Charles Darwin University
Darwin, Australia • Founded 1989 • World Rank #1326
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.
Bachelor's Degree
37 programmes
There are 37 programmes to choose from at Charles Darwin University for undergraduates. A bachelor's degree builds the broad disciplinary foundation most employers and postgraduate courses expect.
Bachelor of Information Technology Computer Science & IT 156 weeks
Bachelor of Arts Humanities & Cultural Studies 156 weeks
Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Teaching (Birth-12 Years) Education & Teaching 208 weeks
Bachelor of Humanitarian Aid and Development Social Work 156 weeks
Bachelor of Health Science Public Health 156 weeks
Bachelor of Health Services Management Business Administration 156 weeks
Bachelor of Public Health Social Work 208 weeks
Bachelor of Digital Enterprise Business Administration 156 weeks
Bachelor of Arts Honours Humanities & Cultural Studies 52 weeks
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Natural Sciences & Mathematics 208 weeks
Bachelor of Business Business & Management 157 weeks
Bachelor of Environmental Science Environmental Sciences 156 weeks
Bachelor of Social Work Social Work 208 weeks
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science Medicine & Health 156 weeks
Bachelor of Engineering Science Engineering & Technology 157 weeks
Bachelor of Education Primary Education & Teaching 208 weeks
Bachelor of Education Early Childhood Teaching Education & Teaching 208 weeks
Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) Legal Studies 156 weeks
Bachelor of Computer Science Computer Sciences 156 weeks
Bachelor of Education Secondary Education & Teaching 208 weeks
Bachelor of Educational Studies Education & Teaching 156 weeks
Bachelor of Laws Legal Studies 156 weeks
Bachelor of Nursing Nursing 156 weeks
Bachelor of Paramedicine Medicine & Health 156 weeks
Bachelor of Psychological Science Psychology 156 weeks
Bachelor of Science Agriculture & Environmental Sciences 156 weeks
Bachelor of Accounting Accounting 156 weeks
Bachelor of Accounting/Diploma of Laws Accounting 156 weeks
Bachelor of Biomedical Science Natural Sciences & Mathematics 156 weeks
Bachelor of Midwifery Natural Sciences & Mathematics 156 weeks
Bachelor of Education Early Childhood and Primary Education & Teaching 208 weeks
Bachelor of Education Birth to Five Years Education & Teaching 208 weeks
Bachelor of Architectural Design Architecture 156 weeks
Bachelor of Accounting/Diploma of Digital Enterprise Accounting 156 weeks
Bachelor of Nutrition Medicine & Health 156 weeks
Bachelor of Creative Arts Arts, Design & Architecture 156 weeks
Bachelor of Oral Health Therapy Dentistry 156 weeks
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
51 programmes
There are 51 programmes to choose from at Charles Darwin University for graduates, aimed at advanced expertise, a career change, or a stepping stone toward doctoral research.
Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Occupational Therapy Public Health 208 weeks
Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech and Language Therapy Public Health 208 weeks
Master of Public Health Public Health 78 weeks
Master of Health Research Public Health 78 weeks
Master of Social Work (Qualifying) Social Work 104 weeks
Master of Arts Humanities & Cultural Studies 104 weeks
Master of Medical Laboratory Science Natural Sciences & Mathematics 104 weeks
Master of Information Technology (Cyber Security) Computer Science & IT 105 weeks
Master of Information Technology (Information Systems and Data Science) Information Systems & Technology 105 weeks
Master of Information Technology (Software Engineering) Electrical Engineering 105 weeks
Master by Research (Ias) Education & Teaching 104 weeks
Master of Engineering Engineering & Technology 105 weeks
Master of Environmental Management Environmental Sciences 104 weeks
Bachelor of Engineering Science/Master of Engineering Engineering & Technology 260 weeks
Master of Emergency and Disaster Management Social Work 104 weeks
Master of Professional Accounting Accounting 78 weeks
Master of Teaching Education & Teaching 104 weeks
Master of Data Science Computer Sciences 104 weeks
Master of Public Health/Master of Health Research Public Health 104 weeks
Master of Nursing Practice (Pre-registration) Nursing 104 weeks
Master of Nutrition Medicine & Health 104 weeks
Master of Business Administration Sustainable Enterprise Business Administration 78 weeks
Master of Business Administration Sustainable Leadership Business Administration 104 weeks
Master of Applied Spatial Science Agriculture & Environmental Sciences 104 weeks
Master of Professional Accounting (Professional Practice) Accounting 104 weeks
Master of Education Education & Teaching 78 weeks
Master of Clinical Audiology Rehabilitation Sciences 104 weeks
Master of Dietetics Medicine & Health 104 weeks
Master of Occupational Therapy Rehabilitation Sciences 104 weeks
Master of Psychology (Clinical) Psychology 104 weeks
Master of Speech and Language Therapy Rehabilitation Sciences 104 weeks
Master of Information Technology (Information Systems) Information Systems & Technology 104 weeks
Master of Teaching Secondary Education & Teaching 104 weeks
Master of Teaching Early Childhood Education & Teaching 104 weeks
Master of Teaching Primary Education & Teaching 104 weeks
Master of Public Policy Politics & International Relations 104 weeks
Doctor of Pharmacy Pharmacy 104 weeks
Master of Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Sciences 104 weeks
Master of Project Management Business Administration 104 weeks
Bachelor of Primary Education and Master of Secondary Teaching Education & Teaching 234 weeks
Master of Teaching (Birth to Five years) Education & Teaching 104 weeks
Master of Information Technology (Artificial Intelligence) Computer Sciences 104 weeks
Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy Public Health 208 weeks
Master of Applied Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies 78 weeks
Master of Arts (Coursework) Humanities & Cultural Studies 104 weeks
Master by Research Philosophy & Ethics 104 weeks
Master of Architecture Architecture 104 weeks
Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Speech Pathology Public Health 208 weeks
Master of Business Administration Business Administration 78 weeks
Master of Business Administration (Professional Practice) Business Administration 104 weeks
Master of Speech Pathology Rehabilitation Sciences 104 weeks
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
2 programmes
These 2 programmes make up Charles Darwin University's doctoral catalogue, where candidates work closely with supervisors to produce publishable, original research.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ias) Philosophy & Ethics 208 weeks
Doctor of Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics 208 weeks
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
28 programmes
These 28 programmes cover Charles Darwin University's associate, certificate, diploma, and foundation options — qualifications valued for fast, targeted, or pathway-oriented study.
Bachelor of Science Honours Environmental Sciences 52 weeks
Bachelor of Laws Honours Legal Studies 52 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Public Health Public Health 26 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Public Health Public Health 52 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Health Research Public Health 52 weeks
Bachelor of Software Engineering Honours Electrical Engineering 211 weeks
Associate Degree of Legal Studies Criminal Law & Justice 104 weeks
Bachelor of Engineering Honours Engineering & Technology 211 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Emergency and Disaster Management Social Work 52 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Indigenous Policy Development Politics & International Relations 52 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Public Health 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Sustainable Enterprise Business Administration 26 weeks
Bachelor of Psychological Science Honours Psychology 52 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Specialist Education Education & Teaching 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of University Learning and Teaching Education & Teaching 26 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Specialist Education Education & Teaching 52 weeks
Associate Degree of Accounting Studies Accounting 104 weeks
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science Honours Natural Sciences & Mathematics 208 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Health and Social Care Medicine & Health 52 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Health Services Management Medicine & Health 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Maternal Critical Care Nursing 26 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Medicine & Health 52 weeks
ASSOCIATE DEGREE OF ENGINEERING Engineering & Technology 104 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Arts Humanities & Cultural Studies 26 weeks
Bachelor of Arts Honours Humanities & Cultural Studies 52 weeks
Graduate Diploma of Linguistic Studies Linguistics & Language Studies 52 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Business Business Administration 26 weeks
Graduate Certificate of Research Methods Humanities & Cultural Studies 26 weeks
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to Charles Darwin University
What applying to Charles Darwin University typically involves — research, eligibility check, document prep, submission, and follow-up.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Often 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.
