Southern Cross University

Contact details Open Days in 2008 Important dates for 2009 Admission requirements     1. Australian secondary studies     2. Australian tertiary studies     3. Overseas qualifications     4. Alternative entry Educational Access Scheme Equity Scholarships Special consideration Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians International fee-paying applicants Fee-paying courses for Australian students Courses available by direct application Distance education Enrolment Financial assistance Student services and facilities Further information

Southern Cross University (SCU) has some of the best locations in Australia with campuses at Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Tweed Gold Coast* and the Hotel School Sydney in partnership with Mulpha Australia. SCU takes pride in its strong student focus. Graduates consistently rank Southern Cross University highly for the quality of teaching and for the overall educational experience provided.

Degrees are designed in consultation with industry to produce work-ready graduates in traditional and emerging professions. The Lismore campus is located in the Byron Bay hinterland and is a hub for the creative and performing arts with courses in contemporary music, visual arts and media. The School of Law and Justice is distinctive for its strong social justice focus. Environmental science and management students take advantage of the spectacular marine and rainforest setting to pursue their studies. Degrees in health and human sciences including sport and exercise science, nursing, clinical science and natural and complementary medicine reflect a commitment to preventative medicine and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Business and tourism management courses with a highly regarded internship program are taught at Lismore campus.

Psychology, nursing, business and information technology degrees are offered at Coffs Harbour. Hotel and resort management students take advantage of the region’s status as a popular tourism destination. Early childhood, primary and technology education courses are also taught at Coffs Harbour campus.

*Southern Cross University is bringing its award-winning teaching and student support services to Queensland with a new campus being developed at the southern end of the Gold Coast. Students applying to study in Semester One 2009 will be admitted into the existing campus at Tweed Heads and will move into the new Gold Coast campus when the foundation building is completed.For more information visit www.scu.edu.au/goldcoast.

SCU is also a significant provider of distance education and many of its courses are available in that mode. For the full range of courses visit www.scu.edu.au/courses.

University-wide majors
In addition to the majors listed in the course descriptions, Southern Cross University offers four University-wide majors: Education, Law and Justice, Organisational Management, and Sustainability.

The University recognises that the next generation of professionals will undertake numerous career changes during their lives, and this new study option is intended to broaden the students’ study experience and help prepare graduates for that future. For more information follow the link from www.scu.edu.au/courses.

Contact details

website: www.scu.edu.au

Lismore campus

postal enquiries
Student Services
Southern Cross University
PO Box 157
Lismore NSW 2480

tel: 1800 626 481
fax: (02) 6622 4341
email: admissions@scu.edu.au

in person
Student Services
Southern Cross University
Military Road
East Lismore NSW

 

Coffs Harbour campus

postal enquiries
Southern Cross University
Hogbin Drive
Coffs Harbour NSW 2457

tel:(02) 6659 3777
fax:(02) 6659 3051
email: sservice@scu.edu.au

in person
Coffs Harbour Campus
Hogbin Drive
Coffs Harbour NSW
 

Tweed Gold Coast campus

postal enquiries
Southern Cross University
PO Box 42
Tweed Heads NSW 2485

tel: (07) 5506 9200
fax: (07) 5506 9202
email: tgcc@scu.edu.au

in person
Brett Street
Tweed Heads NSW
 
^top

Open Days in 2008

Campus visits
Southern Cross University runs personalised campus tours, guided by current students, at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Tweed Gold Coast throughout the year to meet the individual needs of prospective students. If you would like a personal tour of any campus and an appointment to discuss courses,call Lismore on (02) 6620 3975. School visits can also be arranged.

^top

Important dates for 2009

Orientation Week commences 16 February 2009
First semester commences 23 February 2009

^top

Admission requirements

An applicant who has one or more of the qualifications set out below 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, auditions, portfolios and/or tests for admission – read course descriptions for additional selection criteria.

Guaranteed offer
In many courses SCU will guarantee you a place if you achieve a UAI or equivalent of 70.00 or higher (inclusive of bonus entitlements). Refer to the table below for a list of relevant courses.

If you apply or change your preference after 30 September 2008 the offer guarantee may not apply. For more details visit www.scu.edu.au/offerguarantee.

 Course title  Course code/s
AssocDeg Information Technology 332350
AssocDeg Law (Paralegal Studies) 336300, 336361
B Applied Science (Forestry) 334102
B Arts 333100, 333151
B Business 332100, 332150, 332170
B Business Administration 332155, 332107, 332171
B Bus in Convention & Event Tourism Mgt 334460
B Business in Tourism Mgt 334101
B Business in Hotel & Resort Mgt 334150
B Business/B Arts 332105
B Clinical Sciences 335115
B Environmental Science 334100
B Environmental Tourism Management 334400
B Exercise Science & Nutrition 335104
B Information Technology 332153
B Legal & Justice Studies 336110, 336161
B Marine Science & Management 334104
B Media 333103
B Naturopathy 335102
B Social Science 331101, 331151, 331170
B Sport & Exercise Science 335100
B Sport Tourism Management 335103
B Technology Education 331152
Dip Sport Mgt (Surfing Studies) 355061

Australian Secondary studies

2008 Australian Year 12 students
If you are a 2008 Australian Year 12 student, you will be selected for admission on the basis of your UAI or equivalent. If you have undertaken Year 12 previously, you will be considered on the basis of your UAI or equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in individual subjects that are relevant to the course you want to study.

Offers made to applicants who have a UAI below the published cut-off
Southern Cross University has a number of alternative pathways for admission, which may allow 2008 NSW and ACT Year 12 applicants to receive an offer to a course even though they have a UAI below the published cut-off.

Previous Year 12 students
If your only qualification is an Australian Year 12 before 2008, you will be selected for admission on the basis of your UAI or equivalent. If you have subsequent qualifications, such as TAFE or university, read 'Australian tertiary studies' below.

Australian tertiary studies

If you have attempted any tertiary studies you will be considered for admission on the basis of your grade point average in these studies.

Students previously or currently enrolled at SCU
If you have previously been enrolled in an on-campus award course at SCU, have been absent from studies for more than 12 months (without approval) and are seeking re-admission to the same course, you must apply through UAC. If you are enrolled in an undergraduate course at SCU in second semester 2008 and wish to apply to transfer to a new course, you do not need to apply through UAC. Contact SCU to obtain a direct application for admission. Students applying for B Laws (Graduate Entry) are not eligible for a course transfer and must apply through UAC.

Exclusion: Applicants who are currently under exclusion that extends into 2009 are not normally eligible for admission.

Overseas qualifications

Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia with overseas qualifications must call the University on 1800 626 481 to discuss eligibility for admission before submitting an application with UAC. Refer to table 7 - Commonly accepted overseas secondary qualifications.

If you hold overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.

Alternative entry

Regional entry
The University's STAR Entry Scheme is available to Year 12 students at a high school or TAFE institute within the University's feeder region, bordered in the south by the NSW Central Coast, west to the NSW/SA border, north to the Darling Downs, Queensland and east to include the Greater Gold Coast.

If you have been recommended by your principal and have satisfied specific University entry criteria you will be considered by the University under this scheme. Applications are sent to the schools and TAFE institutes involved and must be completed in addition to the UAC application.

Contact the University for details on 1800 626 481.

As further evidence of its commitment to this region, SCU will add five bonus points to the admission rank of Year 12 students within the feeder region. Eligible applicants do not have to apply for this bonus.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
SCU strongly advises applicants with no formal qualifications or who have performed poorly in other studies to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

    Personal Competencies Statement
    If you do not have formal qualifications or your formal qualifications are not sufficient for entry, you may wish to provide a Personal Competencies Statement by addressing the following selection criteria:
  1. What practical steps have you taken to prepare for tertiary study?
  2. Why have you chosen your preferred course?
  3. What have you done that demonstrates you have the capacity for independent study/learning?
  4. What communication and interpersonal skills have you developed and how will these contribute to your ability to study at tertiary level?
  5. What are your major life achievements and experiences, and how many of these relate to your future success in tertiary study?
  6. What skills, knowledge and abilities do you bring to tertiary study that you believe will help you succeed in your proposed studies?

Your statement should be no more than five pages, including two referees' statements supporting your submission. Personal Competencies Statements must be sent directly to SCU. It is strongly recommended that applicants submitting a statement also sit STAT (read above).

University preparation schemes
Preparing for Success is a foundation program offered by SCU to provide people who do not have the usual university entry requirements with alternative entry to undergraduate study at SCU as well as the academic skills necessary to succeed. The program is free to students and is studied on-campus or by distance education prior to the start of the undergraduate program. The foundation program can be completed over 12 weeks during second semester 2008, or over eight weeks in the December - February summer break, to prepare you for entry in 2009.

For more information on SCU's preparation courses call (02) 6620 3386 (Lismore) or (02) 6659 3323 (Coffs Harbour) or email learningassistance@scu.edu.au.

Limited UAI
Southern Cross University accepts the Limited UAI for applicants sitting the NSW HSC. Read information on the Universities Admission Index for details on the Limited UAI.

^top

Educational Access Scheme

If you believe you have been educationally or financially disadvantaged you may apply under the Educational Access Scheme. For more information about this scheme read the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) booklet produced by UAC, which includes an EAS application form.

EAS booklets are available from UAC or Student Centres at participating institutions. If you are a 2008 Australian Year 12 student you can obtain a copy of the booklet from your school/TAFE college. The booklet and application form can also be downloaded from this website.

The main closing date for EAS applications is Tuesday 30 September 2008. You must submit your EAS application by 30 September to guarantee that it will be considered in time for the Main Round of offers. The late closing date for EAS applications is Friday 28 November 2008.

^top

Equity Scholarships

For more information about Equity Scholarships read Course costs and financial assistance.

All Equity Scholarship applications for SCU are processed centrally through UAC. This includes applicants who are applying directly to the University, or through UAC, or the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). It also includes students who are currently enrolled at the University.

You only have to submit one online application to UAC to be considered for all Equity Scholarships for which your are eligible at SCU. To submit your application go to Equity Scholarships Online.

The main closing date for Equity Scholarships applications is Tuesday 30 September 2008. The late closing date is Friday 28 November 2008.

SCU also offers a number of other scholarships – read 'Financial assistance' below.

^top

Special consideration

If you are an elite athlete or performer, whose training and competitive commitments have affected your preparation for the HSC, you may be eligible for special consideration even though you are not eligible for the University's Educational Access Scheme. Students in this category must submit a letter requesting special consideration directly to Admissions at SCU. Include your UAC application number, details and documentation of the circumstances for consideration. This must be received by 28 November 2008.

^top

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

The University has a policy of increasing access for Indigenous Australians. Indigenous Australian applicants will be invited to attend a Testing and Assessment Program at Lismore campus in late 2008/early 2009.

A Bachelor of Indigenous Studies and a Bachelor of Trauma and Healing are available by direct application to SCU.

A 12-week foundation program is also available to Indigenous Australian applicants to assist them with the skills necessary for tertiary study, to become acquainted with university life, and to develop successful study habits. For further information call (02) 6620 3955 or 1800 816 676.

^top

International fee-paying applicants

Some international fee-paying applicants apply through UAC; others apply direct to SCU. Visit the UAC International website for more information.

^top

Fee-paying courses for Australian students

The Australian Government is phasing out places in undergraduate domestic fee-paying (DFEE) courses from 1 January 2009.

Therefore there are no DFEE courses available for 2009 admissions.* All courses available are Commonwealth-supported place (CSP) courses.

Continuing students
Students who enrolled in a DFEE course before 1 January 2009 will be able to continue their studies on a fee-paying basis in 2009.

Continuing students who wish to transfer to another Southern Cross University course in 2009 must apply direct to the University. Students who wish to transfer to a course at another institution must apply through UAC.

Deferred students
Students who were offered a place in a DFEE course in 2008 and deferred until 2009 will be able to continue their studies on a fee-paying basis in 2009. Information about enrolling in a deferred DFEE course in 2009 will be available from the University. Deferred students who wish to apply for other courses in 2009 must apply through UAC.

* There are some exceptions, including arrangements for continuing and deferred students, for students who enrol in employer-reserved places and for students who have consumed their Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).

^top

Courses available by direct application

Application forms for postgraduate and distance education undergraduate courses are available from SCU Student Services or at www.scu.edu.au/howtoapply.

We strongly recommend you apply by the end of November, or contact the Hotline on 1800 555 405 to confirm if places are still available.

^top

Distance education

Most courses available at SCU can also be studied by distance education. Refer to distance education. Applications for distance education courses should be made direct to the University. Download a direct application form from www.scu.edu.au/howtoapply.

^top

Enrolment

Acceptance of offer

Information about acceptance and enrolment procedures will be posted to you with your offer of admission.

Advanced standing/academic credit

If you are seeking credit for previous study, you must submit an application for advanced standing available at www.scu.edu.au/howtoapply. The advanced standing application must be accompanied by an original transcript or verified copy of results and course/unit outlines for each unit for which advanced standing is sought. Wherever possible, you will be advised of any advanced standing recommendations at the time of your enrolment.

If you have a TAFE qualification at diploma or associate diploma level in a relevant area, you will usually receive some credit for such studies. For details visit www.scu.edu.au/tafepathways.

Deferment

(A) Applicants who receive an offer based on their performance in a 2008 Australian Year 12 (B) Applicants other than those described in (A)  Comments
Yes, but see comments Yes, but see comments · one year only
· non-refundable $100 application fee applies
· all courses except B Laws (graduate entry)

Fees and charges

All students must pay student contributions for a Commonwealth-supported place (CSP) – read Course costs and financial assistance.

In addition, students can choose to pay student association fees.

^top

Financial assistance

Youth and student allowances

Read about Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY in Course costs and financial assistance.

Loans

The University provides small loans to students for purposes directly associated with their tertiary studies. For further details call the Student Loans Officer on (02) 6620 3220.

Scholarships

Vice-Chancellor's and Industry-sponsored Scholarships
The scholarships are available to undergraduate students from throughout Australia and are valued from $2 000 to $5 000 per year for up to three years. Different criteria apply for each scholarship.

For further details call (02) 6626 9607, email scholarships@scu.edu.au or visit www.scu.edu.au/scholarships. ^top

Student services and facilities

Accommodation and charges

You are strongly advised to enquire about your accommodation options early.

On-campus accommodation for students at SCU is provided in self-catering, co-educational residential colleges at Lismore and Coffs Harbour. Charges are set each year and vary according to college facilities and bedroom density in each apartment. The 2008 charges for the academic year, payable in four instalments, were: Lismore $4 280 – $5 000; Coffs Harbour $5000. An annual refundable security deposit is required.

On-campus accommodation applications are accepted up to mid-January in the year of intended enrolment. Due to high demand, a selection criteria is based on students' academic merit and educational record. Special consideration for selection is given to members of equity groups.

The University also maintains comprehensive listings of private rental accommodation. For further information write to the Accommodation Office, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480, call (02) 6620 3935, email accomm@scu.edu.au or visit www.scu.edu.au/services/accommodation.

Careers and employment

The University Careers Adviser assists prospective and enrolled students with course and career decision-making. For more details call (02) 6622 3220.

Childcare

In Lismore, long-day childcare is available on campus at the University Children's Centre – call (02) 6622 2616.

At Coffs Harbour there are several childcare centres close to the campus. The Students' Association can help with contact numbers – call (02) 6659 3267.

Exchange programs

Opportunities for overseas study are available through the University's exchange programs to Europe, Asia, the UK and the USA. For more details visit exchange.scu.edu.au/

Health and welfare services

First-aid officers are well equipped to handle emergencies, with local and on-campus doctors offering bulk-billing for students.

Chaplains are available to assist with personal goal-setting, confidential counselling and support for both the crisis and ordinary times of life. A free and confidential counselling service is available if you are experiencing difficulties in any aspect of your life, including academic or personal issues.

Learning assistance

The Learning Assistance unit can help you develop your writing and study skills. To find out more call (02) 6620 3386.

Library/computing services

The library provides a full range of library services: books, journals, databases and full-text electronic journals, interlibrary loans and document supply, and professional staff to assist students to become independent learners.

Computing services include internet access, email, MySCU (personalised online learning and support), and computer labs underpinned by the IT call centre, lab support/helpdesks and the computing website.

Students with disabilities

SCU encourages enrolment from people with disabilities and provides facilities for students with special needs. If you would like to discuss your special requirements in confidence, write to or call the Equity and Disabilities Officer on (02) 6620 3943.

Transport

Private bus companies provide regular links from the city centres of both Lismore and Coffs Harbour to the campuses. Regular services are also provided between the Tweed Gold Coast campus and nearby commercial and residential areas.

^top

Further information

For further information visit www.scu.edu.au.

^top