• Free program to prepare for studying at university on offer for prospective Indigenous students in NSW
• Program will be held at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga, Port Macquarie and Bathurst
• Successful completion of program provides guaranteed entry into a broad range of Charles Sturt’s bachelor’s degrees

A free five-day program designed to prepare prospective Indigenous students to study at university will soon be held at Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) in Wagga Wagga, Port Macquarie and Bathurst.

Charles Sturt’s Indigenous Access Program (IAP) offers attendees the chance to prepare for university by completing a range of assessments and activities designed to build their academic skills and determine their suitability for their chosen university courses. 

Attendees who complete the program will be provided with guaranteed entry into a broad range of Charles Sturt’s bachelor’s degrees, as well as individualised course advice and career guidance.

The program is open to all Indigenous Australians interested in studying at university, including students in year 12, school leavers and mature-aged people.

Manager of Charles Sturt’s Indigenous Student Centres and the IAP Ms Carlie Gemmell said the program is a valuable opportunity for prospective Indigenous students to learn more about their tertiary education options and the support Charles Sturt provides.

“Previous attendees have said that thanks to the program, they felt more prepared for university and more comfortable moving away from home, and in some cases away from country,” Ms Gemmell said.

“The program presents an opportunity to learn about the different types of support offered at Charles Sturt University and within the University’s Indigenous Student Centres.

“I encourage anyone who is eligible for the program to apply; it is a great opportunity to meet with the University’s Indigenous staff and support staff and other prospective Indigenous students, which previous attendees said was very enjoyable and valuable.”

Some of the activities attendees will complete include workshops on academic writing, oral presentations, and numeracy; information sessions on university assessments, university pathways, and careers; and a number of fun activities such as a scavenger hunt and group dinner.

Travel, accommodation and meals will be provided for eligible participants from NSW and the program has no associated fees. 

The IAP will be held at Charles Sturt’s campuses in the following locations:

• In Wagga Wagga between Monday 18 to Friday 22 November 2019.
• In Port Macquarie between Monday 2 to Friday 6 December 2019.
• In Bathurst between Monday 3 to Friday 7 February 2020.

Applications for each program are available online and places are limited. Applications will close either when places for each program are full or two weeks before each program’s start date. For more information email afb@csu.edu.au or phone 02 6933 4020.

For those who successfully complete the program, they will be guaranteed entry into a number of bachelor’s degrees from the University’s Faculty of Science, Faculty of Arts and Education and Faculty of Business, Justice and Behavioural Science. A full list is available on the ‘Indigenous student support’ page on the Charles Sturt website.

Charles Sturt offers a range of specialised programs and support for Indigenous students.

There are seven Indigenous Student Centres across Charles Sturt’s campuses, including at Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Goulburn and Orange. The new centre in Orange is set to open in late October 2019. 

These centres provide Indigenous students with a range of different support, including study, accommodation, employment and social support.

The University’s Indigenous Academic Success Program also provides Indigenous students with support throughout their studies and provides students with access to tutors and learning advisers.

The University’s Student Liaison Officers for Indigenous students are also available to help support students during their studies and run weekly on-campus study nights during the semesters.