International summer intensives
Go beyond the classroom and explore while you learn Apply Now
Enjoy a summer break down under and embark on a transformative journey through the heart of Australia's Northern Territory with Charles Darwin University's unique thematic study programs. Designed to immerse you in the rich environmental, cultural, linguistic, artistic, and legal landscapes of this vibrant region, our programs offer a holistic and engaging educational experience.
Please note some units offered are subject to minimum numbers. Should minimum numbers not be met, all students will be contacted, and where possible, an alternative will be offered.
Environmental Science
Charles Darwin University (CDU) offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Environmental Management, focusing on the principles and practices relevant to wet-dry tropical, semi-arid, and arid ecosystems. As a research-intensive field, the program also examines the social contexts influencing environmental practices. Graduates gain highly transferable skills, equipping them to work effectively across diverse ecosystems and industries.
| Intensive Units | Credit Points | Dates | Cost | |
| Exploring Ecosystem Dynamics: Field Studies in Northern Australia (ENV316/(ENV516) | Includes a 10-day field intensive from Darwin, visiting study sites along an environmental gradient to the south (including, Mataranka, Elsey National Park, and Litchfield National Park). | 10CP | 20 June - 1 July 2025 | AUD $4,324.00 |
| Communication and Engagement in Science and Technology (SID310) | Includes a one-week intensive, based in Darwin where students learn to adapt their communication styles whilst engaging with diverse groups of stakeholders. | 10CP | 3 - 15 July 2025 | AUD $4,324.00 |
| Professional Practice in Science (SID300) | This unit allows students to apply their scientific knowledge and skills within the context of a work-place environment, and assists them to develop the skills needed to operate as professional scientists. | 10CP | 17 - 30 July 2025 | AUD $4,324.00 |
| Desert Field Ecology (ENV315/ENV515) | Field‐based research during the 7‐day intensive will involve surveying birds in four key desert habitats across two regions, in the spectacular World Heritage-listed Tjoritja / West MacDonnell and Uluru‐Kata Tjuta National Parks. | 10CP | 6 - 13 August 2025 | AUD $4,324.00 |
Details:
- For undergraduate students, take 1-4 units to count towards your home university degree (300-level units).
- For postgraduate students, take 4 units to attain a Graduate Certificate of Environmental Management, or 1-3 units as non-award (500-level units).
- The pre and post-field intensive components of these units can be completed externally (online).
- The cost per unit is approx. AUD $4,324.00 (includes accommodation during field trips).
- Subjects are delivered from CDU’s Darwin or Alice Springs campuses. Travel to and from Darwin and Alice Springs is at students own expense.
Language and Cultural Studies
Dive into the world of languages and cultural exploration. Whether you're mastering Mandarin or delving into the intricacies of linguistics, our courses provide a deep understanding of language as a bridge to cultural connection.
| Intensive Units | Credit Points | Dates | Cost | |
| Mandarin Mastery (CHN161) | Learn Chinese (Mandarin) in an intensive, immersive environment. | 10CP | 23 June - 1 August 2025 | AUD $3,387.00 |
Details:
- The cost per unit is AUD $3,387.00.
- Subject is delivered from CDU’s Darwin campuses. Travel to and from Darwin is at the students' own expense.
Linguistic Landscapes
Explore the fundamentals of linguistics and advanced language documentation methods.
| Intensive Units | Credit Points | Dates | Cost | |
| Introduction to Linguistics (IAS163) | Introduction to the scientific study of language including an introductory understanding of theoretical foundations and practical techniques used by linguists. | 10CP | 23 June - 1 August 2025 | AUD $3,387.00 |
| Language Documentation Methods and Tools (IAS264) | Students will be provided with the opportunity to learn the tools and methods of language documentation needed to be able to create language resources for a language community. | 10CP | AUD $3,387.00 | |
Details:
- The cost per unit is AUD $3,387.00.
- Subjects are delivered from CDU’s Darwin campuses. Travel to and from Darwin is at the students' own expense.
Artistic Exploration
Unleash your creativity and respond to the unique Australian landscape. Our artistic programs encourage you to engage with the country through creative practice, fostering a deep connection with the land and its stories.
| Intensive Unit | Credit Points | Dates | Cost | |
| Creative Practice Responding to Country (CRA202) | Participate in hands-on artistic projects that reflect and respond to the natural and cultural environment of the Northern Territory. | 10CP | 23 June - 1 August 2025 | AUD $3,421.00 |
| Field Trip: Darwin and Surrounds Delivered from Casuarina campus, with several short field trips around Casuarina Beach, Adelaide River and (possibly) to the Tiwi Islands. Students will have the opportunity to engage with Larrakia Elders and artists as well with creative and cultural practices of the Tiwi Islands. | N/A | 30 June - 4 July 2025 | AUD $850.00 | |
| Field Trip: Kakadu National Park Optional field trip to explore the unique ecology of Kakadu National Park. | N/A | 18 August - 22 September 2025 | AUD $850.00 | |
Details:
- The cost for this unit is AUD $3,421.00
- Subject is delivered from CDU’s Darwin campuses. Travel to and from Darwin is at the students' own expense.
- Each additional field trip will be an additional AUD $850.00.
- Field trips depart from Darwin, Northern Territory.
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Indigenous and Cultural Engagement
Experience the profound connection between people and place. Our cultural immersion programs offer a unique opportunity to engage with Indigenous knowledge and traditions, providing a deeper understanding of the land and its heritage.
| Intensive Unit | Credit Points | Dates | Cost | |
| On-Country Immersive Program | Spend one or two weeks On-Country, learning from Indigenous Elders and community members about their culture, traditions, and connection to the land. | |||
| One week: Kakadu National Park (includes camping) | Non-Award | 26 - 30 May 2025 | AUD $3,900.00 | |
| One week: Kakadu National Park (includes camping) | 10 - 14 June 2025 | AUD $3,900.00 | ||
| Two week: Kakadu National Park and Darwin (includes camping On-Country and hotel) | 21 July - 1 August 2025 | AUD $7,800.00 | ||
| Indigenous Cultures and the Environment (IAS353) | Explore the nature and contemporary expression of the strong, enduring and unique associations that exist between Indigenous people, their cultures and the natural environment. | 10CP | 23 June - 1 August 2025 | AUD $3,421.00 |
| Field Trip: Kakadu National Park | Non-Award | 16 - 22 June 2025 | AUD $850.00 | |
Details:
- Subject is delivered from CDU’s Darwin campuses. Travel to and from Darwin is at the students' own expense.
Field trips depart from Darwin, Northern Territory.
Justice and Society
Explore contemporary legal and ethical issues within the context of Australian society. Our programs in justice and society provide insights into media law, customary law, and the principles of deep listening and true justice.
| International Intensives | Credit Points | Dates | Cost | |
| Contemporary Issues (LWA210) | The aim of this unit is to analyse and evaluate concepts, authorities and ideas related to a specialist topic in law. The topic is more specialised in nature than other law electives and includes a comparative transnational and/or international element, where appropriate. Pre and post face- to-face work required. | 10CP | 30 June - 4 July | AUD $3,606.00 |
| Customary Law (LWA113) | This unit will focus on the existence, nature and purposes of customary law in various contexts, the sources and purposes of authority in customary law and how those authorities intersect with other legal and non-legal authorities. A major part of the unit will consider Australian Aboriginal customary law. Pre and post face- to-face work required. | 10CP | 23 - 27 June 2025 | AUD $3,606.00 |
| True Justice: Deep Listening (LWA225) | The unit is an on Country intensive, delivered through a collaboration between the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) and CDU's Faculty of Arts and Society. It aims to equip students with knowledge to critically assess laws history, characteristics and impacts from the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. | 10CP | 23 - 27 June 2025 | AUD $3,606.00 |
| Field trip: Kakadu National Park | 23 - 26 June 2025 | AUD $950.00 | ||
| Dispute Resolution (LWA207) | This unit provides students with theoretical and practical foundations of dispute resolution. Students are provided with learning opportunities in the theory and practice of client interviewing, negotiation and mediation. The role of dispute resolution practices in the broader legal system will be examined. | 10CP | 7 - 11 July 2025 | AUD $3,606.00 |
Details:
- Subject is delivered from CDU’s Darwin campuses. Travel to and from Darwin is at the students' own expense.
- Field trips depart from Darwin, Northern Territory.