Enquire to study in the UK 
There’s nothing like living and learning in Australia. Almost a third of the population were born overseas and 23% speak a language other than English at home. There are more than half a million international students from 192 countries who call its clean, green and thriving cities and towns their second home.
These are some of the many reasons why Harmony Thembeka Ncube chose to pursue a Bachelor of Nursing at Charles Sturt University. “I chose to study in Australia because it provides opportunities for international students to experience a multicultural learning environment and gain exposure to a diverse range of healthcare settings,” shares the student from Kwekwe, Zimbabwe.
Destination Australia — an Australian Government initiative — is designed to encourage students to study in regional Australia. Source: Charles Sturt University
Ncube is a recipient of a Destination Australia Scholarship. It’s an opportunity offered by the Australian Government for international students to undertake high-quality education, training and research, and to experience life in regional and remote Australia. It’s valued at US$15,000 per year — with students receiving two equal payments of US$7,500 in the first and second session, for the duration of the degree, on the condition that ongoing eligibility criteria are met.
“The most significant impact the scholarship has had on my academic journey is reducing the financial burden of paying the school fees. With the scholarship, my education is now more accessible and I’m also able to cover other school-related expenses,” says Ncube.
Ncube is based in the university’s Bathurst Campus, located on the banks of the Macquarie River in the Central Tablelands of NSW. She describes the learning environment here as “peaceful and conducive,” with a community that’s supportive and encourages lots of interaction with peers and staff. Being located in a regional area, that is any area outside of Major Cities of Australia, has another extra perk. “Compared to larger cities, Bathurst offers a more affordable cost of living therefore I’m able to enjoy my time at university without high living expenses,” says Ncube.
Hai Hanh Tien, Le, another Bachelor of Nursing student, agrees. Her dream to study in Australia was delayed for several years as she could not afford the tuition fees. “Fortunately, I was introduced to the Destination Australia scholarship and was accepted for it, which truly changed my life from then,” she says.
The 2024 round of the Destination Australia Scholarship programme offers funding for approximately 550 domestic and international students commencing their studies in 2024. The Bachelor of Nursing is one of many programmes covered under this scholarship.
Studying nursing in beautiful regional Australia
Australia is projected to face a shortage of more than 100,000 nurses by 2025, and 123,000 by 2030, impeding the delivery of quality equitable and universal access to healthcare. The Destination Australia Scholarship aims to fill this gap. The programme helps fix areas of skills shortage by prioritising domestic and international students studying courses aligned with the Skills Priority List.
Pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing comes with many other advantages beyond financial support. Accredited by The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council, the programme prepares you for the healthcare workforce. It supports students in undertaking at least 800 hours of workplace learning in a range of authentic healthcare settings. You’ll also work in various contexts with patients across different lifespans.
Within or beyond campus, experienced teachers guide in understanding complex nursing concepts. Le, in particular, was impressed by the lecturer in her Clinical Reasoning lab class. “The way she explains or how patient she was in checking and giving feedback to each student until we could perform correctly was incredible,” Le shares. “She inspired me with her positivity and passion for the nursing profession.”
As for Ncube, she was drawn to the country’s “commitment to cutting-edge medical research and a global perspective in healthcare education” — both of which she believes will provide her with a “comprehensive and internationally recognised” education. “My motivations for pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing were my passion for healthcare, a desire to positively impact people’s lives and an opportunity for a stable job,” she says. “Studying this programme has been intriguing and has led to an increase in knowledge. Yes, it is a bit tough but with all the support by the university, I can safely say it is going well.”
Charles Sturt University has over 40 years of experience in nursing education. Source: Charles Sturt University
Charles Sturt University nursing students benefit from the university’s strong industry links and ties with the Western, Far Western, Murrumbidgee, and Mid-North Coast Local Health Districts of New South Wales — something Le appreciates. “Living in a regional area develops my connections, network and relationships with the locals, which is harder when you’re living in the city,” says the student who is eager to develop her nursing career in the regional area of New South Wales.
Ncube is just as optimistic about her future in regional Australia. She sees herself gaining work experience in New South Wales after graduating. “New South Wales offers a wide range of healthcare facilities, from world-renowned hospitals in Sydney to regional clinics, providing nurses with diverse career opportunities and experiences,” she says.
Discover the Destination Australia Scholarship.
Follow Charles Sturt University on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
Charles Sturt University is an Australian University, TEQSA Provider Identification: PRV12018. Charles Sturt University CRICOS Provider 00005F. Bachelor of Nursing CRICOS: 010599C
