• Current Year 12 students can now apply for early entry to Charles Sturt University in 2026 with the opening of the Charles Sturt Advantage program
• Applications opened on Friday 7 February and will close on Thursday 31 July 2025
• Offers will be made to students on 1 September
• In 2024, more than 3,000 offers were made to high school students across Australia to study at Charles Sturt in 2025

Students in their final year of high school can get the jump on their peers with early entry into Charles Sturt University now that the Charles Sturt Advantage program has opened for applications!

Students in Year 12 can apply to Charles Sturt between Friday 7 February and Thursday 31 July 2025 to secure a spot to study their dream course at the university from 2026.

In 2024, the Charles Sturt Advantage program (CSA) made more than 3,000 offers to Year 12 students who were interested in studying at the University this year.

Offers were made to students from more than 1,500 schools, spanning every state and territory in Australia.

Charles Sturt Associate Director of Admissions Mr Peter Greening said the Charles Sturt Advantage Program was an effective pathway for many students to firm up their career plans.

“Charles Sturt Advantage provides Year 12 students with confidence and empowerment when it comes to confirming their career choices,” Mr Greening said.

“Our data shows these students continue to try their best during that final year of school, even after receiving an offer. So, the program has a positive impact on wellbeing in what can otherwise be a high-pressure environment for students undergoing the higher school certificate.”

The Charles Sturt Advantage program is a pathway into university before Year 12 students take their final exams. The early offers to thousands of prospective students secure their place to study at the university in 2026.

The program places value on personal attributes, such as communication, empathy, resilience and motivation, and takes into consideration a student’s academic aptitude, including Year 11 results, to determine their success as a student and in the workforce.

First-year student of the Charles Sturt Bachelor of Education (Primary) from Kempsey in New South Wales Ms Caitlin Williams, who is studying through Charles Sturt in Port Macquarie, accepted a Charles Sturt Advantage offer to commence her course at the university in 2025.

“My experience with the Charles Sturt Advantage Program has truly been life-changing, and I can't recommend it enough,” Ms Williams said.

“Past participants’ firsthand accounts helped me realise that in addition to securing a place at the university early, the program provided the opportunity to be part of a supportive community that helps you succeed with your university goals.”

Mr Greening said CSA also gave students a clear understanding of what studying at Charles Sturt University is really like.

“Students will be invited to an upcoming Open Day to collect their merchandise pack and meet other participants. They will also have access to the student portal, can attend an event on campus and interact with current students and peers to determine if Charles Sturt is the right university for them,” he said.

In addition, Charles Sturt Advantage students enjoy early access to securing on-campus accommodation and applying for scholarships, including scholarships specific to the Charles Sturt Advantage program.

The university also supports participants of the CSA program during Year 12, providing exam study days and monthly study tips.

In 2024 the most popular courses for students who applied to study at Charles Sturt in 2025 through CSA were within health and education disciplines. Some of the most popular courses included nursing, education (K-12), paramedicine, physiotherapy, laws/criminal justice, psychology, exercise and sport sciences, health and medical science, medical radiation science, occupational therapy, veterinary technology and education (early childhood and primary).

For online students, the most popular courses in 2024 included criminal justice, nursing, psychology and laws.

Register for the first online information session which takes place on Tuesday 6 May 2025 at 5:30pm.

Applications are  now open, and close at midnight on Thursday 31 July 2025. Offers will be made on 1 September before the start of the Year 12 final exams period.

ENDS