Student standing with trees in background

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    March, July

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

  • Location

    Online
    Online students attend compulsory residential workshops at Lismore campus for some units.

  • Placement

    No  

  • Course abbreviation

    BIndigK

  • Course code

    3009250

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

  • Duration

    3 years full-time

  • Location

  • Placement

    No  

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

Southern Cross University is renowned for its commitment to Indigenous education. The Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge is an important part of that dedication towards better environmental, social and economic outcomes.

The course generates greater understanding of Indigenous world views, by exploring histories, knowledge systems, determinants of health and wellbeing and ways of living, in a culturally diverse and supportive environment. You will build theoretical and practical capability in areas including cultural protocols and Indigenous ways of knowing and being. You'll learn to engage with communities and work towards better environmental, social and economic outcomes. You can focus your degree with a major in Indigenous Knowledge or choose a shared major from disciplines across the University. 

Graduates may consider diverse career opportunities in government, commercial or social enterprise, land management, Indigenous tourism, and Aboriginal, family or environmental health.

Eligible graduates can also apply for further study through Honours and other postgraduate programs.

Student leaning against rail and smiling

“We look at a broad range of ideas and concepts. It’s a way of contextualising the world we live in. And for non-Indigenous people who want to work with Indigenous communities, it gives a better understanding of the context we live in.”

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Exercise analytical thinking, critical thinking and and reasoning and problem solving skills.

GA2: Creativity

Demonstrate innovative, sensitive, creative responses and solutions to challenges in cultural and Indigenous community contexts.

GA3: Ethical practice

Demonstrate a knowledge of, and commitment to, social responsibility, ethics and human rights in cultural and Indigenous contexts.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of cultural concepts and Indigenous ways of knowing and being including physical, social, political, ecological or cultural influences that impact Indigenous cultural settings.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Integrate responsibility for independent, self-directed learning and reflective practice including the ability to locate, analyse, evaluate, and use information from a range of sources.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Demonstrate collaboration, teamwork and communication skills in cultural and Indigenous settings through communicating sensitively and appropriately in oral and written forms.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate an understanding of Indigenous contemporary realities and protocols by applying and integrating social, Indigenous and cultural diversity, and respect for the identity of all persons.

You can focus your degree with a major in Indigenous Knowledge or design your own degree by choosing a shared major from disciplines across the University and combine more of your interests.

Eligible graduates of the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge can apply to undertake the one-year Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge with Honours, as a pathway to the Doctor of Indigenous Philosophies or to other postgraduate programs in the University.

Location Teaching period
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3

Career Outcomes

Career opportunities exist in project management or administration with Indigenous, government or community-based organisations, especially those with a focus on Indigenous issues. Typical career sectors include: health services, paralegal work, social welfare, environmental management, education or business.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.0
Listeningminimum 5.5
Readingminimum 5.5
Speakingminimum 5.5
Writingminimum 5.5

Credit for prior learning

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is available for this course. For more information please view the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge RPL guide.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

  • 16 core units (192 credit points), and
  • 1 major (96 credit points) OR
  • 1 shared major (96 credit points) OR
  • 8 university wide electives (96 credit points).

Exit Awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Indigenous Knowledge after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points) comprising 8 core units and 8 elective/major units.

Students may be eligible to exit with the Diploma of Indigenous Knowledge after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points) comprising 5 core units and 3 elective units.

Other things to consider

As part of our commitment to admissions transparency, the University provides a snapshot of how students were admitted to their courses and the profile of students studying with us here.

There are different pathways into an undergraduate degree.

Whether you are returning to study after some time or you have just finished school and you need some extra academic preparation before embarking on a degree, Southern Cross University offers two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.

SCU College also offers a range of one-year Diplomas that provide extra academic support as you commence university. Diplomas are a great pathway to a degree and may also prepare you for diverse paraprofessional roles.

Learn more

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more

The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.

Learn more


Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

INDG1006Indigenous Scholarship
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,3
N/A
INDG1004Aboriginal Cultural Strengths
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
INDG1002Indigenous Knowledge
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2,4
N/A
INDG2003Country, Culture and Heritage
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2,4
N/A
INDG3001Caring for Country
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3,5
Term3,5
Enrolment informationThis unit has a compulsory 5-day residential for internal and online students.
INDG5001Living Knowledge: The Rights of Country
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3,5
N/A
INDG1011Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Issues
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term4
N/A
INDG1003The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term4
N/A

Second Year

INDG1010Trauma and Resilience I
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1
Term1
INDG1009Colonising Histories
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
INDG2015Aboriginal Social Enterprise I
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2
N/A
INDG2008Racism and Eugenics
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3
N/A
INDG2012Indigenous Rights
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3
Term3
INDG2013Aboriginal Community Organisations: Ethics and Sustainability
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term4
N/A
INDG3004Indigenous Australians in Education
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term4
N/A

Third Year

INDG2010Indigenous Health Promotion I
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG1007Introduction to Indigenous Research
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG2005Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2
N/A
Enrolment informationThis unit has a compulsory 5-day residential for internal and online students at the Lismore campus.
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
INDG2011Aboriginal Social Realities
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3
N/A
INDG3002Independent Study: Indigenous Research Project
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3,5
N/A
Pre-requisitesINDG1007 - Introduction to Indigenous Research
INDG2016Aboriginal Social Enterprise II
Term1,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,4
N/A
Pre-requisitesINDG2015 - Aboriginal Social Enterprise I
INDG3003Working with Aboriginal Communities II (Professional Placement)
Term1,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,4
N/A
Pre-requisitesINDG2005 - Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

INDG1006Indigenous Scholarship
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,3
N/A
INDG1004Aboriginal Cultural Strengths
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
INDG1002Indigenous Knowledge
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2,4
N/A
INDG2003Country, Culture and Heritage
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2,4
N/A
INDG3001Caring for Country
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3,5
Term3,5
Enrolment informationThis unit has a compulsory 5-day residential for internal and online students.
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG1011Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Issues
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term4
N/A
INDG1003The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term4
N/A

Second Year

Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG1009Colonising Histories
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1
N/A
INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
INDG2015Aboriginal Social Enterprise I
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2
N/A
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG2012Indigenous Rights
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3
Term3
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG3004Indigenous Australians in Education
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term4
N/A

Third Year

INDG2010Indigenous Health Promotion I
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1
N/A
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
INDG2005Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term2
N/A
Enrolment informationThis unit has a compulsory 5-day residential for internal and online students at the Lismore campus.
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
INDG3002Independent Study: Indigenous Research Project
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term3,5
N/A
Pre-requisitesINDG1007 - Introduction to Indigenous Research
Shared Major Unit OR Elective
Shared Major Unit OR Elective


Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes

Core Units

INDG1006Indigenous Scholarship
INDG1002Indigenous Knowledge
INDG1004Aboriginal Cultural Strengths
INDG2005Working with Aboriginal Communities I (Professional Engagement)
INDG3002Independent Study: Indigenous Research Project
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
INDG1009Colonising Histories
INDG2012Indigenous Rights
INDG1003The Mental Health of Australian Indigenous Peoples
INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
INDG2003Country, Culture and Heritage
INDG1011Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Issues
INDG3004Indigenous Australians in Education
INDG3001Caring for Country
INDG2015Aboriginal Social Enterprise I
INDG2010Indigenous Health Promotion I
Students can select either the below listed Indigenous Knowledge major (96 credit points), OR one university shared major (96 credit points) OR eight elective units (96 credit points) from university wide offerings.

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
INDG1007Introduction to Indigenous Research
INDG1010Trauma and Resilience I
INDG2016Aboriginal Social Enterprise II
INDG2008Racism and Eugenics
INDG2011Aboriginal Social Realities
INDG5001Living Knowledge: The Rights of Country
INDG2013Aboriginal Community Organisations: Ethics and Sustainability
INDG3003Working with Aboriginal Communities II (Professional Placement)

Why Indigenous Knowledge at SCU

Culturally safe

We deliver a culturally safe, dynamic and innovative course for all people

Strong links

Strong links with local Elders and communities as well as international relationships

Pathways

Pathways to Honours and Postgraduate programs through the Bachelor of Indigenous Knowledge

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to delivering a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

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Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

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Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

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Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

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