Orientation
Starting a new chapter is big. It means learning new things and making some adjustments. And that's where our Orientation week comes in.
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 1, 2025: 24 – 28 February
Vocational Education
Check your email invite
UniLink and Foundation
Teaching Period 1, 2025: 21 February
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. 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.
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.
UniLink and Foundation Year study level
If you're enrolled in a UniLink diploma, UniLink Bridging Program or a Foundation Year course, you're on the right page.
Click on the following steps below to discover how to get the most out of Orientation.
Your course induction is where you'll get all the info you need to kick off your studies with confidence.
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.
Make sure you drop by our Student Hub in the TD building, Room TD140. This will be your help desk and meeting room, so head here first if you’re unsure about something.
This is your campus now – make yourself at home! If you’re new to Swinburne, there will be an opportunity to explore the campus on a guided tour.
All set? Let's go!
Main events for Orientation
Refer to this section to see all future Orientation events scheduled to take place on Swinburne campuses.
Connect with Swinburne
Follow Swinburne on social networks to discover what's on outside the classroom.
Resources and support services
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Orientation Frequently Asked Questions
There is a lot happening during Orientation and you may have some questions. We are here to help answer those.
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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.
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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.
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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.