Swinburne University International Scholarships   

Swinburne offers three scholarship options for international students at its Hawthorn campus in 2026.

Scholarship 1: Swinburne International Scholarship

• Value: 20% off tuition fees
• Duration: For the standard course duration from course start to course end as stated in your offer letter
• Who it’s for: International students commencing study for the first time in 2026 in an eligible undergraduate, postgraduate, or pathway course at the Hawthorn campus
• How to get it: Automatic; no separate application needed. You are considered based on grades from your previous study when you apply for your course.

Excluded courses (UG): Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting, Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting / Bachelor of Business (double degree)

Excluded courses (PG): Master of Physiotherapy, Master of Occupational Therapy, master’s degrees by research, doctoral degrees

Scholarship 2 George Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship

• Value: 30% off tuition fees
• Duration: For the standard course duration from course start to course end as stated in your offer letter
• Who it’s for: International students with high academic performance commencing an eligible undergraduate or postgraduate course at the Hawthorn campus for the first time in 2026
• How to get it: Automatic assessment based on academic grades from your previous study when you apply. No separate application required.

Excluded courses (UG): Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting, Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting / Bachelor of Business (double degree)

Excluded courses (PG): Master of Physiotherapy, Master of Occupational Therapy, master’s degrees by research, doctorate degrees

Scholarship 3: ELICOS+ Scholarship

• Value: Up to AUD $5,000 (equivalent to 10 weeks of ELICOS tuition fees refunded)
• Who it’s for: Students who are applying for an English language (ELICOS) course plus an undergraduate or postgraduate (coursework) course at Swinburne and who do not yet satisfy the English language requirements of their principal course
• How it works: Once you complete your ELICOS course and start your principal degree, a refund equal to 10 weeks of ELICOS fees (up to AUD $5,000) is deducted from your tuition fees across the first three semesters.

This is specifically for students using Swinburne’s English language pathway to enter their degree, not for students who already meet the English requirement.

To receive either the Swinburne International Scholarship or the George Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship, you must:

• Be an international student; Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, and permanent Australian residents are not eligible
• Be commencing your Swinburne study for the first time in 2026 at the Hawthorn campus
• Meet the course and scholarship-specific entry requirements
• Not already receiving another Swinburne tuition fee scholarship or reduced fee arrangement; Swinburne will apply the most favourable arrangement to your enrolment.
• Not be receiving a tuition fee scholarship or reduced fee arrangement from another organisation at the same time.

The scholarship applies to:

• Tuition fees only
• Calculated across the standard course duration as stated in your letter of offer

The scholarship does NOT apply to:

• Practicum training fees
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Any other non-tuition fee costs including accommodation, books, or student services fees

NOTE: The scholarship covers your tuition for the entire standard course duration, not just your first year. If your degree is three years, the 20% or 30% reduction applies across all three years. This is a meaningful financial benefit over time, particularly for multi-year undergraduate degrees.

Swinburne offers courses across the following areas, all eligible for scholarships unless specifically excluded:

• Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• Aviation (excluded from scholarship)
• Built Environment and Architecture
• Business
• Design
• Education
• Engineering
• Film and Television
• Games and Animation
• Health
• Information Technology
• Law
• Media and Communication
• Nursing (excluded from scholarship)
• Psychology
• Science

NOTE: Nursing and Aviation are excluded from both the International Scholarship and the George Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship. If you are applying for the Bachelor of Nursing or the Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting, you will not receive these automatic tuition scholarships. This is worth knowing before you apply.

Melbourne is one of the world’s best student cities.

Melbourne is consistently ranked in the global top 5 student cities by QS, known for culture, sport, food, and a multicultural population that makes international students genuinely welcome.

Industry-integrated learning.

Swinburne embeds real industry experience across most degrees through internships, industry projects, placements, and professional degrees where you work with real companies before you graduate.

Strong graduate outcomes.

Swinburne holds QS 5 Stars for employability. Its graduate employment rate and starting salaries compare well against most Australian universities, particularly in technology, engineering, and business.

Post-study work rights.

After completing your degree at Swinburne, you can apply for the Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485), giving you 2 years of open, full-time Australian work rights. Swinburne is in Melbourne, which is classified as a major metropolitan area; the standard 2-year visa applies. PhD graduates receive 3 years.

Swinburne’s international tuition fees vary by course. Indicative annual ranges for 2026:

• Course Type: Arts / Business / Social Sciences
  Annual Tuition (AUD): AUD 30,000 – 36,000
  After 20% Scholarship: Approx. AUD 24,000 – 28,800
  After 30% Scholarship: Approx. AUD 21,000 – 25,200
• Course Type: Engineering / Computing / IT
  Annual Tuition (AUD): AUD 36,000 – 42,000  
  After 20% Scholarship: Approx. AUD 28,800 – 33,600 
  After 30% Scholarship: Approx. AUD 25,200 – 29,400
• Course Type: Design / Media
  Annual Tuition (AUD): AUD 32,000 – 38,000
  After 20% Scholarship: Approx. AUD 25,600 – 30,400 
  After 30% Scholarship: Approx. AUD 22,400 – 26,600
• Course Type: Science / Psychology
  Annual Tuition (AUD): AUD 32,000 – 38,000 
  After 20% Scholarship: Approx. AUD 25,600 – 30,400 
  After 30% Scholarship: Approx. AUD 22,400 – 26,600

NOTE: These are indicative figures. Always check the exact fee for your specific course on Swinburne’s official fees page at swinburne.edu.au/courses/fees/fees-for-international-students before calculating your scholarship saving.

• Living costs in Melbourne: approximately AUD 20,000–28,000 per year (₹10.8L–₹15.1L) including accommodation, food, transport, and health insurance.
• Australian Government financial proof requirement: AUD 29,710 per year (₹16L approx.) for the Student Visa (Subclass 500) separate from tuition fees.

1. Visit swinburne.edu.au/courses/applying/how-to-apply-international
2. Find your course and confirm entry requirements.
3. Submit your application through Swinburne’s application portal.
4. Receive your offer letter, which will confirm both your course acceptance and your scholarship (if awarded)
5. Accept your offer
6. Apply for your Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) using your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)

NOTE: Swinburne has two main intakes: Semester 1 (February) and Semester 2 (July). Some courses have additional intakes. Apply early; scholarship places are awarded based on your grades and course availability at the time of offer.

Studying at Swinburne University of Technology involves more than selecting a course. Understanding scholarship eligibility, meeting admission requirements, preparing a strong application, and navigating the Australian Student Visa process all require careful planning and expert guidance.

My Study Offers, a free global education platform for students, provides end-to-end support for students exploring Swinburne and other opportunities to study in Australia. From university and course selection to scholarship guidance, application support, visa assistance, and pre-departure preparation, the platform supports students at every stage of their study abroad journey. With personalised counselling and expert advice, students can make informed decisions and confidently pursue their academic and career goals in Australia.

NOTE: All scholarship information is sourced directly from Swinburne University’s official international scholarships page at swinburne.edu.au/courses/scholarships/international-scholarships and is accurate as of May 2026. Scholarship terms are subject to change. Always verify current eligibility criteria and excluded courses directly with Swinburne before applying.

1. Do I need to apply separately for a Swinburne scholarship?

No. Swinburne automatically considers all eligible international students for available scholarships when they apply for a course. Your scholarship, if awarded, is included in your offer letter. No separate form, essay, or application is required.

2. What is the difference between the two main scholarships?

The Swinburne International Scholarship gives 20% off tuition for the standard course duration. The George Swinburne International Excellence Scholarship gives 30% off, awarded to students with higher academic performance. Both are automatic.

3. How long does the scholarship last?

For the standard course duration from the course start date to the course end date as stated in your offer letter. For a 3-year undergraduate degree, that means 3 years of reduced fees.

4. Can I combine a Swinburne scholarship with another scholarship?

No. You cannot receive a Swinburne scholarship at the same time as another tuition fee scholarship or reduced fee arrangement from another organisation. Swinburne will apply whichever arrangement is most favourable to your enrolment.

5. Which courses are excluded from the Swinburne international scholarships?

Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting, Bachelor of Aviation and Piloting / Bachelor of Business (double degree) are excluded at undergraduate level. Master of Physiotherapy, Master of Occupational Therapy, research master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees are excluded at postgraduate level.

6. Does the scholarship apply to OSHC or accommodation costs?

No. The scholarship applies to tuition fees only. It does not cover Overseas Student Health Cover, accommodation, books, or any other non-tuition costs.

7. What is the ELICOS+ Scholarship?

A scholarship for students taking an English language course (ELICOS) at Swinburne before starting their main degree. If you do not yet meet the English language requirements, Swinburne refunds up to 10 weeks of ELICOS fees (up to AUD $5,000) across the first three semesters of your principal course.

8. Is Swinburne in Melbourne?

Yes. Swinburne’s main campus is in Hawthorn, Melbourne’s inner east, approximately 6 km from the CBD, well connected by tram and train. Melbourne is consistently rated one of the world’s top 5 student cities by QS.