Introduction

Swinburne University of Technology is an Australian Government owned university that generates its revenue from the provision of higher education and vocational education programs. Swinburne University of Technology employs over 1,800 people, and its major campus is in Hawthorn, Victoria. Swinburne has campuses in Australia and one international campus in Sarawak, Malaysia.

Background

1908 - Swinburne was established, in Melbourne's eastern suburb of Hawthorn, as the Eastern Suburbs Technical College by George Swinburne.

1909 - The first students were enrolled and classes began in carpentry, plumbing and blacksmithing.

1913 - The institution changed its name to Swinburne Technical College.

1965 - Swinburne affiliated with the Victoria Institute of Colleges, which was established in that year by an Act of the Parliament of Victoria.

1969 - The technical schools were taken over by the Victorian Education Department while the college remained as an autonomous institution.

197-78 - An extensive reorganisation of advanced education in Victoria took place, and culminated with the passing of the Victorian Post-Secondary Education Act. Under the Act the Victoria Institute of Colleges was dissolved and the Victorian Post-Secondary Education Commission established. Under the new arrangements, Swinburne Council was given power to grant bachelor degrees.

1981 - The first bachelor degree was awarded at a conferring ceremony held at the Camberwell Civic Centre.

1992 - July - Swinburne University of Technology was proclaimed.

Campuses:

Croydon campus is nestled in the foothills of Mt Dandenong. The campus offers TAFE programs in the areas of social sciences, business, community services, children's services, computing, building, recreation and a large variety of short courses

Lilydale campus is set in a scenic 24-hectare rural setting with panoramic views across the Lillydale Lake to the Yarra Valley hills and is at the gateway to this popular wine and tourism region. The campus offers TAFE, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in an environment that is personal, supportive and has a great sense of community. Modern buildings featuring the latest computer and media technology are set amongst the eucalypts, and local artworks and sculptures adorn the walls and grounds.

Healesville campus has been part of the community for the last 17 years and has a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. The open plan and spacious style of the campus is conducive to creating a supportive, relaxed and positive learning environment.

Prahran campus is known as Swinburne's 'arts campus', since it houses a number of arts areas including the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA) and the renowned Faculty of Design, which offers a range of graphic, industrial, interior/exhibition and multimedia design courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Hawthorn campus is Swinburne's original campus and is home to the University's central administration, many of its undergraduate and postgraduate programs, TAFE courses and short courses. It is also the site of many of Swinburne's research and training centres. At Hawthorn it is possible to do everything from a pre-apprenticeship to a PhD. The campus is located seven kilometres east of the city of Melbourne , and is easily accessible by train and tram. It is situated in the heart of Hawthorn and is close to restaurants, cafes and shops.

Wantirna campus is Swinburne's 'green' campus, with extensive horticulture facilities and a planned specialist sustainability building. The campus is also home to the central administration of Swinburne's TAFE Division.

Sarawak campus is the only international branch campus of Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. The Sarawak campus opened in Kuching, the capital city of the Malaysian state of Sarawak, in 2000.

Courses:

Swinburne divides its operations into two separate segments, higher education and TAFE.

Higher education offers the following faculties:
Faculty of Design,
Faculty of Business & Enterprise,
Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences,
Faculty of Higher Education,
Faculty of Information & Communication Technologies and
Faculty of Life & Social Sciences.

TAFE offers the following schools:
TAFE School of Arts, Hospitality & Sciences,
TAFE School of Business, TAFE School of Engineering and
TAFE School of Social Sciences.