Southern Cross University (SCU) Sydney
Overview
Southern Cross University (SCU) Sydney takes the power of Southern Cross University Australia to a place that is highly connected and rich in industries at the center of a big city in Australia. The campus is practice based where business, information technology and accounting are taught, and students are guaranteed of integrating classroom learning with practical problem solving to study in Australia.
Cohorts are small and academics are readily available thus offering a personalised environment where international students feel that they are given a hand in the first day. City excursions introduce students to aesthetic and debonair museums, stellar labs, tech precincts, and financial district to inquisitive scholars whilst enjoying vibrant campus life. Regular alumni talk showcase career paths and provide insider tips on hiring cycles, job search timing, and networking etiquette along with courses to study in Australia.
The campus takes advantage of the global business ecosystem of Sydney in providing guest lectures, live case studies, internship pipelines which enable graduates to smoothly move into careers in Australia and other countries with best Scholarships to Study in Australia.
Highlights
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- International Students: 3,000+ from 60+ countries
- Programs: 20+ undergraduate and postgraduate degrees
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
- Scholarships: Up to 50% tuition reduction
- Graduate Employability: 93% within six months of graduation
Rankings
Southern Cross University has a Sydney campus that has the same position as a national university that demonstrates a good level of success in the quality of teaching, the impact of research, and the international perspective to study in Australia. To be more upfront with the rankings, here we display the current rankings of the parent university in trusted frameworks; these rankings enable the students to perceive the economic status of the academic and outcome of the graduate programs compared to the rest of the world.
| Ranking Agency | Rank / Recognition (University-wide) |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | #601 – 650 globally |
| Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 | #351–400 worldwide |
| QS Top 150 Under 50 2025 | Among Top 150 young universities |
| ARWU (Shanghai) 2024 | #401 – 500 worldwide |
| U.S. News Best Global Universities 2025 | #450 globally |
Intakes
There are different points of entry at SCU Sydney to match international academic and visa deadlines. Intake orientation program, academic skills refresher programs, and employability briefing are part of every intake to ensure that students get settled fast and get off to a good start. It is prudent to apply early so as to be offered with desired schedules, lodging alternatives, and scholarship.
- February Intake: The primary start for most undergraduate and postgraduate programs; best for full academic-year planning.
- July Intake: Mid-year entry that enables credit recognition and flexible progression for transfer students.
- November Intake: Targeted options for selected coursework programs; ideal for students completing prior studies mid-year in their home country.
Courses & Fees
Southern Cross University (SCU) Sydney programs are developed using industry feedback and a high level of employability. Case work, analytics tool, communication, and optional internship or work-integrated learning is incorporated in curricula. Academic advising assists/ mentor or guide inbound scholars/ students to plan units to professional credentials in accounting, analytics, cyber/IT, and management tracks for streamlined courses to study in Australia.
Program | Duration | Tuition Fees (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
Bachelor of Business | 3 Years | AUD 33,000 per year |
Bachelor of Information Technology | 3 Years | AUD 34,000 per year |
Bachelor of Accounting | 3 Years | AUD 33,000 per year |
Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 2 Years | AUD 35,000–38,000 per year |
Master of Information Technology | 2 Years | AUD 34,000 per year |
Master of Professional Accounting | 2 Years | AUD 36,000 per year |
Cost of Studying at Southern Cross University (SCU) Sydney
Studying in Sydney provides the access to the largest job market in Australia, the transport that is the best of the best and the diversity of the culture. Although living expenses are also more expensive than in most Australian cities, house shares, student discounts, and part-time jobs ensure that one has manageable budgets. The following table gives realistic estimates of international students on a planning level.
Expense Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
Tuition Fees | AUD 33,000–38,000 per year |
Accommodation | AUD 1,700–2,600 per month (≈ AUD 20,000–31,000 per year) |
Food & Groceries | AUD 550–800 per month (≈ AUD 6,600–9,600 per year) |
Transportation | AUD 140–200 per month (≈ AUD 1,700–2,400 per year) |
General Expenses | AUD 450–700 per month (≈ AUD 5,400–8,400 per year) |
Scholarships
Southern Cross University (SCU) Sydney supports international students with merit-based awards and targeted bursaries. Scholarships are typically assessed at the time of offer and may be combined with early-acceptance incentives. Strong grades, clear motivation, and timely applications improve the chance of receiving support.
Scholarship | Value / Waiver | Details |
|---|---|---|
Vice-Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Scholarship | Up to 50% tuition reduction | For high-achieving international students across select programs |
SCU Sydney International Scholarship | 25% tuition waiver | Automatic consideration based on academic merit at admission |
Women in Leadership Scholarship | Up to 20% tuition discount | Supports female students in management and analytics pathways |
Early Acceptance Bursary | AUD 2,000 tuition credit | For students confirming by the deposit deadline |
Admissions
Admissions office is meant to be a non-complicated or well streamlined process that is friendly and accommodating to the international student. Students have their own advisors assisting them in making the program choices, required documents, and visa applications. You must bring a recognized secondary school qualification with competitive grades from your alma mater if you are interested in seamless admission process.
- Requirement: English proficiency typically requires IELTS 6.0 (no band <5.5) / TOEFL iBT ~70 / PTE 50+.
- Submit academic transcripts, English scores, passport, and a concise statement outlining goals.
- Conditional offers may be issued for students completing current studies or English.
- Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (or equivalent professional experience, where applicable).
- English proficiency normally IELTS 6.5 (no band <6.0) / TOEFL iBT ~79 / PTE 58+.
- Provide degree certificates, transcripts, résumé, statement of purpose, and—where required—references. Some programs allow credit for prior learning to accelerate completion.
Accommodation
Secure, safe, aesthetically pleasant and cheap accommodation to international students in both on-campus and off-campus accommodation are easily available at Southern Cross University, Sydney.
On-Campus/ Partnered Student Residences.
SCU Sydney collaborates with some of the best housing agencies in Sydney (e.g., Scape, UniLodge, Iglu) that are situated in short distances to the campus. The rooms have high-speed Wi-Fi, study areas, social lounges and 24/7 security. Community and peer support are supported by weekly events. The average prices include AUD 1,700-2,300 per month, depending on the location and rooms.
Off-Campus Living
They tend to rent common apartments, or studios in the suburbs such as Ultimo, Haymarket, Pyrmont and Daerling Harbour because of convenience and the nightlife. There is also the option of off campus living with a relatively free budget and lifestyle where the standard prices are AUD 1,500-2,600 monthly based on the location, facilities, and leasing conditions. The advisors on the university give advice on inspections, rights of tenancy, and budgeting.
Placements
Southern Cross University (SCU) Sydney is constructed on employability. The campus incorporates industry speakers, consultancy projects, and internships into the model of learning, whereas the Career & Employability team provides customized advice on resumes, LinkedIn plan, and interview preparation. Sydney is the financial and tech centre of Australia, which means that opportunities in consulting, banking, analytics, and cyber/IT, marketing, operations, etc. are open. Alumni groups and employer associations support students in stepping out of the classroom to the career with ease.
Top Recruiters & Partners Include:
Deloitte
- PwC
- KPMG
- EY
- Accenture
- IBM
- Atlassian
- Commonwealth Bank of Australia
- Westpac
- NAB
- Telstra
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Student Essential Services
A dedicated Student Affairs team provides wrap-around support from orientation onward. You’ll receive guidance on enrolment, timetabling, health insurance setup, banking, and public transport. Advisors host transition workshops on academic culture in Australia and help navigate day-to-day life in Sydney. Ongoing drop-ins ensure questions are answered quickly and personally.
Student Success Centre: Academic success is built through structured support: writing labs, citation clinics, exam strategies, and time-management workshops. Peer-assisted study sessions connect new students with trained mentors who have completed the same units. Individual consultations help plan study loads, map electives to career goals, and build habits for high performance across the semester.
Careers & Internships: The Career & Employability Hub offers one-to-one coaching, industry panels, and employer “meet-and-hire” events. Students access internship leads with SMEs and multinationals, plus support for part-time roles that fit visa conditions. Portfolio reviews, mock interviews, and networking workshops ensure you present strongly to Sydney employers—from Big 4 firms to scale-ups.
Counselling & Accessibility: Licensed counsellors provide confidential wellbeing support covering stress, homesickness, motivation, and culture shift. Workshops teach resilience, mindfulness, and study-life balance. The Accessibility Service arranges reasonable adjustments (assessment conditions, assistive tech, note-taking support) so students with disabilities or chronic conditions thrive academically.
Health & Safety: Students can access nearby medical clinics and telehealth, with referrals for specialists where needed. Safety briefings explain late-night travel options, emergency contacts, and city-smart practices. Partner residences maintain 24/7 security and controlled access, while the university communicates alerts and wellbeing resources during seasonal or city-wide events.
Clubs & Recreation: SCU Sydney encourages a vibrant student life with professional societies (accounting, analytics, marketing), cultural associations, volunteering groups, and social clubs. Events range from city walks and harbour activities to hackathons and case competitions. Participation builds friendships, professional networks, and leadership experiences valued by employers.
Learning Resources: Students access digital libraries, research databases, collaborative project rooms, and high-spec computer labs with industry software (e.g., analytics suites, accounting tools, developer environments). Online learning platforms host recorded lectures, discussion boards, and assessment feedback. Librarians run skill sessions on research strategies and academic integrity.
Visa & Housing Assistance: International advisors guide students through visa applications, compliance, and renewals—explaining work entitlements and post-study options. Housing support includes provider introductions, tenancy advice, and suburb briefings to match budget to commute time. Pre-departure checklists help new arrivals organise documents, SIMs, and airport-to-accommodation plans.
Events & Cultural Activities: The team organises debonair festivals, fresher night, and the calendar features orientation festivals, multicultural nights, alumni meet-up, guest-speaker series, case competitions, and career expos.
Location of Southern Cross University (SCU) Sydney
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications are accepted for February, July, and November. Apply 3–5 months early for visa processing, housing choice, and scholarship consideration.
Typically IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic. Undergraduate entry usually requires IELTS 6.0 (no band <5.5); postgraduate programs generally require IELTS 6.5 (no band <6.0) or equivalent.
Yes. Many programs incorporate internship or project options, and the Career Hub actively connects students with Sydney employers and part-time roles.
Yes—merit awards up to 50% and early-acceptance bursaries are available. Strong academics and timely applications improve eligibility.
Partner residences (Scape, UniLodge, Iglu) and private rentals in CBD-adjacent suburbs. The university provides guidance on budgets, inspections, and tenancy rights.
International students can work within visa limits during study periods. Careers advisors help align part-time roles with skill development and class schedules.
City-centre location, small cohorts, industry-aligned teaching, supportive services, and strong links to Sydney’s financial and tech sectors make SCU Sydney a high-impact choice.
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