Education
The Sunshine Coast has a full range of high quality education and training facilities including the University of the Sunshine Coast, a multi-campus vocational education and training institute (TAFE Queensland), over 400 Registered Training Organisations, English Language colleges and more than 80 private and public schools.
Approximately 98% of year 12 school leavers graduate with a Queensland Certificate of Education, vocational education and training qualification or International Baccalaureate Diploma.
The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) is one of Australia’s fastest growing universities and offers more than 120 undergraduate and postgraduate study programs.
UniSC actively partners with local industries and businesses to provide important links between students and the workforce.
It also partners with local high schools to prepare students for university.
The Sunshine Coast Health Institute is a partnership between Griffith University, UniSC, TAFE Queensland and the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.
This important venture allows Griffith University medical students to study in the environment they will work in, collaborating with various health industry professionals.40
An investment in knowledge
The Sunshine Coast boasts some of Queensland’s best schools and the impressive $300 million in education infrastructure investment currently underway is expected to provide a major boost to the region’s educational offering.
Future proofing our next generation
The Sunshine Coast is a tech-savvy region with a reputation for innovation and leadership in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education.
Continued investment in talent and skills prepares our workforce with the knowledge and experience needed to compete in a global marketplace.
- Schools across the region are leading the way in STEM innovation.
- RoboCoast, a hub of state and private schools, encourages the uptake paving the way for a stronger economy of robotics and coding.
- Generation Innovation is an annual challenge for 15-25 year-olds wanting to start their own business.
- The Sunshine Coast Telstra Innovation Awards program challenges high school students to develop entrepreneurial thinking.
Leaders in STEM and innovation
The Sunshine Coast is a tech-savvy region with a reputation for innovation and leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
A continued investment in talent and skills is preparing our workforce with the knowledge and experience they need to compete in a global marketplace.
UniSC is part of the Queensland STEM education network, a consortium of Queensland universities providing high quality programs and initiatives designed to build STEM capacity across the state.
Schools across the region are leading the way in STEM innovation with Baringa State Primary School (opened in 2018) celebrated as Queensland’s first STEM School of Excellence, followed by the opening of Baringa State Secondary College (in 2021). Both schools are located in the master-planned Aura community, alongside Nirimba Primary School (opened in 2022). A fourth school – a Catholic P-12 college, delivered by Brisbane Catholic Education, is planned to open in 2023.
The region’s reputation for innovation is well supported by a collaborative Innovation Ecosystem which consists of education programs, business incubators, coworking spaces, advocacy events and meetups which actively support and encourage innovation, new ideas and entrepreneurs.
Innovation Sunshine Coast is a not-for-profit innovation hub located at UniSC. Launched in 2002, the centre is a hub for mature entrepreneurial startups and high growth companies. It comprises a 1,700 square metre facility, dedicated support team, incubator/accelerator programs, collaborative events, 330MBps connection, video studio, prototyping lab, and 30+ mentor panel.
With an array of opportunities for young tech minds, the Sunshine Coast is becoming recognised as a place where emerging tech talent, young techpreneurs and STEM high achievers flourish.
- Coding and Innovation Hub: Established by Mountain Creek State High School in 2015, the hub provides professional development opportunities for teachers and classes in advanced coding for students.
- DeLorean Project: Year 10 students at Glasshouse Christian College can learn entrepreneurial approaches like lean startup, rapid prototyping and customer validation.
Study Sunshine Coast Australia
Study Sunshine Coast, an initiative of Sunshine Coast Council in collaboration with Education Sunshine Coast, provides a central resource of information, showcasing the study opportunities available and the unique destination and lifestyle offerings on the Sunshine Coast.
This is further augmented by council’s Future Careers program which highlights the impact that technology and innovation will have on the region’s seven high value industries and jobs of the future.
The seven high value industries are:
1. Aviation and aerospace
2. Health and wellbeing
3. Clean technologies
4. Food and agribusiness
5. Tourism, sport and leisure
6. Knowledge industries and professional services
7. Education and research
With its partner organisations, Study Sunshine Coast aims to provide a welcoming and supportive environment that enhances student experience, boosts retention and encourages visitation by relatives and friends.
“Our Sunshine Coast offers local, national and international students an education and lifestyle experience that is unrivalled anywhere in Australia.”
– Mayor Mark Jamieson, Sunshine Coast Council