The University of the Sunshine Coast has been recognised for supporting the study dreams of people from disadvantaged backgrounds, earning a new five-star rating for equity in an annual independent guide for Australian universities.

For many years USC has been rated by The Good Universities Guide as among the best in the country for the overall experience it provides to students.

The 2019 edition, published today by the Good Education Group, has once again awarded USC five stars for overall student experience, skills development, student support, teaching quality and learning resources.

But it has also recognised USC as a leader in the “social equity” category – a rating that considers the proportion of commencing domestic students who are from a low socio-economic background.

This rating aims to identify which universities are best serving students who are typically under-represented at university.

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the new five-star rating for equity showed that the University was fulfilling its obligation to its communities.

“We have a focus on building capacity and promoting that people, irrespective of their background, can come to university and be successful,” he said.

Professor Hill said USC had opened campuses in areas where many people hadn’t previously considered going to university, as will be the case when USC Moreton Bay opens in Petrie in 2020.

“We value what people bring with them to USC, and we work with them to optimise their success and the contributions they’ll make to the communities they’ve come from,” he said.

“Some of our most successful students are from equity groups, including University Medallists (awarded for academic excellence) and Chancellor’s Medallists (recognised for academic achievement and strong community involvement).”

Ratings in the Good Universities Guide are based on nationwide student and graduate surveys and national higher education data.

Applications are now open via QTAC to study at USC in 2019. For more information on how to apply, visit usc.edu.au/learn