Your Route to Excellence: Studying in Country NSW

This region offers a safe, friendly and authentic experience

Rich authentic Australian experiences in Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Armidale, Albury and Orange.

World-class education with clean, green and open spaces

This is a great opportunity to gain internationally recognised qualifications across in-demand industries while enjoying the benefits of country life.

Country NSW offers authentic rural Australian experiences. Stretching from Tenterfield in the NSW north-east to Broken Hill in the far west, to Oberon in the central west, the region covers diverse landscapes – from rugged country plains and farming communities to World Heritage Listed national parks and tranquil rivers.

The region’s clean, green, open spaces are home to some of the state’s fastest growing inland cities. Recognised as a premier agribusiness and food production hub, it also offers many cool-climate vineyards and food trails. A strong agricultural heritage is supported by regional incubators, breeding and genetics research organisations and co-operative research centres.

1/3

Regional NSW is home to more than one-third of the NSW population

First

University of New England was the first Australian university established outside a capital city

#1

Charles Sturt University is ranked #1 in Australia for Graduate Employability

98.6%

Regional NSW is 800,000 square kilometres or 98.6% of our state

Home

to University of New England and Charles Sturt University

Booming

tourism and events sector

Your future awaits in Regional NSW

Wagga Wagga, Bathurst and Armidale are some of the best regional areas in Australia for international students.

A few hours west of Sydney, Bathurst is Australia’s oldest inland settlement and the site of the first gold discovery in Australia. Today, education, tourism, manufacturing and food production drive its economy. On track to become a smart city, Bathurst combines technology, data and skills to encourage economic activity and accelerate innovation. Charles Sturt UniversityExternal Link (CSU) is headquartered here, and up to 60 other educational institutions offer placements across the city.

Home to one of Australia’s oldest universities, Armidale is around six hours north of Sydney and known for its strong education, health care, agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors. The University of New England’s Smart Region IncubatorExternal Link in Armidale fosters research, development, entrepreneurial and commercial activity across livestock production and research, including international livestock genetics and animal health. Study globally relevant subjects including agriculture and environmental science in a pristine and authentic Australian setting.

Studying

There are many benefits of studying in regional Australia, including unique educational opportunities, diverse environments and country living.

Bathurst is a university city known for its welcoming atmosphere. It’s the home of Charles Sturt University (CSUExternal Link ) which has a proud record of international research across disciplines including agricultural and veterinary science, education, biological, environmental and chemical sciences. Bathurst is also an ideal location to study communications and journalism, sports science and nursing.

UNEExternal Link is one of Australia’s oldest universities, and its main campus is in Armidale. The campus is on 74 hectares of heritage parklands, walking distance from classes, housing and recreational facilities. A free college Safety ShuttleExternal Link transports students from more than 70 nations into the centre of the city.

In the heart of Australia’s most productive rural and farming communities, the UNE is well positioned to offer internationally recognised courses across subjects including agribusiness, environmental and rural science, science and technology and economics. The University’s SMART FarmsExternal Link enable UNE researchers and their industry and community partners to conduct world-class activities across sustainable, manageable and accessible rural technologies. Armidale is the perfect place to experience regional Australian life, while receiving a world-class education.

Working

With its long-established farming heritage including sheep and cattle production, as well as stone fruit and cool-climate grapes, agriculture is a key industry for Bathurst’s economy and offers a variety of part-time and post-study work placements.

Many state NSW Australian Government regional offices are based in the city, largely across the health and education sectors. Bathurst is home to strong mining and resources, professional and financial services and manufacturing sectors, with leading businesses including Devro and Mars Petcare based in the city. Bathurst is one of the fastest-growing inland cities in NSW. CSU provides information on off-campus and on-campus opportunities to work while studying.

Armidale is the heart for the New England region, with growing education and training, agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors. International students can find casual or part-time employment in local supermarkets, retailers, restaurants, cafés and rural industries. UNE also has a careers toolkit to help identify jobs in the region.

Living

Bathurst offers the perfect combination of country and city life, with easy access to Sydney and Australia’s capital city, Canberra. Vibrant bars, restaurants and cafes, as well as sporting and social activities, make Bathurst a safe, friendly and lively social scene.

Known as the Cathedral City, Armidale is home to many beautiful 19^thand 20^th century churches and colonial buildings. Despite its historic landmarks, Armidale’s many modern cafes, pubs and restaurants give it a cosmopolitan heart. This food scene is supported by produce from the surrounding farmlands.

Housing is more affordable than in Australia’s capital cities, and UNE’s Advocacy External Link and Welfare Department can help you find the right place to live while studying – from share houses to private boards to local rentals in the city. This makes Bathurst and Armidale ideal regional areas in Australia for international students.

Armidale Regional AirportExternal Link is just 6 km from the city centre and offers direct flights to Brisbane and Sydney. For more information on transport to and around Armidale, visit Transport NSWExternal Link .

The cost of living in Bathurst is generally lower than in Australia’s major capital cities. CSU offers various options to live on-campus and has an off-campus student accommodation register to help find places to live, including board, shared and rental options. To see prices of independent apartments or houses in Bathurst visit local real estate sites such as flatmates.com.auExternal Link or realestate.com.auExternal Link .

Bathurst Regional AirportExternal Link operates daily flights to Sydney. For more information on get around Bathurst, visit Transport NSWExternal Link . Bathurst Regional CouncilExternal Link offers information on living, working and enjoying Bathurst and surrounding areas, including community and support groups and arts and culture listings. The Bathurst Visitor Information CentreExternal Link also provides a comprehensive guide to life in Bathurst.