our Hawthorn, Prahran, or Lilydale campuses.

Hawthorn Campus

14,500 students; 5 miles from city center; just 10-15 minutes by train from central Melbourne

Study areas: Arts, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Psychology, Science

Our alumni told us they love Hawthorn because…
 

• The train station is practically on campus. There’s a tram line too.
• It’s set amongst cafes, banks, boutiques, bookshops, supermarkets, patisseries, restaurants – everything you need
• I can live on campus. There are great student apartments.

2,000 students; 4 miles from city center; 10 minutes by train from central Melbourne 

Study areas: Circus Arts, Design, Film and Television

Our alumni told us they love Prahran because…
 

• The train station is on the corner. Easy to find. Trams run past campus.
• There are restaurants, nightclubs, shops, cafes and so much to see.
• Definitely vibrant and a cool place to study.

1,900 students; 25 miles from city center; 50 minutes by train from central Melbourne

Study areas: Business, Communications, Psychology, Social Sciences, Tourism

Our alumni told us they love Lilydale because…
 

• It’s easy meeting other students and making friends with locals.
• I can live on campus in the Student Village and the shopping centre is just nearby.
• It’s in the Yarra Valley – famous for its wineries and wildlife sanctuary

Did you know Swinburne has a campus in Malaysia?
 

• Experience the charm of Malaysia – an affordable and exotic destination – with state-of-the-art facilities on Swinburne’s new 16.5 acre campus.
• The Sarawak campus is located in tropical Kuching, just 15 minutes from the city centre, and offers degrees in engineering, business, IT and multimedia. Malaysian culture and language subjects are also available.
• The current student population is about 2,500 with international students from more than 20 countries.
• You can study abroad at Swinburne's Malaysia campus for a semester or summer with AsiaLearn. LEARN MORE>

Around the University

Hawthorn is Swinburne’s main campus and is located in one of the city's most beautiful suburbs, just 10 minutes on the train from Melbourne's city centre. Set amongst the cafes, boutiques and bookshops of Glenferrie Road, and with the convenience of a supermarket and railway station practically on campus, it offers a desirable student lifestyle (and great coffee!).

Likewise, Swinburne’s Prahran campus, home to the prestigious Faculty of Design and the National Institute of Circus Arts, is a creative, lively learning environment situated within one of Melbourne's most vibrant suburbs. The campus puts you within easy walking distance of the famous Chapel Street. This major tourist attraction is a shopping precinct lined with restaurants, cafes, night clubs and boutiques stocked with the latest local and international fashions. The convenience of the campus location is enhanced by the close proximity to the local railway station. Nearby tram stops will come in handy whether you are heading into the city center or to the neighboring beachside suburb of St Kilda.

The tranquil setting and friendly, supportive atmosphere of our Lilydale campus ensures that international students can enjoy a learning experience that is both relaxed and enriching. Set in the heart of the Yarra Valley, one of Australia’s most famous winemaking regions, the campus lies at the gateway to the ski fields, yet is just 50 minutes by train to Melbourne’s city center.
 

Academic Highlights

• Arts, Psychology, and Social Science
  
• Business, Entrepreneurship and Management
  
• Design and Creative Industries
  
• Engineering and Technology
  
• Health and Community Services
  
• Hospitality and Tourism
  
• Information Technology and Computing
  
• Multimedia
  
• Science and the Environment
  

• HAT110 Australia: A Global Context: This unit is designed to offer a concise introduction to Australia’s history, culture and politics, with particular emphasis placed on examining Australia’s changing place within the global community
• LIN100 Aboriginal Australia: Victorian people, places and experiences - this unit aims to provide an understanding of Australia’s indigenous peoples and the issues that define their experiences as Australian citizens and encourages students to develop and practise broader thinking about intercultural relationship issues.

View Available Subjects

University Services

Housing

As an GlobaLinks Learning Abroad student you are guaranteed pre-arranged accommodation to fit your lifestyle. There are a variety of housing options available which you will apply for after acceptance. Read below for more specific options offered at this university:

On-campus accommodation is available at Hawthorn.

UniLodge @ Swinburne Place (Hawthorn)
This new accommodation contains 371 rooms in 125 apartments that include a range of studio, one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments. All apartments are fully furnished and equipped. The facility offers communal study and recreation areas and on-site parking and laundry facilities.

 

Orientation

In addition to the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Bridging Cultures Program which is included in your program fees a specific orientation is held for Study Abroad students to equip them with all the information necessary for a successful study abroad experience. This orientation program is designed to provide an academic, social, and cultural introduction to life at Swinburne and in Australia. The Swinburne Abroad Orientation week concludes with an excursion to one of Australia’s famous zoos and a chance to meet Australia’s native animals.

Scholarships Available

In addition to the scholarships offered by GlobaLinks Learning Abroad, Swinburne University of Technology provides two $500 AUD scholarships each year to GlobaLinks Learning Abroad students.
 

Special Programs/Excursions

• Great Ocean Road Day Trip: see one of the most beautiful stretches of road in Australia. Enjoy the scenic beauty that is Loch Ard Gorge and then head to the spectacular view of the Twelve Apostles.
• MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) Tour: take a tour of the home of Australian sport and the National Sports Museum.
• Phillip Island Koalas and Penguins: see koalas in their natural habitat at the Conservation Centre, then head to the Penguin Parade to watch the cute little fairy penguins emerge from the water and make their way to their burrows.
• Outback Australia Trip: a nine-day trip to the heart of the Northern Territory – a journey of discovery into the natural history of this vast, ancient land.
• Grampians Overnight Trip: visit the famous McKenzie Falls and travel through the rugged mountain ranges of the spectacular Grampians

Get Involved Abroad

Extracurricular Activities

Keep in touch online
Students receive weekly email updates, informing you about academic and extracurricular events and dates to remember. The Blackboard site also keeps students updated and provides discussion boards. The Swinburne student blog allows you to keep up with what fellow students are doing across all campuses.

SwinMates Mentor Scheme
Students are matched to a local Swinburne student as their mentor for the semester. A SwinMates welcome session is held in the first week of the semester. SwinMates events are organized throughout the semester and include such activities as a trip to an Australian Football League game and a Melbourne Discovery Tour.

Yearbook
Each semester a yearbook is created for students in Swinburne Education Abroad Programs. The yearbook contains photos, stories, and contact information from each semester at Swinburne. Study abroad students contribute photos and design and lay out the yearbook.

Farewell Ceremony
Students are awarded a certificate for participating in a Swinburne Education Abroad Program at a formal evening function.

Swinburne International organizes trips and activities especially for international students. Here is just a taste of some of the activities on offer: 

• Around the Bay in a Day: Enjoy the spectacular views of Port Phillip Bay. Take the ferry to Queenscliff, then board the steam train and experience breathtaking views.
• MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) Tour: Take a tour of the home of Australian sport and former Olympic Games venue.
• Great Ocean Road Daytrip: See one of the most beautiful stretches of road in Australia. Enjoy the scenic beauty of Loch Ard Gorge and then head to the spectacular Twelve Apostles.
• Phillip Island Koalas & Penguins: See koalas in their natural habitat at the Conservation Centre. Then head to the Penguin Parade to watch the fairy penguins make their way to their burrows.
• East Coast Tour: Travel the East Coast of Australia stopping off at Byron Bay, the NSW Coast, Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Canberra.”
   

Community Involvement

While abroad, we recommend getting involved in your local community. It's an awesome way to meet locals, experience the true Australian culture, and create long lasting memories. From volunteering to festival-going, we challenge you to make the most of your international experience... See a sample of community involvement opportunities available in Melbourne or discover your own upon arrival!

You'll get a taste of how enriching community involvement can be during your first few days in Australia on AustraLearn's Culture and Adventure Program. The program includes one day of pre-arranged volunteering with the local community. You'll interact directly with locals while giving back to and sharing your own culture with the community that first welcomes you to Australia. Plus, you can continue your volunteer efforts later in the semester by signing up for AustraLearn's Conservation Volunteer Weekend.

Enhance Your Experience

Global Identity Course

While studying at Swinburne, you can maximize your study abroad experience by enrolling in the Global Identity course (EdPA 3103 Connecting Your International Experience to Your Future). The course will help you articulate the value of your experience to future employers, demonstrate your intercultural development and skills, and understand intercultural interactions.

This one-credit, online course is offered by the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities exclusively for students studying with GlobaLinks Learning Abroad. LEARN MORE>

Global Citizens Development Modules

The Global Citizen Development modules are online learning components designed to help you explore your study abroad destination and experience at a whole new level. These modules are not mandatory, however we strongly encourage your participation as they will introduce you to the opportunities and challenges you may encounter when participating in a study abroad program, as well as expose you to cultural insights and knowledge about your host country to help make your program abroad even more successful and fulfilling. Through the 3 modules, you will refine your skills in cross-cultural observation, adaptation, and communication.

Course Catalog

To determine if the classes you need are available at this university, select Courses/Subjects to view the specific course options.

Tips: For advice on navigating the university’s course catalog, use the Selecting Courses link. You may also view the suggested grade and credit transfer information through the Grade Conversion.

If you have any questions about course availability, please contact studyabroad@globalinksabroad.org.

Photo Slideshow

Watch a slideshow of photos highlighting Swinburne University of Technology.

Fees

Fee Includes

Program Fees: As a GlobaLinks Learning Abroad study abroad participant, you will be required to enroll as a full-time student; typically this is 3-4 classes, which is equivalent to 12-16 U.S. semester credit hours. Your program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the host university semester tuition for 4 subjects, university administrative fees, overseas health insurance, the Basic ISIC card, our renowned Bridging Cultures Program on-site orientation and the GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Personalized Support and Service.

With GlobaLinks Learning Abroad you will receive Personalized Support and Service through our four point philosophy to manage your program:

1.) Personal Program Selection & Planning: Personal service & advising, academic planning and credit transfer assistance, program location, housing advice, financial assistance.

2.) Pre and Post Orientation and Preparation: Our MyLearn on-line enrollment information and process, comprehensive program information and departure webinar, immigration visa support and advice, airline ticket and group flight assistance, global citizen development modules.

3.) Cultural Integration: On-site Bridging Cultures Program, on-site resident director services and advising, academic support, guaranteed housing and placement, volunteer and community involvement opportunities.

4.) Reflection and Application of the Experience: Beyond Study Abroad Program, The EnCompass Alumni Program, program evaluation opportunity, resume building and review, alumni handbook and transcript services.

Housing Fees: The Housing Fees are approximates and are in addition to the Program Fees. GlobaLinks Learning Abroad offers you “Housing to Fit Your Lifestyle” and a wide variety of housing options to accommodate your academic, personal and budgetary needs during your experience abroad. The housing fees listed indicate an approximate cost for the options available on that program which may represent apartments/flats, houses and/or dormitories/residential halls. Students who choose to arrange their own accommodation upon arrival will be charged the Program Fee only, as they will be responsible for making payment directly to the housing provider once accommodation has been arranged.

Additional Subject & Gym Membership Fees: Additional charges may apply for science, media, fine arts, or journalism subjects at some universities and students who undertake subjects where the university requires additional fees will be billed directly by the home university upon final enrolment. Gym and student union memberships are optional to students. If you wish to join, you may do so on arrival by contacting the international office at your host university.

Fee Advice

Facts

Dates

Entry Requirements

Programs in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji Coordinator

Name: Jan Amann Title: Coordinator, Outreach and Student Services Department: Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji Semester/Year Abroad Team BIO: Jan Amann manages study abroad admission and participant pre-trip services for students attending the University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington, University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Southern Cross University, La Trobe University, Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology and University of Melbourne. Jan earned her B.A. in English and Philosophy from the University of Scranton in 2006. After studying abroad at the University of Otago in New Zealand, Jan was inspired to work for her school’s study abroad office and pursue an exciting career in International Education. Following graduation, Jan moved to New Zealand for one year where she had the opportunity to travel and work for the government. She has also worked with youth for many years, and led a group of students on an Experiment in International Living trip abroad in 2010. Jan completed her M.A. in International Education at New York University, where she studied abroad (again!) in Hong Kong, China, and worked with international students. Jan’s additional travels have brought her to Australia, Italy, Canada, Belgium, France, England and the Caribbean. Jan looks forward to helping AustraLearn students plan their semesters abroad!