Enhancing your professional future at Swinburne

Professional Degrees feature a mandatory 12-month placement, usually undertaken in your third year of study. While you’re immersed in your industry, you’ll be paid at award rates, receive academic credit and gain experience that will help you graduate job-ready.

Prepare for the world of work with a Professional Degree
Video transcript [PDF 136KB]

Benefits of a Professional Degree

Gain practical experience as you work on impactful projects in a professional environment

Experience day-to-day work in respected organisations in your chosen field

Build a network of industry contacts, enhancing your career prospects

Earn an income while applying what you’ve learnt to real-world situations

Find your course

Frequently asked questions

Our Professional Degrees are open to students who have completed the VCE or equivalent Australian Year 12 program and have the relevant ATAR entry score. Professional Degrees require a higher ATAR for entry than their corresponding bachelor degrees.

Check the individual entry requirements for your preferred course

Sharpen your professional skills and gain invaluable experience for your résumé before you even graduate. When you study a Professional Degree, you will:

  • put your knowledge into practice in the workplace
  • explore the avenues your career could take
  • get paid while you’re still at uni 
  • add 12-months full-time relevant work experience to your résumé
  • build your professional network
  • test your work capabilities
  • receive valuable mentoring and unique industry insights before you graduate
  • maintain your student benefits.

Most Professional Degrees take 4 years full-time equivalent study, including your 12-month placement. The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Professional) is a bit longer, taking 5 years full-time.

You’ll need to complete a minimum of 150 credit points before you can commence your placement.

You’ll earn these by completing the units (subjects) that make up your Professional Degree. Once they’re finished, you’ll be given access to resources to help you apply for and secure placements.

SwinEmploy will help you create a professional application, and you’ll be provided with a list of available placements in your study area. You also have the option to independently seek your own placement.

While studying a Professional Degree, even during placement, you’re considered a full-time student of Swinburne and can access all of our support services.

As well as your academic and industry supervisors, you can also reach out to these services for further support: Student HQAccessAbility Services.

Student stories

  • Isaac's placement story

    The Data Experience

    Isaac’s placement experience has allowed him to merge Physics and Finance to create business solutions.

  • Michelle's placement story

    Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

    Bachelor of Health Science (Professional) student Michelle was responsible for assisting with the research process from idea to publication and dissemination.

  • Thishara's placement story

    Bosch Australia

    Thishara’s professional degree has allowed her to study and work full-time for 12-months in Australia.

Questions about professional degrees?

For more information, call our Future Students team on 1300 794 628 or access our FAQs.

Email us