Southern Cross University: Fees, Campuses and Intakes
TL;DR: Southern Cross University charges most international students one flat fee in 2027: AUD 27,000 a year, under a scheme it calls Access27. It teaches in six-week terms, with main international intakes in March, July and October, at Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour and at city campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Most master's courses ask for IELTS 6.5 overall.
Southern Cross University (SCU) is unusual in two ways: one fee for almost every course, and a study model where you take up to two units at a time in six-week terms. This guide explains what the flat fee covers, where each course is taught, when you can start and what English score you need. To check your own fit before you apply, Check your eligibility with Prosper.
Is Southern Cross University a good choice for international students?
For students who want a lower and predictable fee, several start dates and the option of a city campus, it is worth a close look. SCU's main campuses are on the Gold Coast in Queensland and at Lismore and Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. Its Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth campuses are branch campuses run in partnership with SCU Ventures and teach business, IT, engineering, education and hotel management.
Southern Cross University fees: how Access27 works
For 2027, SCU offers most international students a flat fee of AUD 27,000 a year, or AUD 3,375 per unit, for a full year of eight units. It applies automatically at every SCU and Hotel School campus.
| Course | Length | Fee (2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Information Technology | 2 years | AUD 27,000 a year |
| MBA (Business Analytics and AI) | 2 years | AUD 27,000 a year |
| Master of Engineering (Civil) | 2 years | AUD 27,000 a year |
| Bachelor of Nursing | 3 years | AUD 27,000 a year |
| Bachelor of Global Hotel and Tourism Management | 3 years | AUD 27,000 a year |
| Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) | 2 years | AUD 37,000 a year (AUD 4,625 per unit) |
The flat fee does not cover the Master of Nursing, the veterinary degrees, Study Abroad, English courses, research degrees or courses taught overseas. SCU says fees for 2028 will rise by its normal annual increase. Compare these figures with other universities in our guide to Australia tuition fees for international students.
How the Southern Cross Model changes your year
SCU runs six terms of six weeks: a Summer Term and Terms 1 to 5. International students take up to two units per term, and eight units make a full-time year. Fewer subjects at once means more focus on each, with results arriving through the year rather than at two exam periods.
| 2027 term | Starts |
|---|---|
| Summer Term | 11 January |
| Term 1 | 8 March |
| Term 2 | 3 May |
| Term 3 | 5 July |
| Term 4 | 30 August |
| Term 5 | 25 October |
The main international intakes are March (Term 1), July (Term 3) and October (Term 5). The Master of Nursing starts in January and August, and the Bachelor of Nursing in March and July.
Southern Cross University courses and campuses
- Master of Information Technology: majors in Artificial Intelligence or Cybersecurity, at Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane, starting March, July and October. Our Master of Information Technology in Australia guide compares routes.
- MBA (Business Analytics and AI): at the same five campuses and intakes.
- Master of Engineering (Civil): at Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, starting March and October. It needs an engineering degree related to the specialisation.
- Bachelor of Nursing: at Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Gold Coast, with about 840 hours of clinical placement.
- The Hotel School: hotel and tourism management in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Gold Coast.
Southern Cross University English requirements
| Level | IELTS Academic | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma | 5.5 overall, no band below 5.0 | 42 (no score below 36) |
| Undergraduate | 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 | 50 (no score below 42) |
| Postgraduate | 6.5 overall | 58 (no score below 50) |
| Nursing | 7.0 overall, 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking, 6.5 in writing | 63 overall with set section minimums |
The Master of Information Technology, MBA and Master of Engineering also need at least 6.0 in each IELTS band. Results must be from the last two years. Master's entry needs a degree equivalent to an Australian bachelor's.
Applying from Sri Lanka
SCU does not publish a Sri Lanka grade table on its site; undergraduate entry is assessed with its academic score by country, and master's entry needs a degree equivalent to an Australian bachelor's. With terms starting every few months, plan backwards from your chosen term so your Confirmation of Enrolment, health cover and student visa are ready in time. Our guides on how to apply to university in Australia, the Genuine Student requirement and the Australia student visa document checklist set out each step.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Southern Cross University cost for international students? For 2027, Southern Cross University charges most international students a flat AUD 27,000 a year under Access27. The Master of Nursing is AUD 37,000 a year and is not part of the flat fee.
What is the Southern Cross Model? The Southern Cross Model is Southern Cross University's teaching year of six six-week terms. International students take up to two units per term, and eight units make a full-time year.
When are the Southern Cross University intakes? The main international intakes at Southern Cross University are March, July and October. In 2027, Term 1 starts on 8 March, Term 3 on 5 July and Term 5 on 25 October.
Does Southern Cross University have campuses in Sydney and Melbourne? Yes. Southern Cross University has branch campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, run with SCU Ventures, teaching business, IT, engineering, education and hotel management.
What IELTS score does Southern Cross University need for a master's? Most master's courses at Southern Cross University need IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, and IT, MBA and engineering courses also need 6.0 in each band.
PS: A flat fee makes budgeting simpler, but the term you choose decides how much time you have for the visa. Prosper can apply to Southern Cross University for you and plan the start date that fits. Check your eligibility with Prosper.
References
- Access27, Southern Cross University, https://www.scu.edu.au/study/international-study/access27/
- 2027 International Guide, Southern Cross University, https://www.scu.edu.au/media/scu-dep/study/international-students/documents/2027-Southern-Cross-University-International-Guide.pdf
- Key dates and teaching calendar, Southern Cross University, https://www.scu.edu.au/current-students/student-administration/key-dates--teaching-calendar/
- The Southern Cross Model, Southern Cross University, https://www.scu.edu.au/current-students/enrolling/the-southern-cross-model/
- Explore our campuses, Southern Cross University, https://www.scu.edu.au/experience/explore-our-campuses/
- Bachelor of Nursing, Southern Cross University, https://www.scu.edu.au/study/courses/bachelor-of-nursing-3005105/
- Master of Information Technology, Southern Cross University, https://www.scu.edu.au/study/courses/master-of-information-technology-1209160/
- Admission requirements, Southern Cross University, https://www.scu.edu.au/study/international-study/how-to-apply-international-future-students/admission-requirements/
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