Get the most out of Orientation week

Well, you're officially a Swinburne student. Welcome. Wominjeka. 

On this page

Your Orientation dates

Your study group defines your Orientation dates

Higher Education

Semester 2, 2024: 22-24 July
 
 

Vocational Education

Check your email invite

UniLink and Foundation

Teaching Period 2, 2024: 28 June

ELICOS

Check your email invite

Don't know what study group you fit into? Here's a guide
  • Higher education: made up of undergraduate (bachelor or associate degrees), and postgraduate (graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degrees)
  • Vocational education: diploma or certificate that is not a Unilink course
  • Unilink and Foundation: Unilink or Foundation Year course
  • ELICOS: English language course

Step-by-step guide to Orientation

Select your study level to get direction.

Need help? Reach out to our friendly team at StudentHQ.

Note: ELICOS students should refer to their email invitation for further info.

Undergraduate study level

If you're enrolled in a bachelor or associate degrees, you're an undergraduate student.

Click on the following steps below to discover how to get the most out of Orientation. 

Your course induction is on your first day – an all-day event where you'll get everything you need to kick off your studies with confidence. It's essential to attend, so make sure you RSVP and save the date.

Remember to RSVP

Please RSVP to confirm your attendance. If you've enrolled, we'll also send you an email invite for your course induction. You can also RSVP from that email. 

Haven't received your email invite

If you have enrolled but haven't received your invite, please let us know. 

Double-degree students may need to attend two course inductions

If you've enrolled in a double degree, you may need to attend two course inductions. So, double-check you're in the right place. 

International students welcome

If you're an international student, there's a special welcome and briefing just for you. It's where you'll get all the must-have information for starting your journey.

Starting uni can be intimidating, but there's no need to go it alone. There are plenty of ways to connect with people who have similar interests and backgrounds outside of your course. You can:

  • check out the student clubs on show
  • find out how to get involved with volunteering opportunities
  • discover the Multi Faith Centre
  • learn more about the peer mentoring program.
     

If you’d like more support, head to the Student Ambassador FAQ booth and ask a current student how they navigated their first days at uni.

Take a campus tour

This is your campus now. Get to know the place and make yourself at home by joining a campus tour. During Orientation, they will depart every 15 minutes from John Street.

New student? Lunch is on us

If you’re beginning your studies with us this year, make sure you come to the Lunchtime Mingle for a meal on the house.

If you’re a returning student, don’t fret! Make sure you’re on campus for Welcome Back Week.

Need a guide? Check our campus map!

Struggling to find your way? The campus map will guide you to essential locations and hotspots on campus. 

Want to get stuck in early? Check out our popular Student Essentials Program, which runs from 15-16 July. It offers you the chance to get ahead by giving you the skills and resources needed to succeed at uni. 

Can't join us in person? You can also access workshop recordings and resources from Canvas. 

  • Student Life
    • Orientation

    Student Essentials program

    Are you keen to learn about the support services available to you as a Swinburne student?

    Maybe you're looking for practical resources ahead of your studies.

    Catch up on the essentials! 

    Come to our student essentials event held over two days in the week before Orientation.

    • Tuesday 16 July
    • Wednesday 17 July
       

    Both days include a first year mingle and morning tea (yes, free food!)

    Tue 16 July to Wed 17 July
    9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
    Advanced Manufacturing & Design Centre (AMDC), Level 3
    Free

Postgraduate study level

If you're enrolled in a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters degree, you're a postgraduate student.

Click on the following steps below to discover how to get the most out of Orientation. 

Kick things off with your course induction – an essential and invaluable session for all students. Find your study area in the list below to get your session details and be sure to RSVP.

Are you an international student?

Register for our International Student Welcome and Briefing session – it’s where you’ll get all the information you need for living and studying in Melbourne.

Your course induction is an excellent place to network with your peers and professors. Outside of your course, there are lots of ways to connect with others on campus who share your interests. Be sure to check out:

This is your campus – make yourself at home! If you’re new to Swinburne, take time during the day to go on a campus tour, which will depart every 15 minutes from John Street.

All set? Let's go!

Vocational Education study level

If you're enrolled in a diploma or a certificate that is not postgraduate or a UniLink course, you're a vocational education student. 

Click on the following steps below to discover how to get the most out of Orientation. 

You’ll get inducted in your first week of classes, so make sure to be there. You’ll meet your teachers, learn more about your course and get answers to any burning questions you may have.

In the meantime, we have an online module available for you via Canvas, our learning management system. This module includes the 7 steps you should take to kick off your Swinburne journey and valuable info on the support services available to you.

Canvas uses the same username and password as your Swinburne student email, so make sure you set that up first.

Starting uni can be intimidating, but there's no need to go it alone. There are plenty of ways to connect with people who have similar interests and backgrounds outside of your course. If you’re studying at our Hawthorn campus, you can:

  • check out the student clubs showcased on John Street
  • find out how to get involved with volunteering opportunities
  • discover the Multi Faith centre
  • learn more about the peer mentoring program.

If you’d like more support, head to the Student Ambassador FAQ booth and ask a current student how they navigated their first days at uni.

Take a campus tour

If Hawthorn is your campus, be sure to join a campus tour during Orientation. They depart every 15 minutes from John Street and are the best way to find all the best spots around uni.

We also have a campus map to help you find your way around.

Find out if your first class is on campus or online

You’ll be inducted into your course in your first class, so make sure you know whether you need to be on campus or dialing in via Canvas.

Main events for Orientation

Refer to this section to see all future Orientation events scheduled to take place on Swinburne campuses.

  • Outdoor courtyard

    Welcome to Country

    Please join us for a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony as we welcome new and returning students and staff back to campus for a new semester. 

    The event is led by a local Wurundjeri Elder and acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which the Hawthorn campus is located.

    When? Monday 29 July, 12.30pm – 1.00pm

    Where? Indigenous Learning Circles, Wakefield Gardens 

    Cost? Free

    • Orientation

    International student briefing

    The International Student Welcome and Briefing is an invaluable session that will give you all you need to know about being an international student in Melbourne.

    Mon 22 July
    9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
    Advanced Technologies Centre (ATC) - Swinburne University Of Technology, Hawthorn campus
    Free
    • Orientation

    Study abroad and exchange orientation session

    Come and join us at the Study Abroad & Exchange Orientation to get started at Swinburne and settle into uni life in Australia.
    Tue 23 July
    9:45 AM to 12:00 PM
    Advanced Manufacturing and Design Centre (AMDC), 301
    Free
    • Orientation

    Welcome back week

    It's going to be a jam-packed three days.

    Join us for competitions, free food. giveaways and more!

    Mon 29 July - Wed 31 July
    11:30 AM to 2:30 PM
    Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn campus
    Free
    • Orientation

    Clubs day

    You'll find over 70 club stalls around campus. And if you still can't find a club to join, you can create your own!

    Wed 31 July
    11:30 AM to 2:30 PM
    Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn Campus
    Free

Swinburne Student Union events for Orientation

Refer to this section to see all upcoming events hosted by Swinburne Student Union.

  • Students at Swinburne Student Union Movie Night

    Movie Night: Deadpool and Wolverine

    Join other ‘Marvel’ loving students for the Deadpool and Wolverine premiere screening at Lido Cinemas. Join us for a pre-movie mingle before you watch this exciting film on the big screen. P.S. Popcorn is included.

    When? Thursday 25 July,, 7pm – 9pm

    Where? Lido Cinemas, 675 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

    Cost: Tickets start at $10 (excluding website fees)

  • Swinburne Student Union - comedy night

    Welcome to Swinburne: Comedy Night

    Get ready to be entertained by the comedic brilliance of Dilruk Jayasinha and Lizzy Hoo as they grace the stage at Swinburne University.

    From hilarious mishaps to witty observations, this comedy event will surely have you giggling, chuckling, and guffawing throughout the night. So, gather your friends, grab your tickets, and prepare for an unforgettable evening of comedy at Swinburne! 

    When? Wednesday 31 July, 6.30pm – 8pm

    Where? Advanced Technologies Centre (ATC) 101

    Cost: Free

    • Orientation

    International Student Mixer

    Connect with other new international students at The Junction. Enjoy free food, drinks and activities whilst you mix, mingle and make new connections at Swinburne. Ask your SSU representatives and volunteers for tips and tricks to navigating Swinburne and life in Melbourne.

    Mon 22 July
    4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
    The Junction, 660A Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
    Free
    • Orientation

    Tuesday Student Mixer

    Connect with other new students at The Junction. Enjoy free food, drinks and activities whilst you mix, mingle and make new connections at Swinburne. Ask your SSU representatives and volunteers for tips and tricks to navigating life as a new student at Swinburne.

    Tue 23 July
    4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
    The Junction, 660A Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
    Free
    • Orientation

    Wednesday New Student Mixer

    Connect with other new students at The Junction. Enjoy free food, drinks and activities whilst you mix, mingle and make new connections at Swinburne. Ask your SSU representatives and volunteers for tips and tricks to navigating life as a new student at Swinburne.

    Wed 24 July
    4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
    The Junction, 660A Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
    Free
    • Orientation

    Welcome to Swinburne: boat cruise party

    You don’t want to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Set sail on the luxurious Lady Cutler with 350 other students whilst you party it out to the best young DJ’s around. Let loose on the dance floor, whilst you enjoy the breathtaking views of the Yarra River and city skyline.

    Tickets start at $25 (excluding website fees)

    Thu 1 August
    7:00 PM to 10:30 PM
    Docklands (Lady Cutler), 131 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
    $25 (excluding website fees)

Connect to Student Life

Follow Student Life on social networks to discover what's on outside the classroom.

Resources and support services

  • Two young women talking in front of a line of market stalls on a sunny day

    Orientation Frequently Asked Questions

    There is a lot happening during Orientation and you may have some questions. We are here to help answer those. 

  • Swinburne's mascot, Razor the Razorback (a wild boar), giving the thumbs up.

    Student Life

    The student experience is about more than just books and late-night library visits. We have a wide range of clubs and societies for you to meet like-minded people and make life-long friends as well as volunteering opportunities and tickets to organised events.

  • Student support services

    Need support? Swinburne’s student support services can help with your studies, career, health and wellbeing, accommodation, child care, IT, safety and more.
  • Getting started at Swinburne

    Are you a new student to Swinburne? Welcome! All the vital information you need to help you get started at Swinburne and settle into university life is on this page.

  • Students posing with skewers at Swinburne Hawthorn campus event

    Swinburne Student Union

    Student union groups are a great way to get involved with the issues you care about and include groups such as:

    -  Queer Collective
    -  Women's Collective
    -  First Nations Collective.

Contact us

If there’s something we haven’t covered here, or something you’re not sure of and would like to hear more about, feel free to get in touch with us at StudentHQ.

Contact StudentHQ