Study pathways

What is a study pathway?

A study pathway refers to mapping a way (pathway) that will lead you to satisfying the admission requirements into your chosen course.

Generally at Charles Darwin University, certificate II and III level courses require a Year 10 level of education, certificate IV to advanced diploma level require Year 12 and most bachelor degree level courses require a Year 12 NTCE level of education with a Tertiary Entrance Ranking (TER) score of at least 60, or equivalent qualification.

If a TER score of 60 has not been attained, please refer to our bonus points scheme for Northern Territory school leavers or school leavers from a high school in a rural area that borders on the NT.

General options available for meeting the minimum admission requirements for a course

At CDU, the options available to all potential students to meet the minimum admission requirements of a course will depend on the level of the course you want to get into, and your age. These options are:

1. If entry requires a Year 10 level of education complete the Certificate II in Introductory Vocational Education; or
2. Start from a VET certificate level course and progress onwards from there (refer to the study pathways chart);
3. If entry requires a Year 11 or Year 12 level of education or a TER score:
   • complete your NTCE; or
   • complete the Tertiary Enabling Program if you are at least 18 years of age; or
4. Apply to sit a Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) if you are at least 19 years of age. Usually you need to attain a minimum score of 145, but for some degrees, you may require a higher score, so check with the relevant course coordinator.
5. If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you have the option of completing an Indigenous preparatory program such as the Indigenous Pre-Law, Business and Arts program, depending on the course you want to study.