Overview

The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) is in South East Queensland and is a popular and contemporary public university with an excellent reputation. UniSC is a multi campus in South East Queensland, however UniSC's main campus is located on the Sunshine Coast in Sippy Downs.

　　The Sunshine Coast is located only 90km (55miles) north of the state's capital, Brisbane, and is home to the architecturally diverse UniSC campus, renowned for its environmentally sustainable approach.

　　The unique campus is situated on a 100-hectare wildlife reserve, home to a wide variety of native Australian wildlife including the Eastern Grey Kangaroos, birds and reptiles. This distinctive setting ensures students benefit from some memorable learning opportunities, at locations like UniSC's K'gari Research and Learning Centre on Fraser Island which is a World Heritage-listed island.

　　The university provides students with the necessary modern spaces to learn, along with specialist facilities including advanced 3D visualisation resources and a contemporary High Performance Sport Precinct. There is also a large library on-campus and various 24-hour computer labs for study, while an art gallery and cafes offer spaces to unwind.

　　UniSC students receive a high-quality educational experience, while enjoying the relaxed lifestyle that the Sunshine Coast offers. The university offers more than 120-degree programs and 280 course options at undergraduate and postgraduate levels across seven broad discipline areas.

　　These include business, IT and tourism creative industries, design and communication education engineering, planning and science health, nursing and sport sciences humanities, psychology and social sciences and law and criminology.

　　UniSC's international reputation for research is growing every year, with 26 research fields now rated at world standard or above. The innovative research carried out at UniSC ensures that students will be learning not just from experts in their chosen subject, but also using cutting edge findings and theories.

　　

What's new

Rankings and ratings

UniSC was recently rated 5 stars for Teaching Quality for the 16th year in a row and for Overall Student Experience, Learning Resources, Student Support, Skills Development and Social Equity by the Good Universities Guide 2022.

　　UniSC has topped Queensland in the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking for 2022, and placed fifth among 634 universities worldwide for clean water and sanitation in the rankings that assess universities for proven successes in addressing the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Overall, UniSC ranked joint 31st from 1,406 universities worldwide, and improved its position to seventh in Australia.

　　

Course updates

UniSC is now offering the Master of Information and Communications Technology face-to-face at the Sunshine Coast campus. In this program, students will develop their understanding in data analytics, data science engineering, data and process management, domain knowledge and research methods.

　　UniSC has also recently launched the Diploma in Animal Ecology, through which, on successful completion of the diploma and subject to meeting all other entry criteria, students may receive 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 in the top three per cent globally for Climate Action in the Times Higher Education Impact Ratings 2022.

　　

Campus locations

UniSC's campuses are modern hubs of learning with friendly and helpful staff and award-winning facilities, both academic and otherwise. Flexible study options allow students to opt for any of UniSC's five campuses between Brisbane and the Fraser Coast, all of which have express shuttles, easy access to public transport and facilities for cycling and parking. The campuses are:

　　UniSC Sunshine Coast UniSC Moreton Bay UniSC Caboolture UniSC Fraser CoastUniSC Gympie

　　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 3000-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 2022.

　　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.

　　

Study options

UniSC offers students a range of programs under eleven broad subject areas, which are: arts and international studies business and commerce communication, design and creative industries education environmental studies law and criminology medical and health sciences nursing, midwifery and paramedicine psychology and social sciences science, IT and engineering sport 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. All programs provide opportunities for students to intern 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.

　　

Admission requirements

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. More information about this can be found here.

　　

Postgraduate programs

Entry requirements for postgraduate programs vary for different programs but the 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 be achieving certain minimum scores in recognised tests. The most common among these if the IELTS. Students require an overall score of 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 in each subtest. For entry into most 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.

　　

Facilities

UniSC offers students ultramodern facilities, among the most advanced in Australia, including cutting edge engineering technologies and state-of-the-art facilities for the creative industries.

　　Nursing and simulation labs and paramedic simulation areas replicate real-life settings and give medical and health sciences students invaluable practice in environments they will be working in. The UniSC Psychology Telehealth Clinic is an advanced training and research facility for students of psychology programs. For students of engineering, there are state-of-the-art CNC machines, a multipurpose laboratory for practical experiments, a robotics lab and much more.

　　The Sunshine Coast campus has a moot court for Law students to practice in a real-life setting. Students of the creative arts will benefit from the new performing arts centre complete with professional-quality studios, theatre production space and Queensland's first MIT Fab Lab Maker Space. The UniSC Art Gallery is undergoing expansion and will have additional storage space for a growing art collection in addition to space for events.

　　The CAVE2TM is a 320-degree immersive 3D space that places students in the centre of complex visual data, the only such space in the world used for teaching. The Collaboration Studio is a visualisation space with 3D and touch enabled panels.

　　The High-Performance Sports Precinct has a sports stadium with facilities that are used by Olympic and Paralympic champions.

　　

Scholarships & funding

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

　　International Student Scholarship: The International Student Scholarship is available to international students commencing in 2023 across all UniSC Queensland campuses. This 15% tuition fee reduction applies to the officially scheduled and published tuition fees for the relevant program and study period. For more information, including terms and condition, contact the International Office or your preferred UniSC agent. English Excellence Scholarship: The English Excellence Scholarship is awarded to commencing international students who have achieved higher than required results in a recognised English language proficiency test. This 20% tuition fee reduction applies to the officially scheduled and published tuition fees for the relevant program and study period. For more information, including terms and condition, contact the International Office or your preferred UniSC agent.