You’re gearing up for your uni adventure and we know you’ve got a long list of questions. That’s cool; it’s good to have some FAQ in your mind when you are starting your uni journey. So, at Charles Sturt University, we thought we’d answer some of those questions about university – and give you a head start on your research.

Top 10 questions about university

1. Is your uni a positive place where people are encouraged to make a difference?

What does a better world look like to you? Does it mean finding a cure for illnesses, improving education, making new discoveries, leading a movement or developing innovative technologies? So if you’ve ever wanted to make a difference in a career you’re passionate about, you can with Charles Sturt University.

Because we believe in making a difference – and we know you do, too. When you’re part of the Charles Sturt community you’ll be empowered to make the world a better place. We connect people to their purpose. We make communities better. And when we make communities better, we create a world worth living in.

2. What types of people are valued at your uni?

We recognise that many people (like you) have so much more to offer than just academic grades – and we’re giving you the chance to get where you want to go (simply by being yourself).

So, at Charles Sturt we’ve changed the way you can apply to study with us. It’s called the Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program and it values some very important skills – soft skills. They’re skills like emotional intelligence, collaboration and communication skills, resilience and also a commitment to creating a world worth living in.

Charles Sturt (and clever employers) are now looking for these soft skills – things that might not always be reflected in your academic results – but they’ll help you excel in the working world.

3. Will going to your uni help you land the job you want? 

Going to uni is a big commitment in terms of your time and money. So, when you finish your study you definitely want to be the grad who gets the job.

Employers know Charles Sturt grads are skilled, confident and ready to get to work. And they know Charles Sturt grads have that something extra – the soft skills that give them the edge.

That’s why Charles Sturt University has the highest graduate employment rate in Australia.* More of our grads get jobs faster than grads from any other uni – and that could include you!  

4. Will studying at your uni easily fit in with your busy life?

With Charles Sturt University, you have the flexibility to choose your study path. You can study where and when you like. And we’re here to make sure you that you’re supported while you do it.

Fit your study around your life and your needs – study online, on campus or maybe a mix of both. Likewise, you can start small with one subject per study session or take on more to fast-track your degree. It’s up to you. We’re flexible – so you can be, too.

5. Does your uni offer the course you’re interested in?

This is one of the most common questions about university. Good news: Charles Sturt University has courses across 12 study areas that can unlock your potential to create a better life for you, your family, your community and the world. You just have to decide where you want to make a difference:

• Agriculture and environment
• Animal and veterinary sciences
• Arts and communication
• Business
• Education and teaching
• Information and library studies
• IT and computing
• Medicine and health
• Policing, law and security
• Psychology and social work
• Science and engineering
• Theology and Islamic studies

Explore our courses and find your purpose.

Charles Sturt University courses may be subject to change. Course information is correct at the time of publishing.

6. Can your uni offer you financial guidance to make money matters a little less stressful?

We offer more than $3 million in scholarships at Charles Sturt University. Scholarships and grants are awarded for a range of reasons – not just academic achievement. They can take the pressure off and make your uni experience that much easier. Extra cash in the kitty means you don’t have to stress about paying for things like course fees, accommodation, textbooks and attending work placements. We also have a financial support team that can help with budgeting, planning and applying for loans, and programs to help you find a part-time job if you want one.

We can also tell you whether you’re eligible for a HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loan. And we’ll guide you through the application process.

What’s more, we can provide small short-term loans (with no interest) to help you continue your studies if you find yourself in a difficult financial situation and need a little extra help.

There are many ways Charles Sturt is helping make study affordable for our students.

7. Will you learn from the best, in the best environments with the latest technology and equipment?

The best way to learn is by doing. That’s why hands-on learning is at the core of what you’ll do at Charles Sturt. You’ll put theory into practice in our world-class facilities and/or on industry placements – gaining valuable experience in real-world settings.

You’ll learn in modern labs or health clinics; in simulated nursing wards, courtrooms or classrooms; out in the field in vineyards, farms or equine centres; in our veterinary clinic, lab and teaching hospital; in our regional community radio station and newsroom; or with our on-campus student advertising agency.

Best of all, our academics and teaching staff are well-connected. So when you graduate, you’ll already have a wide network of industry contacts who can help you kickstart your career.

8. At your uni, will you be part of a strong, supportive and inclusive community?

When you study with Charles Sturt University, you become part of something bigger. Something bigger than yourself. Bigger than study. You become part of our community. Whether you’re studying on campus or online, you’re one of us.

From day one we’ll help your find your feet and give you all the info you need to make it through your first few weeks as a uni student and settle into your studies. So you’ll meet academics and support staff, attend workshops and get to know your classmates – online and on campus.

But uni isn’t all about study. It’s also about meeting new people, experiencing new things and personal growth. Moreover, there are loads of ways to get involved at Charles Sturt. There’s formal balls, live music gigs, movie nights and barbecues. You can lend a hand tree-planting or volunteering. Or you can join one of our many social, sport or study clubs. And if we don’t have a club for your interest – then you can start one!

There’s always something going on at Charles Sturt.

9. Does your uni provide real study support for students?

Support isn’t an ‘add-on’ at Charles Sturt – it’s part of your experience. We’ll introduce you to our support services early and they’ll be there for you to use whenever you need them – and get answers to any other questions about university that come up.

From short, self-paced, non-credit bearing online subjects to help you brush up on writing, maths, statistics, science or information technology to online workshops that will arm you with valuable information, tools and tricks on all the essential topics. Or our team of professionals who are ready and willing to help you hone your academic writing, answer questions about university work and also give feedback on your assignment.

And then there’s our tech help. IT Support is just a phone call away. From answering a FAQ to getting you up and running when the internet breaks (eek!), they can help. It all adds up to real help given by real people – whenever you need it.

10. Does your uni offer you a home away from home?

Living and studying at one of our six regional campuses certainly gives you the best of both worlds – city living wrapped in country hospitality. You’ll connect with people just like you and people who are completely different. You’ll also make lifelong friends, lasting memories and strong professional networks. And you’ll be joining our Charles Sturt family – where we always support each other.

We have a variety of accommodation options on our six campuses: Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga. You can choose a fully furnished room and different catering packages to make it your place – a home away from home.

Moreover, we have a dedicated team to make sure your experience living on campus is everything you hope it will be. Our Residence Life team is there to support you whenever you need it – and answer any campus questions about university!

Any other questions about university?

Simply reach out to our friendly team.

Ready to get to work?

So, what does a better world look like to you? Does it mean finding a cure for illnesses, improving education, making new discoveries, developing innovative technologies or helping to protect a threatened species?

Our wide range of courses will give you the skills and industry knowledge so you can be the change you want to see in the world. Follow your heart, get qualified and land a job you’ll love with Charles Sturt University. Let’s get to work!

*Good Universities Guide 2022/23