While Other Universities Talk About Employment, Charles Darwin University actually delivers it

• 584th QS World University Rankings
• 401–500 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings
• Top 23% of universities worldwide (THE 2026)
• Member of the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) group, Australia’s leading research network

Faculty of Arts and Society:

• Bachelor of Business
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
• Bachelor of Education
• Bachelor of Social Work
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• PhD in Arts and Society

Faculty of Health:

• Bachelor of Nursing
• Bachelor of Midwifery
• Bachelor of Public Health
• Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science
• Master of Public Health
• Master of Nursing
• Master of Mental Health
• PhD in Health Sciences

Faculty of Science and Technology:

• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) — Civil, Electrical, Environmental
• Bachelor of Information Technology
• Bachelor of Environmental Science
• Master of Engineering
• Master of Information Technology
• Master of Data Science
• PhD in Science and Technology
• CDU TAFE: CDU TAFE is the largest supplier of vocational education and training services in the Northern Territory. Courses on offer include certificates and diplomas in various disciplines, such as trade, hospitality, community services, agriculture, hairdressing and beauty, and many other disciplines. One more advantage of doing this course at CDU TAFE is that one gets qualified to study further degrees from CDU.

Flexible Study Options

There are a variety of modes of study available in CDU that include campus, distance, and online learning. The institution has over 30 years of experience in distance learning.

Academic Requirements

• TAFE / Certificate: Equivalent to Australian Year 10
• TAFE / Diploma: Equivalent to Australian Year 12
• Undergraduate: Equivalent to Australian Year 12 with satisfactory results
• Postgraduate: Recognised bachelor’s degree equivalent to the Australian standard
• Master by Research: Bachelor (Honours) or coursework Master with research component
• PhD: Bachelor’s (Honours) first or second class, or research Master’s degree

NOTE: Indian Students- Senior Secondary Certificate with 60% average in the best 4 academic subjects, including English. Some courses, like Engineering, Law, and Health Sciences, require higher percentages. Check your specific course page.

English Language Requirements

IELTS:

• Undergraduate: 0 (no band below 5.5)
• Postgraduate: 5 (no band below 6.0)
• TAFE / Enabling:5 (no band below 5.0)

TOEFL iBT:

• Undergraduate: 70+
• Postgraduate: 79+
• TAFE / Enabling: 60+

PTE Academic:

• Undergraduate: 50+
• Postgraduate: 58+
• TAFE / Enabling: 42+

NOTE: Some programs, including Bachelor of Nursing (IELTS 7.0) and Master of Engineering (IELTS 6.5), have higher requirements. Always check your specific course page.

Documents Required

• Academic transcripts and certificates
• Valid passport copy
• English language test scores
• Personal statement (program-dependent)
• CV / Resume (postgraduate applicants)
• Research proposal (PhD only)
• Letters of recommendation (select programs)

Intakes & Deadlines

Semester 1

• Starts: March
• Apply By: January

Semester 2

• Starts: July
• Apply By: May

Semester 3

• Starts: November
• Apply By: August

NOTE: CDU offers 3 intakes per year, giving you more flexibility than most Australian universities. No application fee is required.

How to Apply

Step 1: Visit the CDU official website and locate your course

Step 2: Determine the entry requirements for your course and country

Step 3: Gather all necessary paperwork, transcripts, passport, English results, and additional paperwork

Step 4: Submit an application via the CDU’s international application portal

Step 5: Confirm your admission and make payments for the first semester

Step 6: Submit an application for your Student Visa based on the letter of offer

Step 7: Go to Darwin or Sydney to attend orientation

NOTE: CDU International College offers guaranteed pathway programs, including English courses, diploma programs, and a Master’s Qualifying Program for direct entry into CDU degrees.

Tuition Fees

The fee structure decided by CDU depends upon the stream selected, along with the type of course one wishes to pursue. Generally speaking, the fee structure estimated per annum at the undergraduate level would come to AUD $26,000-35,000 ($14.3-$19.3 lakh), while for the postgraduate level, the fee structure would be AUD $29,000-40,000 ($16-$22 lakh).

NOTES: The fees are revised every year. Always confirm the fee details of your course from the official CDU website.

Costs of Living

As per the Department of Home Affairs, one needs to demonstrate AUD $29,710 ($16.3 lakh) worth of yearly living costs to qualify for a student visa. Annual cost of living in Darwin comes out to AUD $20,000-$25,000 (₹11-13.7 lakh).

Scholarships for International Students

1. Vice-Chancellor’s International High Achievers Scholarship (VCIHAS)

• 50% tuition fee waiver
• High-achieving UG & PG students with 95%+ in their highest qualification are required

2. CDU Global Merit Scholarship

• 30% tuition fee waiver
• All new international students are auto-assessed; no application is needed

3. Bachelor of Nursing Scholarship

• 20% tuition fee waiver
• New international nursing students auto-assessed

4. CDU International College Scholarship (China & East Asia)

• 30% off pathway tuition
• Students from China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea, and more

5. CDU International College Scholarship (All Other Regions)

• 15–30% off pathway tuition
• All other international students

6. Australia Awards

• Fully funded
• Students from eligible partner countries

The CDU Global Merit Scholarship and Bachelor of Nursing Scholarship require no separate application; you are automatically assessed when you apply.

To attend Charles Darwin University, you have to have the Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500). Always apply via the official portal –immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

Required Documents:

• Certificate of Enrollment (CoE) issued by CDU
• Valid Passport
• Proof of financial capability
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• Test scores for English Language Proficiency
• Medical report and Police Clearance Certificate
• Passport-size photos

Important Points

• Visa Application Fee: AUD $2,000 (₹1.1 lakhs) – non-refundable
• Minimum Funds Available: AUD $29,710/per annum (₹16.3 lakhs)
• Health Insurance (OSHC): Must have for the entire stay period
• Working rights: Semester: 48 hours per fortnight
• Working rights during holidays: Unlimited number of hours
• PhD/Master’s by Research Course: Unlimited number of hours throughout the year

Process for Applying for a Visa:

Step 1: Get the CoE from CDU once you pay the first semester fees

Step 2: Buy Overseas Student Health Insurance. CDU recommends buying from Allianz Care Australia

Step 3: Register on Immigration Online on the Department of Home Affairs website

Step 4: Fill out the online visa application for Subclass 500 and upload all the required documents

Step 5: Pay the visa application fees of AUD $2,000

Step 6: Get your visa within at least three months of your travel date

Step 7: Get a visa approval and travel to Darwin/Sydney.

CDU’s main Casuarina Campus spans 56 hectares in Darwin’s northern suburbs, featuring modern labs, libraries, sports facilities, and a student pool. The Sydney campus sits right in the CBD at George Street, steps from Central Station. Additional campuses are in Alice Springs, Palmerston, Katherine, and Brisbane.

For accommodation, CDU Village on the Casuarina Campus offers on-campus living with a pool, Wi-Fi, and community events at around AUD $2,400/semester (₹1.32 lakh). Off-campus options range from AUD $220–$350/week (₹12,000–₹19,000), including private studios and share houses nearby.

With students from 90+ countries, CDU is one of Australia’s most multicultural universities. Student groups covering sports, culture, arts, and social causes keep life outside the classroom busy and engaging.

Full support is available for international students, including academic help, health and counselling, career services, visa guidance, and a dedicated international student team from day one.

Darwin offers tropical weather, stunning sunsets, Kakadu National Park on your doorstep, vibrant night markets, and one of Australia’s most affordable and welcoming cities. Sydney students get world-class city life, beaches, and global opportunities all at once.

CDU has always been amongst the best universities of Australia regarding job placement statistics in terms of full-time job placements and initial salary packages, beating the national average on all fronts.

Career advice services at the university include personalised guidance, resume preparation, mock interview sessions, and industry networking. Special courses in Nursing, Engineering, Information Technology, and Teaching are tailor-made to meet the requirements of skill-deficient occupations in Australia, which makes our graduates extremely employable and eligible for a Permanent Residency application from the very first day of their graduation.

The unique benefit for Darwin students lies in the provision of up to 4–6 years of working rights post completion of their studies and eligibility for regional bonuses for permanent residency.

It may seem daunting to begin planning your studies abroad, but that’s where our professional counsellors come in to assist you throughout the entire process, all the way from selecting the perfect course at Charles Darwin University to completing the application procedure.

My Study Offers is a free global education platform for students providing comprehensive support from the very start, ensuring that you receive the right advice, enrol in the right program at the right university. All of this comes without any costs at My Study Offers; you get everything free of charge!

1. What are the entry requirements for international students?

UG: secondary school equivalent to Australian Year 12 with 60% average. PG: relevant bachelor’s degree. English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE) is required for both.

2. How much does it cost to study at CDU?

UG fees: AUD $26,000–$35,000/year (₹14.3–19.3 lakh). PG fees: AUD $29,000–$40,000/year (₹16–22 lakh). Living costs: AUD $20,000–$25,000/year (₹11–13.7 lakh) in Darwin.

3. Are there scholarships available?

Yes, up to 50% tuition fee waivers available. The CDU Global Merit Scholarship (30% off) requires no application; you are automatically assessed when you apply.

4. Can international students work while studying?

Yes, 48 hours per fortnight during the semester and unlimited hours during breaks. PhD and Master’s by research students can work unlimited hours year-round.

5. What is the Australian Student Visa fee?

AUD $2,000 (₹1.1 lakh) non-refundable.