Charles Darwin University

International students

General admission requirements

As an international student completing one of the following qualifications in 2021, you will apply for admission through UAC and will generally be selected on the basis of your performance in these studies (ie your ATAR or equivalent):

  • an Australian Year 12 qualification (either outside or in Australia)
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
  • a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3.

CDU may take any or all of your qualifications or attempts at study into account.

International applicants applying for admission on the basis of qualifications other than those listed above must apply directly to CDU not through UAC.

Learn more about CDU's application and admission criteria

Fees

Fees for international students are set annually and calculated on a per credit point basis based on the course of study.

To find out more about fees, visit the CDU website.

All international students are required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). The 2021 fee value is $37.50 per 10 credit points and the maximum fee that will be charged will be $300.

To find out more about SSAF, visit the CDU website.

Your stay in Australia

It is a requirement of the Department of Home Affairs that prospective international students can demonstrate they have sufficient funds while living in Australia. Living costs include items such as:

  • accommodation (including rental bond)
  • electricity and/or gas
  • entertainment
  • food
  • personal and household items
  • telephone and internet bills
  • transport (bus/train/tram/ferry).

Read more about Australian living costs

During your stay in Australia you are permitted to work for up to 40 hours per fortnight during teaching periods, and unlimited hours outside teaching periods.

Certain categories of voluntary, unpaid work are included in this total, and work undertaken as part of your course is not included. You should not rely on working to fund your tuition or living expenses while in Australia as work cannot be guaranteed and spending excessive amounts of time working may adversely affect your studies.

Read more about working while studying

Before you are granted a student visa, the Australian Government must be satisfied that you have appropriate accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements in place for the period that you will be under 18 years of age while in Australia. CDU does not accept responsibility for welfare arrangements for international students who are under 18 years of age.

Read more about Australian Government requirements

CDU's international support team aims to offer the highest level of support to the international students at Charles Darwin University, to help make your experience in Australia the best it can be.

Our staff have lived and studied in other countries just like you, and have firsthand experience of the highs and lows of such a big and important journey. Issues you can discuss with the team include but aren’t limited to:

  • Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
  • orientation
  • international student obligations and visa conditions. Find out more about making your studies compliant.
  • intermission (leave of absence/study leave)
  • study load/management of studies in given timeframe/Reduced Study Load (RSL)
  • extension of fees payment deadlines
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  • referrals to other CDU support services relevant to your issue.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is your health insurance while you are in Australia on a student visa and is needed before you apply for your student visa.

You must have OSHC for the entire length of your student visa and, if you need to apply for a new student visa, you must extend your health cover before applying.

OSHC also gives you peace of mind knowing your health will be looked after and you can easily access medical services while you are in Australia.

Our preferred provider is Allianz Global Assistance. You can pay the OSHC fee when you pay your tuition deposit, and we will arrange your health cover with Allianz Global Insurance.

General information for Charles Darwin University

Location

Charles Darwin University
Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina

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Important dates

Academic calendar

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