Year 11 & 12 Hub
Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Your journey starts here. Whether you’re a student – or the parent or guardian of one – let the Year 11 & 12 Hub be your guide in the transition from high school to uni.
Welcome to the Year 11 & 12 Hub. Here you'll find everything from events for students and parents to FAQs, important dates and deadlines, handy explainers, VTAC preference and application help, and more.
On this page you can find:
Why make Swinburne your #1 preference?
A campus with community
From student clubs to mentoring and support services, you’ll have no problem finding your place (and your people!) at Swinburne.
Next gen technology
Build real-world skills with cutting-edge facilities, creative learning, and innovation in every course.
Work Integrated Learning
Guaranteed real industry experience in all our bachelor degrees that connects you to your career, faster.
VTAC key dates and deadlines
Here are the important dates you’ll want to stay across this year:
Timely applications open | 29 July (9am) – 30 September (5pm)
Late applications open | 30 September (5.15pm) – 1 November (5pm)
Very late applications open | 1 November (5.15pm) – 6 December (5pm)
ATAR release | 12 December (7am)
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Course entry requirements have changed
We’re pleased to announce that we’ve updated the entry requirements for some of our courses to provide Year 12s with better opportunity to study at Swinburne. This includes revised study scores for English and EAL, and broadening the Maths requirement to include General Maths for certain courses.
Explore your course page to learn what's been updated and check course codes.
What would you like to study?
Swinburne courses cover everything from law to architecture, engineering to chemistry, film and TV and more. Discover our courses.
Or browse by study area
Need more info about navigating VTAC?
Find out how to arrange your VTAC preferences and get more from your ATAR.
Ready to preference Swinburne?
Head over to the VTAC website now to arrange your preferences.
Student stories and advice
Simple-but-powerful info to help you make the right decisions about uni.
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How do I choose a course that’ll get me a job?
Want a university course that’ll set you on the path to your dream career? Here’s how to nail your choice.
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When I knew Swinburne was right for me
In their own words, here’s why some current students and recent graduates knew Swinburne was the uni for them.
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Whose opinion matters when it comes to university?
From a grain to a bucketload, here's how much salt you should take with the advice of others when it comes to choosing a uni course.
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You are your ATAR (and other lies)
Sorting truth from fiction when it comes to universities isn’t easy but fear not because Swinburne students Arlo and Bianca-Jaye have put together the ultimate myth-busting guide to life beyond high school.
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A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student
Want to know what uni is really like? Walk a day in a Swinburne student’s shoes with talks, presentations and hands-on workshops based on what you’re interested in studying!
Podcasts
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What I wish I Knew podcast
Want more for your ATAR? We got a VTAC expert, careers adviser and current student to spill their top tips for Year 12s in a VTAC podcast you won’t want to miss.
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Get Hungry podcast
What’s the secret sauce to career success? We put this question to celebrated industry professionals over lunch in our podcast, Get Hungry.
Step-by-step career guides
Learn how to reach your dream career, from qualifications to top skills.
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How to become a business analyst
Turn data into better business decisions. Be in-demand by industry hungry for data insights. Earn a top salary. Learn how to become a business analyst now. -
How to become a criminologist
What does a criminologist do? Are criminologists in demand? How much do criminologists earn? Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a criminologist.
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How to become a communication designer
A communication design career can take you all over the world – from thriving major cities to an off-grid digital nomad life. Here's everything you need to know about how to become a communication designer. -
How to become a cyber security analyst
A career in cyber security will be as secure as the systems you work on. Join this booming sector and earn a top salary. Learn how to become a cyber security analyst now. -
How to become a lawyer
Learn how to become a lawyer and pull the levers that control the justice system to create a safer and fairer society for everyone. Read Swinburne's 4 steps to becoming a lawyer.
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The Swinburne Giveaway Giveaway
Sign up for your chance to win $1000 for you – and $1000 for a cause you care about.
Top 1% globally
We’re ranked in the top 1% of universities in the world
Top 25 Under 50
We’re one of the best universities in the world under 50 years old
*Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 20245-star rating
Rated 5 stars for undergraduate student support and overall experience
*The Good Universities Guide 2024Frequently asked questions: support, pathways and more
Feeling supported throughout your studies is just as important to your education as what you learn. That’s why at Swinburne, you’ll have access to plenty of support – from the moment you apply to the day you graduate.
Deciding what you want to study is an important choice, but it’s also an exciting one. When it comes to weighing up your options, it's worth asking yourself a few clarifying questions:
- Is there anything you’re especially passionate about?
- What do you enjoy learning about?
- Do you have any special skills or strengths?
- Which school subjects do you excel in?
- What is your dream job?
- Do you have a preferred learning style?
Remember: the course you put at the top of your VTAC preference list should always be your ultimate dream course. Feel free to book a one-on-one chat with a Student Advisor to chat about your options.
If there are circumstances or obstacles that have impacted your Year 12 studies and academic results, you may be eligible for special consideration via the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS).
SEAS considers a range of factors, such as:
recognition as an Indigenous Australian
studying at a school on Swinburne's under-represented school list
experiencing financial or unforeseen hardships during your Year 12 studies
being the first person in your family to be attending university.
Many students are likely to qualify for one or more SEAS categories. We recommend talking to your school if you believe you may be eligible to apply for special consideration.
At Swinburne, we believe education should be available to everyone, regardless of circumstances. That's why we offer a range of study pathways to take you from a certificate to a uni diploma or degree.
Using a pathway program, you'll get academic credit to move through the qualification levels. Want to know which options exist for the course you’re interested in? Try our Pathway Planner and find out.
We offer scholarships to help students from all walks of life reach their academic goals. This includes:
students who have demonstrated academic achievements or community service
Indigenous students
students relocating from a regional area
students experiencing financial hardship.
Other scholarships are awarded based on factors such as gender, family background, and study area.
The selection criteria and application process can vary between different scholarships. Browse the full list to see if you’re eligible for a Swinburne scholarship and find out how to apply.
There is a range of government loan schemes available to help you cover your course fees, depending on your eligibility. This includes:
HECS-HELP: covers tuition fees for eligible students in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
FEE-HELP: covers tuition fees for eligible full-fee paying students
SA-HELP: covers the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) for eligible students.
Through these loan schemes, the Australian Government pays some or all of your fees to Swinburne on your behalf. You start repaying your loan to the government through the tax system once your taxable income reaches the minimum repayment threshold.
You can apply for a FEE/HECS/SA-HELP loan online after you accept your offer to study at Swinburne.
We have a wealth of free advice and assistance available – both on campus and virtually – to help make uni life as easy and enjoyable as possible. This includes:
support for students with a disability or carer responsibilities
support for Indigenous students
financial advice and assistance
health and wellbeing services
study and learning support.
Yes. At Swinburne, you can stay in college rooms, studio apartments, or shared apartments. Living on campus makes it easy to get to class, access on-campus facilities and, most importantly, make friends.
Whether you want to join our dynamic on-campus community or prefer to live off campus, we have a range of resources to help you find the right home.
One of the best things about uni is how different it is to high school – no matter what course you choose to study. Some of the main differences include:
- Class timetable: Your on-campus classes and lectures will be spread across different times and days, leaving you more time to study, work, or socialise.
- Course structure: You’ll have more freedom to study the things you’re interested in with different major, minors, and electives.
- Teaching style: At Swinburne, you’ll grow your knowledge and skills with practical, hands-on learning.
- Student life: Wave goodbye to morning recess and say hello to all the fun of being an independent uni student, like social events, student organisations, and all the excitement of the local area.
And of course, you’ll be given the full rundown on all of the above – and a warm welcome! – during orientation once you accept your offer to study at Swinburne.
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Pathways to university
You do not need to have a specific academic history or perfectly linear plan to pursue a certain course or career. There are alternative pathways to get into a bachelor degree – you might just need a little help finding these options.
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Campus tours
Book a tour of our leafy Hawthorn campus led by a Swinburne Student Ambassador to discover our study spaces and community hubs, and get a feel for life as a Swinburne student.
Want to chat to us about your options?
Our friendly team are here to help. Book in for a video call, face-to-face appointment or phone call and we’ll be in touch to answer all your questions.