Frequently Asked Questions
- General inquiries
- Accommodation - regional campuses
- Wagga Wagga Campus
- Albury-Wodonga Campus
- Bathurst Campus
- Orange Campus
- Study Abroad
General inquiries
Am I an international student?
You are an international student if you are NOT:
- An Australian citizen
- A New Zealand citizen
- A permanent resident of Australia
You are an international student if you hold a permit for temporary entry to Australia. For example if your status is:
- Overseas student
- Permanent resident of New Zealand
- Temporary resident
- Refugee
- Diplomat
- Dependent of any of the above
Which campus should I choose for my study?
Some courses are only available on one campus so the choice is easy. Where courses are offered on all campuses you will need to read about the campuses and the cities to choose the location which is best for you.
How many students will be in my class?
The average lecture size is about 30 students. Most tutorial classes have about 12 students.
Who will meet me when I arrive in Australia ?
As part of our personalised welcome service, a CSU International Student Advisor or CSU Representative will meet you on arrival in the city where you will study.
What is special about CSU Regional Campuses?
- Guaranteed campus accommodation in the first year of study
- Low cost of living in the regional locations
- Clean, safe environment to live and study in
- Free airport pickup service on arrival
- High lecturer to student ratio
Will I be able to use the internet at CSU?
All CSU students are given email access through the University's own computer network at very competitive costs. Students may use the computing facilities in the University's computer centres or libraries or if they bring their own computer, from the study bedrooms in on-campus accommodation.
Will I be safe on campus?
A comprehensive security system is provided on all campuses. This includes security phones (immediately connected to a central security system when the receiver is picked up) at various points on campus and internal telephone contact access to Security Officers from each bedroom on campus.
In addition, Security Officers patrol the campus at night and at weekends.
Will I be welcome in Australia ?
Australia, and in particular smaller cities like Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Orange and Wagga Wagga are happy to welcome international students into their community.
In general, Australians respond warmly to visitors who make an effort to become part of that community.
Are there any employment opportunities whilst I am studying?
Students can obtain a work permit once they have arrived in Australia and commenced their studies. Once you have a work permit, you are entitled to work up to 20 hours per week during the semester, and on a full-time basis during semester breaks.
It is very important that you do not rely on obtaining work to pay for your living and tuition expenses whilst in Australia . Money that you do earn should be considered as a bonus. Remember that as part of your visa application process you will be required to declare to the Australian Embassy that you have sufficient funds available and are able to support yourself financially, without having to rely on obtaining work in Australia.
What employment opportunities are there for me once I have graduated?
According to a recent independent survey, CSU is ranked as one of the leading Australian universities in terms of graduate employment. Our range of courses are structured using the latest industry input, ensuring that graduates are in demand by employers for the careers of the future.
How much will I need to live on each year?
As a guide, the estimated annual cost for a single student living in Australia (including food, accommodation, textbooks, personal incidentals, transportation and entertainment) comes to a total of approximately AU$12,000.
Some students say they spend less than this and some spend much more, however the minimum amount would be AU$12,000 per year. It all depends on the lifestyle you choose to live. If married, you will need at least AU$4,200 a year for your spouse and AU$2,400 for each child. School age children will require tuition fees for school as well. In addition to this amount there will be the cost of a return trip home and international phone calls.
(Note the fees quoted in this paragraph are current for 2005, but may be subject to change)
Other information in relation to student expenses.
Does CSU have any scholarships available to international students?
Unfortunately Charles Sturt University does not currently offer scholarships to undergraduate international students undertaking their first year of study. There are a number of research scholarships available to students undertaking a degree in research. Further information on research courses and support can be found at http://www.csu.edu.au/research/
The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) offers the Australian Development Scholarship (ADS) for international students to study at Australian universities and vocational education and training institutions. ADS scholarships enable international students from developing countries to gain knowledge and skills which will help the development of their home country when they return. For information on Australian Government scholarships see http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/
Many countries offer Government scholarships which support students who want to study overseas. You may wish to investigate any special scholarships your country offers. In addition, private education foundations and some multinational companies have funds available to support students. Some other Scholarship options you may wish to investigate includes:
- Scholarships from your government
- Private education foundations
- Multinational companies
- The World Bank
- The United Nations
Where are CSU's campuses located?
You can view the locations of all CSU campuses by clicking here
How do I gain admission to CSU?
You must submit an application for admission form, you can download one from the CSU site or submit an online application.
To be eligible to study at CSU you must meet two main requirements:
- You need to have a suitable academic background for study at university level (this means you will need to provide certified copies of your secondary school or undergraduate academic study)
- You need to meet the University's required level of English proficiency.
You will also have to meet the requirements of the Australian Department of Immigration for a student visa. These will vary according to your nationality.
See apply section of this website for more information.
