Charles Darwin University

Charles Darwin University is a leader in flexible and online learning and a top-five university for graduate outcomes in Australia. 

With 11 campuses and centres across Australia, CDU’s connection spans beyond the Northern Territory through digital, on-Country and remote delivery, as well as internationally through world-leading research.  

Our unique location provides CDU with a diverse student cohort. Our success can be attributed to providing a wide range of study options, personalised support, unique regional and remote student experiences, and state-of-the-art learning and training facilities.   

At CDU, you can connect to a career you care about. Choose from more than 100 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in subjects including education, environmental science, sustainable business, social and community work, engineering, IT and network engineering, and highly specialised health courses. 
 

Flexible online study

CDU has decades of experience in distance and online education, and understands the importance of balancing work, life and study. 

Most courses are offered online or on campus, with the ability to switch between part-time and full-time study. 

You will be part of a supportive online learning community where you can interact with lecturers and other students to build professional networks. 

With 24/7 support, on-demand lecture content and mobile accessibility, you can study when, where and how it suits you. 
 

Personalised support

At CDU, you are more than just a number. We offer intimate class sizes and direct access to lecturers, tutors and support teams – whether you’re studying online or on campus. 

Our dedicated First Nations Student Support team provides culturally safe assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with admissions, enrolment, tutoring, pastoral care and support while they are studying away from home. 

If you are a student and your studies are affected by a disability, medical condition, mental health or your responsibilities as a carer, you can access free and confidential support. 

Our professional psychologists and social workers offer free and confidential support to help you navigate personal difficulties affecting your studies. 

You can also access free academic skills programs and career advice. 
 

Pathways to study

Your life experience counts at CDU. We offer flexible entry options and believe it is these experiences you bring to university that make CDU. 

When you apply, we consider all your qualifications and experiences, including your ATAR, VET or TAFE qualifications, work history and any previous foundation or bridging programs. 

If you don't have an ATAR or have been out of school for a while, you can qualify for most undergraduate degrees by completing a free Tertiary Enabling Program in as little as 16 weeks. This, and other pathway options, are available online or on campus, full-time or part-time. 

We also offer First Nations Pre-Law and Pre-Health programs for aspiring First Nations students. 

For advice on pathways, admission or credit transfer, contact Student Central on Freecall 1800 061 963 or student.central@cdu.edu.au. 

Explore all courses.

CDU acknowledges the traditional custodians across the lands on which we live and work and pay our respects to Elders both past and present.  

There are several ways to meet the admission requirements for undergraduate courses at CDU - it doesn’t matter if you have just finished Year 12 or if you haven’t studied in years. 

Some courses, though, are more competitive than others and may have extra requirements. 

CDU also has almost 100 postgraduate courses to help you upskill or connect to a career you care about. If you have not completed an undergraduate degree but have significant professional experience, this can count for admission into several of our courses. 

For more information on the admission requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, visit CDU's website. 

Some courses have limited places, and admission is based on merit. If a course has a quota, consider enrolling in a pathway course as a preference so that you can transfer to your preferred course later.  

For more information, contact Student Central on Freecall 1800 061 963 or student.central@cdu.edu.au. 

As the Territory’s university, CDU offers a range of scholarships and ATAR adjustments for eligible NT school leavers.  

While some scholarships recognise academic achievement at high school, others are designed to make studying at university more affordable. 

You can explore scholarship options at the CDU Scholarship Finder. 

For more information, contact Student Central on Freecall 1800 061 963 or student.central@cdu.edu.au. 
 

*Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students 

CDU offers comprehensive, culturally safe support for First Nations students from application to graduation. Our dedicated support team can assist you throughout your studies with everything from admission and enrolment to tutoring and pastoral care. 

CDU also provides tailored pathway programs for those who don't meet direct entry requirements or have been away from study. These include the Tertiary Enabling Program, a First Nations Introduction to University Program, and specialised Pre-Law and Pre-Health programs for aspiring professionals. 

For more information, contact Student Central on Freecall 1800 061 963 or student.central@cdu.edu.au. 

You can defer most undergraduate courses at CDU for up to a year. If you apply to start studying midyear, you can defer until Semester One the following year. 

For more information, contact Student Central on Freecall 1800 061 963 or student.central@cdu.edu.au. 

At CDU, you can make life experience count towards your degree by using credit transfer. This gives you a head start based on previous studies at other universities or by having completed VET/TAFE courses at the Certificate III level and above. 

If you have successfully completed the free Tertiary Enabling Program, you may be eligible for entry into a CDU undergraduate course. Popular courses such as nursing, midwifery, education, law, psychology, and engineering – the latter with some extra maths units – are all within reach. 

For more information about credit transfer, visit CDU's website. 

Depending on your course, you may apply to start studying in Semester 1, Semester 2, or get ahead in Summer Semester. Semester dates change annually. 

Typically, Semester 1 runs from March to June, Semester 2 runs from July to October, and Summer Semester runs from November to February. 

Find out more about term, exam and other key dates. 

If you receive an offer from CDU, you will need to enrol to commence your course. Your letter of offer will include advice on how to do this. 

CDU is committed to providing opportunities to students through its scholarship program. Scholarships are sponsored by individuals, businesses, government, community groups and the University to help students focus on their studies. 

Explore the Scholarships Finder to discover what you may be eligible for. Scholarships are open to all current students enrolled, and those who have applied for a place at CDU. 

For more information, visit the CDU scholarships website.  

CDU provides a range of student services including career advice, tutorial support, counselling, access and inclusion, help with developing study skills and support for international students. 

Facilities offered across a number of campuses and study centres include access to computers, group study rooms, sporting facilities including gymnasiums, basketball courts, and student, sporting and special interest clubs. 

CDU’s state-of-the-art Education and Community Precinct in the heart of Darwin is also home to resources including student spaces, a moot court, theatres, interactive classrooms, a radio station, an art gallery and the Library & Archives NT collection. 

There is even a free bus service linking the Casuarina and Darwin campuses, as well as Casuarina-based student accommodations. 

If you’d like to learn overseas, CDU has partner universities where you can study abroad for one or two semesters while earning credits towards your degree. 
 

Accommodation 

Located on the Casuarina campus, CDU Village Casuarina Campus provides single-student accommodation. All rooms are air-conditioned and fully furnished, including a desk and a small refrigerator. For full application details and costs, visit the Campus Living Villages website.  

UniLodge Darwin also provides student accommodation. It is located at Casuarina Square, just 800 metres from the Casuarina campus. The purpose-built student accommodation building offers residents many room options at different price points.  

Outside of Darwin, CDU offers accommodation services at Alice Springs in the Red Centre, and at Katherine in the Big Rivers region. 

CDU also offers an off-campus accommodation service to help new and continuing CDU students find appropriate accommodation while studying or working. This free and confidential service provides information and advice on housing options, tenancy advice and help with accommodation problems. 

Find out more about accommodation services at the CDU website.  
 

Library 

CDU’s Library has a specialist team of librarians who make your study life easier and simpler. They can help with research and referencing in your area of study. 

If you're not on campus, you can access online resources, book an online workshop, and, if you're more than 80 kilometres away from a CDU library, contact Distance Library Services. 

If you're on campus, use the spaces to study in a group or on your own. Make use of the computers and printers, as well as print and online materials. 

CDU has expert support for researchers and provides an inter-library loan service if the library on your campus doesn't have what you need in its collections. 

Find out more about the library at the CDU on the website.  
 

Access and Inclusion 

CDU provides an accessible, supportive, safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. Our Access and Inclusion team offers free, confidential assistance for students if their study is impacted by disability, mental health or medical conditions, carer responsibilities or other factors. 
 

Counselling 

CDU offers free and confidential counselling and group sessions to all students experiencing personal, family, mental health or general wellbeing concerns. 

The CDU Wellbeing team helps students who may be experiencing personal difficulties. 

CDU Wellbeing’s counselling services are provided by social workers or psychologists with a counselling and mental health speciality. They are members of the Australian Association of Social Workers or are registered through the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Authority. 

Visit the CDU website to find out more about counselling services.  

Explore CDU's courses and entry requirements  

Download CDU’s Course Guides and Sponsorship Guide  

CDU’s Student Central team is here to help if you have questions. Call 1800 061 963 or email student.central@cdu.edu.au.  

To learn more, follow CDU on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn or TikTok.

CDU hosts open days across several campuses and centres. It’s an ideal opportunity to explore our state-of-the-art learning facilities and get a feel for student life. 

Email: student.central@cdu.edu.au
Freecall: 1800 061 963 
Visit the CDU website  

Casuarina Campus  
Building Orange 1.1  
Ellengowan Drive, Brinkin NT 0810  

Darwin Waterfront  
21 Kitchener Drive, Darwin 0800  

Alice Springs  
Building 1  
Grevillea Drive, Alice Springs 0870