Charles Darwin University
Darwin, Australia • Founded 1989 • World Rank #1326
Updated May 2026
Overview
Founded in 1989, the Charles Darwin University is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the small city of Darwin (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Northern Territory.
This institution also has branch campuses in Alice Springs, Palmerston, Katherine and Sydney. Officially recognized by the Department of Education and Training of Australia, Charles Darwin University (CDU) is a medium-sized coeducational Australian higher education institution.
Charles Darwin University (CDU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 35-year-old Australian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 60-69% making this Australian higher education organization a moderately selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. CDU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Charles Darwin University's coordinates, postal address, and the contact channels admissions teams respond on. Campus tour bookings often have their own page distinct from general contact channels.
Academic Details
Institutional vitals for Charles Darwin University: how big, how staffed, and how recognised it is. Campus setting (urban, suburban, rural) interacts with these metrics in shaping the daily academic experience.
Academic Structures
To understand where programmes live within Charles Darwin University, the academic structure is mapped below. Some institutions run joint faculties with external bodies — credentialing in those cases is shared.
Unit 3 items
- Faculty of Education Health and Science
- Faculty of Law, Business and Arts
- Faculty of Technology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Department of Education and Training of Australia.
Engineering, Health, Science and the Environment (Faculty) 15 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Networks
- Engineering
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- Health Sciences
- Information Technology
- Medical Technology
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Software Engineering
- Sports
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Law, Education, Business and Arts (Faculty) 16 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Architecture
- Arts and Humanities
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Design
- Education
- Indigenous Studies
- Law
- Music
- Native Language
- Preschool Education
- Primary Education
- Secondary Education
- Tourism
- Visual Arts
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Vocational Education and Training (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Offers pre-bachelor certificates and diplomas.
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Charles Darwin University's teaching programmes are listed below — search or scan by level. International student eligibility varies by programme — some require additional language or visa-pathway checks.
118 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Australia
Bachelor's Degree 37 programmes
Showing 10 of 37.
Honours Degree 7 programmes
Master's Degree 51 programmes
Showing 10 of 51.
Doctorate 2 programmes
Associate's Degree 3 programmes
Postgraduate Certificate 10 programmes
Postgraduate Diploma 8 programmes
How to apply to Charles Darwin University
What applying to Charles Darwin University typically involves — research, eligibility check, document prep, submission, and follow-up.
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1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Charles Darwin University runs 118 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
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2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Before applying to Charles Darwin University, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Australia.
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3
Assemble your application package
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Charles Darwin University's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
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4
Submit your application
Lodge your application through the official website (www.cdu.edu.au). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
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5
Contact admissions and follow up
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +61 (0)8 8946 6666. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Charles Darwin University
A short Q&A covering Charles Darwin University's essentials — founding, location, scale, ranking, and academic structure.
How old is Charles Darwin University?
The institution opened in 1989 (approximately 37 years ago).
In which city is Charles Darwin University?
Charles Darwin University is based in Darwin, Australia.
Is Charles Darwin University a public or private institution?
Charles Darwin University operates as a public institution.
How many students study at Charles Darwin University?
Charles Darwin University has approximately 7,000-7,999 students.
Where does Charles Darwin University stand in university rankings?
It ranks #1326 globally and #31 in Australia.
What degrees does Charles Darwin University offer?
Programmes at Charles Darwin University cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
What is Charles Darwin University's academic structure?
Charles Darwin University has 3 academic units.
Who recognises Charles Darwin University?
Charles Darwin University is accredited by Department of Education and Training of Australia.
What is Charles Darwin University's official website?
You can find Charles Darwin University online at www.cdu.edu.au.
Top-Ranked Universities in Australia
Australia's leading universities appear below, useful for benchmarking Charles Darwin University's academic standing. Use this list as the upper-bound reference for academic prestige within Australia.
Members of Universities Australia
Membership renewal cycles for Universities Australia create periodic quality reviews. Recent renewals or admissions to the network signal currency of standards — older memberships may need re-examination.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
Foreign-language teaching requirements for Education & Teaching programmes vary across Australia. Some run entirely in the national language; others offer English-medium delivery for international students.
Universities Compared with Charles Darwin University
Application tier strategy benefits from including peer institutions to Charles Darwin University: safety, target, and reach picks within a comparable academic band keep your outcomes diversified.
Studying in Australia: guides and resources
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