Bachelor of Engineering Technology
Majoring in Software Engineering
Choose your major
Mechanical Engineering
Learn the core concepts of mechanics, kinematics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and energy as you participate in industry-based projects and practical workshops.
Robotics and Mechatronic Engineering
Discover three traditional engineering disciplines – mechanical, electronics and software – as you bolster your CV with real industry experiences.
Software Engineering
Dive into a career in advanced software engineering with an emphasis on teamwork, problem solving and practical software engineering skills.
Overview
The Bachelor of Engineering Technology is a course which enables students to acquire and develop broad engineering skills. This is a three year (full time equivalent) degree that would enable graduates to find work as an engineering technologist in various fields ranging from civil, manufacturing, energy, mining or construction to roles in government or consulting. Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering Technology could find work in para-professional engineering positions, as engineering draftspersons and technicians, in engineering teams or as an assistant to an engineer in an industrial or manufacturing setting, as a software developer or in robotics and mechatronics.
Change of Preference Expo
Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Explore your options and get personalised advice from course experts, based on your Year 12 results. Friday 13 December, Hawthorn campus.
Your major
Software engineering
Dive into a career in advanced software engineering with an emphasis on teamwork, problem solving and practical software engineering skills. Take a deep dive into quality assurance and project management, then gain hands-on experience with industry-standard techniques and tools through Work Integrated Learning opportunities.
Your industry experience
Students undertake an industry project each semester to build their professional portfolios and gain professional and workplace skills. Students also undertake a project dedicated to deepening their understanding of Indigenous knowledge, worldviews, standpoints, and culture relevant to STEM.
Skills you’ll learn
- Problem solving
- Analytical problem solving
- Engineering principles
- Project management
- Teamwork
- Communication, documentation and presentation
Your career opportunities
- Para-professional
- Engineering assistant
- Technician
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?
86.1% of graduates found employment within 4 months of completing their course
#45 for Automation and Control
Ranked Top 75 in Civil Engineering
ARWU Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022
Top 100 for Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Qualifications
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
Course prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 23 in any English (except EAL) or 27 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in one of Maths: General Mathematics or Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics equivalent.
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 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, 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.
How credit points work
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Engineering Technology students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:
What your course could look like
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Introduction to Programming
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS10009 |
|
Technology in an Indigenous Context Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS10025 |
|
Engineering Design and Innovation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENG10001 |
|
Engineering Materials
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENG10002 |
|
Engineering Mechanics
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
ENG10003 |
|
Calculus and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH10012 |
|
Linear Algebra and Applications
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH10013 |
|
Energy and Motion
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
PHY10001 |
| Major units (Software Engineering) | |
|
Object Oriented Programming
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20007 |
|
Fundamentals of Data Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20015 |
|
Concurrent Programming
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS40003 |
|
Computing Technology Project A
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS40005 |
|
Computing Technology Project B
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS40006 |
|
Research Report A
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
ICT40010 |
|
Software Architectures and Design
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE30003 |
|
Software Testing and Reliability
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
SWE30009 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
|
Cloud Computing Architecture
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS20019 |
|
Data Structures and Patterns
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30008 |
|
Software Development for Mobile Devices
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30017 |
|
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30019 |
|
Applied Machine Learning
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS30082 |
|
Topics in Computer Science
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS40004 |
|
Artificial Intelligence for Engineering
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
COS40007 |
|
Mathematical Methods and Statistics for Engineering
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
MTH20017 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Option 1 | |
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
2025 fees
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$45,500.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
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?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
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 Financials
- 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 HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and 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.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
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.
Professional placement fees
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
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! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.