Sydney

Study at Southern Cross University Sydney campus

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Sydney harbour view

Southern Cross University's Sydney branch campus is located in Surry Hills on the south side of Sydney’s bustling Central Business District.

Group of students posing for a group photo with the Sydney Opera House in the background

Sydney is the capital city of New South Wales. Home to more than five million people, Sydney is one of the most beautiful, exciting and liveable cities in the world. Each year, New South Wales welcomes around 200,000 international students.

Southern Cross University’s Sydney campus is a two-minute walk from Central Station – Sydney's largest train station – which serves the Sydney Trains and New South Wales TrainLink networks.

It's also just a five-minute walk from Prince Albert Park, a 7.5-hectare urban parkland with tennis courts, an exercise circuit, outdoor heated pool and sustainable landscaping. Parking is limited, but public transport is efficient and convenient.

Sydney's most famous landmarks – the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbour – are all within a 5km radius of our campus.

The City of Sydney runs several programs to support international students, including provision of a comprehensive resource guide, leadership training, mentoring, skills development and work experience. This support, plus Southern Cross University’s convenient location, makes our Sydney campus an ideal place for international students.

Search courses in Sydney View a map of our Sydney campus

Find out more information about:

Student orientation
Facilities and resources
Expenses and transport
Housing and entertainment

Student orientation

Orientation at Southern Cross Sydney is a time to welcome new students into our University community and welcome back returning students. It is a chance for new students to familiarise themselves with their surroundings, find out about university services, key dates and social activities, enrol in classes and understand how to maintain a Student Visa.

Orientation is compulsory for all new students and is offered in the week before classes commence.

More information on international student orientation.

Facilities and learning resources

Southern Cross Sydney provides students with modern, well-equipped teaching spaces and classrooms. Contemporary audio-visual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study.

Learning resources

All students are provided with access to a range of internet and computing services. These include:

MySCU is available to all Southern Cross University students through a password login. All new students receive user name and password when they receive their offer of enrolment. Simply select the MySCU Details tab within My Enrolment.

MySCU is a personalised web-based portal to a range of online resources:

  • The Learning Management System
  • Blackboard Learn, your online access to unit resources, communications and collaboration
  • The library and its electronic databases and catalogues
  • Student administration services including My Enrolment
  • Access to timetables for lectures and exams
  • The latest University news and events happening around the campuses and beyond

Library

Students at the Sydney campus have electronic access to Southern Cross University’s extensive library and are entitled to reciprocal borrowing rights with most Sydney universities.

Sydney Campus building with Circular Quay and bridge in background

Expenses and transportation

Most international students will arrive in Sydney via Sydney Airport. There are several transport options serving the domestic and international terminals.

Sydney's public transport network includes buses, trains, ferries and light rail servicing the city and suburbs.

Living in Sydney

The Department of Home Affairs has financial requirements you must meet in order to receive a student visa for Australia. As of October 2019, the 12-month living costs are:

  • For students or guardians - AUD$21,041
  • For partners coming with you - AUD$7,362
  • For a child coming with you - AUD$3,152

Refer to the step-by-step Student Visa Subclass 500 application and Document Checklist Tool for details on how to provide the evidence required to cover the costs of your stay, including your travel, study and living expenses.

Additional expenses

Students may need to purchase or access prescribed textbooks. Southern Cross University recommends that students budget AUD$600 per year to cover costs for textbooks, stationery and other sundry costs. The costs of books vary depending on your program. At a minimum, it is advisable to buy the core textbooks suggested by your lecturers and reading lists.

Accommodation and entertainment

There is a lot to consider when planning accommodation in a new country. The Australian Government provides helpful tips about searching for accommodation. Also, UniStays offers services for private rental accommodation in Sydney.

Entertainment

Entertainment in Sydney caters to a wide range of budgets and tastes, from sport to music, art to cuisine, theatre to film, festivals, exhibitions and much more. Events and entertainment provide opportunities to explore the cultural and artistic aspects of Australia.

When you first arrive, a trip on the Sydney Explorer bus can be a great way to visit different parts of the city. A day pass will take you to see Sydney's top sights. For more information on this and many other events and attractions, go to the Sydney tourism website.

More information

For more information about studying and living in Australia, go to the Australian Government's Study in Australia website.

Contact the Sydney campus

Location
Level 2, 84-86 Mary St, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010 Australia.

Enquiries email: infosydney@scu.edu.au
Applications: educoapps@scu.edu.au
Student Support: sydstudentsupport@scu.edu.au