Where To Apply

Darwin, NT, Australia · public

Charles Darwin University

UPCOMING
Official website ↗

Charles Darwin University does not publish a single closing date. For its next intake (Semester 1), we recommend applying around October 2026, roughly three to four months ahead.

At a glance

International tuition
A$26,000/yr
First-year budget
A$57,000 to A$66,000
English (minimum)
IELTS 6.0 · PTE 50
Application fee
None
Intakes
Semester 1 · Semester 2
Regional (migration)
Yes
Selectivity
Broadly accessible
Degree levels
Undergraduate

Good for

  • Regional migration points (491 and 190 pathways)
  • Lower tuition, from A$26,000/yr
  • More than one intake a year
  • No application fee
  • Accepts IELTS 6.0 or PTE 50
  • More open admissions across most courses

Derived from the data on this page. Individual courses set their own fees, entry scores, and intakes, so check the ones you are applying to.

Overview

CDU is the only university headquartered in the Northern Territory and combines higher education with vocational (TAFE-equivalent) training under one institution, unusual among Australian universities.

Who is this university for?

CDU is worth considering if you want to study in a genuinely regional location with strong skilled-migration advantages. The Northern Territory offers some of the most accessible state nomination criteria in the country, and CDU combines university degrees with vocational training under one roof. It is strong in nursing, education, and engineering. Darwin is remote and the campus is small, which suits some students and not others.

Admissions

Selectivity
Broadly accessible
English (institutional minimum)
IELTS 6 · PTE 50
Degree levels
Undergraduate

Verified cdu.edu.au ↗

Australian universities do not publish official acceptance rates. Selectivity here is our editorial band, not a percentage. Open admissions across most courses, often accepting a wide range of prior qualifications and running foundation or diploma pathways for applicants who fall short. Competitive courses still set their own requirements. Individual competitive courses stay harder to enter than the institution-wide band suggests. How we assign it.

Tuition & first-year budget

International tuition
A$26,000/year
Application fee
None
Living cost estimate
A$27,000/year

Verified cdu.edu.au ↗

Estimated first-year budget

A$57,000 to A$66,000

Tuition plus about A$27,000 living costs, the application fee, and roughly A$4,000 in one-off setup costs (visa, health cover, flights, initial deposits). Tuition varies widely by course, so check your specific program.

The living-cost figure is an estimate for Darwin, anchored to the Australian Government’s AUD 29,710 minimum for a single student visa applicant (2026) and adjusted for the city. Your actual costs depend most on rent and lifestyle.

Financial aid & scholarships

See all scholarships for studying in Australia, including national government schemes.

Academics

Associate Degree of Engineering

Undergraduate · Engineering

Associate Degree of Information and Communication Technology

Undergraduate · Information Technology

Associate Degree of Legal Studies

Undergraduate · Law

Associate Degree of Network Engineering

Undergraduate · Computer Science

Bachelor of Accounting

Undergraduate · Business

Bachelor of Architectural Design

Undergraduate · Architecture

Bachelor of Arts

Undergraduate · Arts & Design

Bachelor of Arts Honours

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Biomedical Science

Undergraduate

Bachelor of Business

Undergraduate · Business

Page 1 of 10

Comparing options across universities? Browse programs by subject.

How to apply

  1. Pick your course and check it is open to international students for your intended intake.
  2. Check the entry requirements for that specific course: academic background, minimum GPA or ATAR, subject prerequisites, and the English test score it accepts.
  3. Prepare your documents: academic transcripts and completion certificates, your English test result (IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL), passport, CV, and a statement of purpose if the course asks for one.
  4. Apply online through the university's application portal, or through an authorised education agent in your country. Both routes reach the same admissions team.
  5. Pay the application fee if the course charges one. Many Australian universities do not.
  6. Wait for the outcome. You may receive a full offer, a conditional offer (for example, subject to final results or an English score), or a rejection.
  7. Accept your offer and pay the tuition deposit. The university then issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
  8. Use the CoE to apply for a Student visa (subclass 500), arrange Overseas Student Health Cover, and book travel.

Requirements and steps can vary by course. Always confirm the process for your specific program on the university’s official website before applying.

Application deadlines

Charles Darwin University runs fixed intakes rather than one hard deadline. The dates below are the recommended times to have your international application in, about three to four months before each intake. Postgraduate and competitive courses close earlier; later applications are often still accepted while places and visa time remain. Confirm the exact date for your course on the university’s site.

IntakeApply by
Semester 1 · Graduatearound October 2026Recommended

Charles Darwin University assesses international applications on a rolling basis rather than to one fixed deadline. The date shown is a recommended time to apply for the February or March 2027 intake, roughly three to four months before it starts. Applications are usually still accepted after it while places remain and there is time for a student visa. CDU has several international application closing dates each semester; apply as early as you can, as earlier applications get an offer sooner. Most CDU international students apply through an authorised agent.

Semester 1 · Undergraduatearound November 2026Recommended

Charles Darwin University assesses international applications on a rolling basis rather than to one fixed deadline. The date shown is a recommended time to apply for the February or March 2027 intake, roughly three to four months before it starts. Applications are usually still accepted after it while places remain and there is time for a student visa. CDU has several international application closing dates each semester; apply as early as you can, as earlier applications get an offer sooner. Most CDU international students apply through an authorised agent.

Semester 2 · Graduatearound April 2027Recommended

Charles Darwin University assesses international applications on a rolling basis rather than to one fixed deadline. The date shown is a recommended time to apply for the July 2027 intake, roughly three to four months before it starts. Applications are usually still accepted after it while places remain and there is time for a student visa. CDU has several international application closing dates each semester; apply as early as you can, as earlier applications get an offer sooner. Most CDU international students apply through an authorised agent.

Semester 2 · Undergraduatearound April 2027Recommended

Charles Darwin University assesses international applications on a rolling basis rather than to one fixed deadline. The date shown is a recommended time to apply for the July 2027 intake, roughly three to four months before it starts. Applications are usually still accepted after it while places remain and there is time for a student visa. CDU has several international application closing dates each semester; apply as early as you can, as earlier applications get an offer sooner. Most CDU international students apply through an authorised agent.

Verified cdu.edu.au ↗

Charles Darwin University deadlines, in detail →

Charles Darwin University: common questions

Does Charles Darwin University charge an application fee for international students?

No. Charles Darwin University does not charge international students an application fee when you apply directly or through an authorised agent. Third-party application platforms may add their own service fee.

What English test score do I need to get into Charles Darwin University?

The institutional minimum for undergraduate entry at Charles Darwin University is IELTS 6 overall, or PTE Academic 50. This is a floor, not a guarantee: nursing programs usually need IELTS 7.0, teaching 7.5, and medicine, law, and business often 7.0. Postgraduate coursework is typically 6.5. Always check the score for your specific course.

How much does it cost to study at Charles Darwin University for a year?

As an international student, budget roughly A$57,000 to A$66,000 for your first year. That is tuition from about A$26,000, around A$27,000 in living costs for Darwin, plus roughly A$4,000 in one-off setup costs. Tuition varies widely by course.

Is Charles Darwin University a Group of Eight university?

No. Charles Darwin University is not a member of the Group of Eight (Australia's eight research-intensive universities: ANU, Melbourne, Sydney, UNSW, Queensland, Monash, Western Australia, and Adelaide). Many fields are taught just as well outside the Go8 for lower fees.

When can I start studying at Charles Darwin University?

Charles Darwin University has two main intakes a year: Semester 1, starting in February or March, and Semester 2, starting in July. The recommended time to apply is about three to four months before the intake, and postgraduate and competitive courses close earlier.

Is Charles Darwin University in a regional area for skilled migration?

Yes. Darwin is a designated regional area for skilled migration, so studying at Charles Darwin University earns 5 extra points on the skilled points test and opens the Skilled Work Regional (491) visa. Living costs are also usually below Sydney and Melbourne.

How do I apply to Charles Darwin University as an international student?

Choose your course and confirm it is open to international students for your intake, check the entry requirements and English score, then apply online through the university's admissions portal or through an authorised agent in your country. After an offer you accept, pay the deposit, receive a Confirmation of Enrolment, and use it to apply for a Student visa (subclass 500).

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