Why Study With Us

At Southern Cross University, we strive for excellence. Our game-changing new education model brings a deeper learning experience, improving individual student outcomes and quality of life. We harness the combined forces of compelling research, leading educators and our extraordinary communities to improve the university experience and make a positive impact in the world.

Southern Cross is deeply rooted in its regional communities and demonstrates that world-class research, teaching and learning thrives outside metropolitan centres. We create and apply knowledge in partnership with our communities in fields that are regionally relevant and globally significant.

There's never been a better time to study with us at Southern Cross University.

Transforming Tomorrow

Change requires new thinking and a fresh approach. At Southern Cross, we challenge ourselves to rethink traditional learning. The result: the Southern Cross Model.

Shorter, six-week unit structures, combined with more immersive and interactive learning experiences, have resulted in increased student success rates, course satisfaction and teacher satisfaction under the pilot programs. By joining Southern Cross, you’ll be part of a better way to learn.

Research for a Better Tomorrow

At Southern Cross University, our research focuses on protecting and enhancing the future. While serving our local regions is at the core of our research agenda, we are also creating a global impact.

In the latest Excellence in Research for Australia report, 23 of our research fields were classified as world standard or above.

While our researchers are hard at work in a multitude of settings, it’s how our research translates into better teaching that ensures we can all play a part in transforming tomorrow.

Local Learning. Global Recognition.

Facilities and Services

We are a multi-campus university on Australia’s east coast, with main campuses in the Gold Coast, Queensland, and in the Northern Rivers and Coffs Harbour, New South Wales.

The regions we call home all have unique characteristics as study locations — from cosmopolitan cities, thriving industries and coastal lifestyles to living laboratories of great natural beauty and ecological diversity within easy reach of the campus.

Our metro campuses in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth operate in collaboration with EduCo, and our unique partnership with Mulpha Australia — The Hotel School — has campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and on Hayman Island. Our Coomera Creative Campus is an educational partnership with TAFE Queensland.

Our online campus is located at your fingertips and spans the world. Each campus — physical or online — offers state-of-the-art facilities and support services.

Admission and Selection

Whether you’re still at school, just finished Year 12, never finished school or left some time ago, there are many pathways into university.

Early Offer

Our Early Offer Program allows you to secure your place in a Southern Cross University degree before your Year 12 results are even released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure of Year 12 and give you a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on your Year 12 results.

Transition to Uni

Transition to Uni is a fee-free, six-week intensive preparatory course designed for school leavers who have completed Year 12 with an ATAR (or equivalent). This full-time program involves 10 hours of class and up to 30 hours of independent study and assessment preparation each week.

Preparing for Success Program

Unleash your potential with our Preparing for Success Program. It doesn’t matter if you’re seeking a career change or didn't graduate from high school — university is a real option for you.

This flexible, fee-free course has been designed with you in mind. Open to Australian residents over the age of 18, you can study on campus or online, full-time over three months or part-time over a year. The course is taught in six-week blocks so you can focus on one or two units at a time. Graduates gain direct entry into a range of Southern Cross University degrees.^*

This award-winning program teaches you how to manage your time, write essays, undertake research and apply mathematical concepts, providing the skills you need to succeed at university and progress towards a new career.

^{*Some courses also have additional entry requirements.}

Study Options

• Arts
• Business
• Education and Teaching 
• Engineering
• Health
• Indigenous Knowledge
• Information Technology
• Law
• Music and Creative Arts
• Pathway Programs
• Science and Environment
• Social Work and Community Welfare
• Tourism
• Design a degree with shared majors.