• Charles Sturt University welcomed almost 6,000 new undergraduate students with an extensive program of on-campus and online events, information sessions, tours and new facilities  
• Nursing and Education are the most popular courses for commencing students in 2024
• Ensuring all students are set up for success and have a great university journey is the focus of Orientation Week

Charles Sturt University celebrated the start of a new academic year with the commencement of Orientation Week for first-year, on-campus students on Monday 19 February.

The first of more than 100 live online sessions also commenced for new, online students from Monday 12 February to set students up for a successful start to university. 

New students received an official welcome at each of the University’s major campuses on Wednesday 21 February, including at Charles Sturt in Bathurst, Orange, Wagga Wagga, Port Macquarie and Albury, with the official Welcome event taking place for Charles Sturt in Dubbo on Monday 26 February.  

To familiarise them with university life, students participated in campus facilities tours, workshops, and information sessions on the support available at Charles Sturt University, and social activities to assist with connecting with their peers and University staff. 

The most popular courses for commencing undergraduate students in 2024 at Charles Sturt University include:

• Bachelor of Nursing
• Bachelor of Education (K – 12)
• Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science; and
• Bachelor of Education (Birth to Five Years).

 Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Renée Leon said it was wonderful to welcome both new and returning students to the University for 2024.  

“I wish all our students a very warm Welcome to Charles Sturt,” Professor Leon said. “We are thrilled to have you and look forward to seeing the incredible things you will achieve.  

“You’re going to have a great journey with us, and you’ll notice lots of practical learning and individual support which helps our graduates get great jobs very quickly.”  

Professor Leon said the 2024 Orientation Week schedule was one of the most vibrant and comprehensive programs the university has rolled out.

“Students across the Charles Sturt footprint are being offered a range of activities and support programs, to help with this big life transition,” Professor Leon said.  

“Our priority is to help them feel comfortable and excited about their career path ahead, along with a sense of safety with new friends and supportive staff.” 

"We also have growing and vibrant student clubs that are a great way for students to find like-minded friends and explore their extra-curricular interests." 

Just some of the social activities offered to first-year students at Charles Sturt this week included an Amazing Race in Orange, a pool party in Dubbo, Neon Ten-Pin Bowling in Bathurst and Albury, surfing and surf-life saving sessions in Port Macquarie, and a Paint party in Dubbo.  

Professor Leon said students would also have access to some brand-new refurbishments taking the campus experience to the next level.  

“Charles Sturt Doctor of Medicine students in Orange will experience the new Newcrest Rural Health Simulation Centre at the University’s Bloomfield site which is a state-of-the-art training facility for our medical students to simulate real-life scenarios they would encounter with patients after graduation.”  

Additional enhancements across Charles Sturt campuses include refurbishments to the Bathurst Pulse Café such as the installation of a pool table, a wrap bar and improved seating; upgrades to the pool in Wagga Wagga; new, modern accommodation in Port Macquarie with ensuites; and accommodation upgrades in Dubbo such as block-out blinds to replace curtains and a new cooling system.  

Third-year student of the Bachelor of Pharmacy within the Charles Sturt School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences and Orientation Student Coordinator Ms Stephanie Kowarzik said she was thrilled to be back on campus to commence another academic year. 

“Life at Charles Sturt has been great and I’m loving helping out with Orientation to give the new students the support I felt when I started out,” Ms Kowarzik said.  

Professor Leon said a focus of this year's program was to ensure that students know about the great support services available to them, which would also assist them to connect with each other and staff in a safe and inclusive environment. 

“We have workshops aimed at supporting mature-aged students to commence a university education in later life; workshops for international students to assist with settling into an Australian-based higher education system; specific support sessions for First Nations students; and sessions on the importance of consent and appropriate sexual behaviours through our new Respect 24 program,” Professor Leon said.  

The Charles Sturt Respect 24 program will roll out throughout the year which is another investment by the University to promote the importance of respect, inclusivity, student safety and wellbeing on Charles Sturt campuses, in online spaces, and within our communities. 

The total number of commencing undergraduate students - both on-campus and online - at Charles Sturt is 5,932. In 2023 there were just over 6,000 commencing undergraduate students.

The most popular course for new undergraduates through the early admissions Charles Sturt Advantage Program (CSA) for on-campus students is Bachelor of Nursing, and for online students the most popular undergraduate course through CSA is Bachelor of Health and Medical Science.

Charles Sturt University is Australia’s leading university for full-time undergraduate employment, topping the Good Universities Guide's national rankings for the seventh consecutive year in 2023.

ENDS