Southern Cross sees rise in students accepting uni places, as NSW releases ATAR results

While overall applications are similar to last year, student acceptances have increased substantially, with many students locking in study plans ahead of receiving their final results.

Southern Cross University Chief Marketing Officer Dean Gould said the delayed release of ATAR scores had not impacted overall university demand but a spike in enquiries is still expected after today’s release.

ATAR scores are normally released just before Christmas but in NSW they will be out today. Queensland students received theirs on December 17.

“In 2021 we saw a significant increase in year 12 students applying for our early entry program, and seemingly because students knew their ATARs would be released later than usual, we’ve had more students accepting their early offer through Southern Cross,” he said.

“We are one of a few universities in Australia that receives mostly direct applications, with a smaller proportion coming through the Tertiary Admission Centres like UAC and QTAC.”

Southern Cross University still has many academic and other scholarships on offer ahead the main 2022 intake in March.

Cameron Lloyd, 18, was lucky enough to receive the University’s ‘Open Day Scholarship’ last year during Year 12, to study Primary and Secondary Education at Southern Cross Uni in Lismore.

Cameron said he was thrilled to receive the $15,000 scholarship announced in September along with Early Entry.

“I’ve always had my eye on Southern Cross as opposed to other universities, as my sister studied Primary and Early Childhood Education there, so when I was accepted I locked in that decision right away which gave me the time I needed to plan the move five hours away from home,” he said.

“I know a lot of students have been waiting for their ATAR results to confirm where they’ll be going to university – and I hope they get the results they’re after.”

Future Students Senior Manager Suzanne Geraghty said Southern Cross University’s three most popular courses included education, nursing and business, and there had been strong growth in engineering, law, speech pathology, occupational therapy, and science – the latter driven largely by the university’s pioneering regenerative agriculture science stream.

“No matter your ATAR result, the most important thing is not to panic. We understand and can help you find the right course to pursue your desired career,” she said.

“We will host a Q&A webinar on Tuesday at 7pm NSW time to provide information on study areas, campus facilities, university life, scholarships, graduate employment outcomes and different pathways to enter university.”