Southern Cross University

Campus Locations

Events

Important Dates

Open days

Coffs Harbour campus: Sun 9 Aug 2026
Northern Rivers campus: Sun 16 Aug 2026
Gold Coast campus: Sun 23 Aug 2026

Refer to the Southern Cross University open day web page for up-to-date details.

Campus visits

Book a personalised campus tour, guided by current students, at all campuses: call 1800 626 481 or email campustours@scu.edu.au.

Student Outcomes

The student outcomes display the overall undergraduate results for the institution.

Positive Student Experience

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Graduate Satisfaction

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Overall Employment

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Median Graduate Salary

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L/N: Low numbers – The number of survey responses are too low to display.

N/A: Data not available for this study area or institution.

Data source: ComparED website

No QILT data available for this institution.

For further information visit ComparED website

Policies and Services

Admission criteria

To be offered a place in a course you must meet the course entrance requirements and be selected in competition with other eligible applicants.

An applicant who has one or more of the following qualifications is eligible for admission to the University. However, an applicant who is eligible for admission may not necessarily gain a place in a particular course when competing with other candidates. Some courses require interviews, portfolios and/or tests for admission – read course descriptions in the course search for additional selection criteria.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the past two years)

If you are a 2025 or 2026 Australian Year 12 student you will be selected for admission based on your ATAR or equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in individual subjects relevant to the course you want to study.

Selection rank adjustments

Selection rank adjustments may allow 2026 Year 12 applicants to receive an offer to a program even though they have an ATAR below the published lowest selection rank.

Equity adjustments

Southern Cross University has an Educational Access Scheme (EAS) to assist applicants who believe they have been educationally or financially disadvantaged. EAS applications are processed centrally through UAC.

Elite athlete and performer adjustments

Southern Cross University is a member of the Australian Sports Commission’s Elite Athlete Friendly University program. Elite athletes and exceptional performers may be considered for ATAR adjustments based on recognition of competitive commitments which may have impacted your high school academic performance and to assist you in gaining entry into your chosen course.

Location adjustments

At Southern Cross University we recognise that Year 12 students from our region may not always have the same opportunities as students from non-regional areas. If you completed Year 12 at a regional high school or TAFE you will automatically be considered for five selection rank adjustment points.

Criteria that may apply in addition to ATAR

Consideration of other specified criteria may also be applied in addition to your ATAR; for example, strong performance in selected Year 12 subjects, personal interview, and submission of additional supporting documentation, statements and portfolios.

Other admission options

Early Offer

The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University degree before Year 12 results are released. Being an Early Offer student means you receive personalised, specialised advice and assistance through every step of your transition from school to university. This includes special information sessions, exclusive events, scholarship opportunities, and access to university staff on the phone and email and chat to help you on your journey. Early Offer is based on a school’s recommendation and is open all Australian Year 12 students.

Learn more about the Early Offer program

Limited ATAR

Southern Cross University accepts the Limited ATAR for applicants sitting the NSW HSC.

Applicants with higher education study

If you have attempted any tertiary studies, you will be considered for admission on the basis of your grade point average in these studies. Applicants who are currently under exclusion that extends into 2027 are not usually eligible for admission.

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Applicants 18 years of age and over

Applicants aged 18 and over on 28 February 2027 who do not meet the admission criteria outlined above may be considered for admission on the basis of a satisfactory level of performance in one or more of the following:

• completion of a one-year foundation or enabling course, including the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate
• completion of the Preparing for Success at SCU Program
• study equivalent to at least six months full-time at a university, TAFE or accredited private institution at Certificate III level or higher
• completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
• work or field experience equivalent to at least one-year full-time
• post-secondary qualifications, including healthcare qualifications, commissioned officer qualifications, apprenticeships and traineeships
• interview.

Skills Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

The University strongly advises applicants who have no formal qualifications or who have performed poorly in other studies to sit the Skills Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Multiple Choice test.

The STAT is accepted for:

• post-school applicants
• applicants who are 18 years or over or over 28 February 2027.

Enabling course options

Southern Cross University offers a range of associate degree qualifications that provide pathways into our degree programs for students who do not meet the direct entry requirements.

SCU College programs

The Preparing for Success at SCU Program is fee-free pathway program available at every teaching session to people who have a passion for learning and who may not meet the formal entry requirements for enrolment in a degree.

Applicants with work and life experience (includes those who left secondary education more than 2 years ago)

If your only qualification is an Australian Year 12 before 2020, you will be selected for admission on the basis of your ATAR or equivalent.

Personal Competencies Statement

If you do not have formal qualifications or your formal qualifications are not sufficient for entry, you can provide a Personal Competencies Statement.

Applicants 18 years of age and over

Applicants aged 18 and over on Friday 1 March 2023 who do not meet the admission criteria outlined above may be considered for admission on the basis of a satisfactory level of performance in one or more of the following:

• completion of a one-year foundation or enabling course, including the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate
• completion of the Preparing for Success at SCU Program
• study equivalent to at least six months full-time at a university, TAFE or accredited private institution at Certificate III level or higher
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
• work or field experience equivalent to at least one-year full-time
• post-secondary qualifications, including healthcare qualifications, commissioned officer qualifications, apprenticeships and traineeships
• interview.

Skills Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

The University strongly advises applicants who have no formal qualifications or who have performed poorly in other studies to sit the Skills Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Multiple Choice test.

The STAT is accepted for:

• post-school applicants
• applicants who are 18 years or over.

Enabling course options

Southern Cross University offers a range of pathways into our degree programs for students who do not meet the direct entry requirements.

SCU College programs

The Preparing for Success at SCU Program is fee-free pathway program available at every teaching session to people who have a passion for learning and who may not meet the formal entry requirements for enrolment in a degree.

The Transition to Uni Program is an intensive six-week program available to Year 12 students who may not meet the formal entry requirements for a degree.

Applicants with overseas qualifications

There are commonly accepted overseas secondary qualifications that Southern Cross University may take into consideration. Check your qualification.

Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia with overseas qualifications should contact Southern Cross University to discuss eligibility for admission before applying through UAC.

English language proficiency

If you have qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.

First Nations applicants

If you are an Indigenous Australian and do not receive an offer to Southern Cross University based solely on your application, there is a pathway scheme available.

The Testing and Assessment Program allows you to sit an assessment task and then discuss your options for university admission. This may include you receiving an offer into the course you have applied for or considering a pathway into your preferred course

Indigenous Australian Student Services (IASS) provides an extensive service to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are studying at Southern Cross University. There are IASS officers at each campus.

How to apply

Through a TAC

Domestic students can apply for courses through the appropriate TAC:

New South Wales - Apply through UAC
Queensland - Apply through QTAC

Direct to the institution

Students can also apply directly to the university.

Enrolment

Acceptance of offer

Successful applicants will receive an offer of admission from Southern Cross University which will include acceptance and enrolment procedures.

Advanced standing

If you have undertaken study elsewhere like TAFE or university, or had work experience at a professional level during the past 10 years, you may be eligible for Advanced Standing (credit, exemption or recognition of prior learning) which could shorten the length of your study at Southern Cross University.

Deferment

Initial course deferment of one year (except for STAR Early Entry offers) is available, but a deferred offer can be deferred again in the following year. Applicants must request deferment directly to the University after acceptance of their offer.

Fees and charges

All SCU students must pay student contributions for a Commonwealth-supported place (CSP). When you study in a CSP course, you only have to pay part of the cost of your course (a student contribution) and the Australian Government pays the remainder of the cost. In addition, students can choose to pay student association fees.

To find out more about course fees.

Student Services and Amenities Fee

All students are also required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Eligible students are able to apply for a SA-HELP loan scheme to defer these fees.

Financial assistance

Scholarships

Equity Scholarships

Commencing and continuing students who meet low socio-economic criteria are eligible for support from one of two available programs at SCU:

• Southern Cross University Equity Scholarships, which range in value from $500 to $2,000 and are offered to the most disadvantaged students
• Southern Cross University Equity Book Bursaries, which are vouchers valued at up to $500.

Applications from Australian Indigenous students will be considered for a range of other scholarships.

All Equity Scholarships applications are processed centrally through UAC.

Rising Star Scholarships Program

Rising Star scholarships are available to commencing and continuing students on a competitive merit basis. Scholarship eligibility and criteria varies. Read about scholarships on the SCU website.

Financial assistance

Youth and student allowances

For details on Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY, visit the Services Australia website.

Where to get further information

• Southern Cross University – Southern Cross University's Profile
• TEQSA national register – The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia's independent national quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education
• ComparED – The ComparED website provides prospective students with transparent institution information from recent graduates and current students views.
• Study Assist – Information for students about government assistance for financing tertiary study.
• Tertiary Admission Centre: UAC (NSW & ACT)