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 waterfront 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 Arts | 2nd | $56,400 |
Humanities and Social Sciences | 2nd | $54,400 |
| Social Work | 3rd | $59,700 |
| Agriculture and Environmental Studies | 3rd | $57,500 |
| Pharmacy | 3rd | $59,800 |
| Engineering | 4th | $77,700 |
| Psychology | 5th | $49,100 |
| Law and Paralegal Studies | 6th | $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 Work | 5th | 81% |
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 Support | 6th | $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.
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 Waterfront Campus, 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.
