Breadcrumbs
The University at a glance
Official name
University of the Sunshine Coast
Type of university
Public
Founded
The Sunshine Coast University College was founded in 1994, with the first students starting at the Sippy Downs campus in 1996. Full university status was granted to the new institution in 1998 and it became the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Planning President
Professor Paul Thomas AM
Inaugural Chancellor
Justice GE (Tony) Fitzgerald
Current Chancellor
John Dobson OAM
Vice-Chancellor
Professor Paul Thomas AM
Location
Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Sippy Downs is approximately 100 kilometres north of Brisbane, Queensland's capital city.
Postal address
University of the Sunshine Coast
Maroochydore DC Qld 4558
Australia
Campus size
100 hectares
Faculties
Arts and Social Sciences
Business
Science, Health and Education
Degree programs
Undergraduate: 67
Postgraduate: 50
Courses
384
Student enrolments
Total: 5,833
Undergraduate: 4,239
Postgraduate: 1,021
Non-award: 537
On campus: 5,383
Off-campus: 450
International students
977
International student sources
50 countries
English language programs students
1,314
English language programs student sources
24 countries
Student demographics
Male: 38%
Female: 62%
First in family to attend university (bachelor degree): 52%
Average age (all): 26
Average age (bachelor degree): 24
Aged 21 years and over (all): 58%
Aged 21 years and over (bachelor degree): 48%
Teaching and research staff (excluding casuals) *
173
Teaching and research staff with postgraduate qualifications (excluding casuals) *
150 (90%)
All staff (excluding casuals) *
468
Alumni
6,113
Projected total student population
15,000 by 2021
Research institutes and centres
Centre for Healthy Activities, Sport and Exercise
National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre
GeneCology Research Group
Regional Sustainability Research Group
Research facilities
Fraser Island Research and Education Facility
Dilli Village Environmental Education Camp
Kingfisher Bay Research and Education Centre
Study centres
USC Noosa Centre
Rankings
Staff qualifications
USC has the highest proportion of academic staff with Doctoral or Masters qualifications of any university in Queensland - and the fifth highest in Australia. **
Graduate satisfaction
Graduates consistently give USC top marks for educational experience, with a 92 percent satisfaction rating in the 2007 CEQ. #
Geographic origins of enrolled students (on campus)
74.7% from Sunshine Coast
10.0% from other areas of Queensland
2.6% from interstate
12.7% from overseas
Top 5 international student source countries
- Malaysia
- Germany
- United States of America
- Canada
- Fiji
Top 5 international student source countries (on campus)
- Germany
- United States of America
- Canada
- France
- Sweden
University mission
To be the major catalyst for the innovative and sustainable economic, cultural and educational advancement of the region, through the pursuit of international standards in teaching, research and engagement.
The Strategic Plan outlines the University's institutional objectives.
University logo
The corporate identity for the University of the Sunshine Coast has three related elements:
- The Sunshine Coast region is symbolised by the sun element, representing forms of knowledge permeating the spectrum of community life.
- The academic focus of the University is seen in the open book shape and the dynamic abstraction of the related points reminiscent of the unique form of the Library - the traditional source of information in a university community.
- The third element is the significance of the environment and how, over time, night and day, its sustainability is reliant on learning and education. The spliced rectangle on the right is both the land and water of the Coast and Hinterland.
University mace
The University mace is the symbol of the formal authority of a university. It is carried by the Yeoman Bedell in formal ceremonies at which the Chancellor is present, such as graduation. The mace has medieval origins, and some are extremely ornate and those of older universities reflect church origins and academic traditions.
The University of the Sunshine Coast's mace is carved from red cedar, felled on the slopes of Buderim in the inter-war years. The design draws from the three interwoven themes reflected in the institution's logo, mission and ongoing development. These are: academic traditions and quality; the regional community; and a significant commitment and sensitivity to the environment.
The mace is displayed in the University's Council Room.