Snapshot
Dates
| Term | Application Deadline | Confirmation Deadline | Orientation | Semester Start | Semester End | Program Start | Program End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 traditional (Terms 3 & 4) | 1 March | 1 May | ~week before semester | ||||
| Fall 2026 alternative (Terms 4 & 5) | 1 March | 1 May | ~week before semester | ||||
| Spring 2027 (Terms 1 & 2) | 15 October | 1 November | ~week before semester | early March | mid-June | ||
| Calendar Year 2027 (Terms 1-4) | 15 October | 1 November | ~week before semester | early March | early October | ||
| Fall 2025 (Terms 3 & 4) | March 1 | week before classes | |||||
| Fall 2025 (Terms 4 & 5) | March 1 | week before classes | |||||
| Academic Year 2025-26 | March 1 | week before classes | |||||
| Spring 2026 (Terms 1 & 2) | October 1 | week before classes | |||||
| Calendar Year 2026 (Terms 1-4) | October 1 | week before classes |
**FALL semester, select either the traditional SCU terms (3 & 4) or those more aligned with the UMD calendar (terms 4 & 5)
View the Southern Cross University (SCU) academic calendar. Exact details including arrival and orientation will be provided by SCU after they issue an acceptance letter.
Do not make travel arrangements until you have been officially accepted by SCU and they have shared key dates with you.
Students may participate in study abroad anytime after freshman year (or completing 24 college credits post completion of high school)
Note: Students may apply to a program during freshman year, but must have completed freshman year in good standing to participate in the program their sophomore year.
About Program
- Population of Gold Coast: 540,559
- Population of Coolangatta: 5,948
- Distance to Brisbane: 68 miles
- Distance to Lismore: 63 miles
Gold Coast, Australia is known as a tourist destination with lots to offer, including about 300 days of sunshine a year! You’ll feel right at home in the southern suburb of Coolangatta. Offering a low-key beach vibe, the city provides easy access across the Gold Coast (downtown and other suburbs) and nearby Brisbane (Australia's 3rd largest city). Located on the Pacific Ocean, you'll find some of the world's best surfing plus calmer waters where you can do much more than just swimming, like kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. Head inland (to the subtropical hinterland) to enjoy lush rainforest, mountainous terrain, majestic rivers, waterfalls, plains, and national parks.
Explore the ever-growing options of eateries, breweries, & distilleries where you can enjoy award-winning beers or local foods (including fish and produce). Venues range from dives to places where you can celebrate special occasions.
Southern Cross University (SCU) was ranked by the Times Higher Education (2024) among the top 100 young universities in the world. The SCU Gold Coast Campus, located on the lands of the Yugambeh Nation, is a modern campus within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean.
Student enrollment is around 5,000 and comprised of Aussies and international students. A full range of subjects are available, Courses offer active, interactive, and discussion-based learning. SCU semesters are broken into two segments as they follow the Southern Cross Model (see more about this in the Academic section below).
Outside of class, get involved in the multiple options available to you including SCU clubs and teams.
UMD works with the SCU Study Abroad office to run this program.
Want to see more of the campus, explore the SCU Gold Coast virtual campus tour.
Academics
SCU courses provide active, interactive, and discussion-based learning. Courses (or classes) at SCU are referred to as "units" while majors are called "courses." Units are typically worth 12 SCU credits, or 4 UMD credits. Full-time enrollment consists of either 36 or 48 credits per (12-16 UMD credits) term.
Academics follow the Southern Cross model with the semester split into two terms. This allows you to focus on one or two courses, over one six-week teaching term, at a time. This enables deeper learning and the ability to create the ideal school-life balance.
SCU Gold Coast offers courses in the following areas: arts, engineering, nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, psychological science, speech pathology, social work and community welfare, sports science and exercise physiology, osteopathy, naturopathy, business, education, information technology, law, and tourism
- View SCU course (unit) offerings
- Narrow down unit options by selecting "Gold Coast" campus and "undergraduate" courses.
- Identify Fall Semester courses, those taught during Terms 3 & 4 OR Terms 4 & 5, and/or Spring Semester, Terms 1 or 2.
- Full syllabi (unit outlines) are available online (after selecting a specific unit/course, click the printer icon to save the document as a PDF)
- Search for SCU courses already reviewed at UMD
- This program counts for the UMD Liberal Education Global Perspectives Requirement
- Study abroad foreign courses must be reviewed at UMD prior to program participation so that you know how they will contribute to your degree progress
- To request disability accommodations, please contact International Programs and Services at [email protected] or 218-726-8764.
Cost Information
What’s included in the program fee?
- Personalized advising
- Pre-departure orientation
- Tuition (for 3 OR 4 courses)
- Airport transfer Brisbane to SCU Gold Coast
- Accommodation
- Entry visa assistance
- On-site orientation
- On-site staff support
- SCU organized trips (including weekly surf lessons and overnight trip)
- SCU student services & amenities fee
- Foreign transcript issuance
- Grade posting at UMD
- Foreign course evaluation at UMD
- Re-entry support
These estimated costs do not include the $50 application fee.
- Compare this program cost to UMD's cost of attendance for an academic year.
- View a list of all UMD Study Abroad program costs.
If you do not see a cost estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the cost has not yet been determined. Please note cost estimates and fees may change depending on international economic factors. UMD Study Abroad delays the posting of final fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined in order to provide the most accurate pricing. We strive to post final fees by October 1 for Spring programs, March 1 for May/Summer programs, and May 1 for Fall and Academic year programs.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Scholarships
- Study Abroad Scholarships
- Note: Credits taken on study abroad programs cannot be used toward the Bulldog Bundle.
Financial Aid
Consult with One Stop to see how financial aid can apply to study abroad.
- Receive guidance about all things money-related
- Ask for estimates and budget samples
- Learn when and how financial aid is disbursed
- Ask about other scholarship opportunities & loan info
Plan your budget
Download this Study Abroad Budget Planning Form to estimate costs. Create duplicates to compare this program with others.
Housing
SCU offers study abroad students off-campus beachside modern apartments. Enjoy living in a 2 bedroom (twin share room) apartment with amentities (kitchen, bathroom, etc.) all within walking distance of campus.
Travel Documents
- You are required to have a passport to participate in this program. If you do not have a passport or your passport will expire within 6 months after you will return from abroad, apply for a passport as soon as possible. It can take 2+ months to receive your passport after applying. You can apply for a new passport on-campus at the UMD Passport Acceptance Facility.
- An Australian visa is required
- The UMD Study in Australia Handbook (Travel Documents section) has been created to assist applicants with the process. UMD Study Abroad staff routinely update this resource, however, the Australian Government may change the process at any time.
- Roundtrip airfare should only be purchased after official acceptance is issued by SCU
Apply
Before you click on the "Start my application" button below, make sure you know how to identify the correct program by searching for the:
- Program Name: UMD - Study in Gold Coast, Australia: Southern Cross University (SCU);
and the - Term (e.g. Spring Semester 2026 or Academic Year 2026–2027)
A $50 non-refundable application fee will be billed to your One Stop account upon submission of an application.
After you apply
- After approximately 20 minutes, you will see checklist items for you to complete.
- It is recommended that you complete the checklist items within a month of applying, as applicable. Pre-departure Orientation details will be sent closer to the event date (usually April for fall/summer applicants and November for spring/winter break applicants).
- Your UMD Program Contact will review your application materials.
- You must complete the Confirmation of Participation form to confirm your participation.
- Once we receive your confirmation, your UMD account will be billed a confirmation deposit.
If you decide you cannot participate, you must log in to the online application system and submit the "Cancellation Request form."
Program health and safety information
is available at GO SAFE.
