Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt University is the leading public university in Australia for graduate employability. At Charles Sturt, students can study hundreds of specialist courses across six regional state-of-the-art campus locations and two metropolitan campuses. There are also options to study remotely, or at Charles Sturt partner institutions worldwide. With safe, diverse, and close-knit campus communities in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga, students at Charles Sturt live, learn, and work in some of the fastest growing regional cities in Australia. 24 per cent of Charles Sturt's student body are international students, and 113 different countries are represented across its inclusive learning community.

Recognised as Australia's top regional university, academic programmes at Charles Sturt inspire research excellence and prepare students to become top professionals who drive industry at a global level. With small class sizes and plenty of academic development opportunities, students who study with Charles Sturt receive a personalised learning experience with one-to-one support from lecturers and tutors. Graduates from Charles Sturt find employment faster than any other public university in Australia – and by virtue of studying in a regional area – many Charles Sturt students are eligible for extended post-study work rights.

Charles Sturt offers flexible learning options across its study programmes. Students can study online from wherever they are in the world, on-campus in Australia, or at one of the university's many partner institutions. Additionally, Charles Sturt also offers a range of unique study abroad opportunities and exchange programs. No matter what mode of study students opt for at Charles Sturt, the university provides a comprehensive array of services from enrolment through to graduation and beyond to support students as they build for future career success.

International students at Charles Sturt University can expect a high-quality education from an institution with a strong reputation for exceptional teaching and high-quality faculty. Courses are designed in partnership with industry and delivered by experienced professionals with ample opportunities for work-integrated learning embedded in the curriculum.

Research

The university embarks on many research projects that make a significant difference to the world and communities. Areas of research strength include social and environmental sustainability, artificial intelligence and healthcare. Research informs student learning and strengthens the university's position as a pioneering institution.

Partnerships

Charles Sturt University has many industry partnerships with local, national and multinational companies, which benefit its students by providing internships and work-integrated learning opportunities. An example of one of the university's successful partnerships is with IBM, which provides students with the opportunity to complete a paid internship with IBM.

Charles Sturt University is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities and nurtures more than 59 institutional linkages in 21 countries, bringing benefits to teaching, research and cultural exchanges.

Charles Sturt University has three faculties, which are home to a collection of academic schools and centres. These are operated across each of the campuses, where they design and deliver courses to students:

Faculty of Arts and Education

• Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation
• School of Communication and Creative Industries
• School of Education
• School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• School of Indigenous Australian Studies
• School of Information Studies
• School of Teacher Education
• School of Theology

Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Sciences

• School of Accounting and Finance
• School of Computing and Mathematics
• School of Management and Marketing
• School of Policing Studies
• Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security
• Centre for Customs and Excise Studies
• Centre for Law and Justice
• School of Psychology

Faculty of Science

• School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences
• School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
• School of Biomedical Sciences
• School of Community Health
• School of Dentistry and Health Sciences
• School of Environmental Sciences
• School of Exercise Science, Sport and Health
• School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health

Courses are developed in line with industry requirements. Many are accredited by government and industry bodies which work closely with the university to ensure graduates are industry-ready. There are over 60 on-campus and 300 online courses to choose from.

To gain a place at Charles Sturt University, international students need to meet both the academic and English language requirements. Those who wish to study on an international student visa must also meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirements, set out by the Australian Government.

Academic requirements

Criteria depend on the country students come from. A small number of courses have specific admission requirements, such as interviews and supplementary forms.

Prospective undergraduate international students who have completed their secondary education outside of Australia will need a competitive grade in an exam equivalent to Australian Year 12. Those who have completed their secondary education in Australia will require:

• Higher School Certificate with an ATAR appropriate to their course
• Tertiary Preparation Certificate with satisfactory completion
• International Baccalaureate Diploma.

Postgraduate students will need a recognised bachelor's degree equivalent to an Australian qualification.

English language requirements

Charles Sturt University courses require evidence of sufficient study in English, or an English language test taken within the last two years. This could be one of the following, or equivalent:

• Academic IELTS, with a minimum score of 6 and no band below 5.5
• TOEFL iBT, with a minimum score of 80 and a writing score of 25
• PTE Academic, with a minimum score of 54 and no skill below 46

Some courses require higher English language levels. Students can find further details of all the above requirements at the university's website.

A Charles Sturt University degree is competitive in cost in comparison with other Australian universities. As the majority of campuses are based in regional centres, the cost of living is lower than in large city locations.

Charles Sturt University offers students generous scholarships of up to 50 per cent tuition fee reduction for the duration of their studies. The university also has new scholarships available for students commencing their studies in 2025. Prominent among these are the 2025 Launch Merit Scholarship and the 2025 Launch Scholarship, carrying a 30 per cent and a 15 per cent fee reduction, respectively. Each scholarship is different and suitable for a wide range of students. Some are awarded on merit, some on motivation, and some on participation in community service.

At Charles Sturt University, support for international students goes beyond the classroom. International students who study at Charles Sturt University can apply for various scholarships that may be government-funded, university-specific or even externally, and are available at the bachelor's, master's and PhD level.

Recently, researchers from Charles Sturt University were ranked in the 2024 Stanford University-Elsevier's World's Top 2% Scientists list, a reputed ranking system that highlights the most cited scholars in their respective fields. Over 35 researchers from across the university's faculties and institutes were included in the ranking.

The ranking reflects researchers' exceptional contributions to the global scientific community across various scientific disciplines and demonstrated expertise in their respective fields. Benchmarks for the ranking include the number of academic citations of the research undertaken and the quality of the peer-reviewed journals in which feature.

"This prestigious acknowledgement highlights their exceptional contributions to the global scientific community and their expertise in their respective fields," commented Charles Sturt Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Mark Evans in response to the university's dedicated researchers being recognised by Elsevier BV and Stanford University as among the world's top 2 per cent of scientists.

Charles Sturt University continuously stands out in university rankings for its high levels of graduate employment:

• 89 per cent of Charles Sturt University graduates found full-time employment within four months of completing their course, according to Good Universities Guide 2024/25
• Number one public university in Australia for graduates who get jobs, according to Good Universities Guide, 2024/25

Charles Sturt University students are trained in cultivating an international outlook in their studies by looking at ethical, social and ecological factors, so they learn how to make informed decisions for their careers and beyond. The university teaches skills to help students become lifelong learners, where they understand the value of independence, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, flexible working and problem-solving.

The career service supports teaching and graduate outcomes, offering students insight into how to stand out in the competitive job market.