University of Sunshine Coast (USC) ranked #4 in Graduate Ratings by Good Universities 2021 is a public higher education university with six campuses and three research institutions. With about 3,089 international aspirants and 540 faculty members, the university is Australia’s fastest-growing with the rapid increase in students coming from across the globe for higher education in Australia. USC offers bachelor's degrees, double degrees, honors, 12 diplomas, and 3 associate degrees, and over 50 postgraduate degrees.
Candidates can apply online via the International Student Application portal along with paying an application fee of 260 AUD. International students seeking admissions at the University of Sunshine Coast can submit IELTS scores of 6.0 and 6.5 for UG and PG respectively or equivalents as proof of English Language Proficiency. The basic tuition fee for the UG programs is around 73,000 AUD and 54,000 AUD for PG programs. International students are eligible for a wide range of merit and need-based scholarships of up to 50% tuition fee waiver. Renowned alumni of USC include Marayke Jonkers, Gary Crew, Jonty Bush, Leah Neale, and other famous personalities.
Also Check: Top Universities and Colleges in Australia
University of the Sunshine Coast Rankings
The notable rankings of the University of the Sunshine Coast are:
- #1001st -1200 by QS WUR 2022
- #301-350 for QS WUR by Subjects 2022
- #26th in the Impact Rankings by Times Higher Education 2021
- #161st in the Young University Rankings by Times Higher Education 2021
- #601-800th in World University Rankings by Times Higher Education 2021
- #4th in Graduate Ratings by Good Universities 2021
- #36th in Australia by UniRank 2021
Highlights
| Type | Public |
| Campus Setting | Rural |
| Number of Campusesof | 6 |
| Mode of Program | Full-Time, online |
| International Students | 3,089 |
| Total Faculty | 540 |
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 32 |
| Basic Tuition Fee for International Undergraduate Students | 73,200 AUD |
| Basic Tuition Fee for International Graduate Students | 54,000 AUD |
| Mode of Payment | Debit card, credit card, Flywire International Payments, bank transfer, electronic payment. |
| Test Scores Accepted | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or equivalent |
| Financial Aid | Scholarships |
| Official Website | usc.edu.au/study |
University of the Sunshine Coast Campus and Accommodations
University of the Sunshine Coast has six campuses and three research centers in Queensland, Australia. The flagship campus is USC Sunshine Coast located in Sippy Downs whereas the others are in Gympie, Fraser Coast, Caboolture, Moreton Bay, and Southbank. The USC campus has all the necessary amenities required for the academic and personal development of students that includes labs, activity clubs, recreational areas, cafes, a library, a swimming pool, and other state-of-the-art facilities.
USC does not provide on-campus housing facilities or screen information, nor does it act as a provision for accommodation information. It’s the student’s responsibility to search for off-campus accommodations in Australia.
- It has a Engineering Learning Hub with 3D CAVE2TM visualization studio, simulated nursing and paramedic labs, 5.5 million Performing Arts Centre, nationally accredited sport science labs, specialized computer, science, and design labs, and a range of interactive digital learning spaces.
- There are also modern teaching and study spaces, USC Library and Art Gallery, a bookshop, a community garden, and space for multi-faith prayer and quiet reflection.
- USC Sunshine coast comprises of high-performance sports precinct with two fully equipped gyms, an Olympic-standard swimming pool, and a 3000-seat USC stadium. These are Sunshine Coast Thunder (netball), Sunshine Coast Lightning (netball), Australian Cycling Academy, and USC Spartans (swimming).
- As per reviews on USC Six cafes are present in the USC Sunshine Coast campus which provides a range of eateries and refreshments which include fresh juices, coffees, pre-made sandwiches, rolls, salads, sushi, noodles, pastries, etc.
- Library membership is available to every student enrolled in USC to have an access to both physical and online collections, library spaces, and support of library staff.
- Student and Rental Accommodation: Websites useful for searching rental accommodation are Domain, Realestate.com.au, Flat Mates, and Easy roommate. It is recommended for international students to book temporary accommodation before arriving in Australia to have a place to stay.
- Homestay: International students can live with Australian families as it is quite affordable. One can explore the Australian culture, make connections, and know the country and its people more if they opt for Homestay. Students can contact a private homestay provider, Australian Homestay Network (AHN) to check the options.
University of the Sunshine Coast Programs
Programs of the University of the Sunshine Coast include diploma, bachelor's degree, combined degree, honors, master's degree, and higher degree by research, Graduate certificate, and Graduate Diploma in over 200 disciplines.
- The university offer over 100 single or double bachelor degrees which are usually three-year programs or four-year program if it’s a bachelor's degree with honors.
- The school also offer a graduate certificate which can be completed in one semester, a graduate diploma which can be completed in two-semester, a Masters degree, and a Higher degree in a wide range of discipline
- English language programs are also available for students who are not proficient in English or who want to sharpen their English skills.
- International students can also take part-time study abroad programs at USC.
Popular courses of USC and their annual tuition fee for 2021 are tabulated below:
| Programs | Indicative Annual Tuition Fee (in AUD) |
|---|---|
| Master of Business Administration | 41,100 |
| Master of International Business | 54,800 |
| Master of Counselling | 52,000 |
| Master of Health Promotion | 52,000 |
| Master of Information and Communications Technology | 54,800 |
| Master of International Development | 50,000 |
| Master of Management | 54,800 |
University of the Sunshine Coast Application Process
USC accepts international students if they meet the entry-level criteria and English language requirements. Students seeking admission at the University of the Sunshine Coast need to apply online along with paying an application fee. Below is a summary of the admissions process and the mandatory requirements one needs.
Where to Apply: International Student Application Form (UG, PG course work, PQP, and TPP programs)
International Honours Application Form (one-year honors program)
Application Fees: 260 AUD
Application Requirements:
- Academic transcript and high school certificate
- Copy of photo page of current passport
- Curriculum Vitae
- Personal Statement
- Visa
- Work Experience (Some PG Courses)
- Proof of Financial Support
- Health Certificate
- Program-specific requirements
- English language proficiency tests scores:
| Tests | UG | PG |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| TOEFL PBT | 555 | 575 |
| TOEFL iBT | 76 | 85 |
| Pearson Test of English | 50 | 58 |
| LOI | One year of full-time tertiary/post-secondary studies, two years of full-time secondary studies (where the language of instruction is English) | Two year full-time tertiary study/other post-secondary studies (where the language of instruction is English) |
| CAE/CPE | 169 | 177 |
| ISLPR (IIAA accredited)- (previously ASLPR) | 3 | - |
| GAC | GPA of 2.3 | - |
| USC's English for Academic Purposes (EAP) 2 | Successful completion | Successful completion |
| USC's English for Academic Purposes (EAP) 3 | Successful completion | Successful completion |
Know More About- Admission Process of Top Australian Universities
University of the Sunshine Coast Costs of Living
Any international student at USC would require approximately A$380 to A$400 per week to live on the Sunshine Coast. This covers daily life expenses, typical accommodation costs, transport, and food. The amount is in addition to visa application, airfares, health cover, tuition fees based upon the student’s lifestyle and living preferences.
The following are approximate values of costs of living in Australia which the students have to pay:
| Expenses | Costs / week (in AUD) |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | 41,100 - 54,800 |
| Private and Shared Accommodation | 85–215 |
| Homestay Accommodation | 235-325 |
| Food | 80+ |
| Gas and Electricity | 35 -140 |
| Internet and Phone (depending on number and distance of calls) | 10–20 |
| Transport | 20-55 |
| Stationery, photocopying, etc | 20 |
| Entertainment | 80-150 |
University of the Sunshine Coast Scholarships
Students planning to study at USC and looking for financial aid can avail from a wide range of financial assistance provided by the institute. The scholarships mentioned below are, particularly for international students. Apart from this aspirants can also check with their home institutions and government to check for scholarships to study in Australia.
| Scholarships | Eligibility | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Start Online & Save (SOS) Scholarship | Study online | 50% tuition fee reduction |
| International Student Outlook (ISO) Scholarship | Onshore international students | 15% tuition fee reduction |
| Australia Awards | Merit-based International students | Variable |
| Go Clean Scholarship | International students planning to study abroad | 5000 AUD |
English Language Programs (EAP) offer scholarships to international onshore and offshore students commencing the program in 2021. They are listed below:
Onshore:
- 15% off on the entire EAP program
- 1000 AUD off on the first ten-week of EAP block
- 15% off on the entire USC program
- 1000 AUD off first semester/session in a USC program
Offshore:
- 15% off on the entire EAP program
- 1000 AUD off on the first ten-week of EAP block
- 50% tuition fee reduction on the USC program until the end of 2022
- 15% off for the remainder of the USC program
University of the Sunshine Coast Alumni
A student becomes a part of the USC Alumni community as soon as he/she graduates. Students not only get access to alumni benefits but they can also involve themselves as returning students, advocates, guest speakers, mentors, employers, donors, student internship providers, or industry partners.
- Free access to USC library
- Stay connected through the USC Alumni database by updating their details
- Two years post-graduation support by Career Development Support
- Connect via Social media handles
- Ignite magazine with news bites
- Testamurs from Australian Higher Education Graduation Statement (AHEGS)
Notable alumni of University of the Southern Coast:
- Jessica Ainscough: Australian editor, writer, wellness entrepreneur
- Tom Butterfield: Papua New Guinean professional rugby league football player
- Marayke Jonkers: Retired Australian Paralympic swimmer
- Gary Crew: Australian writer
- Jonty Bush: Australian Politician
USC graduate Leah Neale claims an Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo 2021 for the Australian 4x200m freestyle relay team. Moreover, Kaylee McKeown won gold for 100m backstrokes in swimming in Tokyo Olympics 2021.
University of the Sunshine Coast Placements
The careers and employability Department at USC helps students to achieve their career goals and find jobs in Australia and worldwide. Whether they are in the first year or the final year, they have an access to consultations, workshops, self-guided resources, and leadership opportunities to build the skills. The university help students to:
- Book appointments for guidance, advice call back, and career info sessions.
- Volunteer at USC, a community for non-profits, work experience scheme (WES), work-integrated learning (WIL).
- Find a job at Student Hub for full-time, part-time, and casual.
- Gain international experiences while studying overseas and earn credit through USC’s Study Overseas Program
- USC Student Leadership Award adds value to the resume while recognizing the professional development
- Launch U is an Online Trade Accelerator that provides the opportunity to engage with local exporters to gain hands-on experience.
- Virtual Experiences to learn how graduates work under the employers.
- Students as Partners (SaP) approach to student leadership, governance, and representation.
Australia is emerging as a new education hub leaving behind some of the renowned countries. With low education costs and varied accommodation options, students are considering their career prospects in Australia.
USC Sunshine Coast is overall best rated in Australia. With multiple intakes in a year, students can gain admissions easily, provided they apply with the required documents. If they don’t have ample education qualifications, they can also choose pathways to take admissions in undergraduate and graduate courses as per their preferences.
FAQs
Ques. Is accommodation available at USC Sunshine Coast?
USC Sunshine Coast does not provide on-campus accommodation. Before arriving in Australia, students can book their temporary housing near USC campuses. There are ample options available like privately-owned student accommodation complex, homestay, shared house, etc.
Ques. What is the cost of living on the Sunshine Coast?
An international student living in Sunshine Coast has an approximate expense of 380-400 AUD per week. This includes typical accommodation costs, daily living expenses, food, and transport.
Ques. Does USC Sunshine Coast offer international scholarships?
USC Sunshine Coast offers five scholarships named Start Online & Save (SOS), International Student Outlook, Australia Awards, Northcote, and other scholarships. There are also international onshore and offshore scholarships for students enrolling in EAP programs.
Ques. How can apply for international admission at USC Sunshine Coast?
For international admissions, students can fill up International Student Application Form (Undergraduate, postgraduate course work, PQP, and TPP programs) and International Honours Application Form (one-year honors program).
Ques. What are the English language requirements for undergraduate programs?
International students have to full=fill the English language requirements to enroll in undergraduate programs. They must have a 555 (with a minimum essay score of 4) in TOEFL PBT, 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in each subtest) in IELTS Academic, 76 (with a minimum score of 18 in writing) in TOEFL iBT, or equivalent.
Ques. What is the international tuition fee for a Master of Business Administration?
The indicative international tuition fee for the year 2021 for Master of Business Administration is 41,000 AUD.
Ques. What are the English language requirements for postgraduate programs?
International students have to full=fill the English language requirements to enroll in undergraduate programs. They must have a 575 (with a minimum essay score of 4) in TOEFL PBT, 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in each subtest) in IELTS Academic, 85 (with a minimum score of 21 in writing) in TOEFL iBT, or equivalent.
Ques. What are the tuition fees for international students f0r Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)?
The indicative total tuition fees as per the year 2021 for Bachelor of Engineering Honors (Electric and Electronic) is 118,400 AUD.
