Your son or daughter is now entering a new stage in their life. So you can help them make decisions about studying at university, this page details relevant information that will help you with their transition.

Recognising the difference

It’s important that your son or daughter understands how university is different to school. Most noticeably, these changes are in terms of:

• a larger study environment
• a change of teaching methods and assessment
• learning to manage their own time

In the Offer Pack for their place at Southern Cross University, your son or daughter will receive a CD-ROM called What’s Expected of me at University? This CD-ROM has been developed by Southern Cross University’s Learning Assistance Unit to help students understand and develop these academic skills required to succeed at university. Further details are available at the Academic Skills Development Unit website.

Arranging a Campus Tour

To help with this transition, students and their families can visit any of our campuses at any time. If you contact us before you arrive, we can personalise a Campus Tour. Your son or daughter will be able to meet and speak with all the people they need to about the courses they’re interested in, as well as university life in general. They might also be able to meet students who are already enrolled in the course they’re interested in taking.

For more information — or to book a Campus Tour — just phone 02 6620 3975 during business hours or email campustours@scu.edu.au.

Campus Images

View images of Southern Cross University and see our campuses and facilities. You will need the QuickTime browser plugin in order to view the images. If this isn’t installed on your computer, click here to download QuickTime (opens in new window). Tours are optimised for low-bandwidth (dial-up) connections. Go to Campus Images now.

How much do courses cost?

This information is on Southern Cross University’s Fees and Financial Assistance page. To calculate the cost of a course you will need to add up the cost of individual units, which are listed in the Prospectus.

Special admission schemes and Scholarships

A number of special admission schemes and scholarships are available to further ensure that the diversity of the general community is reflected in Southern Cross University’s student body. These include Rising Stars Scholarships; Southern Cross University’s Special Admission Scheme; Southern Cross University’s Gnibi College Testing and Assessment Program for Indigenous students; UAC’s Educational Access Scheme; QTAC’s Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage. For information about Rising Stars Scholarships, email scholarships@scu.edu.au or phone 02 6626 9286. For information about equity scholarships, please contact the Equity Scholarships Officer by phone 02 6620 3313 or email equityscholarships@scu.edu.au.

Southern Cross University’s Star Entry Scheme: Southern Cross University’s STAR Entry Scheme is available to Year 12 and Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) students within Southern Cross University’s feeder region, i.e. bordered in the south by the NSW Central Coast, west to the NSW/SA border, north to the Darling Downs, Queensland and east to include the Greater Gold Coast. Eligible students may receive an early offer based on achieving excellent results during year 12 and their principal’s assessment of their overall performance.

If the applying student’s UAI, OP or equivalent does not meet Southern Cross University’s cut-off entry score, the additional information provided on the STAR Entry Scheme will give a further chance to gain entry. Star Scheme application forms are sent directly to schools and TAFE colleges in the feeder region and are usually available by third term.

Year 12 Bonus: At Southern Cross University we recognize that Year 12 students from our feeder region may not always have the same opportunities as students in capital cities. That’s why Southern Cross University automatically adds five bonus UAI points or two OP levels for students undertaking 2011 Year 12 studies in schools and TAFE colleges within our feeder region.

Living Expenses

One of the great advantages of living at our Lismore, Coffs Harbour or the Gold Coast & Tweed Heads campuses is the cheaper cost of living compared with that in Australia’s major capital cities. In particular, accommodation costs are much lower than in the major cities. This can lead to major savings. In general, a budget of $245 per week or more should cover all non-tuition costs associated with studying at the University, including rent, food, public transport, student body fees, overseas student health cover, textbooks and course materials. This does not include purchasing or running a car or bringing family members to visit.

Accommodation

Residential college accommodation is available at both the Lismore and Coffs Harbour campuses. Students live in self-catering residential units, which comprise 2 to 6 bedrooms and shared living, bathroom and cooking facilities. Students are responsible for buying food and for cooking and cleaning for themselves. Further information is available at the Lismore and Coffs Harbour Accommodation Services website.

Students at the Gold Coast Campus live off-campus, which is also an option in Lismore and Coffs Harbour. The most popular type of off-campus accommodation is a house or unit shared with other students, where students do their own cooking and share the cost of household expenses. Both furnished and unfurnished off-campus rental accommodation is available.

Safety

Southern Cross University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment in which staff, students and visitors may pursue their goals without disruption or fear of harm. Routine and non-routine duties performed by security staff include:

• foot and vehicle patrols of the campus, residences and conference centre
• providing information and assistance to students, staff and visitors
• identifying hazards
• providing emergency first aid
• responding to alarms and calls for service
• promoting an awareness of the safety and security presence on campus

Our friendly and courteous Safety and Security Officers are available 24 hours a day to assist and advise students and staff on all safety and security matters. All calls, whether personal or on the telephone, for any reason will be treated in confidence.

Transport

Lismore: Regular bus services are provided by Northern Rivers Bus Company between the city's central business district and Lismore campus. Campus Central provides local transport information, and it also runs a regular mini-bus service between the campus and nearby residential colleges.

Coffs Harbour & Gold Coast/Tweed Heads: Private operators provide regular bus services for Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast/Tweed Heads students between the campuses and the local central business districts.

Transport Information:

Lismore: 02 6627 6888
Coffs Harbour: 02 6659 3267
Gold Coast/Tweed Heads: 07 5506 9200

Updated: 07 November 2011