University of the Sunshine Coast
A young Queensland university with a bushland Sunshine Coast campus and consistently five-star teaching ratings.
- Students
- 20,782
- International
- 17%
- of students
- Tuition
- A$30,500
- From · 2027
- Founded
- 1996
About UniSC
The University of the Sunshine Coast opened in 1996 as the Sunshine Coast University College with 524 students, became an independent university under 1998 legislation and took its current name in 1999; it has used the abbreviation UniSC since 2022. It was the first greenfield university established in Australia since 1971. It now has 20,782 students across campuses on the Sunshine Coast (Sippy Downs), Moreton Bay (Petrie), Caboolture, Fraser Coast, Gympie and Adelaide.
Teaching is organised into five schools: Business and Creative Industries; Education and Tertiary Access; Health; Law and Society; and Science, Technology and Engineering. Health is by far the largest, with 8,677 students, reflecting degrees in nursing, paramedicine, physiotherapy, medical science and psychology taught partly at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Research focuses on health and wellbeing, agriculture, aquaculture and forestry, ecology and environment, and human behaviour, with the Thompson Institute and Forest Research Institute among its centres.
UniSC's calling card is the student experience: it reports being Queensland's top public university for overall educational experience and has been rated five stars for teaching quality since 2006. It suits students who want a supportive, mid-sized university in a coastal region an hour north of Brisbane, particularly in health, education, environmental science and business.
Why students choose UniSC
UniSC has been rated five stars for teaching quality since 2006 and was No. 1 public university in Queensland for overall educational experience in the 2025 Student Experience Survey.
In 2026 every commencing international student automatically received a 15% tuition reduction (20% for citizens of Southeast Asian countries and selected programs); these awards cannot be deferred past a 2026 intake, and the 2027 scheme had not been published when checked.
The Sippy Downs campus sits on a 100-hectare flora and fauna reserve bordering Mooloolah River National Park, with a 50 m heated pool and a 3,000-seat stadium.
Almost nine in ten graduates are employed within four months, with a short-term full-time median salary of $65,900.
Admissions
2027 entry (Trimester 1 starts 8 March 2027)
Selectivity
UniSC does not publish an acceptance rate. Domestic applicants are ranked by selection rank (ATAR or equivalent) through QTAC; offers for Trimester 1, 2027 are made progressively from 20 August 2026.
Typical entry requirements
| Australian Year 12 (domestic) | Selection rank (ATAR or equivalent) and any program prerequisites; apply through QTAC |
|---|---|
| International applicants | At least 18 when the program starts, meet the program's admission requirements for their home qualification, and meet English requirements; apply through the International Application Portal or a registered UniSC agent |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 76 Standard undergraduate requirement: IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5 (One Skill Retake accepted) or TOEFL iBT 76. Higher, non-standard requirements apply to programs including education, law, dietetics and clinical exercise physiology. Online or at-home test versions are not accepted. |
Deadlines
- Trimester 1, 2027: undergraduate on-time due date (direct applicants) Non-binding Next deadline · In 52 days27 November 2026
QTAC applicants follow QTAC dates. Applications opened 4 August 2026; some programs may close early.
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) Non-binding In ~2 months7 December 2026
On-time date to be considered in the January offer round (via QTAC).
- Bachelor of Medical Science Non-binding In ~3 months30 December 2026
Fixed closing date (via QTAC).
Dates are from UniSC's 2026-2027 application dates page. Trimester 1, 2027 starts on 8 March 2027. International students should contact UniSC International for their deadlines.
How to apply
Domestic students apply for most undergraduate degrees through QTAC; some (e.g. deferred and TPP students) apply directly via ApplyUniSC. International students apply through UniSC's International Application Portal or a registered agent, not QTAC; after accepting an offer and paying fees they receive a Confirmation of Enrolment for the Student visa.
What admissions looks for
- A selection rank (ATAR or equivalent) that meets the program's threshold, plus any subject prerequisites.
- For international students, qualifications that meet the program's admission requirements and certified supporting documents.
- English proficiency at the standard level (IELTS 6.0) or the higher level set for education, law and some health programs.
Tips for applying to UniSC
- 1 Check your program's campus and start trimester on its web page: not every degree runs at every campus or in every trimester.
- 2 If you want physiotherapy or medical science, note their earlier fixed dates (7 and 30 December 2026).
- 3 In 2026 international applicants from Southeast Asia automatically received a 20% fee reduction (15% for everyone else); check whether UniSC renews the scheme for 2027 intakes, since the 2026 awards cannot be deferred.
- 4 Book accommodation early: the student complexes next to the Sippy Downs campus are privately run, and UniSC recommends arranging housing before you arrive.
Costs & financial aid
2027 · figures in AUD
Commencing international students in 2026 automatically receive the International Student Scholarship (15% off tuition for the whole program), or the International Bright Futures Scholarship (20%) if they are citizens of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam or enrol in selected programs. These 2026 awards cannot be deferred past a 2026 intake, and UniSC had not announced its 2027 international scholarships when checked on 30 September 2026. Domestic students can defer fees through HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP and apply for UniSC scholarships.
- 15% tuition reduction, automatic
- International Student Scholarship (2026 commencing)
- 20% tuition reduction for eligible citizenships and programs
- International Bright Futures Scholarship (2026 commencing)
- A$373 (2026); A$386 (2027)
- Student Services and Amenities Fee (maximum)
Academics
Academic calendar: Trimesters (Trimester 1 starts in March, Trimester 3 in November), plus shorter study sessions
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
Has its own earlier on-time date (7 December 2026, for the January offer round) and a 2027 international fee of A$39,900, the highest band on UniSC's fee list.
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology)
Part of the School of Health, UniSC's largest school with 8,677 students; 2027 international fee A$35,500.
Bachelor of Animal Ecology
Draws on the bushland campus and UniSC's research strength in ecology and environment.
Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Aircraft Maintenance)
A specialised aviation-maintenance degree taught with dedicated aircraft maintenance courses.
Bachelor of Business
UniSC is rated Australia's No. 1 public university (undergraduate) for overall experience and teaching quality in business and management (Good Universities Guide 2026).
Bachelor of Computer Science
Also rated top public university in Australia for overall experience and teaching quality in computing and IT (Good Universities Guide 2026).
Research
- Research focuses on health, medicine and wellbeing; agriculture, aquaculture and forestry; ecology and environment; and human behaviour, work and society.
- Research centres include the Thompson Institute and the Forest Research Institute.
- In the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, UniSC was 8th in the world for Life on Land and first in Australia for Zero Hunger.
- In September 2026 UniSC reported research helping to pioneer an industry for bee-glue (propolis) products.
Schools & faculties
- School of Business and Creative Industries
- School of Education and Tertiary Access
- School of Health
- School of Law and Society
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Almost nine out of ten UniSC graduates are employed within four months of finishing (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2025); median full-time graduate salary A$65,900 after four months and A$86,300 after three years.
Student life
The Sippy Downs campus is built on a former sugar-cane farm turned 100-hectare flora and fauna reserve, and its sustainably designed buildings have won 30 architecture and planning awards. Facilities include a 50 m heated pool, an indoor sports stadium, a health and sport centre and a 3,000-seat stadium venue. There are no university-run halls; three privately run complexes (Varsity Apartments, UniCentral and The Village) sit next to the campus in Chancellor Park, with four-bedroom apartments mixing local and international students. The student body is diverse: 39.2% are first in their family at university and the average age is 25.
- Campus borders Mooloolah River National Park.
- 50 m heated Olympic pool opened in 2011.
- Students from more than 80 countries; 16.5% international.
- 30th anniversary in 2026.
Housing. UniSC does not run its own residences; private student complexes are within walking distance of the Sippy Downs campus, and share houses and homestays are also available.
Location
Sippy Downs is at the geographic heart of the Sunshine Coast, about 100 km north of Brisbane near the Bruce Highway, with beaches, hinterland and national parks nearby. Translink buses link the campus to Caloundra, Maroochydore, Nambour and Kawana and to trains at Landsborough. Brisbane Airport is the closest international airport, and Sunshine Coast Airport handles domestic flights.
Nearest airport: Brisbane Airport (BNE) for international flights; Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) for domestic
Notable alumni
- KF Karen FoxleeAward-winning novelist; BA in creative writing (2005)
- MJ Marayke JonkersParalympic swimming medallist; studied communications and social science
- SW Soo WincciMiss World Malaysia 2008, singer and entrepreneur; MBA from UniSC
- JB Jarrod BleijieQueensland politician; studied politics at UniSC before completing law at QUT
- RB Reanna BrowneAustralian cricketer; BA in human resource management
Frequently asked questions
How much does the University of the Sunshine Coast cost for international students?
Indicative 2027 annual tuition ranges from A$30,500 (e.g. Arts, Business) to A$39,900 (Engineering Honours, Physiotherapy Honours). In 2026, commencing international students automatically received a 15% (or 20%) tuition reduction.
What IELTS score does UniSC require?
Most undergraduate programs need IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 76; education, law and some health programs require more.
How do I apply to UniSC?
Australian students apply for most undergraduate degrees through QTAC; international students apply through UniSC's International Application Portal or a registered agent.
When does the 2027 academic year start at UniSC?
Trimester 1, 2027 begins on Monday 8 March 2027. The on-time due date for direct undergraduate applications is 27 November 2026.
Does UniSC have on-campus accommodation?
UniSC does not run its own halls, but three private student accommodation complexes are within walking distance of the Sippy Downs campus.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to UniSC in the QS World University Rankings 2027.