SCU LAUNCHES '1800' STUDENT ADVICE HOTLINE

In advance of the forthcoming release of NSW HSC and Queensland Senior Certificate results, Southern Cross University has launched an advice hotline for students wishing to apply to SCU, inquire about their preference changes or seek further information about study at one of its NSW North Coast or Gold Coast campuses.

The number - 1800 626 481 - started operating today, Thursday, 13 December and will be open from 9.00am to 5.00pm, including weekends, until Saturday, 22 December. Outside those hours, callers will be able to leave their contact details so they can be called back promptly.

The establishment of the service is part of SCU's commitment to helping prospective students in its prime service region, according to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Rickard. The VC noted that Southern Cross' course offerings ranged across diverse areas, including law and business, health sciences, the creative arts, tourism, education and information technology.

The VC said independent research showed that student satisfaction rates at SCU were well above those at most other Australian universities, both metropolitan and regional.

"In addition, we were also rated very highly in terms of entry flexibility, which is an important criterion for many regional students," Professor Rickard said. "There are tremendous benefits to studying in an area which offers wonderful lifestyle options and a lower cost of living, as well as a University whose academic standards are high and which offers a lower student/lecturer ratio than most other institutions".

For further details, please contact Mr. Carl Rallings, Director, Student Administration, on (02) 6620 3689

or Mr Robin Osborne, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Phone: (02) 6620 3039 Mobile: 0418 431 484

Email: rosborne@scu.edu.au