Experience matters
Charles Sturt University recognises and values your previous experience in the Australian Defence Force. We’re developing new support systems and a dedicated student veteran chapter so you can connect with other veterans. Get credit for your service and reach your full potential in your future career with Charles Sturt.
Find your course
Here’s how your experience matters at Charles Sturt
No HSC? No problem. We use your rank to work out an equivalent ATAR.
For example, if you have completed your recruit training, initial employment training (or equivalent per branch of service) and at least two years’ experience, this makes you eligible for most Charles Sturt undergraduate programs.
Charles Sturt is veteran and service personnel friendly
We’ve designed our Experience Matters Entry Program in collaboration with the Australian Student Veterans Association (ASVA). At Charles Sturt, the term ‘veteran’ refers to all former ADF members, regardless of whether they were deployed or undertook war or warlike service.
- Being Australia’s largest regional university, some of our campuses are located close to military bases. This means that attending face-to-face classes is easier for many service personnel. It’s okay if you’re not near a Charles Sturt campus as most of our courses are available online.
- We’ll give you special consideration. You may still be serving, or be a reservist due to exit requirements. In accordance with our Special Consideration Policy, we will grant special consideration requests if your studies are interrupted by military service.
At Charles Sturt, your experience matters and so do you. Are you ready to plan the next step in your career?
Hear from veterans who are making their experience count
Read about how Platoon Sergeant Andrew Harris and Medical Sailor Sarah Wheeler have balanced their careers in the Australian Defence Force with studying at Charles Sturt. And learn how former Navy Combat Systems Operator David Hunt has taken a new direction after his defence career with a Charles Sturt degree.
Find out how Platoon Sergeant Andrew Harris balances training the next generation of soldiers, raising a family and studying online with Charles Sturt.
Learn how Medical Sailor Sarah Wheeler is preparing to make her next move count with a Charles Sturt nursing degree – all while she works full-time in the Navy.
Discover how former Navy Combat Systems Operator David Hunt made his experience matter and found his dream career with a Charles Sturt teaching degree.
Ready to start your next chapter?
If you’re looking to start your next career or you want to formalise your previous experience with a university degree, get in touch with us to find out how your experience matters.

Get in touch
Find out more about how we can recognise your previous experience with credit.

Scholarships
Explore our range of defence focused scholarships and boost your finances.

Ready to start?
Make your experience matter and reach your full potential with a Charles Sturt degree.
Get the right university information for you
Domestic student
This means you're either:
- an Australian citizen
- a permanent resident (including permanent humanitarian visa holder), or
- a New Zealand citizen
If you are not one of these, please choose International student.
International student
This means you're not:
- an Australian citizen
- a permanent resident (including permanent humanitarian visa holder), or
- a New Zealand citizen
If you are one of these, please choose Domestic student.
help I am not sure
If you are not sure, get in touch by asking a question online or call 1800 275 278.
If you plan to study on-campus in Australia, visit one of our international education recruitment agents who are trained to assist you with the Charles Sturt University admission process, applying for a student visa, and pre-departure information.
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Future student checkpoint
Before we take you away from our site, we want to confirm you are looking for information about research degrees at Charles Sturt.
Higher Degree by Research degrees are different to postgraduate degrees (including Honours and Master’s degrees).
You can find an explanation of the similarities and differences of these study options on our levels of study information page.
Keep me here with the main future student info.
I want more information on Higher Degree by Research.
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Congrats on receiving your ATAR!
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