About us

We’d like to welcome you

We’d like you to be part of our community where we not only teach but learn from you.

We’ll work together to create a path to turn your passion into a profession and unlock a new world of opportunities for you with our connections to communities, industries and government.

Your diverse background will help us break new ground and your fresh perspective is what we’re looking for. We believe we’re made bolder and richer by your unique experiences, perspectives and opinions that you bring.

We believe, you make CDU.

CDU International College

CDU International College integrates international students into CDU student life from day one. The rigorous academic standards, modern facilities and comprehensive student support are available to all enrolled students. Specialised language development, a well-rounded curriculum and small classes provide the support for students to thrive.

A dual-sector university

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is a dual-sector university, which means you will find the right study pathway for you, from Vocational Education and Training (VET) and undergraduate courses to postgraduate and higher degrees by research. 

Top of our game

CDU has been recognised as a global leader by independent rankings and our reputation ensures your qualifications are recognised by employers and other institutions throughout the world.

#YoumakeCDU

4th in Australia

for undergraduate full-time
employment outcomes
(Good Universities Guide 2024)

2nd in Australia

for postgraduate full-time
employment outcomes
(Good Universities Guide 2024)

Top 200

 in the world for global impact (Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2023)

60th

in the ‘Millennial universities’ (Times Higher Education Young University Ranking 2023) 

#5 Australian university

for providing first-generation university study opportunities (Good Universities Guide 2024)

5 star university

for undergraduate full-time employment outcomes (Good Universities Guide 2024)

Multicultural

2,800 international students
from more than 69 different
countries

Leader in online learning

CDU is a pioneer in e-learning and has been delivering courses online for almost 20 years. 

CDU is a five-star university for undergraduate full-time employment outcomes

The Good Universities Guide 2024 ranks CDU as the number seven university in Australia for full-time employment for undergraduate students and seventh for undergraduate starting salaries in Australia. 

By study area, CDU is ranked top five in Australia for undergraduate employment outcomes in engineering, humanities and social sciences, law and paralegal studies, psychology and social work.

CDU’s undergraduate students enjoy a median starting salary of $61,400 and a full-time employment rate of 79%.

The Good Universities Guide ratings provide independent five-star performance ratings for all universities in Australia. These are based on student-relevant criteria such as graduate salaries, teaching quality, learning resources, graduate employment rates and much more.

Undergraduate starting salary by study area:

Study area

Australian ranking

Median starting salary

Creative Arts2nd$56,400

Humanities and Social Sciences

2nd

$54,400

Social Work3rd$59,700
Agriculture and Environmental Studies3rd$57,500
Pharmacy 3rd$59,800
Engineering4th$77,700
Psychology5th$49,100
Law and Paralegal Studies6th$63,900



Undergraduate graduate employment rate by study area:

Study area

Australian ranking

Graduate employment rate

Psychology

1st

82%

Engineering

3rd

94%

Humanities and Social Sciences

4th

73%

Law and Paralegal Studies

4th

84%

Social Work5th81%

CDU is the #2 Australian university for postgraduate full-time employment outcomes

The Good Universities Guide 2024 has ranked CDU as the number two Australian university for full-time employment for postgraduate students.

CDU postgraduate students enjoy a full-time employment rate of 93% and a median graduate salary of $68,400.

The Good Universities Guide ratings provide independent five-star performance ratings for all universities in Australia. These are based on student-relevant criteria such as graduate salaries, teaching quality, learning resources, graduate employment rates and much more.

Postgraduate starting salary by study area:

Study area

Australian ranking

Median graduate salary

Nursing

2nd

$93,600

Health Services and Support6th$86,500



Postgraduate full-time graduate employment rate by study area:

Study area

Australian ranking

Graduate full-time employment rate

Social Work

1st

96%

Nursing

3rd

96%

Health Services and Support

7th

92%



UP Education

The collaboration between Charles Darwin University and UP Education will provide you the foundation to be successful in our comprehensive range of world-class offerings. UP Education is internationally known for its specialist language courses and university entrance qualifications, with over 14,000 students across 50 campuses in New Zealand and Australia.

Charles Darwin University is proud to partner with UP Education to deliver our Foundation Studies, First Year Diploma and Pre-Masters Programs.

More information about UP Education.

Want to learn more about CDU International College?

Your student experience

Study with us

We offer pathways designed to ensure you get the most out of your studies. Specialised language development, a well-rounded curriculum and smaller class sizes provide the support necessary to meet your goals and prepare for the real world.

Life on Campus

Located at the Danala – Education and Community Precinct our students enjoy living and learning in a fantastic location, close to all the amenities for study and leisure activities. The college and staff are dedicated to ensuring the best possible study outcomes for our students.

Student Stories

Read stories from our current students about their intellectual, social and personal experiences when studying abroad in Darwin city, Northern Territory, Australia. Find out what life at CDU International College is really like today.