Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
Our Graduate Certificate of Arts program is designed to diversify and expand your knowledge in cultural and creative spheres.
You can choose units in various areas, including:
- Social Sciences
- Indigenous Knowledges and Engagement
- Indigenous Languages and Contemporary Social Issues
- Indigenous Research Practice
- Creative Arts
Whether you aim to consolidate your expertise or embark on a new career path, this degree will equip you with the analytical and critical thinking skills necessary for success.
At CDU, you'll explore unique perspectives on contemporary issues facing Indigenous Australia, Northern Australia, and South-East Asia. Our lecturers, who are leaders in their fields, are ready to guide and mentor you.
Career opportunities
A Graduate Certificate of Arts will open up opportunities for you by adding a new dimension of knowledge and skills to your existing qualification. It is likely to make you ready for work by giving your qualifications and experience a competitive edge. It also allows you to access locally specific, Indigenous or creative skills and knowledge development without committing to longer periods of study.
Credit transfers and advanced standing
Pathways
Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education
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.
Non-Commonwealth supported places
Full fee paying places are available in this course.
Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2026 is AUD $18,836.00. This equates to $4,709.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia. See 2026 Higher Education International Annual Tuition Fees.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.
Why study arts at CDU?
Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.
- #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study arts at CDU?
Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.
- #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
Why study arts at CDU?
Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.
- #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Why study arts at CDU?
Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.
- #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
What will I study?
The course requires the successful completion of 40 credit points of study. This course of study gives you the flexibility to study online, on campus or a mix of both, part time or full time. With 24/7 access to learning materials and online collaboration tools, you can study when it suits you.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Unit (1 unit) | 10cp | Compulsory core unit totalling 10 credit points as detailed below: IAS513 Advocacy and Social Action |
| Specialist Electives (3 units) | 30cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 30 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below: SOCIAL SCIENCE INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGES AND ENGAGEMENT INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES AND CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL ISSUES INDIGENOUS RESEARCH PRACTICE |
| 40cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules ;(unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure) (40cp)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
COURSE CHANGES AND TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS - 2026
Specialist elective unit changes
The following units have been removed from the specialist elective section of this course:
CRA501 Research Methods and Project: for Creative Arts and Humanities
CRA502 Intercultural Project
IAS502 Research Methods 2
IAS503 Independent Study
IAS515 Peace Studies: Understanding Solidarity and Sedition
IAS517 Media and Professional Writing
The following units have been removed from a specialisation but are still available as specialist elective units under another specialisation heading:
Creative Arts
IAS537 Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts
IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm
Social Science
IAS510 Language, Crime, and the Law: Forensic Linguistics
Indigenous Knowledges and Engagement
IAS539 Intercultural Mediation
IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People
Indigenous Languages and Contemporary Social Issues
IAS530 Neocolonialism, Advocacy and Critique of Development
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-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 |
Full-Time Study Plan
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| IAS513 Advocacy and Social Action | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| IAS513 Advocacy and Social Action | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE |
Specialist elective availabilities
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Creative Arts | |
| CRA511 Artists, Art Works and Art Movements CRA512 Composing and Arranging Music IAS511 Creative Project (20cp) IAS514 Workshop in Short Stories and Poetry | CRA522 Location Sound Recording and Design CRA530 Structure and Surface: Sculpture IAS511 Creative Project (20cp) |
| Not offered CRA507 Conserving and Presenting Indigenous Art in Contemporary Contexts CRA508 Indigenous Community Art Centres and Festivals CRA517 Screen Performance CRA518 Arts Management and Creative Leadership CRA519 Lighting, Sound and Multimedia for Events and Performance CRA524 Writing Fiction CRA527 Artwork and Exhibition: Curatorial and Museum Studies | |
| Social Science | |
| IAS509 China and International Relations IAS516 Sociology of Crime and Deviance IAS518 Indigenous Philosophies and The West IAS530 Neocolonialism, Advocacy and Critique of Development IAS504 Environmental Justice, Waste and Society | |
| Not offered IAS505 Environment and Climate Change, Writing and Reportage IAS506 Gender and Society IAS539 Intercultural Mediation | |
| Indigenous Knowledge and Engagement | |
| IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies IAS535 Indigenous Peoples in the Context of Colonised Australia IAS537 Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing | IAS532 Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation IAS534 Partnerships and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management IAS536 Indigenous Sovereignty and the Challenges of Reconciliation IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm |
| Not offered IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics | |
| Indigenous Languages and Contemporary Social Issues | |
| IAS508 Representing and Recording Country IAS510 Language, Crime, and the Law: Forensic Linguistics IAS541 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1 IAS542 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2 IAS543 Yolngu Literature IAS544 Indigenous Language Project IAS545 Yolngu Conversation 1 IAS546 Yolngu Conversation 2 IAS563 Language Policy and Planning for Revitalisation and Maintenance IAS569 Word and Sentence Structure: Morphology and Syntax | IAS541 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1 IAS542 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2 IAS543 Yolngu Literature IAS544 Indigenous Language Project IAS545 Yolngu Conversation 1 IAS546 Yolngu Conversation 2 IAS568 Sounds and Sound Systems: Phonetics and Phonology IAS570 Diversity in First Nations Languages |
| Indigenous Research Practice | |
| IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts IAS523 Indigenous Research Project IAS535 Indigenous Peoples in the Context of Colonised Australia | IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies IAS523 Indigenous Research Project IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People |
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for students enrolling in a full-time or part-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 |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| IAS513 Advocacy and Social Action | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| IAS513 Advocacy and Social Action | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist elective availabilities
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Creative Arts | |
| CRA511 Artists, Art Works and Art Movements CRA512 Composing and Arranging Music IAS511 Creative Project (20cp) IAS514 Workshop in Short Stories and Poetry | CRA522 Location Sound Recording and Design CRA530 Structure and Surface: Sculpture IAS511 Creative Project (20cp) |
| Not offered CRA507 Conserving and Presenting Indigenous Art in Contemporary Contexts CRA508 Indigenous Community Art Centres and Festivals CRA517 Screen Performance CRA518 Arts Management and Creative Leadership CRA519 Lighting, Sound and Multimedia for Events and Performance CRA524 Writing Fiction CRA527 Artwork and Exhibition: Curatorial and Museum Studies | |
| Social Science | |
| IAS509 China and International Relations IAS516 Sociology of Crime and Deviance IAS518 Indigenous Philosophies and The West IAS530 Neocolonialism, Advocacy and Critique of Development IAS504 Environmental Justice, Waste and Society | |
| Not offered IAS505 Environment and Climate Change, Writing and Reportage IAS506 Gender and Society IAS539 Intercultural Mediation | |
| Indigenous Knowledge and Engagement | |
| IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies IAS535 Indigenous Peoples in the Context of Colonised Australia IAS537 Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing | IAS532 Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation IAS534 Partnerships and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management IAS536 Indigenous Sovereignty and the Challenges of Reconciliation IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigm |
| Not offered IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics | |
| Indigenous Languages and Contemporary Social Issues | |
| IAS508 Representing and Recording Country IAS510 Language, Crime, and the Law: Forensic Linguistics IAS541 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1 IAS542 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2 IAS543 Yolngu Literature IAS544 Indigenous Language Project IAS545 Yolngu Conversation 1 IAS546 Yolngu Conversation 2 IAS563 Language Policy and Planning for Revitalisation and Maintenance IAS569 Word and Sentence Structure: Morphology and Syntax | IAS541 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1 IAS542 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2 IAS543 Yolngu Literature IAS544 Indigenous Language Project IAS545 Yolngu Conversation 1 IAS546 Yolngu Conversation 2 IAS568 Sounds and Sound Systems: Phonetics and Phonology IAS570 Diversity in First Nations Languages |
| Indigenous Research Practice | |
| IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts IAS523 Indigenous Research Project IAS535 Indigenous Peoples in the Context of Colonised Australia | IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies IAS523 Indigenous Research Project IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification.
Consideration will also be given to applicants who do not have one of the above qualifications, but who have at least five years professional experience appropriate to the fields of arts, communications, humanities, Indigenous knowledges, languages or social sciences.
Applicants must provide further documentation detailing their employment experience in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.
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.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) | Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4 |
| IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake) | A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
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
Inherent Requirements
There are inherent requirements for this course. Students must read and understand the requirements for this course.
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
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.
International applications
Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.
You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.
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