Frequently asked questions

1. What courses can I study?
2. Where can I find information about a particular course?
3. What do undergraduate, Honours and postgraduate mean?
4. What is distance education?
5. How do I apply to study at CSU?
6. What are my options for getting into university?
7. I have applied to study at CSU. How long until I hear a response?
8. How much does it cost to study?
9. Can I get credit for previous study and/or work experience?
10. What are the benefits of studying on campus?
11. Can I transfer my study, complete only a single subject at CSU, or study overseas?
12. What scholarships are available? 
13. How do I find out when a subject is offered?

1. What courses can I study at Charles Sturt University (CSU)?

CSU offers courses on campus and by distance education, for domestic and international students, at undergraduate, Honours, and postgraduate (research or by coursework) levels across a wide range of career areas: 

Career areas and courses

• Agriculture and Wine Sciences
• Allied Health
• Animal and Veterinary Science
• Business
• Communication and Creative Industries  
• Environmental Science
• Exercise and Sports Sciences
• Humanities, Social Work and Human Services 
• Information Technology, Computing and Mathematics 
• Library and Information Studies
• Medical Science
• Nursing
• Policing, Security and Emergency Management 
• Psychology
• Science
• Teaching and Education 
• Theology and Religious Studies 

Browse all available courses.

2. Where can I find information about a particular course?

Visit the online course brochure that contains details about the course content and subjects to be studied, as well as the information you need to enrol including the course code, entry requirements, campus location and lots more.

View online course brochure.

For additional course information:

complete the course enquiry form
or call us:

• Within Australia (free call) 1800 DEGREE (1800 334 733)
• International +61 2 6338 6077

3. What do undergraduate, Honours and postgraduate mean?

Undergraduate

If you are studying at a university for your first degree e.g. a bachelor degree, you are an undergraduate student. This first degree is called an undergraduate degree.

Honours

Honours is an additional year of study where you produce a specialist work of research - i.e. a thesis or portfolio of work, depending on the area of study. Honours may be integrated within an undergraduate course, usually from the third year of study, or may be achieved through a separate year of study.

Having an Honours degree can be a big advantage in the competitive job market showing employers that you have higher level critical writing and research skills. It is also the main pathway towards research degrees at the Master or Doctorate levels.

Postgraduate

A more advanced qualification, e.g. a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master or doctoral level degree that is achieved after the completion of an undergraduate university degree. You may choose to complete postgraduate study to improve your chances of getting a promotion, or to change careers.

More about levels of study.

4. What is distance education?

Distance education allows you to study from your home or workplace, anywhere in the world. You usually receive your study materials online and participate in learning activities online. Direct contact with your lecturers and other students is encouraged via the internet and telephone.

Many courses offered by distance education require participation in a residential or weekend school on a CSU campus, where you will have face-to-face learning opportunities.

Students are assessed through a combination of methods including submitting work online, sending written material in the mail or completing an exam at an examination centre.

More about distance education.

For additional information:

complete the course enquiry form

or call us:

• Within Australia (free call) 1800 DEGREE (1800 334 733)
• International +61 2 6338 6077

5. How do I apply to study at CSU?

Undergraduate study on campus

Applications for Australian residents* studying undergraduate courses on campus are made direct to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

More about applying to study at CSU.

Distance education study, Honours study, Postgraduate coursework

Applications by Australian residents* are made direct to the University for:

• study by distance education
• Honours
• postgraduate study
• Research by Higher Degree

More about applying to study at CSU.

International

Please read our how to apply guide for future international students for full admission details and processes.

More about applying to study at CSU.

CSU in Ontario

Apply online to study at Charles Sturt University in Ontario, located in Burlington Ontario Canada.

More about applying to study at CSU.

*Note: 'Australian residents' refers to Australian and New Zealand residents and those with permanent residency status.

More information:

• Changing your preferences
• Early Entry Scheme - Principal's Report Entry Program (PREP)
• Regional Bonus Points Scheme
• Access schemes
• More ways to study at CSU

6. What are my options for getting into university?

If you didn't get the mark for your chosen course through traditional entry to university, pathways are an alternative way to gain admission to CSU. There are several pathway options available to you:

• Single Subject Study - Study one subject at a time, at your own pace. Build your subjects up to a degree, or just focus on one area that appeals to you.
• Darrambal Skills Assessment Program - Darrambal gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students the opportunity to attend University-style classes; to learn skills needed for success at University; and to meet lecturers and other staff in a supportive environment.
• Special Consideration for Admission - CSU Access Schemes take into consideration an educational disadvantage due to factors that may have impacted negatively upon your preparation for university study.
• TAFE pathways to university study - CSU works closely with TAFE NSW to provide credit arrangements for previous study, and offers dual enrolment programs through TAFE and university.
  

STUDY LINK - Although completing a STUDY LINK course does not give you automatic entry to university, completing one of our STUDY LINK subjects can help you to brush up on skills and knowledge that you learned a long time ago, or that you missed out on at school.

7. I have applied to study at CSU. How long until I will hear a response?

To receive confirmation that your application has been received by the University, please include a self-addressed envelope with your application, or the acknowledgement card which you may have received with the information pack for your course.

Offers are sent out between August and January for Session 1; May to July for Session 2. Offers to Session 3 courses commence approximately two months prior to the start of each session.

More on application closing dates and session commencement dates.

If you have any further queries after you have submitted your application, contact the Admissions Office at admissions@csu.edu.au

8. How much does it cost to study?

Domestic students

The cost to study at CSU depends on whether you are eligible for a Commonwealth supported place or are a fee paying student.

A Commonwealth supported place (CSP) is a higher education place for which the Commonwealth government and the student both make a contribution (formerly HECS) towards the cost of education.

Students enrolled in undergraduate degrees at CSU have a CSP. A student may pay their contribution upfront to CSU and receive a 10% discount, or defer payment through the Australian taxation system.  

More on Commonwealth supported place (CSP).

Most postgraduate degrees are fee paying. As a fee paying student, you pay a tuition fee for each subject in the course. Fee paying students may be eligible for a loan to help pay for tuition fees through the Commonwealth Government FEE-HELP program.

More about fee paying places.

More about FEE-HELP (external).

Commencing Session 1 2012, CSU has introduced the Student Services and Amenities Fee in accordance with the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Act 2011, passed by Parliament on 11 October 2011.

This legislation allows Universities to charge students a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) up to a maximum of $263 per annum, commencing 2012. This fee will be indexed on an annual basis. At CSU each student's SSAF will depend on the number of subjects the student is enrolled in.

More about Student Services and Amenities Fee.

International Students

CSU offers high quality courses at a very reasonable price. Here is a guide to the fees and costs associated with studying at CSU, including tuition fees for onshore and offshore study, other compulsory fees and associated costs of living in Australia.

To calculate the cost of study, you need to consider:

• tuition fees
• other compulsory fees, such as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• costs of study, including additional University fees and charges (such as photocopying and printing, library fines, and some administration fees)
• and living costs if you are going to be living on campus.

More about tuition fee schedules and costs of study.

9. Can I get credit for previous study and/or work experience?

You may be eligible to receive credit depending on the study and/or work experience you have completed. Although some courses have established credit arrangements, generally credit is assessed on an individual basis, with the Course Coordinator reviewing each application.

More on Credit and recognition of prior learning.

For additional information,

Call us:

• Within Australia (free call) 1800 DEGREE (1800 334 733)
• International +61 2 6338 6077

10. What are the benefits of studying on campus?

CSU's campuses offer a unique study experience - hands-on teaching facilities, ranging from state-of-the-art scientific and computer laboratories to television studios and simulated hospital wards, combined with a variety of sporting and recreational facilities for students to enjoy, and a range of on-campus accommodation options.

CSU has campuses in vibrant cities including:

• Albury-Wodonga
• Bathurst
• Canberra
• Dubbo
• Orange
• Parramatta
• Port Macquarie
• Wagga Wagga

CSU also offers Study Centres in Sydney and Melbourne , the Australian Graduate School of Policing in Manly and a campus in Ontario, Canada.

10 reasons to study on campus at CSU

More about studying on campus

More about on campus accommodation options

Book a campus tour at a time and date convenient to you and get an opportunity to talk to lecturers and view the campus facilities.

11. Can I transfer my study, enrol in a single subject at CSU, or study overseas?

Can I transfer from another university?

Yes.

If you are a student studying at another institution, you will need to apply to study at CSU through the standard application procedure. Credit may be awarded for study completed at an acceptable level at another institution.

Apply to study at CSU

More about Credit transfer.

Can I enrol in a single subject at CSU?

Yes. 

Single subject study (if you're not already studying)

Single subject study gives you a truly flexible study choice without the commitment of a full degree. Upgrade your professional qualifications, test the waters of a subject area, prove yourself capable of university study, or build your own degree, one subject at a time.

More about single subject study.

Cross-institutional study (if you're enrolled in another Australian educational institution)

Cross-institutional study is available for students who are enrolled in an award program under the Commonwealth Grants Scheme at another tertiary institution. Students can undertake units of study at CSU for credit towards their program. To qualify, you must also be able to provide a letter from your home institution to confirm that your choice of subject will count towards your home institution award.

More about cross-institutional study.

Can I study overseas and gain credit towards my degree at CSU?

Yes.

CSU has an international exchange program that gives you an opportunity to study overseas and gain credit towards your degree.

More about CSU's international exchange program.

For all enquiries:

To ask about credit transfer, single subject study, cross institutional study, or international exchange:

complete the online enquiry form

call us:

• Within Australia (free call) 1800 DEGREE (1800 334 733)
• International +61 2 6338 6077

12. What scholarships are available? 

There is a huge range of scholarship options to provide financial assistance for people who wish to study through CSU. The best thing about our scholarships is that selection criteria are not always based on academic achievement.

More on the full range of CSU Scholarships.

For additional information,

call us:

• Within Australia (free call) 1800 DEGREE (1800 334 733)
• International +61 2 6338 6077

13. How do I find out when a subject is offered?

To find out when a subject is offered:

complete the online enquiry form

call us:

• Within Australia (free call) 1800 DEGREE (1800 334 733)
• International +61 2 6338 6077