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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.

  • Top 10 for business and management employment outcomes

    According to the Good Universities Guide 2021

Our work

Research

Engagement

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
    Academy of the Arts banner - basket weaving hand

    Academy of the Arts

    CDU’s Academy of the Arts focuses on contemporary Australian arts across creative, visual, performing and screen arts disciplines. This arts academy has a uniquely creative and educational offering inspired by the amazing country and rich culture of the Northern Territory of Australia and informed by and celebrating First Nations artists and their creative practices.

    Find out more
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    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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    Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP)

    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've won't have to re-learn what you already know. RPL assessments are free for eligible NT residents.

    Learn more

    Faculty events

    Faculty news

    • Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Australian International Islamic College founder, His Eminence the National Grand Mufti of Australia Imam Abdul Quddoos Azhari.

      New cultural and education partnership with international college

      Charles Darwin University (CDU) and the Northern Territory will be promoted as the preferred destination to study among students from the Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia following the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). 

      Read more
    • Students can apply for the places at Charles Darwin University from 2024.

      New pathway for Territorians to work on nuclear-powered submarines

      Charles Darwin University (CDU) will be on the frontline of training the future generation of submarine specialists after being awarded places to support the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine pathway.

      Read more
    • Charles Darwin University (CDU) researchers will investigate the role of women in commercial seafood industry in the Northern Territory.

      Study to explore growing the number of women in the NT seafood industry

      Charles Darwin University (CDU) researchers will investigate ways to grow and retain women working in the Northern Territory’s commercial seafood industry, a sector where worldwide they are significantly underrepresented.

      Read more
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