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.
Download PDF version of STAR Early Offer - Assessment Guide.
Courses available for STAR Early Offer program
Study areas/subjects:
- Business and Tourism
- Engineering and Science
- Marine and Environmental Science
- Health Sciences
- Nursing and Midwifery
- 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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Digital Business requires students to be passing all of their Year 12 subjects with above average results in Year 12 mathematics and computer studies. |
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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 and Science
| 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. |
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The Bachelor of Science provides students with a broad education in science as well as the opportunity to specialise in human biology, environmental chemistry, biology, engineering, information technology, psychology and mathematics. The degree is ideal for attaining a general overview of science and offers flexibility in subject choices, enabling students to tailor their study to their learning goals. |
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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. |
Marine and Environmental Science
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
|---|---|
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Environmental Science and other science degrees require students to have strong analytical skills and demonstrated competency in maths and science subjects. Students should be passing all Year 12 subjects and have above average performance in one or more science subjects. |
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 be passing 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), Pedorthics, Podiatry, Psychological Science, Speech Pathology, Sport and Exercise Science and Occupational Therapy with credit. |
Nursing and Midwifery
| 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 recommended for Midwifery need to have achieved 70% or above in their trial HSC or mid-year exams and will have completed English, Maths B, Chemistry and Biology to succeed at University. 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, Social Science or Social 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. |
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 and Communications 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 Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) and the Bachelor of Legal and Justice 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 undertake the Performance and/or Songwriting/Composition streams in the Bachelor of Music may be required to attend an audition. |
Education and Teaching
| Course | Assessment guidelines |
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Our education degrees are combined with a Bachelor of Arts to 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 12-week program will teach students 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.