Southern Cross University (SCU) has seen an increase in enrolments after shifting its courses online.

Applications for the mid-year intake beginning in July are up by more than 10 percent, and are expected to keep rising before the cutoff date.

Deputy vice chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin said it is very encouraging.

“We’ve been able to leverage our online expertise, and while we aren’t sure of the timeframe for when classes will be held on campus again, the programs we’re offering online have enabled a superb continuity of delivery for our students,” Prof Carlin said.

This includes students caught up in China’s initial lockdown, who successfully sat their exams online.

This situation is likely to repeat at the end of the current semester.

The doubling of Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy payments for students has helped too.

SCU says many of its new applicants are returning to higher education to upskill as industries from aviation to retail are forced to stand down thousands of workers.

The university’s auxiliary services have made the move online too, including student support services like administration, counselling, chaplaincy programs, career advice, advocacy and library services.

“We do look forward to when we can welcome thousands of students back onto our beautiful campuses, but as always we will continue to have a strong and supported online cohort when that happens,” Prof Carlin said.