1
A five-star education
USC's academics are experts in delivering a quality education—USC was the only public university in Queensland to be awarded five stars for teaching quality in the 2012 Good Universities Guide.
2
Study choices
Choose from a wide range of degree programs and tailor your studies to meet your needs.
USC offers more than 70 degrees in the areas of business and information technology, communication and design, education, health, humanities and social sciences, and science and engineering.
3
The best environment to think
One of the first things you will notice on campus is the friendly and relaxed atmosphere. It's not unusual to see kangaroos on the way to class—they are just another part of the campus community.
There are wide open spaces to chill out, study and meet friends.
USC is renowned for its environmentally sustainable design, distinctive architecture and modern facilities.
And best of all, you are close to everything the beautiful Sunshine Coast has to offer!
Learn more about what else is on campus and on the Sunshine Coast
4
Support
Access a full range of support services and staff who know how to help you through your university experience.
On campus you will find academic skills support, careers and employment services, counselling, financial support, and Indigenous, disability and welfare services.
5
Tailor your studies
Many USC degrees have flexible program structures allowing you to study electives across different areas, in different faculties.
You can even study a minor in entrepreneurship or sustainability as part of most degrees. And if your circumstances change, so can your enrolment.
Flexible study loads mean you can drop your full-time study load from four courses to three, and still be considered a full-time student (and remain eligible for government assistance).
If you have a timetable clash with family or work commitments, you could drop back to part-time studies (one or two courses a semester), or you could even pick up some external (distance) courses at another university to keep your USC studies on track.
6
Experience
Work integrated learning adds experience to your studies and gives your employment prospects a real boost.
Most USC degrees include work experience, production workshops or professional placements as a study option.
Paramedic students can undertake a six-week clinical practicum, working as part of an on-road paramedic team. Journalism students can immerse themselves as a newsroom intern, while education students can start classroom placements in their first semester of study.
7
Personal attention
"Lecturers and tutors are easy to reach and talk to about any issues. You can usually knock on their door and see them straight away."
8
Easy access
Free parking and subsidised public transport make the campus more accessible.
There are regular bus services to locations across the coast, a connecting bus to Queensland Rail at Landsborough, and plenty of bike and pedestrian paths to surrounding suburbs.
9
Inspire innovation
With an award-winning business incubator and accelerator on campus, you have access to the best in business.
The Innovation Centre offers mentoring opportunities for entrepreneurial students, an extensive program of business events, and the chance for students to undertake work experience with more than 30 resident businesses.
10
Research and discover
Many USC students continue studying to gain further research qualifications, often specialising in either genecology or sustainability.
You could study alongside experts like Professor Abigail Elizur—her research on 'tank-bred tuna' claimed second place in Time Magazine's report on the 50 best inventions of 2009.
USC researchers and their recent achievements feature in USC's latest television commercial - watch this and other USC videos on Youtube.
11
Go overseas
At USC, how far you go is up to you. The award-winning Global Opportunities (GO) Program gives students the opportunity to study overseas at one of the 70-plus partner institutions around the world. 
Stay for one semester or for an entire academic year, and experience foreign cultures, develop language skills and increase your competitiveness in the job market. Participating students earn credit towards their USC degree.
First-time applicants to the semester-long program receive a scholarship of between $3,000–$5,000. *
12
Study pathways
There is more than one way to get into university. USC's Tertiary Preparation Pathway can help if you need to brush up on your qualifications or study skills before applying for a degree. Other special entry programs give local, high school and Indigenous Australian students an edge when applying.
You can also start off at TAFE, gaining a vocational qualification before moving on to university study. Refer to the dual TAFE diplomas and USC degrees for study options.
"For me, TAFE was a great pathway as it provided a 'middle step' from high school. The content is different, but there are many study processes and procedures that are similar. It helped prepare me for university."
13
Financial assistance
Financial support scholarships and bursaries are available at USC to help make university education more affordable.
"I would recommend applying for scholarships, because you have nothing to lose. All you have to do is fill in a form, outline your achievements and you have the possibility to gain a lot of relief from the financial pressure of university life."
14
Student life
Your life at university can be as laid-back or fast-paced as you like.
You'll find sports, social activities and plenty of free activities living on the Sunshine Coast.
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Look to the future
Once you graduate you can pursue career opportunities around the world, within Australia and locally. USC was awarded the highest graduate satisfaction rating of any public university in Queensland in the 2012 Good Universities Guide. Find out more in our graduate stories.