Perk #1: Location is everything!

Is it ever? It’s no understatement when we say that you’re spoilt for choice if you need to find a place to read/write/daydream. Now that Glenferrie Road has burst back into life, you have heaps of great cafés (and coffee!) to frequent, gorgeous green spaces like Central Gardens (across the road from us) to chill in and lots of socially-distanced study and lounge spaces on campus to, well, study in! Bonus: Glenferrie Railway Station (also known as Swinburne station) is right on our doorstep. Literally. Welcome to Hawthorn!

Perk #2: You get real-industry experience

Who knows where your real industry experience could take you.

This one’s a doozy. Nowadays, almost every degree course at Swinburne has real industry experience built into it. This could take the form of an industry or community project, an internship, or a professional placement. Whatever it turns out to be, the aim is the same: to give you the best shot at turning your degree into a dream career. And you just never know where this experience could take you. Grace completed a professional internship with Richmond Football Club in the final year of her degree and she’s now employed there part-time as the People & Culture Administration Officer. 

Grace describes her industry experience as the gateway to her first job. Her supervisor noticed her skills and work ethic during her internship.
"It is really important to have real-life experience in industry because you learn so much about yourself and how to apply the theory learned at university to practice." 

- Grace, Bachelor of Business

To support your experience, we also run regular career and employability workshops and events where you can have your cover letter, résumé and LinkedIn profile reviewed by our career consultants.

Perk #3: You'll find your people

Well, fancy meeting you here!

AFL to archery, unicycling to tango dancing, sustainability to community gardening, veganism to chocolate appreciation, there are Swinburne clubs and societies for almost every interest and important issue. Clubs are a great way to connect with people who like the same stuff you do – or to take yourself out of your comfort zone and discover a new interest and meet people you’d normally never cross paths with. (You may even meet your new bestie!) Can’t see a club you’d like to join? You could always start one!

Perk #4: Cheap eats (and lots of ‘em)

Eating on a budget never tasted so good. Crunch through lunch with a tasty Banh Mi, starting at $8.50 from Mr & Mrs Banh Mi - or get your chicken and chips fix from Yummy Campus, $5.50. And good news for your wallet (and tummy), many lunch spots around Hawthorn do exclusive deals for Swinburne students. Simply flash your ‘plastic fantastic’ (AKA Swinburne ID card) and you’ll get great classic lunches like a bagel and coffee for just $10, from Bagelicious. 

Perk #5: Discounted movie tickets

Popcorn is just one of the wonderful things about Lido Cinema.

Head to Lido Cinema on a Wednesday, flash that ever-loving Swinburne student ID and be rewarded with discounted movie tickets for just $8 before 4pm or $10 after 4pm. More money for popcorn? Om, nom, nom. (We think that’s a ‘yes’). 

Choose Swinburne

Go with the university offering you real industry experience. Call us on 1300 794 628 (option 2) or email us.

Email us

Perk #6: Door-to-door service

Swinburne is committed to keeping you safe on campus - and off.

Whether you’re at an early morning tutorial or studying late into the wee small hours, you should feel safe anytime you’re on campus. You can have one of our Swinburne Security officers accompany you anywhere on campus or to your car. Live locally? Our free Hawthorn night bus, which leaves at 30-minute intervals, will drop you home. (Uber who?)

Perk #7: Your own private pool. Kinda

Swinburne students know how to make a splash!

No pool? No problem. Swinburne students can dive right into free use of the indoor and outdoor pools at Hawthorn Aquatic and Leisure Centre, conveniently located just around the corner from campus. You’ll also get discounted membership to the centre and access to Swinburne-only group fitness classes. Don’t know how to swim? Attend a free casual class that will teach you all the basics.

Perk #8: Your passport to the world (when it’s open)

Where on earth would you like to go?

Obviously, 2020 threw some gnarly global challenges our way, so this is more of a dream perk, right now. (It’s good to dream, right?) When planes are flying once more, here’s how the reality will look: Swinburne has exchange partnerships with over 100 universities around the world. That means, from Austria to Venezuela, there’ll be something for everyone and if a full semester feels too long to be away, there’ll be plenty of shorter options, including overseas internships and study tours.  

If you can’t wait to be there in person, there’s a unique way to immerse yourself in another culture, gain a new perspective - and get credit towards your course. We currently offer some virtual overseas programs and plan to add new ones soon. So, stay tuned because, whatever form it takes, a study exchange is an awesome way to connect with the global learning community.  

Perk #9: You get leadership and volunteering opportunities

Get involved in your Swinburne community and gain valuable skills in leading and volunteering. This also comes with plenty of perks – like getting to go behind the scenes at cool events and meeting awesome people, plus there’s that fuzzy feeling that comes from helping out.

Perk #10: Advice, whenever you need it

We’re good listeners (and talkers if you need advice!)

Sometimes things get too much. Whether you need counselling to help you deal with a problem or financial advice to improve your money habits, Swinburne students have access to a range of services and advice. Got questions about your tax? Looking for some free legal advice? We’re here to help.

Keep on exploring