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Admission pathways

Everyone's journey to university is different. Our admission pathways can help you make that step. From getting into university without an ATAR to guaranteed entry schemes, you have lots of options when it comes to securing a place at Charles Sturt.

They include the Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program – which looks at your Year 11 results and your soft skills – and undergraduate certificates, which are short programs that can boost your skill set and provide a pathway into a bachelor's degree.

Here are your other options:

Direct Entry Program

Take part in our fully-funded five day intensive school and gain direct entry into one of our science, technology or health courses.

Access schemes

Special consideration if you've experienced difficulties that have affected your studies or are an elite athlete or performer.

Connections - First Nations Direct Entry Program

Connections is our dedicated admission pathway for First Nations students. It's a five-day on-campus experience that can lead to guaranteed entry to many of our bachelor's degrees.

Early offer School Recommendation Scheme

Apply for SRS via UAC, and you could receive an offer before you sit your exams – based on your Year 11 results and your school's rating of your abilities.

Enabling courses

We offer two short courses that prepare you for university study – and give guaranteed entry to most bachelor's degrees.

Experience matters defence entry program

A dedicated access program for veterans and serving personnel of the Defence Force.

General degrees

We have several undergraduate courses with lower admission criteria that lead to more specific studies – even if you haven't completed your HSC or VCE.

Regional location adjustment

If you've completed high school in a regional area, we'll adjust your selection rank up by five points.

TAFE/VET Admission pathways

Explore our guaranteed entry schemes for TAFE/VET graduates, and study options with our TAFE partners.

Benefits of Charles Sturt admission pathways

  • You're able to access heaps of different courses – with no ATAR required.
  • You can get guaranteed entry options that reward you for your personality, experience or previous study.
  • You have the flexibility to study how you want, when you want.
  • You can dip your toes into uni life with short, focused courses that get you where you want to go.

Why study at Charles Sturt?

  • We're Australia's largest and most experienced regional university1 – all our expertise and knowledge, in a laidback, comfortable regional setting.
  • We're the number one uni2 in Australia for grads who get jobs.
  • We're situated on some of Australia's most beautiful landscapes, with 6 unique campuses spread across regional NSW, as well as satellite metro campuses.

1. Regional Universities Network 2023
2. Public unis, Good Universities Guide 2025/26

The transition has been challenging, but that is what makes it rewarding to me. It has required me to continually try new things and learn what works for me... I would not have been able to grow in the ways that I have without making the decision to enrol in university. This experience has provided me with learning and opportunities that have led to me being able to live my life more confidently and freely.

Zach Cleary TAFE to uni pathway
Portrait of Zach Cleary

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