• Charles Sturt University is offering 16 international students the chance to study a Bachelor of Nursing in Dubbo for the first time
• Applications will open in July this year for the first intake to commence in 2024
• A Bachelor of Nursing is the most popular on-campus course for international students

From 2024 international students interested in pursuing a career in nursing will be able to study the Bachelor of Nursing on-campus at Charles Sturt University in Dubbo. 

The University will offer 16 international students the opportunity to study a Bachelor of Nursing, commencing in the 2024 Session One cohort.

The Charles Sturt School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, combined with the Charles Sturt Office of Global Engagement and Partnerships and the Office of External Engagement (Dubbo) worked together to deliver the new offering.

Course Director in the School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences, Ms Louise Wells, said the new initiative would offer as many as 16 international students the chance to study the Bachelor of Nursing, which is well-established at the Dubbo campus.

“We’re thrilled to offer budding nurses from across the globe the opportunity to hit the ground running as they study nursing on-campus in a such a vibrant and supportive regional community,” Ms Wells said.

“With well-established simulation laboratory facilities, a great team of dedicated and experienced nursing academics and support staff, and strong support from the community, Dubbo is the perfect campus to add to our list of offerings for international students.”

With the Bachelor of Nursing currently offered to international students at the University’s Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga campuses, the new international places at Dubbo mean that the Charles Sturt Bachelor of Nursing will soon be available for international students at five of the University’s campuses.

Charles Sturt University’s Director of Global Engagement Ms Eleanor Mitchell said the international interest in the Bachelor of Nursing is growing rapidly.

“We currently have more than 240 international students enrolled in the degree across Charles Sturt University campuses offering the course,” she said.

“Each year it’s getting bigger and bigger and is currently recognised as the course with the most international student enrolments University-wide.”

Year-on-year growth continues to skyrocket, with on-campus international student enrolments in nursing jumping by 236 per cent between 2020 and 2021, and a further 184 per cent the following year.

The new offering was widely supported by Dubbo Regional Council and key community organisations such as Regional Development Australia.

Ms Mitchell said it was no surprise the wider community was equally enthusiastic to welcome the new students.

“Many organisations and stakeholders wrote letters of support for the offering, with most being submitted to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council,” she said.

“We know that by training students locally, they’re more likely to stay, live and work locally, within the conditions of their relevant visa.

“These new openings for international students will help achieve that.”

Applications for the new places will open in July this year, through an online application or via an approved education agent.

A formal event will be held to launch the new offering on Tuesday 15 August.

ENDS