Online courses are cost-effective

Studying an online course in Australia will save you money on commuting to campus. You won’t have to pay for parking, fuel or public transport to attend uni. Just log on from wherever you are!

Reduced tuition fees

Save up to 82 per cent on tuition fees when you study select postgraduate degrees. So you can gain a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or master's degree at a lower fee.

Financial assistance for online course fees

There are ways to get assistance with your online course fees. We offer Commonwealth supported places (CSP), which means the federal government pays a proportion of your course fees.

We also offer fee-paying places, which means you'll pay your course fees. But there are a few ways the fees can be reduced or deferred. Programs like FEE-HELP can assist with costs, meaning you don’t have to cover the full tuition fee upfront.

Studying online is a great way to fit your education and professional development around your life.

Flexibility

Structure your studies around your daily commitments. Early bird? Grab a coffee and hit the books, gathering knowledge and skills while everyone sleeps. Night owl? There’s nothing like taking time for yourself in the evenings. Either way, online self-paced courses allow you to achieve the best work/life balance possible.

Comfort and convenience

Study from the comfort of home (or wherever you’d like), whenever it suits you. Many students find this flexibility reduces stress in their lives, leading to improved health, wellbeing and a more enjoyable learning experience.

Ever wanted to study abroad in Australia? Here's your chance! Charles Sturt University welcomes students from around the world.

Study from anywhere

As long as you have access to a stable internet connection, our cutting-edge learning platform makes it easy to study from just about anywhere. From rural and remote areas to cities, we have students who live and study from right across Australia and the world. There are also opportunities to take part in our short-term overseas and exchange programs.

Diverse perspectives

Taking an online course is a great way to meet people of all ages and backgrounds, who have diverse perspectives and cultural experiences to share. This can be very enriching; it’s also great for making friends and networking.

When you study online, you can create a personalised learning experience.

Self-paced learning

Online self-paced learning allows you to progress at your own pace and in your own time. Studies can be directly tailored to your needs. You decide when and how long to study on any given day, taking breaks as needed.

Supportive community

You’ll always find a supportive community when you choose to study online at Charles Sturt University. Connect with fellow students and educators through well-moderated online forums and discussion boards. Chat about your course and help each other with study tips.

There’s a reason we're ranked number one in Australia for undergraduate employment. Eighty-nine per cent of undergraduates find a job in their field within four months of graduation.*

Increased employability

Education and training open up opportunities. Studying online while you work improves your career prospects. It enhances your employability status, especially if you’re upskilling, aiming for a promotion, or seeking a complete career change.

Industry-relevant skills

All of our courses are directly aligned with current industry trends and the development of in-demand skills. Whether you’re studying agriculture or social work, we’re a five-star university that can help you get where you want to go. Don’t take our word for it – the Good Universities Guide thinks so, too.

Earn while you learn

It’s never been easier to balance online study and your career. Boost your career with a university short course, such as cutting-edge microcredentials or specialised single subjects.

*The Good Universities Guide 2024/25

It depends on the nature and subject matter of the course you’re taking.

Microcredentials (short courses tailored to your industry) can be completed in a few hours. These affordable learning experiences add heft to your résumé. Many have flexible start dates or more than one offering per year. Others provide a pathway to future study.

Online undergraduate courses usually last between one and four years, depending on which industry you’re studying and the amount of time you can dedicate to your education.

Postgraduate online courses can last from a few months to a year or two. Again, this is entirely dependent on the subject area you’ve selected.

It’s important to remember that you are studying for a degree. Your qualifications and education will be exactly the same as those of on-campus students. The only difference is the course delivery method.

Yes. Online courses are recognised in Australia if they’re accredited by the proper authorities.

We are a TEQSA-accredited university. This means we can offer accredited online courses to students around the world. TEQSA accreditation applies to all programs offered by Charles Sturt University, including online courses.

Some people worry that an online course isn’t as ‘good’ as one that has been studied on campus. That is not the case. Everyone taking an online course has access to the same information and learning opportunities as students who attend in person. The result is the same—increased knowledge and a fantastic degree that can boost your career. The only difference is the mode of delivery for the course.

You can qualify for Centrelink for online courses.

When you study online in Australia, courses are usually completed part-time. Students have a study load, which is worked out in points. Part-time study means that, if you’re studying online, a normal study load is 16 points per session.

Students on full-time pathways will get 32 points per session. To be considered full-time for Centrelink or a travel concession while studying online, you’ll need to gain at least 24 points per session.

The three main types of Centrelink payments for students are Austudy, ABSTUDY, and Youth Allowance. To get these, most students must study full-time.

If you’re unsure about whether you qualify or would like additional advice, please speak with your course director or course administration officer.

There are a few things to consider when choosing the right online course for your career.

If you’ve recently graduated from high school, think about where you would like to be in a few years. What industry would you like to be involved in, or what job would you like to have? Search our courses and select an undergraduate course based on your goals, and aim to gain work experience in your chosen area while you study.

If you’re unsure what you’d like to do career-wise, online education is an easy and cost-effective way to take a course or two in a field that interests you. See what fits before you commit to something more involved.

If you’re upskilling or wanting to improve your prospects in a current role, think about the skills and qualifications that can help you achieve your goals.

For example, you may have already obtained a degree in teaching or social work. After some time in the workplace, you may decide to come back and study for a master’s or a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Cultural Competency to complement your existing degree.

Entry requirements for Charles Sturt University online courses vary.

Some of our courses have specific academic requirements. Others have entry pathways available.

Applicants will be assessed based on their highest eligible qualification, and all applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Take a look at our online course guide for more information.

Yes. This is an integral and beneficial part of your online learning experience and student life.

We offer an innovative online learning platform for all our web-based courses, which allows current students to meet virtually via our discussion forum to discuss their work.

Lectures delivered online are a fantastic opportunity for students to chat and interact with each other and facilitate subject-oriented discussions that can aid their learning and study.

Our admissions policy outlines the minimum requirements for English language proficiency for entry into our courses.

• You must show that you were born in one of the listed English-speaking countries.
• Or have completed at least one qualification from one of those countries, with English as the language in which you completed the qualification.
• Or you can provide other accepted proof of English proficiency as listed on Charles Sturt University’s website.
• Or you are recommended as meeting English language proficiency requirements through alternative evidence by the Executive Dean of the relevant faculty.

If you’re an international student, take a look at course entry requirements for more information.

This information outlines the tests accepted as meeting English language proficiency requirements, along with the corresponding test scores required. A test must have been sat within two years of the start date of the course for which the student is applying.