International
As part of the application process, it is important that you meet the minimum academic and English language entry requirements. We know this can be daunting, so if you have any questions, please email the International team. We look forward to helping you through the process of applying to study with us at CDU.
Foundation studies provides international students with a great start to university life. With smaller class sizes and close academic and pastoral care support, after successfully completing a foundation program, students are well prepared and confident in both their academic and English ability.
Have completed the equivalent of Year 11, Australian secondary school, or equivalent. You can see list of agreed equivalents online here.
A full list of academic requirements for the Charles Darwin University International College can be downloaded below.
First Year Diploma Academic Requirements
Pre-masters courses develop advanced knowledge and skills in academic writing, research, critical thinking and intercultural communication to successfully undertake postgraduate study at CDU.
The Charles Darwin University International College minimum academic entry requirements can be found below.
| Course | Academic Requirements |
|---|---|
|
Masters Preparation Program (MPP) CRICOS: 0100442 (NT/VIC), |
Student must hold a bachelor’s degree |
|
Masters Qualifying Program (MQP) Standard CRICOS: 0100443 (NT/VIC),0100446 (NSW) |
Student must have completed three years of post-secondary study |
|
Masters Qualifying Program (MQP) Accelerated CRICOS: 0100444 (NT/VIC),0100447 (NSW) |
Student must have completed three years of post-secondary study |
Additional postgraduate entry requirements from pre-masters programs
| Programs | Entry requirements |
| Certificate level programs | A qualification equivalent to Australian Year 10 |
| Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs |
A qualification equivalent to Australian Year 12 |
The minimum academic entry requirements for admissions to undergraduate degree is the completion of a qualification deemed equivalent to Australian Year 12 by the University's qualification assessment references. Applicants may also be required to satisfy specific course requirements such as a minimum overall grade score or prerequisite knowledge. The most common equivalencies accepted by CDU are listed here.
| Year 12 Equivalent | |
| Bangladesh |
Higher School Certificate (HSC) with GPA 4.0. B Accounting: Minimum grade of GPA 4.0 in business maths subjects B Engineering, B Medical and Laboratory Science: Minimum grade of GPA 4.5 in maths, physics or chemistry for specific courses. |
|
Brunei |
GCE A levels*. |
|
Cambridge Pre U Diploma |
CDU recognises the Cambridge Pre U Diploma for direct admission to an undergraduate degree. The University will also accept a combination of Cambridge Pre U and GCE A levels subjects to satisfy direct entry requirements. |
|
Canada |
Ontario Year 13 Secondary School Diploma or British Columbia Year 12 Senior Secondary Graduation Diploma. |
|
China |
Successful completion of the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) with GAOKAO score required for entry into Tier Two university in the relevant province. |
|
Denmark |
Studentereksamen. |
|
Fiji |
NZ University Bursaries Exam/National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Equivalent of eligibility to enter a New Zealand university. |
|
Germany |
Abitur. |
|
Hong Kong |
HKDSE with minimum 15 Points from 5 best subjects from Category A and C. |
|
India |
Successful completion of the:
|
|
Indonesia |
Entry to some courses with SMU minimum grade of 8; Successful completion of one year of a university degree or Diploma III (DIII) from a recognised institution. |
|
International Baccalaureate |
Completed IB diploma with minimum 24 points from 6 subjects at one sitting. |
|
Japan |
Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate with a minimum grade average of 70% or successful completion of one year of a Bachelor's degree at a recognised university.
|
|
Korea (Republic of), South |
Senior High School Diploma with a grade average of A or successful completion of one year of a Bachelor's degree at a recognised university. |
|
Malaysia |
Malaysian STPM; entry to some courses with Senior Middle MICSS UEC minimum two A and two B grades; Canadian OAC pre-university diploma. |
| Nepal |
Completion of Higher Secondary Education Board (HSEB) in First Division; B. Accounting: minimum grade of 60% in business maths subjects B. Engineering, B Medical Laboratory Science: Minimum grade of 65% in maths, physics and chemistry B. Nursing: minimum overall score of 65% Or Completion of the Proficiency Certificate with a grade of 65%. |
|
Norway |
Vitnemal. |
|
Pakistan |
Higher Secondary School Certificate Intermediate (Division 1) with an average of 60% in four academic subjects or successful completion of the first year of a degree at a recognised institution. |
|
Philippines |
Successful completion of one year of a bachelors degree at a recognised university. |
|
Singapore |
GCE A levels* Successful completion of Cambridge International or Edexcel GCE A Level examination with a score of 6 in 3 core subjects.
|
|
Sri Lanka |
GCE A levels*. |
|
Taiwan |
Successful completion of one year of a bachelors degree at a recognised university; or two years study at a recognised junior college. |
|
Thailand |
Successful completion of Mathayom 6 with GPA 3.0 or better; or successful completion of one year of a bachelors degree at a recognised university.
|
|
UK |
GCE A*. |
|
USA |
High School diploma with minimum B average grade/ GPA and SAT score minimum 1200 (prior to 2004) and 1700 since 2004. |
|
Vietnam |
Successful completion of Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong Trung Hoc (1975 onwards) with minimum average of 75% in 4 subjects or successful completion of one year of a bachelors degree at a recognised university. |
*A minimum aggregate score of 6, where the aggregate scores based on 3 A Level or combination of A and AS Level Subjects A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 (AS Levels are equivalent to half points, e.g. A=2.5)
The minimum academic requirements for admission to a postgraduate or graduate entry degree is the completion of a bachelor's degree which is deemed equivalent to an Australian bachelor's degree by the University's qualification assessment references.
Applicants may also be required to satisfy specific course requirements such as a minimum overall grade score, prerequisite knowledge or work experience.
Completing your Master by Research or PhD is an opportunity to specialise in your chosen field and contribute to delivering real and measurable impact in northern Australia and beyond.
| Course | Eligibility |
|
Masters by Research (MRes) |
1. a Bachelor Honours degree with first-class or second-class honours; or 2. a Masters by Coursework or Extended Masters which contains a substantial research component |
|
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) |
1. a Bachelor Honours degree with first-class honours or second-class honours division; or |
English entry requirements at CDU can be met two ways:
Option 1: undertaking one of the following English tests; however, some courses may require higher levels of English or only accept specific English language tests.
Option 2: by providing evidence of previously completed studies in English. Please refer to the table below for level and/or duration of qualification required to meet CDU's English entry requirements. Previous studies in English may not be accepted as an option for English requirements for some courses.
Details about the English entry requirements for your course can be found in the course page, find these by following these steps:
Important notes:
Due to COVID-19 many English language testing facilities are closed. As such, the University has been able to approve the following alternative English language tests to ensure international applicants can commence studies for Semester 2 2021 and Semester 1 2022.
For further information please contact international@cdu.edu.au
It is important to note that secondary schooling with English subject/s is only applicable to undergraduate courses with standard English entry requirements. Standard English entry for Undergraduate courses is IELTS 6.0 no sub-score less than 6.0 or equivalent score in other tests like PTE or TOEFL.
|
Canada |
A score of 60% in English in the final year of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Canadian Pre-University program, valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
|
Denmark |
A grade of 9 or better in Senior High School English, valid for five years, from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
|
Finland |
A grade of 8 or better in English or English A – language within the Upper Secondary School Certificate, valid for five years, from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
|
Germany |
A grade of 4 or better in English in Senior High School exam (Arbitur) valid for five years, from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
|
Hong Kong |
Level 4 in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) English Language Examination. |
|
Malaysia |
A grade of C6 or better in the General Paper in the GCE 'O' Level 1119 Bahasa Inggeris (English language) subject from the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM); Note: There are two grades for 1119 Bahasa Inggeris; only the GCE-O Level grade is accepted. The GCE-O Level 1119 Bahasa Inggeris grade is stated on the SPM result slip; however, it is not available on the SPM final certificate. |
|
Netherlands |
A grade of 8 or above on completion of 6 years of English at High School , valid for five years, from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
|
Norway |
A grade of 4 on the upper secondary school, valid for five years, from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
|
Singapore |
A score of D or better in the General Paper in the Singapore Cambridge General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) OR a grade of C or better in English Language in the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level). Both are valid for 2 years, from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
|
Sweden |
A grade of VG or better in English in the Senior School Studies, valid for five years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
Studying in an English speaking country is one method of meeting CDU's English entry requirements. This method is only available for courses with standard entry requirements (unless otherwise specified):
|
Education level that has been previously undertaken |
Postgraduate requirement |
Undergraduate and Pre-Masters requirement |
VET requirement |
Pathways Foundations, First Year Diplomas requirement |
|
Australian Secondary Schooling |
Not Applicable |
Completion of a recognised Australian Year 12 including English 4 SA or equivalent. |
Completion of a recognised Australian Year 10 or higher for admission to Cert IV or higher. |
|
|
Overseas Senior Secondary Schooling |
Not Applicable |
Completion of a recognised overseas secondary qualification from the list of English-Speaking Countries in standard and extended list where the medium of instruction was English.
|
||
|
Course/s at AQF Level 4 or higher |
Successful completion of two years full-time equivalent at a recognised institution in a country from the list of English-Speaking Countries standard and extended list where the medium of instruction was English. |
Successful completion of one-year full time equivalent at a recognised institution in a country from the list of English-Speaking Countries in standard and Extended list where the medium of instruction was English.
|
||
Note: previous studies must be completed within five years from the date of commencement at CDU.
|
Previous studies must be completed within 5 years from the date of commencement at CDU. |
|
|
Standard List (English speaking countries as identified by UK NARIC that have no other main spoken language identified) |
Extended List** (English speaking countries as identified by UK NARIC that have a spoken language in addition to English) |
|
Antigua and Barbuda |
Bermuda |
|
Australia |
Botswana |
|
Barbados |
Cayman Islands |
|
The British Virgin Islands |
Fiji |
|
Canada |
Kenya |
|
New Zealand |
Malawi |
|
UK – Scotland |
Malta |
|
UK – England |
Mauritius |
|
UK – Northern Ireland |
Papua New Guinea |
|
UK – Wales |
Philippines |
|
United States of America |
Puerto Rico |
|
South Africa |
Seychelles |
| Singapore*** | |
|
St Vincent and the Grenadines |
|
|
Tanzania |
|
|
Tonga |
|
|
Trinidad and Tobago |
|
|
Vanuatu |
|
|
Zimbabwe |
|
|
**Requires written confirmation that the medium language of instruction was English. |
|
| ***Applicants who completed study at a Singaporean institution are not required to provide written confirmation that the medium language of instruction is English | |