Would you like to complete your studies with a university degree from Southern Cross University?

The great news is that you can apply for further studies at university once you’ve completed* one of our VET courses.

Southern Cross University provides vocational education and training (VET) pathways to university from Nationally accredited courses and qualifications within discipline-related Australian Training Packages. If you’ve completed a Certificate IV, or higher qualification with an Australian Registered Training Provider (RTO), you are well on your way to earning a related Southern Cross degree, with maximum credit for your prior studies.

*A person does not need to wait until they have completed their VET qualification to apply for further studies at Southern Cross University (SCU). They can apply to SCU at the same time as they apply to Mindroom Innovation RTO or at any time during their VET studies. SCU issues a conditional offer, which becomes unconditional once their VET studies are complete.

What are Vocational Qualification Credit Linkages?

Credit linkages facilitate entry (admission) and/or credit for prior learning (advanced standing) into SCU degrees for any person holding one of the vocational courses or qualifications published in this document. Students can confidently articulate into the first or second year of a discipline-related undergraduate or postgraduate degree with predetermined credit outcomes, no matter how the learning was obtained: face-to-face; on-campus; or online. If the SCU qualification is CRICOS registered, credit linkage arrangements are also applicable to international students who will study in Australia on a student visa.

Credit Linkage Benefits

  • allow a person to better plan their study and career path in advance
  • enable non-traditional entry to Higher Education by elevating a person’s university selection rank through prior learning;
  • provide greater support for people transitioning between different academic levels, cultures and technologies;
  • build academic skills and confidence progressively, over time and facilitate life-long-learning;
  • reduce the overall cost and duration of a degree;
  • allow students to use their prior vocational knowledge and skills to work their way through their degree; and
  • reward a person with multiple qualifications in the shortest possible time, which is advantageous for employment, promotion and better pay.

For further details view the Southern Cross University website: www.scu.edu.au/aqfvocationallinkages

Which entry requirements apply?

All applicants (domestic or international) must meet the University’s English language requirements for admission. Completed or partially completed vocational courses or qualifications allow the University to formulate a selection rank to determine eligibility for a place of study at SCU. Please be guided by the Calculating the rank information and the indicative entry score published for each SCU course.

How should students apply to study with SCU?

The SCU website provides information about how domestic students apply to study with them and they are happy to talk directly with students about this process. International student application and offer information is summarised below.

Generally SCU will not package international offers for visa purposes with linkage partners, unless the organisation has campuses on the Gold Coast and is recruiting from low risk assessment country markets. Otherwise, assessment occurs on a case-by-case basis to consider approximate location of vocational and degree studies and other risks.

The possibility of packaging for international student applications and offers can be discussed with Narisu Zaetta (see contact details below). Application occurs by location:

Gold Coast, Lismore, Coffs HarbourSydney, Melbourne, PerthThe Hotel School Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Hayman Island
How to ApplyHow to ApplyHow to Apply
Narisu Zaetta
Agents, Packaging and Offer Processes
P: + 61 7 5589 3189
M: +61 0447 318 725
E: [email protected]
W: www.scu.edu.au
John Crowder
National Admissions Director, SCU Partnership
M: 0410 150 704  
E: [email protected]
W: https://scu.educoglobal.com
Betty Lui
Student Recruitment Manager
P: +61 2 8249 3248
M: +61 437 512 177
E: [email protected]
W: https://hotelschool.scu.edu.au
Gwen Nugent
International Admissions
P: +61 2 6620 3876
E: [email protected]
W: www.scu.edu.au

What is the general application and offer process for international students studying in Australia on a student visa?

1. International students from low risk assessment countries can apply directly to SCU. Some international students from high-risk assessment countries must apply through an SCU education agent.
2. An applicant can apply online using the online application for admission and can indicate that they wish to be considered for Advanced Standing, by selecting yes from the drop-down box provided, or they can can download, complete and submit the International Application for Admission and supporting documents to [email protected]
3. If an application includes evidence of current or completed studies, the SCU conditional offer will show the reduced duration of study and current credit for recognition of prior learning
4. The applicant accepts, defers or declines the conditional offer
5. SCU checks off conditions on the offer, including evidence of completion of vocational studies with Mindroom Innovation
6. Once all conditions are met, the applicant is given approval to pay
7. Upon receipt of payment, Health cover is arranged (with Bupa if by SCU) and SCU issues the Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE)
8. The applicant applies for their student visa. The visa is granted or refused
9. The student arrives, and participates in orientation.

Useful links

Undergraduate Course Guide
Why choose to study at Southern Cross University
Pathway Programs
Credit for Recognition of Prior Learning