About the university
The University of the Sunshine Coast, known as UniSC since 2022, opened in 1996 with about 500 students and became a full university in 1999. It is a public university with five campuses in South East Queensland and a city-centre location in Adelaide. Times Higher Education places it in the 551–600 band for 2027.
UniSC is known for health, nursing, sport and environmental science, and for research on koala health and the coastal environment. Its main Sunshine Coast campus at Sippy Downs sits in a 100-hectare nature reserve, and it runs a research station on K'gari (Fraser Island).
For Indian students the draw is lower fees than city universities: most 2027 master's degrees cost A$31,500 to A$39,900 a year, and many new international students get a 20% scholarship automatically. Postgraduate IT and business programs can be studied at the Adelaide city location as well as on the Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Coast is a string of beach towns about an hour north of Brisbane. Life is quieter and cheaper than in a big city; UniSC estimates living costs of A$450 to A$500 a week for an international student there.
- Founded
- 1996 as Sunshine Coast University College; full university status in 1999
- Type
- Public university, member of the Regional Universities Network
- Total students
- About 11,700 (THE World University Rankings 2027 data)
- International students
- 18% (THE 2027 data)
- Student–staff ratio
- 27.1 to 1 (THE 2027 data)
- Campuses
- Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Caboolture, Fraser Coast and Gympie in Queensland, plus a city location in Adelaide
- Intakes
- Three trimesters: Trimester 1 (March), Trimester 2 (July) and Trimester 3 (November) for some programs
Rankings
THE World University Rankings 2027
551–600 in the world
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master of Information and Communications Technology
- Fee / year
- A$33,500
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- Trimesters 1, 2 and 3 (March, July, November); Sunshine Coast or Adelaide
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); PTE 58 (no score below 54); TOEFL iBT 85 (writing 21)
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Intelligence and Analytics
- Fee / year
- A$34,500
- Duration
- 1.5 years
- Intakes
- Trimester intakes vary by program (March, July or November); check the program page
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); PTE 58 (no score below 54); TOEFL iBT 85 (writing 21)
- Postgraduate
Master of Cyber Security and Forensics
- Fee / year
- A$33,500
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- Trimester intakes vary by program (March, July or November); check the program page
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); PTE 58 (no score below 54); TOEFL iBT 85 (writing 21)
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration
- Fee / year
- A$31,500
- Duration
- 1.5 years
- Intakes
- Trimester intakes vary by program (March, July or November); check the program page
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); PTE 58 (no score below 54); TOEFL iBT 85 (writing 21)
- Postgraduate
Master of Engineering (Professional)
- Fee / year
- A$39,900
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- Trimester intakes vary by program (March, July or November); check the program page
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); PTE 58 (no score below 54); TOEFL iBT 85 (writing 21)
- Postgraduate
Master of Engineering Project Management
- Fee / year
- A$39,900
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- Trimester intakes vary by program (March, July or November); check the program page
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); PTE 58 (no score below 54); TOEFL iBT 85 (writing 21)
- Postgraduate
Master of International Business
- Fee / year
- A$31,500
- Duration
- 1.5 years
- Intakes
- Trimester intakes vary by program (March, July or November); check the program page
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); PTE 58 (no score below 54); TOEFL iBT 85 (writing 21)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- A$31,500
- Duration
- 2 years
- Intakes
- Trimester intakes vary by program (March, July or November); check the program page
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); PTE 58 (no score below 54); TOEFL iBT 85 (writing 21)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (AUD) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Information and Communications Technology | 2 years | A$33,500 | ≈ ₹21.8 lakh |
| Master of Business Intelligence and Analytics | 1.5 years | A$34,500 | ≈ ₹22.4 lakh |
| Master of Cyber Security and Forensics | 2 years | A$33,500 | ≈ ₹21.8 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration | 1.5 years | A$31,500 | ≈ ₹20.5 lakh |
| Master of Engineering (Professional) | 2 years | A$39,900 | ≈ ₹25.9 lakh |
| Master of Engineering Project Management | 2 years | A$39,900 | ≈ ₹25.9 lakh |
| Master of International Business | 1.5 years | A$31,500 | ≈ ₹20.5 lakh |
| Master of Management | 2 years | A$31,500 | ≈ ₹20.5 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of the Sunshine Coast with similar universities in Australia.
Scholarships
- Bachelor's, master's and pathway programs
UniSC Global Future Scholarship
Value: 20% off tuition fees for the whole program
Eligibility: New international students starting in 2027 who hold a passport from one of UniSC's listed countries; included in the offer automatically. Check that India is on the current list.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Selected programs
UniSC Bright Future Scholarship
Value: 20% off tuition fees for the whole program
Eligibility: New international students starting in 2027 in nursing, prosthetics and orthotics, engineering, cyber security and forensics, social work and engineering project management programs; automatic.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - All coursework and pathway programs
UniSC International Welcome Grant
Value: One-off credit of up to A$2,500 towards tuition and university charges
Eligibility: New Student visa applicants starting in a 2027 teaching period with a UniSC Confirmation of Enrolment for 48 units or more; can be combined with the 20% scholarships.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- CBSE and CISCE (ISC): at least 60% average in the best four academic subjects in Class 12.
- Other state boards: at least 65% in the best four academic subjects; Punjab (PSEB) and Haryana (HSEB) boards: at least 70%.
- Languages other than English, arts, physical education and some other subjects are not counted in the best four.
- Some programs, such as nursing, education and psychology, set higher English scores.
Postgraduate
- Master's programs need a recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent; some accept a UniSC graduate certificate instead.
- UniSC's pages do not state a rule for Indian three-year degrees, so ask the International Office to confirm before applying.
- Related bachelor's degrees can give credit, for example up to 48 units in the Master of ICT for a Bachelor of ICT.
- Student visa holders must study full time and cannot take online-only programs.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets (bachelor's)
- Degree transcripts and certificate (master's)
- English test result (no older than two years)
- Financial documents for the student visa
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Postgraduate: 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0. Undergraduate: 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5. |
| PTE Academic | Postgraduate: 58 overall, no score below 54. Undergraduate: 50, no score below 50. |
| TOEFL iBT | Postgraduate: 85 (writing 21). Undergraduate: 76 (writing 18). |
| Higher-score programs | Nursing needs IELTS 7.0 (writing 6.5); the Master of Teaching needs IELTS 7.5. At-home test versions are not accepted. |
| Class 12 English | UniSC's study-in-English waiver covers countries such as the UK, USA and Canada; India is not on that list. |
Accommodation and living costs
Most students rent privately in share houses near the Sunshine Coast campus or stay in a homestay. UniSC's figures below are for the Sunshine Coast; Adelaide costs will differ.
| Item | In AUD | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a private share houseMay include bills and internet | A$85–300per week | ≈ ₹5,525 – ₹19,500 |
| HomestayMay include some meals | A$235–325per week | ≈ ₹15,275 – ₹21,125 |
| Total living costs (UniSC estimate)Excludes tuition, flights, visa and health cover | A$450–500per week | ≈ ₹29,250 – ₹32,500 |
Campus and location
UniSC's main campus is at Sippy Downs on the Sunshine Coast, with four more campuses north of Brisbane and a city-centre location in Adelaide. Check where your program runs before you apply.
- Sunshine Coast (Sippy Downs): the main campus on a 100-hectare nature reserve, with a sports precinct, art gallery and 24-hour library.
- Moreton Bay (Petrie): a newer campus near Petrie station with nursing simulation spaces and engineering labs.
- Caboolture, Fraser Coast (Hervey Bay) and Gympie: smaller campuses with nursing simulation wards and science labs.
- Adelaide (Victoria Square): a city-centre location offering programs such as the Master of ICT.
- Sunshine Coast Health Institute: teaching and research beside Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
Careers and graduate outcomes
UniSC's health, nursing and engineering programs include placements, and many graduates work in the growing South East Queensland region. Graduates of Australian degrees can apply for post-study work; see our Australia guide for the rules. UniSC does not publish a graduate employment figure on the pages we checked.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| International students at the university | 18% | THE World University Rankings 2027 data |
Studying in Australia
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Australia. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much does a master's at UniSC cost?
Most 2027 master's degrees cost A$31,500 to A$39,900 a year. The Master of ICT is A$33,500 a year and the MBA A$31,500 a year.
Can I study at UniSC in Adelaide?
Yes. UniSC has a city-centre location in Adelaide, and programs such as the Master of ICT can be taken there. Check each program page for the locations open to international students.
Which Class 12 marks do I need?
At least 60% in your best four academic subjects for CBSE or ISC, 65% for other state boards, and 70% for the Punjab and Haryana boards.
Will I get a scholarship?
Many new international students starting in 2027 receive a 20% scholarship automatically in their offer, plus a Welcome Grant of up to A$2,500. Eligibility depends on your passport country or your program.
What IELTS score do I need?
6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for most master's programs, and 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 for most bachelor's degrees. Nursing and teaching ask for more.
Sources
- UniSC: 2027 international student tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
- UniSC: Master of Information and Communications Technology (opens in a new tab)
- UniSC: Bachelor of Nursing Science (opens in a new tab)
- UniSC: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- UniSC: undergraduate admission requirements by country (opens in a new tab)
- UniSC: international scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- UniSC: other study and living costs (opens in a new tab)
- UniSC: study locations (opens in a new tab)
- UniSC: about UniSC (opens in a new tab)
- UniSC: history timeline (opens in a new tab)
- THE World University Rankings 2027: University of the Sunshine Coast (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.unisc.edu.au (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details