Bachelor of Art and Design

at Southern Cross University - Lismore Campus Australia

The Bachelor of Contemporary Music prepares you for a portfolio career in music — the multi-faceted career pathway that is now most common for contemporary musicians. Tailor your degree towards your area of interest, whether it’s production, performance, songwriting or other professional areas of the music industry.

You will learn using state-of-the-art facilities in either Lismore or Coomera, taught by lecturers who are practising musicians with strong industry links.

On-campus facilities include recording studios, rehearsal studios, music production labs, keyboard lab, and professional-standard performance spaces. You can immerse yourself in the rich local music scene that includes major annual events such as Splendour in the Grass.

Students participate in collaborative, practical music-making activities throughout the degree. An extensive ensemble program also includes small and large repertoire-focused groups and student-led project bands.

The Bachelor of Arts focuses on human cultures, values and beliefs that will broaden your mind with challenging ideas. This course fosters transferable skills that are highly valued across all sectors – qualities such as communication, analysis, critical thinking and problem solving.

At Southern Cross you have the opportunity to apply those skills to the real world through community engagement as you delve into contemporary social and environmental issues. Graduates develop cultural awareness and a deeper understanding of how to build their creative capacities and communication effectiveness.

Social Science

This major examines how institutions, the economy, individuals and groups interact; movements for change and crucial issues of social concern. You'll learn a range of methods of analysis and ways of doing research, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Do you dream of showcasing your creative work in galleries and exhibitions around the world? If so, you can take inspiration from the many Southern Cross University graduates whose careers are thriving after completing our Bachelor of Art and Design.

This internationally acknowledged degree is designed to enhance your artistic flair and develop your career options as an artist, curator or designer. Students are immersed in a rich studio experience with an atmosphere that inspires creativity with access to the dynamic arts scene of the Northern Rivers.

From our purpose-built, well-equipped studios, you'll develop your skills in painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture, digital arts and design, and drawing.

Our graduates have featured in some of Australia's most prestigious arts awards, and their work features regularly in commercial and public settings, both nationally and internationally.

You may also use this degree as a precursor to further study, through Honours and PhD, with a view to careers in research and education.

 At Southern Cross University in the Bachelor of Nursing, we are committed to preparing the highest quality nursing graduate with knowledge and attributes that meet the needs of a challenging and complex healthcare environment.

Course learning for the Bachelor of Nursing is progressively scaffolded over the three years and during this time students are immersed in a range of innovative learning experiences from which their cognitive, emotional and clinical capabilities actively grow, and their capacity to engage, think critically and reflect are refined to inform their nursing interventions.

Theoretical learning is coupled with supervised clinical placements which provide invaluable real-world learning opportunities for students. Sourced to meet the learning outcomes of our program, we offer a range of primary, secondary and tertiary placements in local, regional and remote facilities where students can explore diverse career options.

The Bachelor of Arts focuses on human cultures, values and beliefs that will broaden your mind with challenging ideas. This course fosters transferable skills that are highly valued across all sectors – qualities such as communication, analysis, critical thinking and problem solving.

At Southern Cross you have the opportunity to apply those skills to the real world through community engagement as you delve into contemporary social and environmental issues. Graduates develop cultural awareness and a deeper understanding of how to build their creative capacities and communication effectiveness.

Creative Writing

This major offers a rich blend of fiction and nonfiction, experimental writing, journalism, life writing, poetry, writing for stage and screen, and writing for young adults. It is taught by published writers from the Northern Rivers arts community and beyond.

The Bachelor of Arts focuses on human cultures, values and beliefs that will broaden your mind with challenging ideas. This course fosters transferable skills that are highly valued across all sectors – qualities such as communication, analysis, critical thinking and problem solving.

At Southern Cross you have the opportunity to apply those skills to the real world through community engagement as you delve into contemporary social and environmental issues. Graduates develop cultural awareness and a deeper understanding of how to build their creative capacities and communication effectiveness.

Cultural Studies

Cultural Studies introduces you to critical approaches in the study of different cultural forms and practices and the political dynamics of contemporary culture.

The Master of Naturopathic Medicine prepares students for entry into professional naturopathic medicine practice.

Naturopathic medicine practitioners are primary healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills to assess, plan, manage and prevent disease and dysfunction across the lifespan. Naturopathic medicine practice is underpinned by a patient-centred, holistic, integrated and evidence-based approach, with a focus on promoting health and wellbeing, avoiding harm, and addressing the underlying causes/risks of ill-health.

Graduates of the Master of Naturopathic Medicine will develop a clear scope of practice across diverse clinical settings, a strong focus on patient-centred care, a solid understanding of the role of naturopaths within healthcare teams and the contemporary healthcare landscape, knowledge and skills in clinical reasoning, critical thinking, research methods and evidence-based practice.

The Master of Naturopathic Medicine has two graduate-level entry points.

Students with an eligible degree in a health-related field who want to pursue a career in naturopathic medicine may apply for this degree. The total full-time duration of the Master of Naturopathic Medicine for these students is two years.

 The Bachelor of Science at Southern Cross University is a flexible degree that allows you to incorporate a wide range of subjects with career-focused science specialisations.

You can focus on an area of professional practice by choosing a specialisation in Earth and Environmental Systems, Marine Systems, Forestry Systems or Regenerative Agriculture. These specialisations are identified on your graduating testamur. Alternatively, you can choose a major from Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Environmental Solutions or a shared major from disciplines across the University.

You can effectively design your own science degree. All students study six core units that provide a strong foundation in science, including field and laboratory experimentation and analytical techniques, as well as socio-ecological systems, management and critical thinking. Core skills and knowledge are reinforced and expanded across the three-year program. The Bachelor of Science at Southern Cross University is a flexible degree that allows you to incorporate a wide range of subjects with career-focused science specialisations.

You can focus on an area of professional practice by choosing a specialisation in Earth and Environmental Systems, Marine Systems, Forestry Systems or Regenerative Agriculture. These specialisations are identified on your graduating testamur. Alternatively, you can choose a major from Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Environmental Solutions or a shared major from disciplines across the University.

You can effectively design your own science degree. All students study six core units that provide a strong foundation in science, including field and laboratory experimentation and analytical techniques, as well as socio-ecological systems, management and critical thinking. Core skills and knowledge are reinforced and expanded across the three-year program.

Marine Systems

Builds on introductory earth systems knowledge by studying units at our National Marine Science Centre adjacent to the Solitary Islands. These cover oceanography, marine ecology, fish and aquaculture, reefs, fisheries and marine parks management. You can choose from a range of elective units including marine megafauna, ocean change biology, drone technology and special analysis, and coastal fluvial hydrodynamics.

The Graduate Diploma in Regenerative Agriculture provides students with insight into the processes of transition required to build more resilient farming systems and rural societies.

Drawing on multi-disciplinary knowledges, this course will provide graduate students a sound understanding of how to apply the principles and practices of regenerative agriculture in different farming contexts. They will also learn how to effectively work with landholders and support transitions towards regenerative systems. A broad selection of elective units are available. Students with a science background can select soils-focused elective units, or students can select  Indigenous-Knowledge focused elective units.

This course draws on the University’s specialist expertise in plant science, agronomy, ecology and socio-ecological systems to develop a higher-level understanding of the philosophies underpinning regenerative agriculture and enables students to integrate cross-disciplinary knowledge to develop innovative solutions to agribusiness and land management challenges. 

It is designed for students who want to be a part of a new way of farming that better supports, and is supported by natural processes, building more resilient farms and farmers in a future of increased seasonal and weather variability.

This course responds to industry need not only for regenerative farmers but also for regenerative agronomists and consultants who can advise and guide the supply of food and fibre from regenerative farms and support improved land management. This postgraduate qualification is suited both to people already working in the farming and agribusiness sector and also to those who wish to transition into this dynamic and important industry.

Interested in science but not sure which discipline is for you? This course will prepare you with a solid grounding in scientific knowledge and skills. It also enables you to explore the many opportunities that science provides, the wonders of the natural environment and more.

You'll learn the language and nature of science and mathematics, and will be able to follow your interests in specific areas of science.

The course includes specialisations in the following disciplines: Earth and Environmental Systems, Forestry Systems or Marine Systems. Successful completion of the Diploma will guarantee you entry and up to eight units of credit towards linked specialisations in the Southern Cross Bachelor of Science.

Graduates may also find work in para-professional roles, including positions as field assistants, laboratory assistants and environmental monitoring officers.