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Faculty of Arts and Society

Our courses equip students to navigate complex environments and make an impact locally and globally. 

  • A leader in Indigenous education

    Each year CDU teaches over 4,000 Indigenous students in over 150 locations across the NT.

  • Study the arts flexibly

    Study online, on campus, part or full time. Choose what suits you.

  • #2 in Australia for business management student support

    According to the Good Universities Guide 2025

Our work

Research

Engagement

Innovation

Key people

Message from the Pro Vice-Chancellor

The Faculty of Arts and Society leads positive global change and advances social justice through our teaching, research and collaboration with industry and the community.  

The faculty brings people and places to life, and from that, our desire to think, examine, express and create grows. This drives us to act collectively for positive social change and advance inquisitive, harmonious and equitable society, particularly for those who are most vulnerable. 

We strive to prepare students to be teachers, creative thinkers and innovators in a complex changing world. We bring together expertise in education, business, law, Indigenous knowledge practices, human geography, disaster preparedness and management, languages, humanities and the creative industries.  

Our reputation is based on extensive partnerships with government, industry and community stakeholders to address social, cultural and economic issues in: 

  • sparsely populated regional areas, including Northern Australia 
  • developing regions, including South-East Asia - particularly China, Indonesia and Timor-Leste 
  • Indigenous knowledge, social, cultural and economic futures. 

The faculty’s research and teaching will draw on the strength of the Northern Institute, centres of excellence and multidisciplinary teams primarily engaged in teaching, research, networking and business development. Together, academics, research students and industry professionals examine and drive solutions for emerging social, cultural and economic issues in challenging contexts.

Portrait of Professor Ruth Wallace
Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ruth Wallace leads the Faculty of Arts and Society
Kakadu Nawurlandja Lookout landscape

Northern Institute

CDU's Northern Institute is a leader in policy research which builds on the strength of its connections to remote, regional and urban contexts to produce quality analysis.

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CDU's free Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) is an alternative pathway into university.  With TEP, you'll have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to succeed at university.

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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Apply for Recognition of Prior Learning to have your previous training, life and work experience counted towards a TAFE qualification at CDU, which means you won't have to re-learn what you already know. RPL assessments are free for eligible NT residents.

Learn more

Faculty events

Faculty news

  • Thuseethan

    How 9000 photos built the foundation for AI-driven crop disease detection

    A breakthrough in AI-driven crop disease detection is set to reduce harvest losses and chemical-related health risks thanks to a first-of-its-kind tomato leaf dataset comprising almost 9000 images of tomato images. 

    Read more
  • guy filling out form

    2026 Census to reveal how crises have reshaped Australian society, CDU expert says

    The 2026 Census will provide a critical picture of how the COVID-19 pandemic, housing pressures and the rising cost of living have reshaped Australian society, according to a Charles Darwin University (CDU) demographer. 

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  • lizard made of recycled materials

    Art show will give a glimpse ‘Behind the wire’ 

    This year the Northern Territory Corrections Art show is back after a few year hiatus and includes works from prisoners from across the Top End and Central Australia, thanks to the Charles Darwin University (CDU) Prisoner Education and Training in NT Department of Corrections.

    Read more
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