It is the first non-profit higher education institute and private university college in Skudai, Johor.

Currently, Southern UC has 7 faculties, 3 schools, 6 research institutes and 7 academic centres.

The establishment of the Southern UC was to provide an education channel at home for high school graduates when they were unable to further studies in foreign countries.

With the persistence and efforts of the Chinese community, Southern College was approved by the Ministry of Education and established in 1990.

Southern University College was awarded 4-star (Very good) rating for the overall college-based category in MyQUEST 2010/2011.