Frequently Asked Questions

At Southern Cross University, we have transformed the way study is delivered. The Southern Cross Model delivers a deeper, immersive learning experience for students centred on greater interactivity and connection with real-world applications. The shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation. Student success rates, overall grades and teacher satisfaction have all increased under the Southern Cross Model. The academic year is divided into six terms of six-weeks, with a two-week break between terms. Most full-time students will study two units a term for four terms - a total of eight units per year.

Depending on your course, it may be possible to take a term off when you need to, or do more study when you can.

You are considered a domestic student if you are:

• an Australian citizen
• an Australian permanent resident, or
• a New Zealand citizen.

You are considered an international student if you:

• hold an Australian temporary visa (including student visas)
• are a permanent resident of New Zealand, or
• are a citizen of any other country and you do not have an Australian visa.

Yes, you can visit campus by registering for one of our upcoming campus tours or open day. These give you the chance to explore our facilities, speak with course and study advisors, and learn more about courses, the application process, student life, and support services. 

Yes, Southern Cross University holds Open Days on each campus every year. Open Days let you explore our campuses and courses, take a guided tour with current students, and learn about student life and support services. 

We also encourage you to register for one of our regular campus tours. You'll have the chance to explore our world-class facilities, meet with study experts, and learn more about courses, the application process, student life, and the support services available.

No matter where you are, you can access a quality university education with flexible online study.

Students may receive a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

Some units may require attendance at university or workshops for a set period of time, such as a week or weekend during the session. To find out more, contact our Future Students team.

Use our comprehensive services and support to maximise your student experience and achieve your goals. We've got you covered from the moment you accept your offer through to graduation:

• First Year Support
• Learning and academic skills support
• Wellbeing support
• Personal support
• Ways to get involved
• Campus facilities

Our commitment to ensuring you succeed in your study with us is detailed in the Support for Students Policy. 

Our campuses are located in northern NSW, Sydney and south-eastern QLD.

• Lismore campus
• Coffs Harbour campus
• Gold Coast campus

Our branch campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth give international students the opportunity to study undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in some of the world's most liveable cities. These campuses are also home to our award-winning Hotel School courses, which are also available at our Gold Coast campus.

The courses on offer vary between campuses. Our course search can be used to see which locations are available for each course. You can also use the Location search filter to display all courses available at your desired campus or campuses.

Southern Cross University offers services to help you find accommodation at one of our on-campus residential colleges (UniLodge Lismore and Coffs Harbour) or private rental off-campus (UniStays).

The teaching term dates vary from year to year, you find the relevant dates in our teaching calendar.

Application and study dates are listed on two separate pages, depending on what you need.

For dates related to your application, offer, and enrolment, visit the Domestic Key Application Dates and International Key Application Dates.

For dates related to your studies, such as intake start and end dates, enrolment cut-offs, census dates, and grade publication, visit the Key Dates/Teaching Calendar page.

We recommend downloading these two apps for your studies:

• Blackboard Mobile – Access your learning materials, announcements, grades, discussions, and tasks.
• Outlook – We use your student email for all official university communications, so it's important to stay on top of your inbox and not miss important reminders or deadlines. 

Both apps can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play and accessed using your student login details.

As a new student without a student ID number, you can apply directly from our course page by clicking the yellow "Apply for this course" button and selecting "Start your application." You can search our courses to find your course page. Follow the steps and be sure to attach all relevant qualifications and your resume.

Need help? We're happy to guide you through the process, reach out to our Future Students team.

If you’ve applied before or are a current student, apply using your existing student ID. After clicking "Apply for this course," select the yellow "Resume your application" button. You may not need to re-upload qualifications if they’re already on file.

You can search our courses to find your course page. Follow the steps and be sure to attach all relevant qualifications and your resume.

Need help? We're happy to guide you through the process, reach out to our Future Students team.

You can apply directly through our online application portal.

As a non-school leaver, include a detailed resume and any prior education qualifications with your application, as these are used to assess your entry. Our Admissions Team will review your application and may contact you to discuss Pathway programs if these could help you meet entry requirements.

Visit our How to apply page for more information.

Yes, you'll need to attach supporting documents to your application. What you need to include depends on your situation, but generally covers:

• All qualifications, transcripts, and certificates
• A detailed resume
• Visa or relevant paperwork, if you're a permanent resident or under humanitarian protection
• A birth certificate or passport, if you're a New Zealand citizen
• English language test results, if you've completed one

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Future Students team.

You can submit your application without the attachments and then email the documents to admissions@scu.edu.au 

Please be sure to include your name, course, student ID (if applicable), and a note about the documents for processing.

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Future Students team.

Entry ranks and pre-requisites may be different for each course. To find this information, search or browse for a course. Once you have retrieved results click on the course name to view the course information.

The entry rank is listed under 'Domestic' or 'International' tab and will be displayed as ATAR /OP equivalent, which is based on your year 12 results or or your highest level of education.

Go here to calculate your rank

Once you receive your offer by email, you’ll find all the details you need to accept and get started right there. 

You can also follow the step-by-step instructions on our page to accept your offer and enrol in your units.

If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our Client Services Team at 1800 SC HELP (1800 72 4357). We’re here to help!

If you have gained knowledge, skills, and abilities through previous study or experience, you can apply to have your prior learning recognised when you apply to become a Southern Cross University student. You can apply to have your previous studies, knowledge and skills recognised via the process of advanced standing.

This is requested at the time of application submission by selecting 'yes' to an advanced standing assessment and uploading supporting documentation. If you can demonstrate that you already know, understand and can perform the learning outcomes required for Southern Cross University units, you may receive credit, which may shorten the length of your course and save you money.

For more information on the types of prior learning that can be considered, frequently asked questions, tools to estimate the credit you might receive, how to apply, and links to supporting documents, guides and articulation information for organisations wanting to partner with Southern Cross University to create university pathways, please refer to our credit for prior study or experience page.

To ensure a smooth process, we recommend submitting your application for credit for prior study or experience (advanced standing) alongside your application into your preferred course. For detailed information on how to apply, please visit our credit for recognition of prior learning website.

Alternatively, if you have already submitted your application you can apply through the MyEnrolment portal.

This means you already have an SCU ID number. You’ll need to apply through MyEnrolment using your student ID. If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" function.

If there are issues, please contact our IT Help Desk on 02 6620 3698.

If you've accidentally created two ID numbers, this will be fixed by our Admissions Team. You may see a "duplicate ID" notice, and your application could take up to 7 working days to process as we consolidate your records. You will be sent an email confirming when your IDs have been processed.

Most of our degrees don't require specific school subject prerequisites, but each course still has its own entry requirements, such as minimum ATAR, prior qualifications, or work experience. You can find the specific entry requirements for your course of interest on its individual course page. Search for your course here.

You'll typically hear back about your application within 5 to 10 working days. We'll contact you by email, so check your inbox regularly (including your junk/spam folder) for updates.

You must be 18 by March 1 of the year you plan to start or have completed Year 12 to apply. If you're under 18 and haven’t completed Year 12, you can submit an application with additional documentation, including a letter from your school and a personal statement. This will be assessed by the Admissions Team.

It depends on whether there's another offering of the same degree in the same year.

If there is, our Admissions Team may be able to reactivate your lapsed offer - contact them at admissions@scu.edu.au with the course name, specialisation, term, and location you're interested in.

If there's no new offering available, you'll need to submit a new application through MyEnrolment using your student ID.

How you change your course location depends on your application status. If you’ve already accepted your offer, you’ll need to fill out this form to change your location. 

If your application is still pending or you've only received an offer (not yet accepted), please email your request to the Admissions Team at admissions@scu.edu.au 

The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) and the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) make applying to university easy and accessible for students. These centers handle most on-campus undergraduate applications, providing a streamlined process for entry into university.

You can apply through either UAC or QTAC, no matter where you are located in Australia, giving you flexibility and choice in managing your application. Both platforms offer clear guidance and resources to support you every step of the way. Whether you're close by or applying from afar, UAC and QTAC are here to help make your university journey start smoothly.

For undergraduate courses that are applied for via UAC or QTAC, offers are released on various dates and these dates are called 'offer rounds'. Normally, the earlier that you apply the more offer rounds you can be considered for.

Most offers are made in the Main Round of a given intake. Check the UAC or QTAC websites for key dates for offer rounds, including last dates to apply and submit supporting documents.

Yes, you can apply using an old HSC rank or ATAR, even if you completed it several years ago. Attach any relevant documents to your application; if you no longer have your results, our Admissions Team can retrieve older records on your behalf. Also include any other qualifications and a resume to support your application.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to the Future Students team.

Yes, you can apply even if you didn't complete Year 12. Include a detailed resume and any other education or work qualifications with your application, as these are used to assess your entry.

Our Admissions Team will review your application and may contact you to discuss pathway options if these could help you meet entry requirements.

Apply now.

Yes, you can apply if you completed Year 12 at TAFE. We assess a range of Year 12 qualifications, including those completed through TAFE, and offer various study options and pathway programs to help you meet entry requirements.

Your application will follow the process below:

1. Submit your application via the online StudyLink application portal.
2. Your application is received by the Admissions Team who will conduct an initial assessment to see whether you meet the academic and English language requirements for entry into your preferred course.
3. If your initial assessment is successful, you may receive an unconditional offer, a conditional offer listing the remaining documentation you are required to provide to finalise your application, or a provisional offer with GSR and GSS as conditions. See our New International Student Page for more information about actioning your offer.
4. Log in to your Student Portal to accept your offer.
5. If you receive a provisional offer requiring a GSR and GSS assessment, once you have successfully passed your GSR and GSS assessment, you will be issued an official conditional offer listing the remaining documents that you are required to provide to finalise your application.
6. If applicable, once any outstanding conditions on your offer are satisfied, you will be instructed to proceed to payment.
7. Pay your deposit following the instructions in your offer letter.
8. Once your tuition deposit has been received, we will issue your CoE if required and admit you into the course.
9. Our Client Services Team will be in contact to assist you and ensure you get enrolled into the correct units. Please respond to their email as instructed.
10. Once you are enrolled, you can complete your via the MyEnrolment portal.
11. Get ready for uni! Explore our services and take advantage of support designed to set you up for success from day one. Complete your Orientation Week module via Blackboard and attend Orientation Week events and information sessions.

We recommend your application to study is submitted at least three months before you intend to start.

Apply online - Use our online application portal and complete the required details, and where required, attach documentation. Required documentation includes:

• English language test results (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL or other).
• Certified copy of academic transcripts (including grading system).
• Academic or employer references (if required).
• Detailed up to date resume.
• Advanced standing application.

Your previous study or work experience may reduce the duration of your degree. Providing these details with your application enables our Admissions Team to make a full assessment and provide you with an outcome.

More information can be found on our how to apply page.

View the list of countries that require the help of an Education Agent to apply. Our worldwide Education Agent branches can assist you with your application process to study at Southern Cross University. They can provide you with:

• Comprehensive Program Guidance: Accurate information about our University and courses and advice on entry requirements.
• Application Support: Assistance with application processing, including document verification and student visa application.
• Pre-Departure Services: Benefit from help with travel, accommodation, and pre-departure arrangements.

To find the contact details for the recruitment and agent management team member for your region, see our Global Contacts page.

In 2026 and 2027, International tuition fees for most courses* at Southern Cross University are set at an accessible fee per year, allowing our students to receive the best return on investment while pursuing genuine, high-quality education.

See our Access page for more information
_{*Courses excluded: Master of Nursing, Bachelor of Veterinary Technology, Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine, Study Abroad, English Language Programs, Higher Degree Research courses, and non-award programs.} 

The exact amount of initial deposit will be displayed on the Offer Letter once you receive it. There are a few factors affecting the amount of initial deposit. You are required to pay an initial deposit in full before you can be admitted into the course. You will also receive invoices for each term before the terms start when your initial deposit is exhausted.

For acceptable variations to English Language entry requirements, please refer to the English Language entry requirements page.

Yes, absolutely! If you have not already completed an English Language test, you can apply to study your preferred course and email the Admissions Team to advise them you would like to study the English Language Program as a package. Your Regional Manager will them arrange for you to complete a placement test so we can determine how many weeks of study in the English Language Program is required.

Unfortunately, we are not authorised to discuss any visa issues with students, you will need to speak to an education agent or visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.

Absolutely, you can download our International Student Guide for a complete overview of our campuses, Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses, and more.

Your position to study with SCU is confirmed when you have accepted your offer, met any outstanding conditions, paid your tuition deposit and have been admitted into the course.

SCU welcomes applications from students of other universities who want to study on a cross-institutional basis. For more information and step-by-step instructions, please refer to the how to apply for cross-institutional study page.

Unit costs are different depending on what category of student you are.

Both Domestic and International students can find the indicative course fees for your course under the Fees and Scholarships heading on the course page (search courses to find your course page).

See our Domestic Fee Information page for information regarding domestic students on Commonwealth-Supported Places, HELP loan schemes, tuition fees and Student Contribution Amounts (SCA).

HECS-HELP is a loan program providing eligible Commonwealth-supported students with financial assistance from the Australian Government. Through this program, the government covers the study costs as a loan, which is repaid once your income meets the compulsory repayment threshold. For more details, please visit the Australian Government's Study Assist website.

Commonwealth supported students are eligible to receive financial subsidy for their study from the Australian Government. The Australian Government contributes substantially to the cost of a Commonwealth-supported student’s education.

The remaining fee amount is called the Student Contribution Amount (SCA). This is the amount for which you will be liable. You are charged the SCA for every unit in which you are enrolled as a Commonwealth supported student. The fee is charged upon enrolment in the unit of study and incurred on census date.  Further information can be found on our domestic fee information page.

To be eligible for HECS-HELP you must be an Australian citizen or on a Humanitarian Visa with a valid tax file number. Other eligibility requirements apply; see the Australian Government's Study Assist website.

Eligibility for Austudy and Abstudy is decided by Services Australia (Centrelink), not by the university. Austudy is for full-time students aged 25 or over, while Abstudy supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking full-time study. Eligibility depends on factors such as your age, study load, and income, so you'll need to check your personal eligibility directly with Services Australia.

Visit the Services Australia Austudy page or Abstudy page for full eligibility criteria and to apply. 

Textbook requirements for each unit are confirmed in the Unit Outline, published on your Unit Learning Site in MySCU around two weeks before each study session begins. This is the official source for what you need to buy, so avoid purchasing textbooks earlier than this, as reading lists can change up until shortly before the session starts. Once confirmed, you can look up and order your textbooks through The School Locker.

You can find some information about study requirement and textbooks using SCU's Unit Search Tool.

The Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) provides Australian universities with a significant increase in funds available to maintain and improve essential services and amenities of a non-academic nature for students without reducing funding for teaching.

These funds can be used by universities to focus on student services that will support and enrich the student experience. SSAF is a Commonwealth Government legislated compulsory fee with restrictions on how much can be charged and how the funds are to be used. Some students are exempt from paying the SSAF, see SSAF fee schedules for details.

Students who are eligible to defer the SSAF should do so, by completing a SA-HELP form. If you choose to pay your SSAF upfront, payment must be made by the due date. Any remaining balance after the census date will be deferred to your SA-HELP loan. Students who are not eligible to defer payments will pay this fee directly to Southern Cross University.

More information can be found on our Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) page and SSAF Frequently Asked Questions.

No, most students won't need to be on campus every day.

How often you're on campus depends on how many units you're enrolled in and the specific classes you register for, so your schedule may vary.

Many units also offer online or flexible class options, which can further reduce how often you need to attend in person.

For a full-time study load, plan to spend 20–25 hours per unit each week, including 2–3 hours of scheduled class time. This time covers reading, assignments, and independent study alongside your classes. Actual time needed can vary depending on the unit and your own study habits.

We've created some step-by-step guides to accepting your offer and enrolling into your classes. 

If you are a domestic student (Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or New Zealand citizen) follow along on our new students page.

If you are an international student (hold an Australian temporary visa [including student visas]; are a permanent resident of New Zealand; or, are a citizen of any other country and you do not have an Australian visa), follow along on our international new students page.

To find out which units to enrol in for each teaching period, use the course search to check your course structure.

1. Visit the course search.
2. Type in your degree name and click Search.
3. From the list of results, choose the course you're studying.
4. Scroll down to the course structure section.
5. You'll see the recommended units for each teaching period, which you can use to plan your enrolment and stay on track.

If you've received RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning), you may have been given a personalised study plan from Client Services. If so, follow that plan instead when enrolling.

For more information, please see our helpful how-to guides and videos on enrolling. 

To enrol, watch the "How to enrol in units at Southern Cross University" videos and follow these steps:

1. Log in to MyEnrolment using your student ID and password.
2. Navigate to the "Study Plans" tab and click "Select" on the course with an "Admitted" status. This means you’ve accepted your offer and been admitted to the course.
3. On the Study Plan page, you’ll see a list of core units and elective or major options. Use the search bar to find available units by year, session, and campus location. The units available for enrolment will be highlighted in blue.

Professional experience is an essential requirement to an education degree. Professional experience is often referred to as 'placement' and is at the core of all initial teacher education programs.

A variety of professional experiences assists students gain vital experience applying their university learning in schools and/or early childhood education and care centres. Students studying an education degree will complete several professional experiences in a range of different settings.

More information can be found on our Professional Experience page.

Many of the health courses here at Southern Cross University involve work-integrated learning (WIL). This term is used to describe a range of approaches that integrate theory with practice in supervised real-world environments, including practicum, professional practice, field education, simulation, labs and placement.

In order for you to attend WIL, there are various requirements you must adhere to, which vary depending on your course. For information regarding your course requirements, including fit to practice obligations, further details about WIL (hours and dates) and what to expect in terms of the types of the various settings you may experience throughout your studies, refer to your specific course information on the Work Integrated Learning page.