Charles Sturt University (CSU) is in a strong position in 2010 with a very healthy demand for its on-campus and distance education courses.

 

Total offers for CSU courses to prospective students through the NSW University Admissions Centre (UAC) and the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) increased by seven per cent in 2010 following a 19 per cent increase in 2009.

 

“The continued increase in offers is an extremely pleasing trend,” said Executive Director of Student Administration, Mr Geoff Honey. “It illustrates that CSU’s courses are attractive and relevant to prospective students, and enhances CSU’s reputation as a leading educator for the professions..

 

“The growth in offers for on-campus courses is spread across the University’s campuses and faculties, although education and allied health are particularly strong throughout. The University was able to make early offers to a greater number of applicants for 2010 which has resulted in high early acceptance figures, and it is hoped that the trend will continue in the recently released main round of offers through the UAC and the VTAC.

 

“The increased demand this year has been particularly noticeable for our distance education courses, with a significant increase in acceptances by prospective students for these courses.

 

“There will be applicants who have missed out on receiving an offer to their preferred course, and others who have not yet applied for admission. There is still time to gain admission in the 2010 intake. There are two further rounds of UAC offers to be released and applicants are able to change their preferences until 26 January for the early February round. Prospective students are also able to lodge a late application,” Mr Honey said.

 

Despite the increase in offers, CSU will consider applications for all courses in the remaining rounds to ‘top-up’ course intakes. Prospective students should call CSU on 1800 334 733 for advice on course options and, for those with a lower than required ATAR, to inquire about alternative pathways to CSU.

 

 

Courses that have been in high demand on various CSU campuses include:

 

There has been a small increase in the number of offers at Albury (three per cent). Education and allied health courses are again the most competitive courses.  Early Childhood/Primary and Middle Schooling will have large intakes, while health related courses, led by the extremely popular Physiotherapy course, have attracted strong demand. Other popular courses in the allied health area include Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Podiatry and Health and Rehabilitation Science. There was also an increasing demand for environmental science-related courses such as Adventure Ecotourism and Environmental Science and Management.

 

There was very good growth of 15 per cent in places offered at Bathurst. Policing and Paramedics continue to grow in popularity and expect large intakes, while the traditionally strong Education and Communication courses continue to do very well. The education courses include Early Childhood and Primary, Primary, Health and Physical Education, Exercise Science, and Sports Studies/Journalism. Nursing and Psychology courses remain popular and will again enrol large numbers of students.

 

Dubbo has experienced a small increase in offers. The Early Childhood and Primary and Nursing courses are again the highest demand courses and will take in the largest enrolments in 2010.

 

The intake offers at Orange have increased by 18 per cent compared to 2009. The high profile Dental Science course is in high demand, while the addition of Physiotherapy to the campus offerings has been a success. Pharmacy remains strong, and there is an upward trend in demand for Agricultural Business Management and Clinical Science.