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About CDU

Welcome

Charles Darwin University is a truly unique institution.

With our home and our heart in the Northern Territory, we embrace the inclusive, resilient, and courageous spirit of the NT in our campuses and delivery sites that reach a diverse footprint from the capital cities of Darwin, Brisbane and Sydney to the regional hubs of Alice Springs, Palmerston and Katherine and our remote locations in Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek and on Country – in community, with the community.

Our multi-campus, dual-sector status, virtual and online expertise, course profile, research activities, delivery methods, and operation result from our commitment to the regions in which we operate. 

The Northern Territory spans approximately one-sixth of Australia’s landmass and yet is home to just one per cent of the population, of whom 30 per cent are First Nations Peoples.

Due to our location, we are in an enviable position to contribute to the future opportunity of Northern Australia, and our neighbours in the Asia Pacific, through our innovative and impactful training, education, and research.

The University now has the new Strategic Plan in place, which will guide the development of our university over the next five years. It gives us a very clear road map to building a bigger, better and stronger university, valuing and empowering our people to make a difference.

CDU believes in the transformative power of training, education and research to change people’s lives for the better. We have a collective responsibility to make sure that our training, education and research are not only high quality and delivered by outstanding educators and researchers but are accessible and meaningful. What we do matters to our communities.

We are a deeply connected university, working in partnership and collaboration with First Nations peoples, our communities and industries, government, and alumni to address the needs of the Northern Territory and regional, rural, and remote people nationally and globally.

We are committed to making significant contributions to the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the NT and Northern Australia and to export our expertise nationally and globally.

Explore CDU

Charles Darwin University strategic plan 2021-2026

CDU Strategic Plan 2021-2026

CDU's new strategic plan will set out our roadmap for the next five years towards a post-pandemic recovery where we will be Australia's most connected university by being courageous and making a difference in the Northern Territory, Australia and beyond.

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Law Students at CDU

Our rankings

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.

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Aerial view of Casuarina campus

Our locations

From our Darwin, Casuarina and Palmerston locations down to Alice Springs and Sydney, find out what our campuses and centres have available to you. 

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learning and teaching - three students

Learning and teaching

Throughout their studies, our students will build essential skills for success in academic pursuits, their work and their lives beyond CDU.
 

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Orange 12, Casuarina Campus

Leadership and structure

Charles Darwin University is a multi-sector university which provides training and education to more than 21,000 students across its eight campuses and centres in the Northern Territory and Australia. We have strong governance and leadership to support these functions.

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Students reading a magazine together

Values and culture

At Charles Darwin University we have a passion and a vision to use our skills and knowledge to help shape a brighter future. Through Connect Discover Grow we intend to become outstanding achievers across all areas of our core business.
 

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Jobs at CDU

CDU has all the advantages of a relatively young multi-sector university, including vigour, creativity, flexibility and freedom from the constraints of tradition.
Taking research samples in river

Research and Innovation

Located in the remote far north of Australia, research is central to the purpose of Charles Darwin University, and closely tied to the needs of the Northern Territory and the Territory’s immediate region: Timor Leste, Eastern Indonesia and the Arafura Sea.

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CDU public lectures

We host a range of public lectures you can attend.

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