Professional degrees
Graduate from university with industry experience under your belt when you study a Swinburne Professional Degree. As well as exploring the theory behind your new career, you’ll undertake a built-in 12-month full-time paid work placement opportunity.
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.
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
On this page:
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.
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 HQ, AccessAbility Services.
Student stories
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Isaac's placement story
The Data Experience
Isaac’s placement experience has allowed him to merge Physics and Finance to create business solutions.
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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.
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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.