Welcome to the Student Life Monthly News!

Student Life Monthly News contains updates, announcements and events relevant to international students. The newsletter is delivered straight to your inbox every month.

If you wish to change your email address, please email siactive@swin.edu.au with your new details.

Mid-year orientation

Swinburne comes alive during orientation to welcome new and returning students for Mid-year intake!

The orientation program covers important issues including information on your visa, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), the enrolment process, as well as your rights and responsibilities as an international student.

It's also a great opportunity to get to know your campus and meet other new and current Swinburne students.

Check out our website for all the orientation dates on your campus.

Mid-year enrolment – extended Student Information Centre hours

The Student Information Centre at the Prahran campus will be open until 5.30pm on Wednesday 16 July for Mid-year enrolments.

Semester 2 tuition fees – have you paid yours?

If you haven't already paid, don't forget the first installment of your Semester 2 tuition fee is due by Tuesday 22 July. The remaining 50 per cent is due Wednesday 10 September.

Click here to find out how to pay your fees.

Renewing your visa – don't get caught without one!

If your current student visa is due to expire in August or September and you intend to study a further course or extend your current course, you will need to renew your student visa before your current visa expires.

Find out all you need to know about extending your visa.

Are your contact details up-to-date?

If you are returning to your home country for the semester break or moving to a more permanent address, please remember to update your contact details at SwinLink.

It is important that you provide an up-to-date address so you are able to receive information that may be sent to you by Swinburne and government agencies.

Don't forget to regularly check your Swinburne student email account as well!

Don't risk being excluded from your course with out-of-date contact details

Many students will soon be notified that they are ‘at risk’ or need to ‘show cause’ due to poor academic progress. If Swinburne doesn't have your correct contact details – or you haven't checked your Swinburne email account – you won't be able take action in time and run the risk of being excluded from your course.

What does 'at risk' and 'show cause' mean?

You may be considered at risk if you have failed 50 per cent or more of the total number of credit points for your enrolled units of study in any one teaching period. Students who have consistent poor academic performance may need to show cause. Find out more about being at risk and having to show cause.

Where can I get help?

SSAA Student Academic Advisers can assist if you do not understand what is going on or if you would like assistance in preparing your response to the University. They can also attend progress review hearings with you if you are required to attend one.

Student Academic Advisers are friendly, professional staff employed independently of Swinburne. All matters are treated promptly, professionally and confidentially.

To make an appointment, please phone (03) 9214 5445 or email ssaa@swin.edu.au. Please include your contact details and campus.

Graduation ceremonies

If you're in your final semester and would like to graduate in September or October, you'll need to fill out an Application for Award/Graduation form and submit it by Friday 18 July.

International students also have the option of graduating in December. Please submit your form for this ceremony by Friday 26 September.

Semester 2 graduation ceremony timetable

If you require a letter of completion, you'll also need to fill out a Request for Letter of Completion form.

Did you know...

All your family and friends back home will be able to see you graduate?

Live recordings of each graduation ceremony are posted on the Swinburne website about a week after the event and are available online for three months.

For more information about graduation, check out the Swinburne website.

NEW! Professional Year Program in Computer Science

You’ve studied hard to get your degree in ICT. You've got all the skills, knowledge and technical know-how. But how do you kick start your career in the industry? Right here at Swinburne!

We're one of a select few universities in Australia offering a new Professional Year Program (PYP) in computer science, which has been accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS).

The program is aimed at graduates who have an IT degree or master and currently hold a Skilled Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) or Bridging Visa A. Student visa holders are not eligible for this program.

The 44-week program is all about getting you job-ready and preparing for a successful career in the ICT industry. The program includes:

• Practical training and workshops, business theory and organisational behaviour
• A 12-week internship with a well-respected host company, giving you first-hand experience and a fresh insight into the Australian employment market
• Access to networking opportunities and professional development as a graduate member of the ACS – the Australian ICT industry’s professional body.

Students seeking more information may wish to consult the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.

Applications for mid-year entry are now open. Places are limited to 25 students, so make sure you get in early!

For more information, visit the ICT Professional Year Program website.

Join the fun with CALD – the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Program

• Are you an international student and/or from a non-English speaking background?
• Are there aspects of your course you are finding difficult?
• Are you finding it challenging getting used to the Aussie way?
• Do you want to learn better ways to communicate with your classmates?

The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Program (CALD) is a fun, free program for students to share their experiences and meet new friends from all over the world!

CALD includes food, trips and activities, so why don't you drop in for our next afternoon tea to find out what it's all about?

Phone (03) 9214 8025 to let us know if you would like to attend or for more information, email Katherine Yannakis or Liza Ng.

Returning Home Program

Going home – no-one likes to do it, but we all have to do it eventually!

The whole process was made just that little bit easier for students who attended the Returning Home Program at the Wantirna campus last month.

The session covered everything you need to know about getting home, including:

• Graduation and getting your Letter of Completion
• Packing and shipping all the bits and pieces you've collected during your stay
• What to expect when you return to your home country
• How to develop your career, and
• Keeping in touch with the Swinburne Alumni Association.

Everyone who attended the session said it was very helpful and informative.

Keep your eye on future editions of Student Life to find out when the next Returning Home Program will be held.

By George, he's done it again!

Here are the Top 10 Ask George questions for July.

What's On in Melbourne?

Looking for some fun in the city? Check out what’s happening in and around Melbourne throughout July and beyond.

Keep up-to-date with the latest events on the International Student Life website.