Nathan smiling sitting cross-legged with notebook and pen

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

  • Duration

    35 weeks full-time

  • Location

  • Placement

    No  

  • Course abbreviation

    CareerStart

  • Course code

    9509910

  • Credit points

    48

  • Equivalent units

    5

  • 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

    March, June, October

  • Duration

    35 weeks full-time

  • Location

    Gold Coast

  • Placement

    No  

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

Overview

Career Start is just as it sounds — the beginning of your future. We’ll help you refine your English language and academic skills, setting you on the path to study in Australia and to achieving your career dream.

Whether you choose the cool, green surroundings of the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, or the beachside buzz of the Gold Coast, our campuses are stunning locations for your studies.

Career Start begins with 10 weeks of English followed by four units of academic study aligned to your chosen field. This can be business, tourism and hospitality, science or the arts.

This course is offered by SCU College which works with you and for you along the way, offering support through College Connect and additional workshops to develop your academic and study skills.

Successful completion of Career Start makes you eligible for credit into our Diploma of Business or Diploma of Science.

Inderjot Bajwa, SCU graduate stands in a blueberry farm holding a branch of one of the bushes, under a tent that's protecting the crop

“When I found out about the intensive six-week Transition to Uni course, I applied and got in and it really helped me get the start I needed at uni – I wouldn’t have been able to study a degree without it.”

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).

Streams available in this course for students to choose from include:

  • Arts
  • Business
  • Science
  • Tourism and Hospitality.

Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3, Term  5$13,340 ($2,668 per unit)096807M

Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Career Outcomes

This is a pathway course for study abroad students.

Students who successfully complete the Career Start (Study Abroad) course may receive up to four units of credit towards the Diploma of Business or the Diploma of Science.

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

Applicants for admission to candidature to the Career Start (Study Abroad) program must have an education qualification recognised as equivalent to having successfully completed Australian Year 12; and be a minimum of 18 years old at the start of the program.

Applicants must also have an assessable entry qualification from a country where English is the main language and where the medium of instruction for that qualification was English, or have completed an International English Language Test (or comparable test scores*) with:

  • a minimum overall score of 5.0 and a minimum score of 4.5 in each subtest (or comparable test scores*).
  • in order to successfully complete the core unit and progress to elective units students must complete ENGL1002 with SCU College Exit Test scores of 5.5 overall and a minimum score of 5.0 in each subtest.
* comparable scores include SCU College Placement Test scores, CPE, CAE and TOEFL PBT (see www.scu.edu.au/englishskills)
 

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
Overall Score5.0
Reading4.5
Writing4.5
Listening4.5
Speaking4.5

Course requirements

To successfully complete the Career Start (Study Abroad), students must complete English for Academic Purposes and the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising:

  • 1 specialisation (48 credit points)

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

Year 1

Complete the unit English for Academic Purposes in the commencing term before progressing through this program.
ENGL1002English for Academic Purposes
*
0 Note 1
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold CoastN/A
*

* This unit is normally offered in 5 week blocks throughout the year. Students may enrol in 1 to 50 weeks depending on their English language proficiency on entry and the level aimed for at completion.

Enrolment information* This unit is normally offered in 5 week blocks throughout the year. Students may enrol in 5 to 50 weeks depending on their English language proficiency on entry and the level aimed for at completion.
Complete the following unit:
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12 Note 1
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1,3
Term1,3
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Choose three units from the following:
MATH1003Quantitative Methods with Economics
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1
Term1,3,5
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term3
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Anti-requisitesCannot be taken if already completed or enrolled in MATH1001 - Foundation Mathematics
BUSN1007The Interconnected World
Summer Term
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term2,4
Summer Term
Term2,4
MelbourneN/A
Summer Term
Term2,4
Online
Summer Term
Term2,4
Summer Term
Term2,4
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term2,4
PerthN/A
Summer Term
Term2,4
SydneyN/A
Summer Term
Term2,4
BUSN1008Business Practice and Impact
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
MelbourneN/A
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term4
PerthN/A
Term2,4
SydneyN/A
Term2,4
COMM1005A Culture of Dialogue
Summer Term
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
MelbourneN/A
Term2,4
Online
Summer Term
Term2,4
Summer Term
Term2
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term2
PerthN/A
Term2,4
SydneyN/A
Term2,4
BUSN2001Professional Development for the Workplace
Term2,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2,5
Term2,5
MelbourneN/A
Term2,5
Online
Term2,5
Term2
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port Moresby
Term5
Term2,5
PerthN/A
Term2,5
SydneyN/A
Term2,5
Anti-requisitesSPRT3001 - Work Integrated Learning in Exercise Science
MRKT1001Marketing Principles
Dual Term2
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
China - TUSTN/A
Dual Term2
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3
SydneyN/A
Term1,3
COMM1004A Culture of Enquiry
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term3
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
BUSN1004Starting a Business
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1,3
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
BUSN1006Solving Wicked Problems
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1,3
PerthN/A
Term1,3
SydneyN/A
Term1,3
TOUR1003Service Quality Management
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Anti-requisitesTOUR1002 - Hospitality Services Management
TOUR2010Tourist Behaviour and Interactions
Term3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3,5
Term3,5
Online
Term3,5
N/A

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Year 1

Complete the unit English for Academic Purposes in the commencing term before progressing through this program.
ENGL1002English for Academic Purposes
*
0 Note 1
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold CoastN/A
*

* This unit is normally offered in 5 week blocks throughout the year. Students may enrol in 1 to 50 weeks depending on their English language proficiency on entry and the level aimed for at completion.

Enrolment information* This unit is normally offered in 5 week blocks throughout the year. Students may enrol in 5 to 50 weeks depending on their English language proficiency on entry and the level aimed for at completion.
Complete the following unit:
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
12 Note 1
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
China - Guangxi USTN/A
Term5
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Lismore
Term1,3
Term1,3
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Choose three units from the following:
POLT1002World Politics and Global Environmental Challenges
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
CLST1004Critical Thinking for Digital Times
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
BUSN1007The Interconnected World
Summer Term
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term2,4
Summer Term
Term2,4
MelbourneN/A
Summer Term
Term2,4
Online
Summer Term
Term2,4
Summer Term
Term2,4
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term2,4
PerthN/A
Summer Term
Term2,4
SydneyN/A
Summer Term
Term2,4
COMM1005A Culture of Dialogue
Summer Term
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2,4
Term2,4
MelbourneN/A
Term2,4
Online
Summer Term
Term2,4
Summer Term
Term2
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term2
PerthN/A
Term2,4
SydneyN/A
Term2,4
MATH1003Quantitative Methods with Economics
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1
Term1,3,5
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term3
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Anti-requisitesCannot be taken if already completed or enrolled in MATH1001 - Foundation Mathematics
POLT1001Australian Politics
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
CLST2002Australia, Asia and the World
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
COMM1004A Culture of Enquiry
Term1,3,5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,5
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term3
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
CLST1001Perspectives on Australia
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A


Note 1:

This is a core unit.

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Students must complete ENGL1002 English for Academic Purposes first, before completing the remaining 4 units
ENGL1002English for Academic Purposes
Select one of the following Specialisations:

Specialisations

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Complete the following unit:
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Choose three units from the following:
MATH1003Quantitative Methods with Economics
MRKT1001Marketing Principles
COMM1005A Culture of Dialogue
COMM1004A Culture of Enquiry
BUSN1004Starting a Business
BUSN1006Solving Wicked Problems
BUSN1007The Interconnected World
BUSN1008Business Practice and Impact
BUSN2001Professional Development for the Workplace
ECON1001Economics for Decision Making
TOUR1003Service Quality Management
TOUR2010Tourist Behaviour and Interactions

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
Complete the following unit:
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Choose three units from the following:
MATH1003Quantitative Methods with Economics
CLST2002Australia, Asia and the World
INDG1001Indigenous World-Views
CLST1004Critical Thinking for Digital Times
COMM1005A Culture of Dialogue
COMM1004A Culture of Enquiry
CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
POLT1002World Politics and Global Environmental Challenges
BUSN1007The Interconnected World
CLST1001Perspectives on Australia
POLT1001Australian Politics

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.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

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 for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

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  1. Check requirements
  2. Get supporting documents ready
  3. Choose where and when from the available options

Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

Choose where you want to study

International students studying in Australia

Gold Coast

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.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

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

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

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

Find a pathway