School Guide to Assessing STAR Applications
School Guide to Assessing STAR Applications
This guide provides a description of the types of skills and attributes expected from students enrolling in Southern Cross University courses.
Courses available for STAR Early Offer program
Study areas/subjects:
- Business and Tourism
- Engineering
- Marine and Environmental Science
- Health Sciences
- Nursing
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
- Indigenous Knowledge
- Digital Media and Information Technology
- Law and Justice
- Media and Creative Arts
- Education and Teaching
- Pathway program
Business and Tourism
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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Business students require strong analytical and mathematics skills and sound literacy. Students should be passing all Year 12 subjects and have, as a minimum, above average performance in Maths A (QLD) / 2 Unit Math (NSW). |
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Students wanting to undertake a double degree with Arts also need to be passing all of their Year 12 subjects, with above average results in HSIE, Social Sciences and/or English/English Communication subjects. |
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Students with an interest in studying Tourism degrees require sound analytical skills and would ideally have succeeded in Business Studies or Tourism or Hospitality VET courses in Year 12. Strong interpersonal skills are highly valued in the Tourism industry. |
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This degree will provide core knowledge in hotel and resort management including specialist industry skills in service design and innovation, accommodation operations, food and beverage management, asset protection and security. |
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The one-year Diploma of Hotel Management provides novice students the opportunity to develop their academic skills and discipline knowledge of hospitality-related businesses, focusing on management |
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The one-year course gives students the opportunity to develop their academic and business skills in areas of digital business, finance, management, economics and accounting. Completion of the diploma will guarantee entry into, and credit towards a range of Associate and Bachelor degrees. |
Engineering
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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Engineering requires excellent maths skills; students will have completed Mathematics (NSW), Engineering Studies (NSW) or Maths B (QLD). Students need to have achieved 70% or above in their trial HSC or mid-year exams. Students who are not yet achieving at this level may be recommended for the Preparing for Success Program. |
Marine and Environmental Science
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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The Bachelor of Science prepares students for employment or research careers that address challenges in maintaining sustainable use and restoration of natural resources. Each major allows students to focus on a particular area of interest in Environmental Science, Marine Science, Forest Science or Regenerative Agriculture. |
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The Diploma of Science is a one-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) course that equips students with foundational knowledge and skills in areas including environmental, health and physical sciences such as engineering. |
Health Sciences
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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While strong interpersonal skills are an asset in many healthcare fields, students interested in studying Health Science courses must have strong results in English, Maths and Science to succeed at University. Students wanting to study Psychology will need to pass all of their Year 12 subjects with above average results in mathematics and/or statistics. |
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The Diploma of Health will help build student’s academic skills while achieving this two-year university qualification. Eligible graduates can cross-over into the Bachelor degrees in Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies), Psychological Science, Speech Pathology, Sport and Exercise Science and Occupational Therapy with credit. |
Nursing
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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While strong interpersonal skills are an asset in many healthcare fields, students interested in studying Nursing must have strong results in English, Maths and Science. SCU’s Nursing degree requires high levels of numeracy and literacy. SCU does not accept Certificate III in Aged Care as a basis for admission into the Bachelor of Nursing. Students who cannot demonstrate strong results in English, Maths and Science, should be recommended for Preparing for Success, to build their academic skills. Preparing for Success can be completed in one study session and is free of fees. |
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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Students interested in degrees in Arts, Writing, Community Welfare require sound academic achievement (passing all their year 12 subjects) with above average results in the HSIE, Social Sciences and/or English/English Communication subject areas. |
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The Diploma of Arts and Social Sciences is a one-year (full-time or part-time equivalent) pathway course that equips students with foundational knowledge and skills in the Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. The diploma offers streams in discipline areas for students to choose from, such as: Media Studies; Cultural Studies; Communication Studies; Politics and Society; English and Writing; Social Welfare; History; and Education. |
Indigenous Knowledge
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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Students interested in studying the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge require to passing all their Year 12 subjects with above average results in the HSIE or Social Sciences subject areas. |
Digital Media and Information Technology
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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Students need strong analytical skills, be passing all of their Year 12 subjects and have above average performance in computer studies. |
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Students interested in Digital Media will be adept at storytelling across a range of mediums, from text to web and video. |
Law and Justice
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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The Bachelor of Laws, with its associated double degrees, is the accredited degree for admission as a lawyer. SCU’s School of Law and Justice is distinctive for its commitment to social justice. Students recommended for Law courses need to have achieved 70% or above in their trial HSC or mid-year exams. To succeed in the Bachelor of Laws students need to have demonstrated strong academic performance with excellent skills in English and/or English Extension (QLD) or Advanced English (NSW). In addition students wanting to undertake a double degree with Law should also demonstrate skills in their chosen subject area. |
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The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies and the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) provide a vocational qualification suitable for employment in law related areas (such as policy development and compliance) and as a Paralegal. These degrees also provide a pathway into the Bachelor of Laws. Students who have achieved good results in HSIE, Social Sciences and/or English/English Communication subjects can be recommended for the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) or the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies. |
Media and Creative Arts
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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Students recommended for Contemporary Music and Art and Design will have successfully undertaken a related course as a Year 12 subject, such as Music or Visual Arts. Students wanting to study Art and Design will be asked to submit a portfolio and attend an interview. Students wanting to study Contemporary Music will be required to attend a music audition. |
Education and Teaching
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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Our Education degrees ensure a comprehensive foundation for our education students in relevant discipline areas like Mathematics, English and Science. Students recommended for Education courses need to have achieved 70% or above in their trial HSC or mid-year exams and should have demonstrated high academic achievement in English, Mathematics and Science. Additionally, applicants for initial teaching courses must submit a 1,000-word personal statement outlining their non-academic capabilities. See education non-academic requirements for further information. These entry requirements will ensure that our courses produce teachers with high levels of academic capability, literacy and numeracy skills and the personal characteristics required by contemporary teachers. |
Pathway program
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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This award-winning program will teach student how to manage their time, write essays, undertake research and apply mathematical concepts — providing them with the skills needed to succeed at university and the confidence to progress towards their chosen career. |
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This intensive 6-week course is designed to provide required skills, confidence, and an entry pathway into a Southern Cross University degree. Students will develop academic literacies, numeracies, and time management skills as well as scientific and quantitative concepts. |
The information contained in this document is correct at time of publication and the University reserves the right to make alterations to any information without notice.