The University of the Sunshine Coast is a young public university in Queensland, with its main campus at Sippy Downs an hour north of Brisbane and further campuses at Moreton Bay, Caboolture, Gympie and Fraser Coast. It is best known for health, nursing, sport science, environmental science, business and education, with small classes and five-star teaching ratings. Choose it for a supportive degree in a coastal lifestyle region at lower cost than the big cities.
Sunshine Coast, Australia
Official website: usc.edu.au
#1001
Five stars for teaching quality for over a decade (Good Universities Guide)
1996 — one of Australia's youngest universities
Around 18,000 students across five campuses
A$28,000 – A$38,000
International students, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework
A$20,000 – A$25,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on usc.edu.au before you apply.
Master of Information and Communications Technology
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Master of Business Administration
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Master of Professional Accounting
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Master of Nursing
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Feb
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 94
Master of Health Promotion
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Bachelor of Nursing Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 94
Teaching quality — five-star ratings for over ten years running.
Sunshine Coast Health Institute — clinical training beside the region's university hospital.
Sport — high-performance training facilities used by national teams.
Regional campuses — graduates qualify for extra post-study work rights.
Health graduates enter Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Queensland Health services.
Business and ICT alumni work in the Sunshine Coast's growing tech and tourism sector and in Brisbane.
Graduates can stay and work in Australia for up to four years on a regional Temporary Graduate visa.
Regional study adds points toward skilled migration to Australia.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
The Sippy Downs campus is a green, low-rise site with kangaroos on the grounds, a central library and student hub, and beaches 15 minutes away; the newer Moreton Bay campus sits closer to Brisbane.
The Sunshine Coast is a relaxed beach region of about 350,000 people with a warm climate, surf and national parks, and rents below Brisbane and Sydney. Brisbane is an hour south by car or train.
CoE from the University of the Sunshine Coast
Proof of funds for fees and living
Overseas Student Health Cover
English test at required level
Genuine Student statement
Valid passport and health check
UniSC accepts international applications on a rolling basis for each intake. For February 2027 entry, apply by November 2026, and for July 2027 by May 2027, to leave time for the offer, the Confirmation of Enrolment and the visa. Nursing and other courses with clinical places can close earlier.
Most undergraduate and postgraduate courses start in February (Semester 1) and July (Semester 2), including ICT, the MBA, professional accounting and health promotion. The Master of Nursing admits in February only. A small number of courses also run a summer session from November.
You need a Student visa (subclass 500). UniSC issues your Confirmation of Enrolment after you accept the offer and pay the deposit. Apply online to the Department of Home Affairs with proof of funds, Overseas Student Health Cover and a Genuine Student statement, and complete a health check if asked.
ICT, the MBA, professional accounting, nursing and health promotion attract the most international applicants. Master's entry needs a bachelor's degree or equivalent, TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0; nursing requires IELTS 7.0. Undergraduate entry is assessed on Year 12 results or equivalent.
Yes. UniSC offers international scholarships that reduce tuition for undergraduate and postgraduate applicants with strong academic records, usually assessed automatically from the application, plus awards for students from India and other regions. Check the university's scholarships page for the current percentages and eligibility.
