University Entry & Admission Requirements

General admission requirements

If you meet the minimum entry requirements, you may be selected for one of our courses. However, meeting the minimum requirements doesn’t guarantee that you will be selected.

You may be offered a place once we have assessed:

your formal academic qualifications and results
if you meet any course prerequisites
your compliance with English language requirements
if you meet any legal or administrative requirements (see below)
the availability of student places and learning resources.

For some courses, an assessment of your personal capabilities and aptitude is also made.

Visit our Course Search to find out about the specific criteria for entry into individual courses.

Minimum age requirement

Students must be at least 17 years old at the time their course begins to be eligible for entry into any Higher Education course. We may consider exceptions in some circumstances and will take into account your academic record and availability of appropriate support.

Access to internet

Online learning resources and materials are integral to teaching and learning activities and assessment tasks for our courses. All online students must have regular access to an internet-connected computer, capable of communicating with our online systems.

Informed choices

Informed choices statements provide information about essential physical and behavioural abilities, skills or acuities needed to perform assessment tasks and professional placements in a field of study and progress to a career in that field. This information is intended to assist you to decide if you can successfully participate in and complete a course.

We are an inclusive and welcoming environment for people living with a disability, medical condition, mental illness or primary carer responsibilities. Our AccessAbility advisers can provide information about services and reasonable adjustments that may be available to support you to achieve your goals.

English language requirements

All Swinburne students must be able to meet out our English language requirements. You’ll be able to provide evidence of your English language skill if you have:

completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or another type of secondary qualification taught in English
completed some types of university or vocational education studies (tertiary studies)
completed an English language test, such as TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson or C1
completed an English language (ELICOS) course
lived and worked in an English-speaking country for at least four years (domestic applicants only)

These requirements vary for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students, depending on your chosen course. For the most up to date English language requirements information, use CourseSearch or see the Entry Requirements for International Students page.

Need to take an English test?

You can take the Pearson Test of English on our Hawthorn campus. It's a single, two-hour test that usually returns fast results within 48 hours.

Learn more about the Pearson Test of English

English language requirements for local applicants

Each Swinburne course has minimum English language requirements that students need to meet to participate in their studies. Refer to the table below for more information or use CourseSearch to find the specific English language requirements for your chosen course.

For local applicants with overseas qualifications, see the Entry Requirements for International Students page.

For UniLink Diplomas	One of: VCE Units 3 & 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any English (including English as an Alternate Language (EAL)) An approved study score in a secondary education qualification from an English-speaking country, including: A minimum study score (equivalent to required VCE score) in an approved Australian Year 12 English – see VTAC Equivalent prerequisites for interstate, International Baccalaureate (IB) and New Zealand students A New Zealand Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), with minimum 10 credits at Level 2 or higher in English and minimum 4 credits in writing and 4 credits in reading An equivalent secondary education qualification from an English-speaking country Satisfactory completion of a minimum of two higher education units in Australia or another English speaking country Satisfactory completion of a minimum of two units in an Australian VE Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma A STAT minimum written test score of 145* Completion of secondary school studies in English and four years relevant post-secondary work experience in an English speaking setting, with at least two of those years being full-time work*
For undergraduate courses: associate degrees, bachelor degrees and honours (except education, law, information technology, honours in psychology and professional degree courses)	One of: VCE Units 3 & 4: a minimum study score of 25 in English (or equivalent) or 30 in EAL An approved study score in a secondary education qualification from an English-speaking country, including: A minimum study score (equivalent to the required VCE score) in an approved Australian year 12 English subject – see VTAC Equivalent prerequisites for interstate, International Baccalaureate (IB) and New Zealand students A minimum of 4 in English A1 or A2 (Higher and Standard Levels) or minimum of 5 in English B (Higher Level) in an International Baccalaureate Diploma An equivalent result in an approved English subject in a senior secondary education qualification in an English-speaking country Satisfactory completion of a minimum of two higher education units in Australia or another English speaking country Satisfactory completion of a minimum of two units in an Australian VE Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma A STAT minimum written test score of 150* Completion of secondary school studies in English and four years relevant post-secondary work experience in an English speaking setting, with at least two of those years being full-time work*
For undergraduate courses: education, information technology, law, honours in psychology and professional degrees	One of: VCE Units 3 & 4: a minimum study score of 25 in English (or equivalent) or 30 in EAL An approved study score in a senior secondary education qualification in an English-speaking country, including: A minimum study score (equivalent to required VCE score) in an approved Australian year 12 English subject – see VTAC Equivalent prerequisites for interstate, International Baccalaureate (IB) and New Zealand students A minimum of 4 in English A1 or A2 (Higher and Standard Levels) or minimum of 5 in English B (Higher Level) in an International Baccalaureate Diploma An equivalent result in an approved English subject with a secondary education qualification from an English-speaking country Satisfactory completion of a minimum of two higher education units in Australia or another English speaking country Satisfactory completion of a minimum of two units in an Australian VE Certificate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma
For postgraduate courses: Graduate Certificates	Secondary school studies in English and a period of relevant post-secondary work experience in an English-speaking country as specified in the course entry requirements
For postgraduate courses: Graduate Diplomas and Masters	Satisfactory completion of an undergraduate degree (AQF 7 or equivalent) in Australia or another English speaking country

^*Only specified courses will accept STAT and Work experience as a basis of entry – check Course Search.

English language requirements for international applicants

Use Course Search to find the English language requirements for your chosen course or see the English entry requirements website for international students.

Prerequisite subjects

Individual course admission criteria will identify where prerequisite study needs to have been undertaken within a certain time period.

Indigenous student services

Access opportunities. Get tailored support with your studies. Thrive as an Indigenous student with the team at the Moondani Toombadool Centre.

Learn more (Indigenous student services)
Asylum seeker and refugee support

We understand that you might find adjusting to university life difficult — but rest assured, you are not alone. Whether you’re looking for work, a home, need help with studying or if you’re feeling lonely, we are here to help you.

Learn more (Asylum seeker and refugee support)

Heads up! You may wish to consider applying for the Special Entry Access Scheme

When applying through VTAC, applicants that meet certain criteria are eligible for special consideration through the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS). This includes but is not limited to:

recognition as Indigenous Australians
studying at a school on Swinburne's under-represented school list
found themselves in financial or unforeseen hardships during their Year 12 studies.
first person in your family to be attending university

Learn more about the Special Entry Access Scheme

Admission options

On top of meeting the English language requirement and any prerequisite subject scores Swinburne also assesses applications in a variety of conditions depending on your educational background and/or work history. Information on assessing applications on Australia Year 12 studies can be found here.

Local applicants with overseas qualifications

The qualifications of Australian applicants who completed secondary or tertiary study overseas are assessed for equivalence to course entry requirements, based on guidelines provided by International Education Online and UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre)

Check whether your overseas qualifications meet our academic and English language entry requirements via the international students page.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

If you have previous Vocational Education and Training, we can use your results as a basis of admission to an undergraduate course.

We take into consideration how many units you have passed and whether you completed the course.

Even if it’s been a while since you were in TAFE or other VE studies (i.e. not within the past seven years), you will be considered for entry if you completed your VE qualification.

You’ll receive an offer if your study is assessed as meeting the admission requirements for your preferred Swinburne course. If you don’t meet the requirements, you'll be given an alternate course offer or pathway option.

Where course entry requirements include prerequisite subjects, you must present evidence of having successfully acquired the required knowledge and skills through current or previous studies. Individual course admission criteria will identify where that prerequisite study needs to have been undertaken within a certain time period.

You can also apply for academic credit on the basis of your VET results.

Learn more pathways from specific VET courses and entry requirements to degree-level courses on Swinburne’s Course Search.

Applicants with higher education study

You could be studying at a different university, then decide to switch to Swinburne. Your results from your previous university will be used to assess whether you can enter an undergraduate course.

We take into consideration your results and whether you completed the course:

If your higher education study (either complete or incomplete) was undertaken in the last seven years, we will consider those results as a basis for admission
If your results are from more than seven years ago and you did not complete your university degree, you will be considered for entry, but you may sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) (where STAT is included in specific course admission criteria)
If you completed your course more than seven years ago, we will consider whether your results and qualifications are a suitable basis for entry to your chosen course.

Where course entry requirements include prerequisite subjects, you must present evidence of having successfully acquired the required knowledge and skills through current or previous studies.

Individual course admission criteria will identify where that prerequisite study needs to have been undertaken within a certain time period.

You can also apply for apply for academic credit on the basis of your previous Higher Education results. Use our academic credit calculator to see if you may be eligible to have academic credit applied to an undergraduate degree at Swinburne.

Find more information about pathways from other higher education courses and entry requirements to individual courses via Swinburne’s Course Search.

Applicants with work and life experience

Some undergraduate courses accept applicants based on their relevant work and life experience – see Course search to further details. Applicants will be asked to provide a detailed Curriculum Vitae, position description/s of relevant current and past employment and letter/s of recommendation from employers.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

For entry to some undergraduate courses, you may sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Multiple Choice.

To be eligible for admissions on the basis of the STAT, you must be:

a Non-Year 12 applicant (i.e. you must not be a current (2022) or recent Year 12 student (or equivalent) within the last 2 years (i.e. 2020 or 2021), and
at least 19 years old on 31st December in the year you commence your studies

Swinburne will consider your STAT results if you have:

no prior or recent secondary school results (Year 12 or equivalent) or work experience that meet the entry requirements for the course, or
no recent TAFE or university results (within the last 7 years) that could be considered for entry

Your scores from the STAT test will be used to determine your selection rank.

You must also meet any course prerequisites and additional entry requirements to receive an offer to a preferred course. Your STAT results may satisfy Maths prerequisites for most courses, except Engineering. STAT Written test results may satisfy English requirements (except Law, Psychology (Honours), Professional and Education courses).

Results from your STAT test are valid for two years.

Applicants continuing studies with Swinburne as a replacement provider

Tuition Protection Service (TPS)

If your previous provider defaults, the government’s Tuition Protection Service (TPS) may help you through the process.

If you commence study with Swinburne under a TPS arrangement, we will:

assist you in your course selection
assess credits for equivalent prior study
notify the TPS Director in writing of your acceptance of an offer in the replacement course within 14 days.

We will not charge you for replacement components of the affected part of the original course for which tuition fees were previously paid.

We do not charge students for units that are credited based on prior study.

Applicants with recent secondary education

Australian Year 12 students

If you’re currently in Year 12 or have completed Year 12 in the last seven years, you’ll be considered for admission to undergraduate courses primarily based on whether you have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), or an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.

A decision on whether to select you is usually based is usually based on assessment of your performance in your final years of secondary study, as indicated by an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). For more information visit the VTAC website.

If you are studying the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia or New Zealand, you will receive a notional ATAR rank, calculated by VTAC, so that your performance can be compared against VCE students.

If you completed your secondary education more than seven years ago or have no formal qualifications, applicants to some undergraduate courses may be assessed for entry on the basis of relevant work and life experience.

Selection rank adjustments

We may use a selection rank to assess your suitability for a course.. A selection rank is a recalculated ATAR based on adjustments to your aggregate study score where:

you studied selected subjects (as specified for each course in VTAC’s Course Search). If you have achieved study scores of 25 or higher in those subjects, you are eligible to have two to four additional points added to your aggregate study score per relevant area of study.
you are eligible under VTAC’s Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS), which enables special consideration for students with short or long-term educational disadvantage.
your home address is in an outer regional or remote area (as defined by the ASGS Remoteness Classification). We will adjust your aggregate study score by adding two additional points.
you participated in our Early Leaders Program.

SEAS categories are based on personal information, disadvantaged financial background, disability or mental health condition and difficult circumstances.

Following an assessment of the degree of disadvantage experienced, you may have additional points added to your aggregate study score. Our SEAS calculator provides an indication of the effect of SEAS adjustments on your ATAR.

Criteria that may apply in addition to ATAR

An ATAR rank doesn’t always tell the whole story, so we can assess students in many ways. Depending on the course, we may ask you for auditions, portfolios, personal statements, aptitude and skills tests and/or interviews.

Head to Course Search for course-specific requirements.

2025 _Early Entry Program

A different way to enter uni for Semester 1, 2025, that won't depend on your ATAR.

Learn more

Mathslink Further

If you do not have the prerequisite maths subjects for your degree, MathsLink Further is a bridging program that meets the prerequisite in place of VCE Further Mathematics.

Learn more (Mathslink Further)
MathsLink Methods

Our MathsLink Methods bridging program meets the prerequisite in place of VCE Mathematical Methods for our Engineering and Aviation Bachelor degrees.

Learn more (MathsLink Methods)

Student profile

The table below gives an indication of the educational background our undergraduate students have come from.

It provides data on all students who commenced undergraduate study in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds, across all Australian campuses, and international students studying in Australia.

Applicant background	Semester 1, 2024
	Number of students	Percentage of all students
(A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	1577	22%
(B) Vocational education and training (VET) study	1138	16%
(C) Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)	1038	14%
(D) Recent secondary education:
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subjects studied)	1619	22%
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)	56	1%
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)	271	4%
International students	1629	22%
All students	7328	100%

Additional resources

Further information for students about admissions is available through the following resources:

Tertiary Education Quality Standards Australia (TEQSA) national register
Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT)
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)

To submit an application outcome appeal, or to express grievances about the admission process, refer to the Reviews and Appeals page.

Need a little more clarification?

We understand that the university process can be confusing. If there’s anything you’re unsure of, or if you need some advice regarding university entry requirements, our friendly and knowledgeable team are here to help!