Australian culture is founded on stories of battlers, bushrangers and brave soldiers. Of sporting heroes, working heroes and plucky migrants. It’s all about a fair go, the great outdoors and a healthy helping of irony. Today Australia also defines itself by its Aboriginal heritage, vibrant mix of cultures, innovative ideas and a thriving arts scene.

Australia experiences temperate weather for most of the year but the climate can vary due to the size of the continent. The northern states typically experience warm weather much of the time, with the southern states experiencing cooler winters. Australia is also one of the driest continents on earth with an average annual rainfall of less than 600 millimetres. Like all countries in the southern hemisphere, Australia's seasons are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere. December to February is summer; March to May is autumn; June to August is winter; and September to November is spring.

Unique animals are one of the many reasons people visit our country. Australia has more than 378 mammal species, 828 bird species, 4000 fish species, 300 species of lizards, 140 snake species, two crocodile species and around 50 types of marine mammal.

More than 80 percent of our plants, mammals, reptiles and frogs are unique to Australia and are found nowhere else. Some of the best-known animals are the kangaroo, koala, echidna, dingo, platypus, wallaby and wombat.

Located inland from Australia’s iconic seaside town, Byron Bay, Lismore is surrounded by World Heritage national parks with walking trails, waterfalls, and lookouts with spectacular views. Lismore is a small university city of 45,000 people with all the services of a large city, but with a far more relaxed lifestyle. The city has a vibrant arts and music scene with traditional and alternative venues and a friendly country town atmosphere. It is home to a creative population of artists and musicians, local events include the Lismore Lantern Parade, Byron Bay Blues Festival, Splendour in the Grass and the Byron Bay Writers' Festival.

Lismore is perfectly located only 45 minutes from Byron Bay and 75 minutes by car south of the Gold Coast.It is 9 hours driving distance (or a 90 minutes flight) from Sydney and a 2.5 hours drive from Brisbane.

Southern Cross University is a vibrant, contemporary Australian university with beautiful campuses at the Gold Coast, Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Sydney.

The University also operates The Hotel School Sydney in partnership with Mulpha Australia.

SCU welcome students from more than 60 countries throughout the world and offers 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.

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.

Did you know?

• SCU International ranked #1 for international student support and overall living in the 2015 International Student Barometer.
• SCU ranked in the top 500 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2015-2016.

Lismore Campus:

Lismore campus is within striking distance of Byron Bay and less than three hours drive to Brisbane, in the vibrant Northern Rivers region of NSW. Lismore is proud to be a university city, and students enjoy a relaxed yet cosmopolitan environment in which to pursue their studies.

Click to watch Lismore campus video.

The campus precinct is set on 75 hectares of lush, subtropical grounds. Goodman Plaza is the heart of student life on campus, and home to various food and beverages outlets, Co-op bookshop, banking facilities and student services. The SCU Gym and Pool features health and fitness facilities including a heated indoor swimming pool.

Teaching spaces include the law moot court, environmental science laboratories, and exercise facilities including a biomechanics laboratory and medicinal plant herbarium. The SCU Health Clinic provides professional quality allied health services to the general public, staff and students.

Studios for painting, printmaking, 3D and digital art and design, and a specialised music building with acoustic and recording facilities contribute to an atmosphere of creativity on campus.

Number of Students Enrolled

In 2015, there were 14,797 students enrolled at the Southern Cross University.

Courses Offered

Popular subject areas at the SCU are Business, Management and Marketing, Cultural Studies, Tourism and Event Management, Visual Arts, Environmental Science, Health and Indigenous Studies. Students will be required to choose a minimum of three units and a maximum of four units per session. 

To find courses at the Lismore campus, click here.

• Most Taiwanese don’t like the rain even though it rains often; however, walking in a bit of rain is a no go in the culture, even if it is only for a few seconds. This typically has to do with pollution and fears of acid rain on their skin.
• Taiwanese girls like to have fair skin and therefore stay away from the sunshine at all costs.
• Taiwanese kids study so much that they have the world’s best math scores.
• There are no garbage cans outdoors. Garbage cans are usually kept inside of a house or place of business. The garbage is tossed into a garbage truck when it arrives. These trucks play loud music to indicate their arrival in the streets.
• Politeness, honor and respect for elders is of major concern in this culture.
• It takes roughly eight hours to drive around the whole island.
• The country is commonly known by the name “Taiwan” but officially it is actually called the Republic of China. This should not be confused with the People's Republic of China.
• The colour white symbolises death and is used at funerals instead of the black common in the West. You will not see white weddings either. The colour red represents good luck and is often used at weddings and other celebrations.
• In 2011, fertility rates showed that the average number of children that Taiwanese women gave birth to during their lives was 0.9. This makes Taiwan the country with the lowest fertility rate in the world.
• Taiwan is slightly bigger than Belgium, but has a population of more than 23 million people! (For the record: the already dense population of Belgium is not even half as big with about 11 million residents). This makes Taiwan one of the most densely populated countries in the world, also considering that the large majority of people live in the flatter west side of the country.

• Byron Bay: Visit the famous beachside town, relax on the beach, canoe around the Cape with dolphins or scuba dive at Julian Rocks!
• Village markets: Discover the colourful market scene with entertainment, local produce, art and crafts, second-hand bargains, and much more!
• Brisbane: Brisbane is the capital of the state of Queensland. It has a population of about 2 million people, making it the third-largest city in Australia, after Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane’s year-round warm climate, spectacular scenery and pleasant locals have been the draw-cards for many domestic and international visitors, making Brisbane the fastest-growing city in Australia.
• Great Barrier Reef: One of the top destinations for underwater explorers and scuba divers, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest barrier reef system. Located in the Coral Sea off the coast of Australia’s state of Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef encompasses a huge area of more than 2,900 coral reefs and hundreds of islands and cays. Formed by millions of living organisms over a period of millions of years, the Reef is now one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world and of the best places to visit in Australia.
• Great Sandy National Park: If seeing dingoes is high on your list of must-dos in Australia, head over to the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island, in Queensland’s Great Sandy National Park. The howling dog-like animals are a protected species on the island. Be sure to follow park safety rules as they can be dangerous to humans. Dingoes aside, the park has a variety of features ranging from beaches and swamps to rain- and mangrove forests as well as a variety of birds.

For detailed information about vaccination recommendations when going abroad, please visit the Government of Canada's website.

Southern Cross University is pleased to offer accommodations to all study abroad students. On the Lismore campus, accommodations in 4-6 bedroom apartments with each student having a single bedroom and a shared kitchen, living, and bathroom area is provided. Students are required to cook their own meals and no meal plans are available.

SCU Village at Lismore offers a range of two-to-six-bedroom apartments at three locations – Orion, Sirius and Magellan colleges. All colleges enjoy a community spirit and active residential life program for students to engage in as they complete their studies. Facilities at each college include internet access and on-site laundries. Residents can also enjoy a range of new and improved facilities at all colleges including outdoor entertainment areas and movie facilities. Sirius and Orion also feature common areas, study room and in-ground swimming pool. For further information, visit: scuvillage.com.au.

UniStays is an online service that is available to help students find private rentals. Visit scu.edu.ed/accommodation for more information. There is also off campus housing available at the Tweed and Coffs Harbour campuses and the University will assist with housing options.

Accommodation can also be found through local real estate agents, and online services via websites such as www.realestate.com.au.

Rent is paid for by the student and is approximately $550-650 per month for shared accommodations.

Transportation

Students are responsible for the cost of airfare to and from Australia (approximately $1500 return).

Students may be eligible for scholarships to help with the cost of travel.

SCU International suggests that you organise your travel to Lismore, prior to your arrival in Australia. We strongly recommend flying into Sydney and take a domestic flight to Lismore. This is the most convenient and cost-effective way to travel to Lismore. The University staff will be pleased to collect from Lismore Airport, Coach Terminal or Train Station, provided you notify them at least two weeks in advance, by completing this online form.

For more detailed information on how to get to Lismore campus, click here.

You will need a study visa in order to study in Australia. The Australian Government has a very detailed guide to the type of visa you will need and the application instructions based on your situation. Visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection website for more information.

You must have sufficient funds to cover all education and living expenses for the duration of your studies. Refer to the “Student visa living costs and evidence of funds” section on the DIPB website.

U of L Tuition and Other Fees

The Tuition fee is paid to the University of Lethbridge according to the current fee schedule:

• U of L 2017/2018 Undergraduate Program fees for Canadian students:
  • One course: $658.82
  • Two courses: $1,197.97
  • Three courses: $2,045.67
  • Four courses: $2,584.82
  • Five courses: $3,123.97
• U of L 2016/2017 Graduate Program fees for Canadian students:
  • One course: $825.16
  • Two courses: $1,450.66

These fees are subject to change. Current U of L fees can be seen in the fees section of the academic calendar. 

Health Insurance

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a compulsory medical insurance for students studying in Australia. Students need to pay their OSHC for the length of their visa duration, as part of accepting their offer with SCU.

BUPA is Southern Cross University's preferred provider. For alternative providers please refer to the OSHC's website and search for "overseas student cover".  

For more information, visit the Australian Government's Department of Immigration and Border Protection's website.

Summary of Approximate Expenses

SCU students may benefit from the reduced cost of living compared to Australian capital cities. The table below is a general guide for a single student living near Lismore campus.

You will need a study visa in order to study in Australia. The Australian Government has a very detailed guide to the type of visa you will need and the application instructions based on your situation. Visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection website for more information.

You must have sufficient funds to cover all education and living expenses for the duration of your studies. Refer to the “Student visa living costs and evidence of funds” section on the DIPB website.

Application Deadlines:

Session I:  November 30

• Nomination Deadline: October 30

Session II:  May 30

• Nomination Deadline: April 30

Session III: September 30

• Nomination Deadline: August 31

Application Instructions:

Exchange students must use the online application form. Successful applicants will receive an Offer via email. Accept your Offer by paying the Tuition Fee and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Once your acceptance is confirmed, you will be issued an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) so you can apply for a student visa.