Southern Cross University is a vibrant, contemporary Australian university with beautiful campuses on the Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour, and branch campuses in Sydney and Melbourne.
The University also operates The Hotel School Sydney and The Hotel School Melbourne in partnership with Mulpha Australia.
We welcome students from more than 60 countries throughout the world and offer 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.
Our 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.
Governance
The University is governed by a Council to which its Chief Executive Officer, the Vice Chancellor, reports. Council is responsible for the management of the University's affairs. The major academic body providing advice to Council on academic matters is the Academic Board.
The Council is chaired by the Chancellor. The Council has 17 members, including the Vice Chancellor, the Chair of the Academic Board, six members appointed by the Minister, four members appointed by council, three elected staff members and one elected student member.
SCU History
Our story
1994 - 2014 was an exciting time for Southern Cross University as it evolved from what was a Teachers College, in the 1970s, into a fully-fledged University with its own identity in 1994.
As part of our 20-year celebrations, we developed a series of stories, historical information and personal recollections. These include a condensed Brief History of SCU from Teachers College to University. We've also included some expanded descriptions of distinct five-year periods describing the University's history over two decades: 1994 – 1998, 1999 – 2003, 2004 – 2008 and 2009 – 2013.
We've sourced stories from graduates, staff and local organisations, and there is a list of Chancellors and Vice Chancellors who have served the University and been instrumental in shaping the direction of the University. Also included is a history of research at SCU and a history of international students at SCU.