University of the Sunshine Coast

Established in 1996, University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) is a highly rated, modern public university. UniSC's main campus in Sippy Downs in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, is an architecturally diverse campus and is also renowned for its environmental sustainability.

Students at UniSC receive a high-quality educational experience while enjoying the relaxed lifestyle that the Sunshine Coast offers. UniSC offers more than 120-degree programs and nearly 300 course options at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, across various disciplines.

UniSC's international reputation for research is growing every year, with 26 research fields now rated at world standard or above. From climate change, brain science and road safety to mental health and indigenous and social policy, UniSC's research is breaking new ground in terms of relevance of topics and innovative insights for advancements. Students learn from those at the forefront of their fields in a stimulating environment, at the edge of discovery.

The Sunshine Coast is in Queensland, on the east coast of Australia, and offers students a sunny destination of gorgeous beaches, vast hinterlands and lush green rainforests, located only about 90 kilometres north of the state's capital, Brisbane. UniSC's campus is situated on a 100-hectare wildlife reserve, which is also a sanctuary to native Australian wildlife such as the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, which makes for a unique learning environment at locations like the K'gari Research and Learning Centre on Fraser Island, which is a World Heritage-listed island.

Excellent facilities on campus, including advanced 3D visualisation facilities, a well-stocked library, 24-hour computer labs, an art gallery and various cafes offering a range of dining options, further enhance the living and learning experience for students.

The UniSC Sunshine Coast campus in Sippy Downs has some of the most innovative learning facilities in the whole of Australia and also offers students interactive digital learning spaces. The campus also houses a high-performance sports precinct with a 3,000-seat stadium.

The newest university campus in the state of Queensland, UniSC Moreton Bay creates a conducive environment for students, industry and community to work together. The campus is set to deliver more than 60 degrees to over 3,000 students in 2024.

Located in Hervey Bay, UniSC Fraser Coast offers easy access to the K'gari-Fraser Island Research and Learning Centre. Facilities at Fraser Coast include simulated wards, a makerspace and more.

UniSC Caboolture became operational in 2018 and shares its campus with TAFE Queensland. The campus serves the local community by enabling programs in an inclusive learning environment.

All campuses have modern libraries and other learning resources such as collaborative study spaces, specialist laboratories and more. UniSC Sunshine Coast is home to a diverse community of 1,773 International students.

The university offers more than 120-degree programs and 280 course options at undergraduate and postgraduate levels across seventeen study areas. These include arts, business and commerce, communication, creative industries, design, education, engineering, environmental studies, law and criminology, medical and health sciences, nursing, psychology and social work, science, technology and sports and exercise science.

UniSC's undergraduate programs focus on building the core skills students will need in the workplace, such as communicating well, solving problems and thinking creatively. Most programs provide opportunities for work-integrated learning (internships) and receive hands-on training.

UniSC's career-focused double degrees help broaden students' horizons and increase their career options. Students can opt to study two related fields or choose to combine a professional qualification with a subject area of interest. A higher qualification than a bachelor's degree is an honours degree, which helps students deepen their knowledge and undertake advanced research in a particular field. UniSC also offers diplomas and associate degrees that serve as a broad introduction to a field of study.

UniSC's postgraduate programs are delivered with flexible study options, which lets students tailor their studies to suit their lifestyle. Postgraduate students at UniSC can access a range of support services, academic and otherwise. The opportunity to undertake world-class research and learn using some of the most advanced facilities available further enhances the postgraduate study experience.

Undergraduate programs

Entry into most of UniSC's undergraduate degree programs requires students to have completed the equivalent of an Australian Year 12, with good grades. Further studies, such as a semester or more at college or university, may also be considered and may count for credit transfer towards a degree. Examples of upper secondary qualifications include completion of General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Levels) with the minimum score requirements, completion of the Global Assessment Certificate (GAC) with a minimum GPA of 2.3 or completion of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma with a minimum score of 24.

Some undergraduate programs may require higher grades for entry. Alternative qualifications may also be taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis.

Postgraduate programs

Entry requirements for postgraduate programs vary for different programs, but broad requirements are the completion of a bachelor's degree from a recognised institution. Some programs may require additional qualifications, such as prior study in a particular area, a minimum score in the undergraduate program or work experience.

English requirements

Students whose first language is not English must meet the minimum English language requirements for entry into UniSC's programs. English proficiency may be demonstrated by achieving certain minimum scores in recognised tests. The most common among these is the IELTS. Students require an overall score of 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each subtest for entry into most undergraduate programs. Scores obtained in the TOEFL and Pearson test of English are also recognised

Country-specific entry requirements may vary and more information about these can be found here on Table 3.

UniSC offers a range of international student scholarships to help students on their way to a university degree:

International Student Scholarships

The International Student Scholarship is a 15 percent tuition fee reduction offered to commencing international students in 2024.*

2024 English Excellence Scholarship

The English Excellence Scholarship is a 20 percent tuition fee reduction that is awarded to commencing international students in 2024 who have achieved higher than required results in a recognised English language proficiency test. Students should refer to the table in the terms and conditions to determine if they are eligible.*

There are other scholarships available at UniSC for international students. Some of these may be applicable only to students from a particular country. Students can check with the international office or a UniSC representative for more information regarding scholarships.

*All students should refer to UniSC's International Scholarships page for terms and conditions in relation to these scholarships.

Rankings and ratings

Good Universities Guide 2023/24

UniSC is number one public university in Queensland for overall educational experience, and the best in Australia for postgraduate skills development. Plus, they have a five-star rating for teaching.

AACSB Accreditation

UniSC has been accredited by the world's longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools – AACSB International. Only six percent of the world's business schools have the accreditation, which recognises institutions that have demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curriculum development, and student learning.

ACS Accreditation

UniSC is accredited with the Australian Computer Society (ACS) for its popular technology degrees including computer science, ICT and cyber security. Furthermore, students can gain industry certifications (Microsoft, ITS, Cisco and more) at no extra cost.

Bachelor of Computer Science

UniSC is the first university in Australia to integrate Google career certificates into their programs. This means you get more job-ready skills to help fast track your career in high growth fields.

Course updates

UniSC has recently launched the Diploma in Animal Ecology, offering up to 96 units of credit towards the Bachelor of Animal Ecology. This is a great pathway to learn about animals and turn a love of nature into a meaningful career.

Research

Addressing the key challenges of tomorrow, UniSC's researchers are powerful innovators, bringing ground-breaking knowledge to complex issues facing the region and the world. UniSC has 26 research fields ranked at world standard or above (Excellence in Research for Australia). UniSC also ranked first in Queensland in the Global Impact Rankings, and is in the top two percent globally for overall impact in Times Higher Education Impact Ratings 2023.

UniSC's careers and employability service helps students enhance their employability. The service provides students the opportunity to access workshops and resources to build their skills and ensure that they are industry ready.

UniSC offers a student leadership award as a formal recognition of students' professional development, progress in co-curricular learning, and contributions to the community undertaken during the students' period of study at the university. Besides adding value to a student's resume, the award is also a demonstration of enhanced employability to future employers.

The careers and employability team also hosts industry-specific iEngage sessions, employability workshops and career fairs throughout the year. Students can meet and mingle with potential employers at these events and build networks. Other opportunities for employers to connect with students include internships and work experience. UniSC graduates may continue to access career services for a period of two years after they graduate.