Strong demand for SCU courses

Southern Cross University’s Coffs Harbour campus has had a 47 per cent jump in the number of first preference applications for study in 2005, despite an overall downturn in university applications around the country.

SCU’s Tweed Gold Coast Campus also experienced an increase in first preference applications of 27 per cent, bringing the total number of first preferences to 175, up from 138 recorded at the same time last year.

SCU Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Clark said he was extremely pleased with the increases across the University.

“We have just approved a $3 million expansion at the Coffs Harbour campus to provide increased facilities for staff and students at this campus,” Professor Clark said.

“The rise in applications at Coffs Harbour and Tweed Gold Coast is testimony of our commitment to offer quality education programs in this region.”

Professor Clark said Coffs Harbour, which received an additional 100 Commonwealth-funded places for next year, had a bright future ahead.

“We have had strong support from the local community, business and industry through scholarships and we look forward to increasing our links through research.”

Professor Clark said while the overall demand for places at SCU was down slightly, SCU had fared better than the state average decline of 3.6 per cent. It also followed on from two years of higher-than average growth at SCU.

“I’m pleased that the slight overall reduction in first-preference applications is less than the State average and I attribute that to our decision not to increase HECS.”

Across the university the biggest growth areas have been in the: Bachelor of Business Hotel and Resort Management at Coffs Harbour, which has had a 77 per cent jump in applications; the Bachelor of Business at Lismore, with a rise in first preference applications of 43 per cent; Bachelor of Arts (Lismore) up 48 per cent; Bachelor of Media (Lismore) up 46 per cent; Bachelor of Human Movement Science (Lismore) up 19 per cent; and Bachelor of Technology Education (Coffs Harbour) up 17 per cent.

Professor Clark said the increase in applications in the Tourism and Hospitality field was particularly pleasing as the industry had been through difficult times.

“This reflects SCU’s excellent reputation as a leader in education in this field.”

Late applications for places at SCU can be made through UAC and QTAC until February, while external and post-graduate applications can be made directly to the university.

For information, contact the SCU Application Hotline on 1800 626 481.

Media contact: Brigid Veale, SCU Media Liaison, 66593006 or m. 0439 680 748.