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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
80Course code
Overview
The Diploma of Indigenous Research is exclusively for Indigenous students. You will draw on your own knowledge, heritage and cultural traditions to carry out on-ground research work and learn how research may contribute in positive ways to Indigenous people, places and futures.
If you are new to research, you will gain an introduction to key issues and themes, and develop practical skills informed by the place where you live and its law and knowledge.
If you are already exploring your own research projects, you will gain supervision and support, and meet other students exploring their own projects in other places.
If you are an experienced researcher, you will demonstrate this and be recognised for the skills and practices that are important in your workplace or community.
This course includes an on-ground research project where you will be supported to develop your own research work in urban or remote Aboriginal communities. All units in the course are available online and can be carried out in the places where you live and work.
Career opportunities
You will graduate with the knowledge and skills that are useful for research within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts, organisations and communities, government departments and agencies or private agencies and organisations that are involved in Indigenous research. The course seeks to credential the Indigenous research knowledge and skills you already have and helps you apply it in other research settings.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Credit transfer
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study Indigenous knowledges at CDU?
Study Indigenous knowledges at CDU to ensure the advancement and preservation of Indigenous knowledge systems. We're uniquely positioned to offer learnings from cultural experts so you can make change through careers in Indigenous policy, advocacy, research, or more.
- Relevant to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students
- Strong relationships with Indigenous community groups
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study an undergraduate course at CDU?
Study an undergraduate course at Charles Darwin University to turn your passion into a profession. Choose from hundreds of certificates, diplomas and degrees and enjoy a flexible, supportive learning environment. Whatever you're interested in, there's a place for you at CDU.
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Why study Indigenous knowledges at CDU?
Study Indigenous knowledges at CDU to ensure the advancement and preservation of Indigenous knowledge systems. We're uniquely positioned to offer learnings from cultural experts so you can make change through careers in Indigenous policy, advocacy, research, or more.
- Relevant to Indigenous and non-Indigenous students
- Strong relationships with Indigenous community groups
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study an undergraduate course at CDU?
Study an undergraduate course at Charles Darwin University to turn your passion into a profession. Choose from hundreds of certificates, diplomas and degrees and enjoy a flexible, supportive learning environment. Whatever you're interested in, there's a place for you at CDU.
- Top 100 university globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)
- Five-star Australian university for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
What will I study?
The course requires the successful completion of 80 credit points of study. Fifty (50) credit points of core units provide an opportunity for the formalisation and recognition of Indigenous knowledge traditions and an orientation and cultural foundation to the ways in which knowledge is recorded and transmitted within the University. Thirty (30) credit points of electives allows students an element of diversity in their studies, an ability to explore an area of specific interest, or to continue with research work of value to their own knowledge community.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (5 units) | 50cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 50 credit points as detailed below. IND170 Indigenous Research: Guiding Principles |
| Specialist Electives (2 units) | 20cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below. IAS131 Colonising Australia IND172 Introductory Indigenous Research Project removed as a specialist elective from 2026. |
| Electives (1 unit) | 10cp | Units totalling 10 credit points selected from undergraduate units offered by the University. |
| 80cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2026
The following unit can no longer be repeated and has been removed from the Specialist Elective section of this Course. If students have previously completed this unit more than once, the additional attempt can be counted towards the general elective.
IND172 - Introductory Indigenous Research Project
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2023
CUC100 removed from the course. Students that completed this unit prior to 2023 may count CUC100 towards the elective.
ATI110 removed from the course. Students that completed this unit prior to 2023 may count ATI110 towards the elective or discuss with the course coordinator a suitable replacement unit.
ATI230 removed from the course. Students that completed this unit prior to 2023 may count ATI230 towards the elective or discuss with the course coordinator a suitable replacement unit.
IND200 is replaced by IAS201.
IND130 is replaced by IAS142.
INR200 is replaced by IAS322.
IND230 is replaced by IAS252.
CIK210 is replaced by IAS223.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = General Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| IND170 Indigenous Research: Guiding Principles | CO | IND171 Indigenous Research: Principles to Practice | CO |
| IND172 Introductory Indigenous Research Project | CO | IAS124 Contested Knowledges | CO |
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | IAS201 Cultural Capabilities | CO |
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | Elective 1 | E |
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| IAS131 Colonising Australia YOL161 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1 YOL162 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2 IAS223 Representing and Recording Country IAS245 Indigenous Contemporary Perspectives YOL261 Yolngu Languages and Culture 3 YOL262 Yolngu Languages and Culture 3 | IAS142 Ethics and Protocols in Indigenous Contexts IAS144 Indigenous Land and Resources YOL161 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1 YOL162 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2 YOL261 Yolngu Languages and Culture 3 YOL262 Yolngu Languages and Culture 3 IAS322 Research with Indigenous People |
| Not offered IAS161 Language Studies 1 IAS162 Language Studies 2 IAS252 Language and Identity IAS261 Language Studies 3 IAS262 Language Studies 4 IND172 Introductory Indigenous Research Project removed as a specialist elective from 2026. | |
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = General Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| IND171 Indigenous Research: Principles to Practice | CO | ||
| IAS124 Contested Knowledges | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective 1 | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective 2 | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| IND170 Indigenous Research: Guiding Principles | CO | ||
| IND172 Introductory Indigenous Research Project | CO | ||
| IAS201 Cultural Capabilities | CO | ||
| Elective 1 | E | ||
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| IAS131 Colonising Australia YOL161 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1 YOL162 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2 IAS223 Representing and Recording Country IAS245 Indigenous Contemporary Perspectives YOL261 Yolngu Languages and Culture 3 YOL262 Yolngu Languages and Culture 3 | IAS142 Ethics and Protocols in Indigenous Contexts IAS144 Indigenous Land and Resources YOL161 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1 YOL162 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2 YOL261 Yolngu Languages and Culture 3 YOL262 Yolngu Languages and Culture 3 IAS322 Research with Indigenous People |
| Not offered IAS161 Language Studies 1 IAS162 Language Studies 2 IAS252 Language and Identity IAS261 Language Studies 3 IAS262 Language Studies 4 IND172 Introductory Indigenous Research Project removed as a specialist elective from 2026. | |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Admission requirements are met by one of the following:
- Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
- Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
- Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
- Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
- Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 135 (or a score of 145 if prior to May 2010).
- Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognised tertiary preparation course.
- Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.
* After any applicable adjustment factors have been applied.
Consideration will also be given to applicants that do not meet the University's minimum entry requirements who have relevant professional experience and knowledge in Indigenous work.
Additional admission requirements
Applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Applicants will need to have the ability to draw on important cultural knowledge and experiences, and observe relevant cultural protocols in the use of that knowledge to successfully complete this course. Applicants must contact the Faculty of Arts and Society by email fas@cdu.edu.au to arrange a short interview with the Course Coordinator to discuss suitability prior to submitting an application or if they have any concerns.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the standard English language proficiency requirements for Higher Education courses at Charles Darwin University (CDU) and provide evidence as part of their application.
You can meet the minimum English language requirement by providing evidence of one of following:
| Previous study in English |
|
| AHPRA Registration | Current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English Test within two years of commencement, with the minimum scores shown below. |
| Primary language pathway | Completion of six years of primary and/or secondary schooling in a recognised English-speaking country*, including at least two years between years 7-12. |
Additional information about accepted tests and the evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
^English tests - approved tests and minimum scores
| Undergraduate and postgraduate pathway program requirement | Postgraduate requirement (HDR and coursework) | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP003 | Successful completion of EAP004 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below 6.0 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 | Overall minimum: 58 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 |
Information about test validity, accepted combined test results, IELTS One Skill Retake and evidence requirements is available on the English language proficiency requirements page.
*Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
All previous studies must have been delivered in English (medium of instruction was English). Applicants who have studied at an institution from a coutnry on the extended list must provide confirmation that their study was completed within the last five years.
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
ATAR profile
The following table represents the ATAR and selection rank profile for applicants offered a place on the basis of their ATAR in semester 1, 2025
| ATAR based offers only | ATAR (excluding adjustment factors) | Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | <5 | <5 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | <5 | <5 |
| Highest rank to receive an offer | <5 | <5 |
Notes
"<5" indicates less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made.
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.
Professor Ruth Wallace
Course details
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 5.
Student profile
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students that commenced this course and passed the census date in Semester 1, 2025.
| Applicant background (Semester one intake 2025) | No. of Students | % of all Students |
|---|---|---|
| A. Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | <5 | N/P |
| B. Vocational education and training (VET) study | <5 | N/P |
| C. Work and life experience (Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) | <5 | N/P |
D. Recent secondary education
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | <5 | N/P |
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra offer conditional on minimum ATAR) | <5 | N/P |
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) | <5 | N/P |
| International students | <5 | N/P |
| All students | <5 | N/P |
Notes
"<5" - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
You make CDU
Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.
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