History
Lismore Teachers College (pictured at right) commenced its first year on Monday 23 February 1970, after several years of negotiations that began in 1959. It had 151 students and primarily was a single purpose college. On 1st September 1971 Lismore Teachers College became a College of Advanced Education under the Higher Education Act 1969.
Education
Southern Cross University is committed to providing educational opportunities for our diverse student body, in particular those from rural and regional communities. We aim to deliver inspirational teaching, innovative research and high quality and dynamic learning experiences to equip our students to be tomorrow's leaders, to live a life they value and be effective global citizens.
Research
Southern Cross University conducts research in areas for which we are known for having excellence, which is readily scalable from a regional model to have impact at both the national and international level. We are known for having world leading expertise and infrastructure with our researchers contributing to solving real world problems around climate change, natural resource management, food security, health and wellbeing and social welfare.
Career
At Southern Cross University it's all about our students and achieving excellence in teaching, learning and research. We are committed to providing inspirational learning experiences that equip our students to live a life they value and to be effective global citizens.It's about a working environment where we encourage a collaborative, open and transparent culture which supports diversity and family-friendly work practices. We support each other to act with integrity and demonstrative openness, respect, collaboration and trust.
Southern Cross University Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Southern Cross University. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Provided by university
Grant
8000 AUD
Deadline
Anytime
Vice Chancellor’s International Diversification Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
8000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
Vice Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Sep 2025
Veterans’ Fund Indigenous Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Apr 2025
Veterans’ Fund Graduate Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
120000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
Future Leaders Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 AUD
Deadline
15 May 2025
Federation University - MACC Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2025
ServiceScape Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
21 Nov 2025
Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
15000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
Destination Australia
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
MVC Vocational Education Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
MVC Young Chef’s Club Award
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
32192 USD
Deadline
23 Aug 2025
International PhD Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2025
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
25 Aug 2025
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2025
Essay Writing Contest from EduLegit
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2025
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
09 Jul 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
8000 AUD
Deadline
Anytime
Vice Chancellor’s International Diversification Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
8000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
Vice Chancellor’s Academic Excellence Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Anytime
Australia Awards Pacific Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Sep 2025
Veterans’ Fund Indigenous Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Apr 2025
Veterans’ Fund Graduate Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Beijing Government Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
120000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
Future Leaders Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 AUD
Deadline
15 May 2025
Federation University - MACC Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
30 Nov 2025
ServiceScape Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
21 Nov 2025
Destination Australia Cheung Kong Exchange Program
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
15000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
Destination Australia
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
MVC Vocational Education Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
2000 AUD
Deadline
Not specified
MVC Young Chef’s Club Award
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
32192 USD
Deadline
23 Aug 2025
International PhD Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Sep 2025
The PhD Prep Fellowship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
25 Aug 2025
Women Scholarship for International Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
30 Jun 2025
Essay Writing Contest from EduLegit
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2025
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
09 Jul 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
University Ranking
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
501
2024
501 100
2023
601
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
576 75
2024
651 50
2023
701
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
-
2023
901 -100
2022
801
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
1132 -135
2023
997
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Student services
Services and support
- Careers
- Counselling
- Student Access & Inclusion
- UniMentor Program
- Health Services
- Multifaith and Pastoral Care
- Room bookings
- Student loans
- Accommodation
- Childcare/parents' rooms
- Computer Labs and Printing
- Indigenous Australian Student Services (IASS)
- Parking
- Safety and Security
- Sexual assault and sexual harassment
- Student Advocacy Service
- Student Representation and Student Associations
- UniLife
Housing services
A range of on-campus accommodation options are available at four residential colleges across the Lismore and Coffs Harbour campuses. Apartments are modern and fully furnished, with their own kitchen, lounge, dining area and bathroom.
- SCU Village Coffs Harbour
- SCU Village Coffs Harbour
- SCU Village is managed by Campus Living Villages in partnership with SCU. From movie nights and themed parties to study groups and cooking classes, life on-campus offers everything you need to make the most of your university experience.
Library services
From providing access to online resources, study spaces and facilities, to giving one-on-one assistance with researching for assignments, Southern Cross University Library is here to help you with your studies.
ICT services
The University's Computing Conditions of Use prohibit the use of University systems for activity not directly related to your research, study or administrative functions. Breach of these conditions may result in suspension from the network and network services or more serious disciplinary action.
Medical services
The Southern Cross University Health Clinic provides a quality and dedicated health care service to our students, staff and the Lismore and Gold Coast communities.
The Clinic offers services in:
- Bulk-billed General Practice, Lismore campus only
- Exercise physiology
- Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Massage - remedial and sports
- Osteopathy
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Psychology
- Speech pathology.
Campus life
Southern Cross University offers services to help you find private rental off-campus (UniStays) or accommodations at one of our on-campus residential colleges (SCU Village).
On campus at SCU Village is exactly where you want to be! Imagine this – fully furnished apartments, no crowded buses to and from uni and a residential life program like no other. University life could not get any better (or any more convenient)!
Sports facilities
Southern Cross University offers a wide range of sporting, recreational and cultural activities, with something for everyone.
To keep up to date on the latest UniLife news, events, opportunities, clubs and programs please ‘like’ UniLife on Facebook.
Campus sport
A fun, social sporting opportunity for the entire University community.
Elite student athletes
We support elite athletes so that they can balance their dual careers of training and competing at an elite level whilst undertaking their study.
Fitness centres
Our sport and fitness centres provide arrange of sporting facilities across the three campuses including 2 gyms, an aquatic centre, 2 indoor sports courts, and 2 sports field and 4 tennis courts.
Student clubs
- CoastRs
- Coffs Harbour Students Association
- LEXSA
- Southern Cross Postgraduate Association
Accreditation
Southern Cross University's Faculty of Education study pathways for early childhood, primary, secondary and higher education are all professionally recognised. Undergraduate courses are accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and the QLD College of Teachers (QCT) and are nationally recognised.