University of Sunshine Coast, Australia

Promoted in 1996 in the sixth continent’s scenic Sunshine Coast region, this eponymous varsity became the first greenfield university to be promoted in Oz in 23 years. Fully funded by the Australian government, the University of Sunshine Coast (USC) has quickly earned a reputation for offering contemporary industry-driven degree programmes in the arts, social sciences, business, health and education. Its 5,246 students (including 855 from abroad) are enrolled in 65 undergrad and 70 postgrad degree programmes, distinguished by their special focus on hands-on learning and industry exposure.

“Our degree programmes are designed to provide students with knowledge and skills that enhance their future employment opportunities. Many of them are designed and delivered in collaboration with industry and the professions and include workplace-based learning opportunities, such as internships,” says Prof. Paul Thomas, vice chancellor of USC.

According to Thomas, USC has the highest proportion of academic staff with doctoral or Masters qualifications of any university in Queensland state and the fifth highest in Australia. Moreover USC alumni consistently give the university high marks for quality of educational experience, with a 92 percent satisfaction rating in the 2006 CEQ (course experience questionnaire).

In addition to the faculties of arts and social sciences, business, science, health and education, USC offers several research and study centres including the centre for healthy activities, sport and exercise; centre for multicultural and community development; national seniors productive ageing centre; Fraser Island research and education facility and the Dilli Village interpretive education centre.

Sunshine Coast. Located just 90 km north of Brisbane, the admin capital of Queensland, Sunshine Coast (pop. 300,000) is a popular tourism destination. The coastline begins at Caloundra, an hour’s drive from Brisbane and extends to Cooloola, the gateway to Fraser Island and takes in the tranquil hinterland including the Glass House Mountains, Blackall Range, Noosa Hinterland and the Mary Valley as well as more than 100 km of beach stretching through the coastal towns of Caloundra, Kawana, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum Beach, Noosa and Rainbow Beach.

Apart from pristine surfing beaches, national parks and a plethora of water sports facilities, Sunshine Coast also boasts numerous restaurants, nightclubs, shopping centres and art galleries. There are regular bus services from the university campus to the beaches and major shopping centres. The weather is pleasant with maximum temperatures in summer averaging 28oC, dropping to 9oC in winter.

Campus facilities. Located on the edge of a national park USC’s 100 hectare campus has won several national awards for its environment-friendly architecture. Its green campus where kangaroos often stray in for a stroll boasts contemporary lecture halls, laboratories, auditoriums and an art gallery which displays works of renowned artists through the year. Sited in an architecturally award-winning building, USC’s library houses more than 61,000 print volumes and digital resources. Moreover the university’s website provides 24 hour access to the library’s catalogue and digital database, and computer laboratories on campus offer students 24/7 internet access.

Sports facilities include two playing fields used for rugby and soccer and outdoor hard courts which provide facilities for tennis, basketball and netball. Two additional playing fields for football, soccer and cricket together with a new A$10 million (Rs.33 crore) multipurpose sports stadium catering for basketball, netball, indoor soccer and badminton, were recently inaugurated. Other on-campus facilities include a café, brasserie and bookshop.

Admission. The minimum eligibility criterion for admission into USC’s undergrad programmes is successful completion of Plus Two and for postgrad courses, a bachelor’s degree. Additionally students have to display English language proficiency and submit IELTS or TOEFL scores. However international students who have completed their secondary school education in the English medium are exempt from writing these exams.

The university’s admission office accepts applications round the year and students can download application forms from www.usc.edu.au. Those who don’t meet the university’s admission requirements have the option of enrolling in the one-year Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) programme, specially designed to help students gain direct entry into USC’s undergrad programmes.

For further information contact the University of Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC Qld 4558, Australia. Tel: +61 75430 2843; Fax: +61 75430 2836; e-mail: [email protected].

Accommodation. Students have a wide range of housing options including apartment style residences, home stay and off campus accommodation. Three privately owned and fully furnished apartment complexes are located contiguous to the university campus (a three minute walk). All apartments are self-contained with a large shared lounge and cooking facilities, en suite bathroom, telephone line and high speed internet access. They also feature separate gymnasia, games rooms, tennis courts, swimming pools and beach volleyball courts.

Students who want to live off campus have the option of staying with an Australian family or renting a house/ apartment in the suburbs. The USC Student Services helps international students find suitable accommodation.

Degree programmes. USC offers a wide range of undergrad, honours, inter-faculty degree programmes and postgrad degrees across three faculties: arts and social sciences; business; science, health and education (see box).

Summiya Yasmeen