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Graduate Diploma of Entrepreneurship
Overview
Step into your Startup Year (Graduate Diploma of Entrepreneurship) and enter a world of ideas, innovation and opportunity. In this hands-on program you’ll be supported by academics and industry experts to master every stage of the entrepreneurial journey. Develop business concepts in cutting-edge spaces, solve pressing problems with real-world solutions and learn how to communicate confidently with potential investors.
Want free, on-the-spot advice about courses, careers, and applying?
Whether you're just starting your career or switching it up, our experts at the Swinburne Skills and Jobs Centre are on hand to help you understand your career and study options.
Upgrade your skills
- Identify and develop entrepreneurial opportunities
- Research, prototype and test your ideas
- Use narrative and storytelling to pitch concepts
- Practise sustainable and inclusive decision-making
- Evaluate business models and leadership practices
- Network with experts, investors and fellow entrepreneurs
Stretch your career further
Students can enhance their career opportunities by gaining additional leadership and management skills – an important asset in a today’s complex and changing business environment. The below examples demonstrate the types of roles graduates can attain.
- Startup founder
- Business owner
- Product manager
- Business development manager
- Business consultant
- Policy advisor or analyst
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Why Swinburne?
Get a degree and the chance to establish your own venture in one hard-working program
Access state-of-the-art startup support from Swinburne Innovation Studio
Get the chance to apply for financial support through our in-house venture capital fund Swinburne Venture Ltd
STARTUP-HELP loans and income support available for eligible students
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“Having a structured program and access to expertise from different areas through the university would have been a game changer for a startup like kandu, which focuses on accessible education ... A longer program like Startup Year can provide extended support and more collaboration opportunities."
Mariyam Sayers , Swinburne alum and kandu sustainability founder, believes Startup Year will be a game-changer for students on the entrepreneurial journey.
Qualifications
Applicants are required to have one of the following:
- A bachelor degree (or higher award) from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent;
Applicants are required to have one of the following:
• A bachelor degree (or higher award) from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent;
Other requirements
Applicants must submit a 200-400 statement or 1-2 minute video addressing why you are applying for this program, including if you have a startup idea or are applying without one.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
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Master of Business Administration
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Graduate Certificate in Applied Business
How credit points work
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Entrepreneurship, a student must complete 100 credit points of specified units.
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Future-Fit Innovation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENT60011 |
|
Responsible Entrepreneurship and Leadership
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENT60012 |
|
Springboard: From Idea to Opportunity
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
ENT60013 |
|
Startup Foundry
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENT70020 |
|
Show Me The Money: Fundamentals of Funding Startups
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENT70021 |
|
Launchpad: From Prototype to Market
Core unit, 25.0 credit points |
ENT70022 |
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$13,241
Total fee* ($AUD)
$13,241
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$13,241
Fees are estimates only
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
How do I pay my fees?
STARTUP-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Finances
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for STARTUP-HELP
STARTUP-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
You’re eligible for a STARTUP-HELP loan, and you:
- are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
- a pacific engagement visa (PEV) holder who is resident in Australia for the entire Startup Year course (note: a PEV holder becomes eligible from 1 February 2024)
- are undertaking a Startup course
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online!