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Course snapshot
Domestic snapshot
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Start Date
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Duration
35 weeks full-time
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Location
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Placement
No
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ATAR
N/A
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Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 5.0
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Entry Requirements
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Course abbreviation
CareerStart
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Course code
9509910
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Credit points
48
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Equivalent units
5
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Scholarships
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Indicative fee
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
International snapshot
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Start Date
February, June
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Duration
35 weeks full-time
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Location
Gold Coast
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Placement
No
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ATAR
N/A
-
Inherent Requirements
No Learn more
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Language Requirements
IELTS Overall Score 5.0
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Entry Requirements
-
Course abbreviation
CareerStart
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Course code
9509910
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Credit points
48
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Equivalent units
5
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Scholarships
-
Indicative fee
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CRICOS
Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.
Overview
Career Start is just as it sounds — the beginning of your future. We’ll help you refine your English language and academic skills, setting you on the path to study in Australia and to achieving your career dream.
Whether you choose the cool, green surroundings of the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, or the beachside buzz of the Gold Coast, our campuses are stunning locations for your studies.
Career Start begins with 10 weeks of English followed by four units of academic study aligned to your chosen field. This can be business, tourism and hospitality, science or the arts.
This course is offered by SCU College which works with you and for you along the way, offering support through College Connect and additional workshops to develop your academic and study skills.
Successful completion of Career Start makes you eligible for credit into our Diploma of Business or Diploma of Science.
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“When I found out about the intensive six-week Transition to Uni course, I applied and got in and it really helped me get the start I needed at uni – I wouldn’t have been able to study a degree without it.”
The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.
Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.
Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.
The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).
Streams available in this course for students to choose from include:
- Arts
- Business
- Science
- Tourism and Hospitality.
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term 1, Term 3 | $13,780 ($2,756 per unit) | 096807M |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Career Outcomes
This is a pathway course for study abroad students.
Students who successfully complete the Career Start (Study Abroad) course may receive up to four units of credit towards the Diploma of Business or the Diploma of Science.
Requirements
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.
Entry requirements
Applicants for admission to candidature to the Career Start (Study Abroad) program must have an education qualification recognised as equivalent to having successfully completed Australian Year 12; and be a minimum of 18 years old at the start of the program.
Applicants must also have an assessable entry qualification from a country where English is the main language and where the medium of instruction for that qualification was English, or have completed an International English Language Test (or comparable test scores*) with:
- a minimum overall score of 5.0 and a minimum score of 4.5 in each subtest (or comparable test scores*).
- in order to successfully complete the core unit and progress to elective units students must complete ENGL1002 with SCU College Exit Test scores of 5.5 overall and a minimum score of 5.0 in each subtest.
Language requirements
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 5.0 |
| Reading | 4.5 |
| Writing | 4.5 |
| Listening | 4.5 |
| Speaking | 4.5 |
Course requirements
To successfully complete the Career Start (Study Abroad), students must complete English for Academic Purposes and the equivalent of 4 units (48 credit points), comprising:
- 1 specialisation (48 credit points)
Course structure
Fees and Scholarships
Domestic students
You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.
Commonwealth Supported Places:
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).
SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.
Full Fee-Paying Places:
A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Scholarships vary in amount, from a few hundred to several thousand dollars each year. Eligibility isn't limited to top-performing students or those facing financial challenges; there are opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and with different accomplishments. This ensures that education remains accessible to all, changing lives and helping individuals achieve their goals for a brighter future.
Fees and Scholarships
International Students
If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.
Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF
Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.
Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships designed to support you while you study, available for a variety of backgrounds and achievements. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year. Southern Cross has also introduced Access25, a new initiative for 2025 to deliver a quality education combined with a straightforward tuition model, ensuring every international student has equal access.
Apply now
Preparing to apply
- Check requirements
- Get supporting documents ready
- Choose where and when from the available options
Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.
Dates for the diary
Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.
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How can we help?
Credit Transfer
Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.
Go to credit assessorEntry Pathway
We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.
Find a pathway