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Southern Cross Scholars Program
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The Southern Cross Scholars program offers Year 11 & 12 students the opportunity to study a university subject while still in high school.
This free 6-week program (8 March - 16 April 2027) gives you advanced academic skills to help you blitz your final years in high school and offers you the choice of a subject of interest. You also get the chance to experience university life at one of our campuses or online.
Successful completion of the program puts you in the running for a generous scholarship that can make your uni goals that much sweeter.
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“I feel a lot more prepared for university after doing the program. It was a very safe learning environment to learn and grow in [and] it really gave me insight into what university is and how it functions.”
Annabel, Southern Cross Scholars participant, 2024
Benefits of the program
Prepare for university
Experience university while you’re still at school - you’ll be ahead of the game and prepared for your first year at uni.
Direct pathway to uni
Southern Cross Scholars is your direct pathway into a Southern Cross degree. No need to apply via Early Offer or UAC/QTAC.
Credit towards a degree
The subjects (called units) offered in the free Scholars program can count towards a degree – a head start and a discount on your university degree.
Scholarship opportunity
When you successfully complete the Scholars program, you’ll be eligible for one of 35 generous undergraduate scholarships worth up to $20,000.
Set yourself apart
Being a Southern Cross Scholar sets you apart – it demonstrates self-motivation, capability and looks great on your CV or university application.
Enhance school performance
Gain new academic skills and an understanding of university-level skills that can help you smash it in Year 12.
Invitation to VIP programs
Network and get inspired at study-enhancing VIP programs as part of your Scholar experience.
Contribute to QCE
The Southern Cross Scholars unit can contribute two credit points towards the Queensland Certificate of Education.
Eligibility criteria
These requirements relate to domestic students (i.e., Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens, holders of a permanent residency visa, or holders of a permanent humanitarian visa) enrolled in a registered state school, independent school, or school of distance education.
Students must meet the following requirements:
- Speak English as their first language or satisfy SCU’s English Language Requirements
- Be enrolled in Year 11 & 12 at any Australian high school, including the School of Distance Education.
- Be achieving a minimum B grade average.
- Be capable of undertaking university-level study on top of their school workload.
- Have written permission from their parent/carer to undertake the Scholar’s study.
- Have the approval of their school to participate in the Scholars program.
Important dates
- 3 August 2026 applications open
- 12 February 2027 applications close
- Unit enrolment opens in November 2026. Once you’ve accepted your offer, you can enrol in your Scholars unit from November 2026. Unit enrolment closes 10 March 2027. This is the last date that you can enrol in the Scholars unit. We strongly recommend that you enrol in your chosen unit as soon as you can.
- Orientation (online) is 4 March 2027 and is compulsory for all Scholars students
- Teaching starts 8 March 2027 and ends 16 April 2027
- Census date is 22 March 2027. This is the last date you can withdraw from the Scholars unit you are enrolled in.
Units of study
|
Unit |
Campus/Online |
Term |
Unit Aim |
Outcomes |
|
Introduction to Science for Health Professions |
Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore, Online |
Available Term 1 - 2027 |
This unit focuses on the underlying concepts of science essential for success in health studies. |
Understanding of foundational scientific concepts that are essential for successful tertiary study in health.
|
|
Language and Learning in Your Discipline |
Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore, Online |
Available Term 1 - 2027 |
This unit introduces students to learning skills for university study, communication skills, and reading and writing conventions within university discipline focused study. |
Learning skills for university study.
|
|
Nature of Science |
Online |
Available Term 1 - 2027 |
This unit introduces students to the nature of science through four core scientific disciplines: chemistry, physics, biology and geology. |
Understanding of key concepts across four scientific disciplines.
|
|
A Culture of Enquiry |
Gold Coast, Online |
Available Term 1 - 2027 |
This unit develops students’ understanding of the university culture of scholarship whilst developing their critical thinking and information literacy skills. |
Critical thinking and its application. Improve judgement making processes. This unit is linked to the following courses:
|
Frequently asked questions
The Southern Cross Scholars program is free to participate in.
There are no tuition fees for the unit, and all required learning resources are provided online. No textbooks are required.
Once you have commenced your studies, we do recommend signing up for one of the Student Associations to get the most out of your university experience, though this is not compulsory.
No, you do not need to visit campus if you choose the online study option.
All classes and program activities can be completed online. You will be invited to attend Orientation before the program begins, and you can choose to participate either online or on campus.
The assessment tasks and number of assessments vary depending on the unit you choose.
Assessment requirements may change from year to year, so the best source of information is the Teaching and Assessment section on your chosen unit's webpage. Typical assessment tasks may include online quizzes and written assignments.
COMM1004: A Culture of Enquiry
Southern Cross Scholars students have access to a range of university support services throughout the program.
These services include academic and study support, wellbeing services, careers and employment support, and Indigenous student support. Additional support is also available through the College Connect strategy.
Please see the Services and Support webpage for more information.
Yes, you can still apply if you are unsure whether your grades meet the entry requirements.
If you are uncertain about your eligibility, we recommend discussing your current results and your plans to apply with your school. They can help you decide whether the program is a good option for you.
Applying for Southern Cross Scholars is a simple online process completed through the Southern Cross University application page.
The initial application form takes about 15 minutes to complete. After you submit your application, you will be asked to provide signed declaration forms from your parent or carer and a letter of recommendation from your school.
Students attend one tutorial and one workshop each week.
This includes:
- One two-hour tutorial each week, delivered online or on campus depending on your enrolment choice
- One one-hour online workshop each week
Students also complete a weekly interactive learning module in preparation for their tutorial.
Most students spend between 10 and 20 hours per week on the Scholars program. There are 6 weeks in total.
This includes:
- Three hours of scheduled classes each week (one two-hour tutorial and one one-hour workshop)
- Approximately five to ten hours completing weekly learning modules
- Approximately five to ten hours working on assessments
Students often spend more time on assessments when due dates are approaching, so it is important to plan your study time throughout the program.
The Southern Cross Scholars unit contributes two credit points towards the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), but it does not contribute to the calculation of an ATAR.
The unit does not contribute towards the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC). It also does not contribute to the calculation of an ATAR in New South Wales.
Successful completion of the Southern Cross Scholars program provides a direct pathway into eligible Southern Cross University courses.
After completing the program, you will receive a link to apply for an eligible Southern Cross University course. You do not need to apply through Southern Cross Early Offer, UAC or QTAC.
Students who are eligible for one of the University's merit-based undergraduate scholarships will automatically receive a scholarship offer valued at $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000.
You must accept your course offer (and scholarship offer, if applicable) before starting your studies. Course and scholarship offers can be deferred for up to one year.
* Please note the following courses are not part of the Southern Cross Scholars program: Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Counselling, Bachelor of Midwifery, Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine.