Charles Darwin University is a public university in Darwin, Australia, established in 2003. The university has 2 campuses in Darwin and 6 campuses spread across the Northern Territory. Charles Darwin University is ranked at #584 by the QS World University Rankings 2026 and #132 in the Times Higher Education 2025 ranking. Charles Darwin University offers more than 300 programs, including those in higher education (UG, PG, and research), vocational education and training (VET), and short courses and enabling programs. The programs are offered in 3 semesters in an academic year, in March, July, and November. MBA and Engineering courses like Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Environmental Science are popular among international students. The Charles Darwin University tuition fee ranges from AUD 18,520 – 34,000 (INR 10.5 – 19.3 L) for UG, PG, and research degrees like PhD. The university also provides several scholarships to international students for up to 50% tuition fee and accommodation costs waivers.
Also check: Charles Darwin University Reviews
Charles Darwin University is recognized for its academic excellence and employment outcomes. Given below are some of the rankings of CDU by reputed ranking bodies:
| Ranking Agency | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Ranking | #584 | #621-630 | #621-630 |
| THE World University Ranking | – | #401-500 | #401-500 |
| ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) | – | – | – |
| US News & World Report | – | #621-630 | #818 |
Also Check: Charles Darwin University Rankings
Charles Darwin University offers over 300 programs in various disciplines, including Health, Arts, Engineering, Science, and Business. In the 2025 academic year, the Health discipline courses saw the highest enrollment at 4,330 students. MBA and Engineering courses like Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Environmental Science are also popular among international students.
Given below are some of the top programs offered by Charles Darwin University:
| Course | Duration | Tuition Fee in AUD | Tuition fee in INR |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA Professional Accounting | 1.5 years | 34,720 | 20 L |
| MBA Sustainable Enterprise | 1.5 years | 34,720 | 20 L |
| MBA Sustainable Leadership | 1.5 years | 34,720 | 20 L |
| M.Eng Civil Engineering | 2 years | 37,104 | 21 L |
| M.Eng Electrical and Electronics Industry | 2 years | 37,104 | 21 L |
| M.Eng Mechanical Engineering | 2 years | 37,104 | 21 L |
| M.I.T Cyber Security | 2 years | 31,688 | 18 L |
| M.Eng Software Engineering | 2 years | 37,104 | 21 L |
| MS Data Science | 2 years | 31,688 | 18 L |
| MS Nursing Practice (Pre-Registration) | 2 years | 35,144 | 20 L |
| Bachelor of Information Technology (B.I.T) | 3 years | 31,688 | 18 L |
| Bachelor of Nursing (B.N) | 3 years | 34,576 | 20 L |
| Diploma in Information Technology | 1 year | 31,158 | 18 L |
| Diploma in Psychology | 1 year | 30,192 | 17 L |
Charles Darwin University admission requirements are the same for all programs, except for the Bachelor of Nursing and the Master of Engineering courses. While the common minimum English proficiency test score in IELTS is 6.0 for most programs, it is 7.0 and 6.5 for Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Engineering courses, respectively. Also, students with no academic background in Mathematics, or any engineering-related fields, must complete CDU Undergraduate Certificate in Intro to Math & Physics.
Charles Darwin University offers more than 50 graduate courses in various disciplines, like health, business, IT, public health, and emergency management. For admissions to graduate programs at Charles Darwin University, you are required to have a bachelor’s degree in a field related to the course you are applying to. You also have to demonstrate English proficiency by taking either TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Cambridge English. You also have to submit your passport, academic transcripts, and a statement of purpose along with your application.
Given below are the detailed admission requirements for graduate courses at Charles Darwin University:
| Eligibility Criteria | Supporting Documents |
|---|---|
|
A 3- or 4-year bachelor’s degree in a related field For MBA, a 3-year bachelor’s degree requires at least 6 months of work experience Any 1 of the following English language proficiency test scores: IELTS – 6.5 overall, 6.0 in each band PTE – 58 overall, 50 in each section TOEFL iBT – 79 overall, 21 in each section Cambridge English – 176 overall, 169 in each skill |
Bachelor’s degree certificate A CV or Resume (Check: Tips to Write an Effective Resume) 2 Letters of Reference (for MBA) Passport |
Charles Darwin University offers around 120 undergraduate programs in various disciplines, ranging from arts, science, engineering to business, and economics. Admissions to undergraduate programs at Charles Darwin University require you to have at least 60% marks in Class 12. Apart from this, you need to prove your proficiency in the English language by taking any of the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE exams. This English language test requirement might be waived off if Class 12 was passed in English. The documents you need to submit are your score transcripts, passport, and financial proof.
Given below are the detailed eligibility requirements and the supporting documents for admission to the undergraduate programs at Charles Darwin University:
| Eligibility Criteria | Supporting Documents |
|---|---|
|
Class 12 minimum scores: CBSE/ICSE – 60% Punjab and Haryana Boards – 75% Other boards – 65% Any 1 of the following English language proficiency test scores: IELTS – 6.0 overall and in each band TOEFL iBT – 60 overall, 21 in writing PTE – 50 overall and in each section The English requirement is waived off if Class 12 is passed in English. |
Class 10 and 12 mark sheets Passport English test score report Financial Proof (for visa) Course-specific requirements: BS Nursing – Medical check-ups, vaccinations, police clearance, fitness form B. Engg – If no Maths/Physics in Class 12, CDU Undergraduate Certificate in Intro to Math & Physics is required. |
Also check: Australian Student Visa
Charles Darwin University offers its programs in 3 intakes – Semester 1 in March, Semester 2 in July, and Semester 3 in November. The deadlines are similar for both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The applications close at least 2 months before the start of the session. The applications for Semesters 1 and 2 are now closed. They are open for the November Semester 3 till August 25, 2025. Given below are the detailed application deadlines for the courses at Charles Darwin University:
| Semester | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 (March, 2026) | 17 December 2025 (tentative) |
| Semester 2 (July 2026) | 28 April 2025 (tentative) |
| Semester 3 (November 2025) | 25 August 2025 |
Also check: Intakes in Australia
The cost of attendance is the total expenses on the tuition fees, the accommodation, books and study materials, food, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. Given below is the estimated cost of attendance per week at Charles Darwin University.
| Expense Type | Weekly Expenses (AUD) | Weekly Expenses (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus Accommodation | 185 – 270 | 10,067 – 14,693 |
| Off-campus Accommodation | 283 – 750 | 15,401 – 40,816 |
| Groceries and Eating Out | 80 – 280 | 4,353 – 15,238 |
| Phone and Internet | 20 – 55 | 1,088 – 2,993 |
| Gas and Electricity | 35 – 140 | 1,904 – 7,619 |
| Public Transport | 7 – 55 | 380 – 2,993 |
| Entertainment | 80 – 150 | 4,353 – 8,163 |
| Textbooks | 200 – 500 | 11,400 – 28,400 |
| Total | 890 – 2200 | 50,600 – 1.25 L |
Also check: Cost of Living in Australia
Charles Darwin University (CDU) offers a wide range of scholarships for international students. These scholarships award up to 50% tuition fee waivers. Here are some notable scholarships:
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Vice-Chancellor’s International High Achievers Scholarships (VCIHAS) |
95% in the highest level of qualification GPA 5.3 A 600-word statement |
Cover 50% tuition fee cost |
| CDU Global Merit Scholarship | International applicants are automatically considered | Cover 30% tuition fee cost |
| CDU International College Pathway Scholarship | International applicants are automatically considered | Cover 10-20% tuition fee cost |
| ELICOS Scholarship | International applicants are automatically considered | Cover up to 20% tuition fee cost |
| CDU Bachelor of Nursing Scholarship | Enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing course | Cover 20% tuition fee cost |
Also check: Scholarship in Australia for Indian Students
Charles Darwin University (CDU) placements are a major attraction for international students, offering a high return on investment. According to university reports, UG students have an employment rate of 79%, while PG students maintain an employment rate of 93%. UG students earn a median starting salary of 61,000 AUD (33.4 Lakhs INR), and PG students earn 68,400 AUD (37.2 Lakhs INR).
| Area of Study | Average Salary (AUD) | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 49,100 | 26.7 Lakhs |
| Pharmacy | 59,800 | 32.5 Lakhs |
| Law and Paralegal Studies | 63,900 | 34.7 Lakhs |
| Engineering | 77,700 | 42.2 Lakhs |
| Health Services and Support | 86,500 | 47 Lakhs |
| Nursing | 93,600 | 50.9 Lakhs |
Charles Darwin University has multiple campuses, with the main one located in Darwin, Northern Territory. The Casuarina campus is the largest and offers a tropical, multicultural environment with modern teaching facilities, libraries, labs, and student accommodations.
Also check: Charles Darwin University Gallery
With about 15-20 students per teacher, Charles Darwin University maintains small class sizes, helping you get more personalized and interactive lectures and assignments. With a vibrant body of 3,500 international students from over 70 countries, makes Charles Darwin University exemplifies diversity and cross-cultural interactions. With several scholarships covering the vast amount of tuition fees, Charles Darwin University is an ideal place for students to develop holistically.
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