• Applications open for thousands of prospective Charles Sturt University students to commence study in 2025
• Nearly 5,000 early offers were made to high school students across Australia for early entry in 2024 via the Charles Sturt Advantage program,
• Health and education degrees were the most popular courses for Charles Sturt Advantage students in 2024
• Applications for study in 2025 opened Wednesday 1 May and close Saturday 31 August, with offers made in late September

The Charles Sturt University Advantage program is open for applications to study in 2025 after awarding nearly 5,000 offers for early entry to its 2024 courses.

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 secures their place to study at the University in 2025.

The program preferences 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.

Charles Sturt Associate Director of Admissions Mr Peter Greening said the popularity of the early entry program is strong and provides Year 12 students with a sense of reassurance as they undergo what can be a stressful final year of school.

“Students are encouraged to apply for early entry, to take away some of the pressure that inevitably comes with Year 12 and exams,” Mr Greening said.

“The Charles Sturt Advantage program gives students a clear understanding of what studying at Charles Sturt University is really like.”

In 2023 applications were received from students from more than 1,000 schools from every state and territory, with students in regional NSW leading the way in securing a place at Charles Sturt for 2024. Most offers were made to students from schools in Orange, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga and Bathurst.

Health and education courses proved popular across the University’s campuses in 2024. The most applied for 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 include criminal justice, nursing, psychology and laws.

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.

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.

Mr Greening said that early access to Charles Sturt campuses, resources, current students and staff gave prospective students the edge on what a university education at one of Australia’s leading universities for graduate employment could be like.

“Through exploring the University’s services and campus facilities, we hope this engagement will demonstrate to future students that Charles Sturt is the right university for them,” he said.

“The Advantage program is a great way to secure a place at the University before final exams, ensuring students have a pathway into tertiary education.”

Mr Greening noted the importance of Year 12 students continuing to strive to meet their HSC goals and that Charles Sturt Advantage was another successful pillar in their journey to pursuing their chosen careers.

“Our data tells us that students coming to us via Charles Sturt Advantage are just as successful as those coming to us through UAC which is based on their ATAR,” he said.

Mr Greening said that Charles Sturt’s approach would continue to support students to perform at their best during their final exams.

“Charles Sturt continues to focus on the strengths of the Advantage program,” he said.

“We understand that final exams remain the primary focus of any student who gets a Charles Sturt Advantage offer. To this end, we support them through this time with exam study days and monthly study tips.”

Register for the first online information session on Wednesday 15 May. Other sessions will follow on Wednesday 3 July and Wednesday 21 August.

Applications are now open, and close at midnight on Saturday 31 August. Offers will be made in late September before the start of the Year 12 final exams period.