Charles Darwin University (CDU) is an Australian public university located in the Northern Territory, Australia. Established in 2003, the university focuses on using its resources to help students develop skills and knowledge for a brighter future. The university innovates and embraces change. It consists of five campuses, six colleges, and more than eight research centers. It provides students the flexibility to choose from various learning options such as courses, programmes, and study-from-home online courses. CDU’s mission revolves around three Ps – People, Policy, and Place. Its mission is to develop and propagate well-researched, independent, and relevant solutions to improve people’s lives. The university aims to develop leaders who can negotiate and use social policies to achieve common goals for overall betterment. CDU is also known for research and innovation as it provides high-quality research support and monitors inventive projects to enhance students’ knowledge and vision.
Courses Offered
What all courses are available to international students?
The university offers over 100 courses to students, including undergraduates, graduates, and professional students.
Popular Study Areas |
|
---|---|
Accounting |
Business |
Community Services and Social Work |
Creative Arts and Design |
Culinary Arts |
Education |
Engineering |
Exercise and Sport Science |
Hair and Beauty Services |
Health |
Trades |
Humanities and Social Science |
Indigenous Knowledge |
IT and Network Engineering |
Languages |
Law and Legal Studies |
Nursing and Midwifery |
Primary Industries |
Psychology |
Public Health |
Science, Environmental Science, and Management |
Tourism and Hospitality |
Humanitarian, Emergency, and Disaster Management |
Eligibility & Documents Required
What are the eligibility requirements?
CDU has course and country-specific requirements for international applicants. Thus, for Indian aspirants, the eligibility requirements are as follows:
Undergraduate Admissions
Students must have a Grade 12 completion certificate with an average score of 60% in the best 4 academic subjects, including English from one of the following entities:
- All Indian Senior School Certificate
- Indian School Certificate
- Senior Secondary Certificate
- State Board Examinations
International UG applicants can submit any one of these exam scores to meet the English language proficiency requirements:
English Proficiency Tests Accepted |
Minimum Score Required |
---|---|
6.0 bands, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components |
|
60 with a minimum writing score of 21 |
|
169 with a minimum of 169 in each area |
|
50 with no score lower than 50 |
Postgraduate Admissions
Applicants should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent to an Australian bachelor's degree from a recognised university. Any of these English language exam scores is required:
English Proficiency Tests Accepted |
Minimum Score Required |
---|---|
IELTS |
6.5 bands, with a minimum of 6.0 in all components |
TOEFL iBT |
79 with a minimum writing score of 21 |
CAE |
176 with a minimum of 169 in each area |
PTE |
58 with no score lower than 50 |
Some programmes might have different entry requirements. Students are requested to check the university website for more information.
What all documents are needed for application?
The documents required for the admission of international students are as follows:
Undergraduate Documents:
- Official transcripts from high school
- School leaving certificate
- Proof of English proficiency
- Photocopy of the passport
- Financial statements
- Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
- Personal statement
Graduate Documents:
- Official university transcripts
- Proof of English proficiency
- Bachelor’s degree completion certificate
- Photocopy of the passport
- Financial statements
- CV/Resume
- Personal statement or Essay
Application & Tuition Fees
Is there any application fees?
There is no application fee for international students if they apply online.
What is the fee structure of courses offered by the university?
The estimated tuition fees for international students are as follows:
The tuition fee tends to change with every year, and some additional charges might also be included in it. Also, the tuition fee can vary as per the programme. Therefore, it is recommended that the students visit the official website for the current academic year fee structure.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?
CDU offers various scholarships to international students, such as:
Scholarship Programmes |
Amount (in AUD) |
Eligibility |
---|---|---|
VET Distinction Scholarship |
4,000 |
Students enrolled in a VET course |
VCIHAS |
50% and 25% per year |
Students with 95% overall score in highest completed qualification |
Global Excellence |
50% first year and 10% in subsequent years |
Students with 80% overall score in highest completed qualification |
Global Leader |
25% in the first year and 10% in subsequent years |
Students with 70% overall score in highest completed qualification |
Global Achiever |
15% in the first year only |
Students with a 60% overall score in the highest completed qualification |
CDU International College Pathway Scholarship |
15% or 20% (depending on the course) |
An international student enrolled in a pathway course at CDU |
Menzies International Graduate Certificate Scholarship |
50% in the first year |
Students with 80% overall score in the highest completed qualification |
Australia Award |
Varies |
Students are recommended by the academic staff |
For more information, students can refer to the university website.
Admission Process
When do the admissions start?
The university has two intake semesters, Spring and Fall. The application and programmes deadlines for international students are as follows:
Applications |
Semester I Deadlines |
Semester II Deadlines |
---|---|---|
CDU Scholarships |
TBC |
Late June |
Higher Education Application |
Mid-February |
Late July |
VET Application (onshore) |
Mid-January |
Early July |
VET Application (offshore) |
Mid-January |
End-June |
CDU International College (Onshore) |
Early-November |
Mid-July |
CDU International College (Offshore) |
Late-October |
Early-July |
Deadlines vary depending on the course and can change frequently. We encourage you to check the university website for the exact deadlines.
What is the application process?
International students can apply through the CDU Admission portal through an authorised international agent. The process to apply for undergraduate and graduate programmes is the same.
Application form link:student-cdu.studylink.com/index.cfm?event=security.showLogin&msg=eventsecured&fr=sp&en=default
Step 1: Open the CDU Application link.
Step 2: Create an account if you are a new user.
Step 3: Students are required to apply through an international agent.
Students can create an account, but the process cannot be completed without an agent. Hence, all international students are requested to contact their agent to complete the application process.
When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?
You might hear from the university within a couple of weeks after submitting a complete application. You can also check the application status through the admission portal.
Student Diversity & Preferred Profile
What are the chances to get into this university?
Charles Darwin University is a highly competitive university. It is quite difficult to get into the university as it is considered one of the best in Australia. All incoming applications are assessed individually by the university. The applications are assessed based on merit scores, academic qualifications, letters of recommendation, and test scores. The selection process is rigorous. Students are required to meet the minimum requirements of the university for admission. For more information on the selection process, students can refer to the university website.
How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?
As of 2020, the university had a total of 22,444 students, including undergraduates, graduates, and professional students. Out of this total number of students, 15% were international students from 71 countries. The highest number of international students came from India, followed by Nepal and China, respectively.
Part Time Work While Studying
Can I work while studying here?
International students with valid visa conditions can work on and off-campus while studying at the university. Students are required to have a valid work permit to work in the country after graduating. International students are allowed to work 20 hours a week while classes are in session and 40 hours a week during university breaks and vacations. The eligibility requirements for student employment are as follows:
- Students must be enrolled in a full-time degree programme at the university.
- Students must have a valid work permit.
- Social Security Insurance is required.
There are many ways to find off-campus opportunities. Students also have access to the CDU CareerHub. It lists all the latest job opportunities at the university. Students can find vacancies through job portals such as Indeed, LinkedIn, etc. They can also consult or contact recruitment agencies to find jobs.
Campuses & Accommodation
How many colleges and campuses does the university have?
The university has five campuses and seven centres. The main campus is located in Casuarina, Darwin and the others are:
- Palmerston Campus
- Katherine Campus
- Alice Springs Campus
- Sydney Campus
The centres include Brisbane, Darwin Waterfront, Jabiru, Katherine, Melbourne, Perth, and Tennant Creek. The six colleges of the university are listed as follows:
Is on-campus housing available?
Housing options are available at the university. Students can choose to live on-campus or off-campus according to their requirements. Accommodation is available at the International House Darwin and UniLodge Darwin Student Accommodation. The housing facilities include 24-hour site assistance, TV, pool, a gaming room, an exercise room, a kitchen, bathrooms, wi-fi connectivity, and more. The rooms available at the university include a standard single room, standard twin room, apartment single room, suite, and an apartment twin room.
Accommodation Type |
Weekly Cost (in AUD) |
---|---|
International House Darwin |
140-207 |
UniLodge Darwin |
179-310 |
Shared Accommodation (off-campus) |
150-350 |
Rental Accommodation (off-campus) |
300-1,000 |
Living Expenses
The living expenses that international students might incur are:
Expense Type |
Weekly Cost (in AUD) |
---|---|
Groceries |
80-280 |
Gas and electricity |
35-140 |
Phone and internet |
20-55 |
Transportation |
7-55 |
Car |
150-260 |
Entertainment |
80-150 |
Accommodation |
283-750 |
Note: The rates are subject to change. To know the exact costs, refer to the university’s housing webpage.
University Contact Information
Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?
Students can contact the university at the following address:
Address: Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Dr, Casuarina NT 0810, Australia
Telephone: +61-8-8946-6666
Website: www.cdu.edu.au/
University City | Casuarina, Northern Territory, Australia |
Size of city | Small |
Population of City | 331 |
Wikipedia Link | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casuarina,_Northern_Territory |
Contact Details
international@cdu.edu.au