How do I find and apply for a postgraduate course at Southern Cross University?

Start with SCU's course search and set the course type to Postgraduate to browse programs by study area. Then confirm entry requirements and credit for previous study before you begin an online application. The site's "Your journey starts here" selector also has a dedicated "I am interested in postgraduate study" option that routes you to the right next steps. Use this route if you already know you want postgraduate coursework; if you are weighing coursework against a research degree or a pathway program, compare those options first (see below).

Find the right postgraduate course

SCU's course search lets you filter by course type and keyword, and you can also browse by study area. The study areas listed on the site are:

• Business
• Education and Teaching
• Engineering
• Health
• Hotel Management
• Information Technology
• Indigenous Knowledge
• Law
• Science and Environment
• Veterinary Sciences
• Pathway Programs
• Double Degrees

Steps to shortlist a program

1. Open the course search and select Postgraduate as the course type.
2. Add a keyword if you have a subject in mind, or browse a study area instead.
3. Note the course name and check its entry requirements on the course page.
4. Check whether you can get credit for previous study — the site lists this as a standalone step under "How to apply."
5. If you are unsure, use the "I'm unsure, help me decide" option in the course search area.

Expected result: a shortlist of postgraduate courses that match your study area and keyword, each with entry requirements you can check before applying.

Confirm you are eligible and check credit

Before applying, verify two things on the course page: the entry requirements and whether previous study or experience can count toward your degree. SCU's "How to apply" section includes a specific "Understand credit for previous study" link, so treat credit as a separate check rather than assuming it is automatic.

If you do not meet direct entry requirements, the site lists pathway programs as an alternative route into university study. These are worth checking before you rule out a postgraduate course.

Apply

SCU provides an online application route ("Start an online application") and a "How to apply" page. The homepage also flags key dates — for example, it advertises an October start with an enrolment deadline of Wednesday — so check the current intake dates on the site rather than relying on a single advertised deadline.

Application checklist

• Course selected and entry requirements confirmed
• Credit for previous study checked (if relevant)
• Online application started via the "How to apply" page
• Enrolment deadline for your intake noted
• Scholarships reviewed (SCU lists a scholarships search)

Coursework, research, or a pathway?

The site separates three routes, and choosing the wrong one is the most common detour:

If you are still deciding, the "I'm unsure, help me decide" option and the "I'm looking for a pathway into University" selector both exist to route you before you apply.

Support and scholarships

SCU lists a scholarships search from the homepage and the "How to apply" area. International applicants have a separate information path, and the site also points to a search for an Education Agent if you are applying from overseas. Check these before submitting, since scholarship and agent support are separate from the course application itself.

Common sticking points

• Filtering by the wrong course type. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses appear in the same search; set the type first.
• Skipping the credit check. Credit for previous study is a distinct step, not part of the course page.
• Missing the enrolment deadline. Intake dates are advertised on the homepage and change by start period.
• Applying before choosing between coursework and research. Research degrees go through the Graduate School and a supervisor, not the standard coursework application.