I can't give you comments on the academics, or a realistic comparison, but I am a Swinburne graduate and I'll just share some about the uni.

i'd say it depends on what you're looking for.

Swinburne now has 2 new majors: cybersecurity and IoT

with swinburne, you can also go on exhange to the melbourne campus for 1 semester paying your fees in RM.

I was graduated from Curtin Miri but really can't give you the comparison for which one is better. If you want to compare the campus size, sure Curtin is better. Also the world university ranking, Curtin is ranked higher.

However, for the city. Miri is quite a boring place. The town is quite far away from school. Unless you got a car in there then is different case. What is my recommendation is get yourself a car for your own and housemate, friends, classmates, group mates convenience.

actually grab isn't very expensive in kuching, sometimes i think it's cheaper than KL. rates for eg:

1. airport to swinburne: rm8-10
2. swinburne to vivacity megamall: rm5
3. swinburne to downtown: rm6-7

besides living on campus, you can live at:
1. victorial hall (next to swinburne) - http://www.victoriahall.com.my

swinburne management is also in discussion with some condo developers nearby for student accommodation.

best option is to live nearby campus so you cut down grab fees. just walk to campus. and nearby the campus there's a lot of f&B options and services like dobi, telco, pharmacy, clinic, etc.

good luck!

Citadines above ST3 is a superb condo but it's very pricey, beyond reach of ordinary students.

It is also directly across Spring shopping mall, with a pedestrian overhead bridge connected to the condo.

The downside is there's less kopitiams around.