Southern Cross University

About the Southern Cross University

Southern Cross University (SCU) is a research intensive Australian public university. Campuses are located on the North Coast ofNew South Wales, Australia and southern Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It also operates The Hotel School Sydney and Melbourne in partnership with Mulpha Australia. Close to 15,000 students are enrolled at Southern Cross University, studying on campus and via distance education. International students come from 80 countries to study onshore and it collaborates with institutions offshore in Singapore, China, Uzbekistan and New Zealand.

Southern Cross University is a vibrant, contemporary Australian university with beautiful campuses at the Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour, and branch campuses in Sydney and Melbourne.The University also operates The Hotel School Sydney and The Hotel School Melbourne in partnership with Mulpha Australia.

We welcome students from more than 60 countries throughout the world and offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in an inspiring and supportive learning environment. The University has a strong student focus and takes pride in the quality of its lecturers, many of whom are recognised as leaders in their fields.

Our degrees are offered across a broad range of disciplines, and are designed in consultation with industry. Many involve work placements and internships and other forms of hands-on learning to produce work-ready graduates. Research is undertaken in areas that are regionally relevant and globally significant, in disciplines as diverse as geoscience, plant genetics, cetacean research, health and wellbeing and tourism.

• School of Arts & Social Sciences

  The School of Arts and Social Sciences is a multidisciplinary and creative learning community, providing quality teaching and focused research. The School delivers degrees spanning arts and humanities, social sciences and the creative and performing arts.

  Degrees are offered on campus and by distance education. Staff are committed to providing a supportive and nurturing learning environment to all students.

  The Lismore campus is the cultural hub for studies in visual arts, media and contemporary music, in a region renowned for its dynamic arts and music scene. Students have access to purpose built facilities that include studios, performance and exhibition spaces.

  The degrees and units offered by distance education include a highly interactive online study experience that strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community.

• School of Business and Tourism

  The School of Business and Tourism provides a suite of industry-relevant business management, tourism and information technology degrees, distinctive for their flexibility and internship opportunities.

  The School's courses are designed to build students' knowledge and capabilities while opening doors and opportunities for them anywhere in the world. Our contemporary courses cover disciplines including accounting, finance, human resource management, information and communications technology, international business and marketing.

  The School of Business and Tourism is committed to excellence in teaching and its degrees are all tailored to meet industry demands. Courses combine academic rigour with contemporary industry practice, giving students the skills to succeed in complex business environments.

  Courses are available on campus at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast and through flexible online deliver. Hotel management degrees are also offered at The Hotel School Sydney and The Hotel School Melbourne, in partnership with Mulpha Australia.

• School of Education

  Southern Cross University's School of Education is a dynamic learning community dedicated to fostering excellence across early childhood, primary, secondary, vocational education and training and higher education.

  Courses are offered at our campuses in Lismore, Coffs Harbour and the Gold Coast. We also offer external and flexibly delivered study options in a number of our courses.

  Working closely and collaboratively with our students, we encourage the highest possible standards in order to develop outstanding teachers for the future. We enjoy strong, collaborative links with teachers, schools and other educational organisations across the region, as well as with the national and international educational community.

  At the School of Education we are committed to quality in our teaching and to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge through scholarly research, providing quality professional development opportunities for practising teachers and professionals.

• School of Environment, Science and Engineering

  The School of Environment, Science and Engineering is a leader in environmental sustainability and draws on SCU's outstanding research strengths. The School offers a comprehensive suite of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in environmental, marineand forest science and management, providing students with opportunities to develop innovative, contemporary skills and knowledge in their chosen discipline.

  The School's four-year degrees in civil engineering andmechanical engineering (new in 2016) enable students to develop the theoretical knowledge and skills vital to the engineering profession. The School's regional and urban planning degree equips students with the legal, environmental, social, design and engineering skills required to work as planners throughout Australia.

  Students access new state-of-the-art facilities in the science and engineering precinct at Lismore campus and the University'sNational Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour provides advanced analytical equipment and resources for marine science students and researchers.

  Our courses combine academic rigour, laboratory work, field trips within our stunning, ecologically diverse region, and professional experience through industry internships for a well-rounded education and enhanced career opportunities. Many of our units have flexible study options, with all environmental science courses available by distance education.

• Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples

  Situated in the heart of the Bundjalung Nation on the North Coast of NSW, Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples at Southern Cross University invites you to explore our range of study options.

  Gnibi is committed to delivering culturally safe, dynamic and innovative Indigenous studies courses for all people.

  We offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees that are delivered on-campus and by distance education. Our aim is to facilitate students to experience a teaching and learning process that is founded on principles of social justice, cultural integrity, inclusion and social justice through education.

  We strongly encourage applications from people who have school-based qualifications and/or professional and life experience.

• School of Health & Human Sciences

  At the School of Health and Human Sciences we aim to produce capable and creative practitioners, researchers and scientists. Our comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses provides our students with the opportunity to be part of a growing and developing health and human sciences industry.

  The School works with professional associations to design and deliver contemporary courses that are industry-relevant. Students access our modern laboratories and specialist facilities for practical training. Many of our courses include professional placements that enable students to gain first-hand experience in the workplace.

• School of Law and Justice

  The School of Law and Justice provides legal education for future lawyers and paralegals in a supportive, scholarly environment. We have several undergraduate degrees and two postgraduate research degrees.

  All of our courses promote the rule of law, the highest standards of ethical conduct, professional responsibility and community engagement. All are fully articulated to enable students to transfer between courses depending on their grades. Our degrees and diploma are intellectually rigorous, relevant, and develop seven graduate attributes that form the basis of our threshold learning outcomes.

  The teaching philosophy of the School of Law and Justice is based on the importance of developing scholarly communities.

  The School has a very active research program based on ourthree research strengths:

  • Ecological jurisprudence
  • Law, society and cultural change
  • Global law and justice

  The School also has strong ties with the legal profession and the community and is committed to enhancing the cultural, social, economic and intellectual development of our region.

History of the Southern Cross University

Southern Cross University was established on 1 January 1994, following the decentralisation of the network of the University of New England, Australia as a university with several campuses, which had been established in 1989. The University of New Englandcontinues to exist as a single campus in Armidale, New South Wales, as it had been established in 1954.

The old college in Lismore, New South Wales, was the Lismore Teachers College, founded in 1971. This institution was expanded and renamed the Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education in 1973. Following the publication of the Australian Government's White Paper on Higher Education in 1988, with its emphasis on the development of larger institutions, the Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education was sent into an association with the old University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, and it formally became a network member of the newly constituted University of New England, under legislation that was enacted in 1989.

During 1992, in response to a proposal from the Board of Governors of the University of New England, the State and Commonwealth Ministers responsible for Higher Education established an Advisory Group to consider the implications of the Board of Governors' proposal that the network-style University of New England, Australia, be abolished, and that at least one new university be established.

The Advisory Group recommended that a new university be established in the North Coast Region of New South Wales as an academically-integrated institution incorporating the two University of New England network centres at Northern Rivers and Coffs Harbour, with the prospect of establishing additional North Coast centres as required. The Advisory Group also proposed that the new university develop under the sponsorship/supervision of a major metropolitan university for its first three years, while operating under its own name and with its own Council, and awarding its own degrees.

The Commonwealth and State Government Ministers jointly appointed an Implementation Advisory Panel to advise on the strategies necessary to give effect to the proposed new structures and announced that the successor institutions to the University of New England network would be established in time for the 1994-95 academic year. The University of New England, remains where it had originally been, in Armidale, New South Wales, as a single campus.

On 29 June 1993, the Commonwealth Department for Employment, Education, and Training and the New South Wales Department of Education and Training announced the outcome of the joint Commonwealth/State review of the continued offering of higher education in northern New South Wales. The announcement included the decision that a new university would be established on the North Coast of New South Wales, which would consist of campuses at Lismore (formerly the University of New England, Australia-Northern Rivers) and at Coffs Harbour (formerly the University of New England-Coffs Harbour Centre). It was later announced that the new college would be called the Southern Cross University. Legislation was passed by both houses of the Government of New South Wales Parliament in October 1993.

In 2010, Southern Cross University opened a new campus in the Southern Gold Coast area of Queensland, at Coolangatta just 400 metres from North Kirra Beach, and adjacent to the Gold Coast Airport. Views of the Pacific Ocean can be seen from many vantage points in the campus' buildings. A dedication ceremony was attended by then Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard MP. The Foundation Building was opened in 2010 and a second 10-story building opened in February 2013. The campus includes a student services hub, designed to provide a one-stop shop for student support and enquiries. The library offers stunning views of the ocean and Gold Coast hinterland. Other facilities include innovative learning spaces, health science laboratories, lecture theatres with live video broadcasting, computer labs and student lounges.It is projected that all programs currently offered at the Tweed Heads campuses will be transferred to the new Gold Coast campus progressively over 2013.

Accreditation

Institutional Accreditation or Recognition: Department of Education and Training, Australia

Southern Cross University rankings

• Southern Cross University is ranked in the top 500 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-16. The rankings, now in their 12th year, draw on data from 1126 institutions world-wide and are based on teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.
• Southern Cross University is also among Times Higher Education  150 world's best young universities for 2016. The rankings are based on the same performance indicators as the THE World University Rankings - teaching, research, citations, international outlook and industry income.
• For the third consecutive year, SCU has also been ranked number one in Australia for international student support by the International Student Barometer 2015 survey, and ranked number two in Australia for overall learning experience.

Student Life at the Southern Cross University

SCU offers a wide range of sporting, recreational andcultural activities, with something for everyone.

To keep up to date on the latest UniLife news, events, opportunities, clubs and programs please 'like' UniLife on Facebook.

• Campus sport
  A fun, social sporting opportunity for the entire University community.
• Elite student athletes
  We support elite athletes so that they can balance their dual careers of training and competing at an elite level whilst undertaking their study.
• Fitness centres
  Our sport and fitness centres provide arrange of sporting facilities across the three campuses including 2 gyms, an aquatic centre, 2 indoor sports courts, and 2 sports field and 4 tennis courts.
• SCU clubs and societies
  There are a variety of clubs and societies on offer at SCU. You can join a club or society and get involved with campus life - learning new skills on the way and meeting other students for around the University!
• UniLife Awards
  The UniLife Awards are annual university-wide student awards which recognise outstanding achievement and contribution by SCU students in the areas of sporting and student life. These annual awards are endorsed by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Lee.
• National Cultural Tertiary Competitions
  SCU is a member of the Australian Association of Campus Activities Inc. AACA coordinates four national tertiary cultural programs for its members, including the National Campus Band Comp, National Campus DJ Comp andNational Campus Art Prize.
• Orientation
  Orientation is a three day program prior to classes starting; it also includes Get Connected Week (Week 2 of Session 1 and 2). Orientation introduces first year students to the University and helps with the transition into university life. It also re-engages continuing students back into their studies. Note: In Session 3, it is a 1-3 day program prior to classes starting.
• Local and regional events
  Find out more about what your local regional events and plan ahead to get the most out of living in a vibrant regional community!

The UniLife team invites you to enrich your Southern Cross University experience and 'tap into' what SCU has to offer - live, work and play!

Services ans clubs of the Southern Cross University

• I.T. and Technical support
• Library
• Student Representation and Student Associations
• AFL - Lismore Swans
• Badminton
• Netball - SCU Netty Rats
• Rugby Club - SCU Gold Rats
• SCUL Riders (Surfing)
• SCU Swimming Club
• SCU Cheer Team
• SCU Mountain Bike Club (SCUMB)
• SCU Soccer Club
• SCU Waterpolo Club
• Aboriginal Student Kinship
• Animal Law Club
• Bouldering Club
• International Social Student Club (ISS)
• No More Noodles
• OPUS
• SCU Accessibility & Social Inclusion Group (SCU ASIG)
• SCU Chess Club
• SCU Enviro Club
• SCU Fire Club
• SCU Mixed Up Reels Film Club
• SCU Women's Group
• SCU Words
• QSCU (LGBTIQ)

Why choose the Southern Cross University?

Southern Cross University is a vibrant, contemporary Australian university with campuses at the Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour, with branch campuses in Sydney and Melbourne. The University operates The Hotel School Sydney and The Hotel School Melbourne in partnership with Mulpha Australia.

• Southern Cross Universitywas ranked #401-500 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-2016
• Southern Cross University is a research intensive university and was evaluated at 'well above world standard' in nine key areas in the Australian Research Council's 2015 Excellence in Research Australia Report .
• SCU International ranked number one in Australia, for the third year running, for international student support in the International Student Barometer (ISB) survey 2015 .
• Industry-relevant degrees with a strong practical component that enables students to generate and apply knowledge.

Southern Cross University is in a unique part of Australia where students can access some of the best surfing beaches and marine environments in the country. World Heritage rainforest areas and national parks are also regional attractions - perfect for bushwalking and camping experiences.

Southern Cross University - Coffs Harbour

Southern Cross University - Gold Coast

Southern Cross University - Sydney

Southern Cross University - Melbourne