Southern Cross University

Courses

For all courses listed with VTAC, visit CourseSearch.

Open days

Admission criteria

Admission information

To be offered a place in a course you must meet the course entrance requirements and be selected in competition with other eligible applicants.

An applicant who has one or more of the following qualifications is eligible for admission to the university. However, an applicant who is eligible for admission may not necessarily gain a place in a particular course when competing with other candidates. Some courses require interviews, portfolios and/or tests for admission – read course descriptions in the course search for additional selection criteria.

Applies to:

• All Applicants

Australian Year 12 students

If you are a 2025 or 2026 Australian Year 12 student you will be selected for admission based on your ATAR or equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in individual subjects relevant to the course you want to study.

Selection rank adjustments
Selection rank adjustments may allow 2026 Year 12 applicants to receive an offer to a program even though they have an ATAR below the published lowest selection rank.

Equity adjustments
Southern Cross University has an Educational Access Scheme (EAS) to assist applicants who believe they have been educationally or financially disadvantaged. E

Elite athlete and performer program adjustments
Southern Cross University is a member of the Australian Sports Commission’s Elite Athlete Friendly University program. Elite athletes and exceptional performers may be considered for ATAR adjustments based on recognition of competitive commitments which may have impacted your high school academic performance and to assist you in gaining entry into your chosen course.

Location adjustments
At Southern Cross University we recognise that Year 12 students from our region may not always have the same opportunities as students from non-regional areas. If you completed Year 12 at a regional high school or TAFE you will automatically be considered for five selection rank adjustment points.

Criteria that may apply in addition to the ATAR
Consideration of other specified criteria may also be applied in addition to your ATAR; for example, strong performance in selected Year 12 subjects, personal interview, and submission of additional supporting documentation, statements and portfolios.

Other admission options
Early Offer
The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University degree before Year 12 results are released. Being an Early Offer student means you receive personalised, specialised advice and assistance through every step of your transition from school to university. This includes special information sessions, exclusive events, scholarship opportunities, and access to university staff on the phone and email and chat to help you on your journey. Early Offer is based on a school’s recommendation and is open all Australian Year 12 students.

Learn more about the Early Offer program.

Applies to:

• Applicants with recent secondary education
  
  • Applicants with recent secondary education (Current year 12)

Applicants with higher education study

If you have attempted any tertiary studies, you will be considered for admission on the basis of your grade point average in these studies. Applicants who are currently under exclusion that extends into 2027 are not usually eligible for admission.

Applies to:

• Applicants with higher education study

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Applicants 18 years of age and over
Applicants aged 18 and over on 28 February 2027 who do not meet the admission criteria outlined above may be considered for admission on the basis of a satisfactory level of performance in one or more of the following:

• Completion of a one-year foundation or enabling course, including the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate
• Completion of the Preparing for Success at SCU Program
• Study equivalent to at least six months full-time at a university, TAFE or accredited private institution at Certificate III level or higher
• Completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
• Work or field experience equivalent to at least one-year full-time
• Post-secondary qualifications, including healthcare qualifications, commissioned officer qualifications, apprenticeships and traineeships
• Interview.

Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
The University strongly advises applicants who have no formal qualifications or who have performed poorly in other studies to sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Multiple Choice test.

The STAT is accepted for:

• Non-school leaver applicants
• Applicants who are 18 years or over on 28 February 2027.

Enabling course options
Southern Cross University offers a range of associate degree qualifications that provide pathways into our degree programs for students who do not meet the direct entry requirements.

SCU College programs.

The Preparing for Success Program is fee-free pathway program available at every teaching session to people who have a passion for learning and who may not meet the formal entry requirements for enrolment in a degree.

Applies to:

• Applicants with VET study

Student and campus services

Locations

Southern Cross University is a vibrant, contemporary Australian university with beautiful campuses at the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers and Coffs Harbour. We also have metro campuses at Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.

• For more information
  https://www.scu.edu.au/study/

Services and support for students with disabilities

Southern Cross University has dedicated disability and equity services for students with disability and special needs.

• For more information
  https://www.scu.edu.au/engage/equity-and-inclusion/

First Nations applicants

Indigenous Australian Student Services (IASS) provides an extensive service to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who are studying at Southern Cross University. There are IASS officers at each main campus.

• For more information
  https://www.scu.edu.au/current-students/services-and-support/indigenous-australian-student-services-iass/

Accommodation

All Southern Cross University campuses provide a list of off-campus accommodation available in their area. Accommodation for students in colleges at both Lismore and Coffs Harbour campuses is managed by Campus Living Villages.

• For more information
  https://www.scu.edu.au/current-students/services-and-support/accommodation/

Financial assistance

Scholarships