Year 12 Students

Click here for the Year 12 students page with relevant information about how you can check out and apply for Southern Cross University.

Non Year 12 Students

Southern Cross University welcomes new students from many different backgrounds. If you are other than current Year 12 student, your application will be given an equivalent selection rank – a score out of 100 – to determine eligibility for a place at Southern Cross University.

To produce this rank your application is considered on the basis of one or more of the following:

• Secondary qualifications
• Results achieved in Southern Cross University’s Tertiary Preparation Course 'Preparing for Success'
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
• Life experiences (Personal Competencies Statement)
• Results in Interviews or Auditions

Southern Cross University also provides many services and initiatives to assist with your application such as careers advice, an offer guarantee, special admission schemes and recognition of prior study or work experience (advanced standing)

Secondary qualifications

High school studies do not have a used by date and your results gained in senior secondary school can be used to gain entry to university many years later. If you did not complete traditional year 12 studies at high school, it may be possible for you to still use some abridged year 12 programs to gain a selection rank.

Preparing for Success program

Or you may wish to consider our Preparing for Success program, designed to develop the necessary skills for future study. More information on how to apply at Southern Cross University can be accessed here. If you are an International student, that is, not an Australian/New Zealand citizen or a Permanent Resident, you will need to contact the Southern Cross University International Office on +61 2 6620 3876.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test or STAT is a two hour aptitude test to enable participants to demonstrate their ability to understand and think critically about issues. The STAT is co-ordinated by the admission centre in each state, however you do not need to be a UAC or QTAC applicant to sit the STAT. Results are used for admission assessment. It is highly recommended if you have no formal academic qualifications such as a Higher Education Certificate (or equivalent), TAFE or university studies. It is also advisable to sit for the STAT if you intend to submit a Personal Competencies Statement (see below).

For further information about the STAT at the UAC website click here.
To go directly to the most recent UAC timetable for the STAT click here (pdf, 50KB).

For further information about the STAT at the QTAC website click here.
To go directly to the most recent QTAC timetable for the STAT click here.

Life experiences (Personal Competencies Statement)

Southern Cross University recognises that many aspects of a person’s life experience results in the development of skills, abilities and knowledge which relate directly to tertiary study for some undergraduate courses.

You will need to provide a Personal Competencies Statement which addresses the following selection criteria:

• What practical steps have you taken to prepare for tertiary study?
• Why have you chosen your preferred course?
• What have you done that demonstrates you have the capacity for independent study/learning?
• What communication and interpersonal skills have you developed and how will these contribute to your ability to study at tertiary level?
• What are your major life achievements and experiences, and how may these relate to your future success in tertiary study?
• What skills, knowledge and abilities do you bring to tertiary study that you believe will help you succeed in your proposed studies?

Your statement should be no more than five A4 pages. You should also include at least two referees' statements, which support your responses to the stated criteria. It is strongly recommended that applicants submitting a Personal Competency statement also sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (see above).

Results in Interviews

Part of the application process for the Bachelor of Visual Arts is the presentation of a portfolio of work at a short, informal interview. For further information about interviews, phone (02) 6620 3831 or email isass@scu.edu.au.

Recognition of prior study or work experience (advanced standing)

Southern Cross University policy allows for the granting of advanced standing for previous post-secondary study (normally completed within the last ten years), relevant professional experience or demonstrable expertise. We appreciate there are many people in the community who would be highly successful at university who may not have the formal qualifications required for standard entry but may have extensive skills and experience gained at work

If you have completed previous post-secondary study (including TAFE courses), or you have relevant professional experience or demonstrable expertise, this experience might be credited toward your university degree.

To apply for Advanced Standing (the recognition you may be given for your prior study or work), download the Advanced Standing Application form* [pdf: 528k]. If you apply for it successfully, it may decrease the number of units you need to study and shorten the time it would otherwise take to complete your course at Southern Cross University.

Tip: It also makes sense to apply for advanced standing when, or as soon as possible after you enrol, because if you’re successful, it will have an effect on the units you choose to study within your degree.

How your rank will be calculated

The following table is a guide to the rank you’ll receive if you hold any of these qualifications.

*based on a passing grade point average

This table is to be used as a guide only. SCU can only assess incomplete qualifications if a minimum of three units have been passed. All minimum ranks are based on a passing grade point average. If you have received grades higher or lower than a pass your rank will differ.

Careers Advice

Choosing the right course and planning where your studies may lead, can be a daunting prospect. If you would like assistance in planning your studies or to discuss career outcomes, please make an appointment with our Careers Advisor on 02 6620 3220. To assist those applicants who are unable to attend an interview in person, phone appointments are also available. If you are an International student, that is, not an Australian/New Zealand citizen or a Permanent Resident, you will need to contact the Southern Cross University International Office on +61 2 6620 3876.

Offer Guarantee

The offer guarantee of a place in a specific course if you achieve a selection rank of 70 or more also applies to non-school leavers or mature aged applicants. More information on the Offer Guarantee is available here.

Special Admission Schemes

Southern Cross University's Special Admission Scheme is designed to assist applicants who have been disadvantaged during Years 11 and/or 12 or equivalent but have good academic potential. Indigenous applicants to Southern Cross University will be invited to attend our Testing and Assessment period at the end and beginning of each year.

Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of Southern Cross University and see our campuses and facilities. You will need the QuickTime browser plugin in order to view the virtual tour. If this isn't installed on your computer, click here to download*. Tours are optimised for low-bandwidth (dial-up) connections.

Go to the Virtual Tour now.

Updated: 10 September 2008