Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
This course will develop your research skills for application in the workplace or serve as a starting point for more advanced research training. The Graduate Certificate of Research provides an initiation into independent research. Graduates gain a robust understanding of research and fundamental knowledge, empowering them to carry out and proficiently present their research across a chosen field of interest. Equipped with the requisite theoretical and methodological knowledge, students will learn to conduct ethical, creative and/or practical research in a range of contexts.
Graduates will be eligible to apply for admission to a Master's by Research program, subject to meeting academic performance requirements and the availability of suitable research supervision. Additionally, admission to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) will be determined based on your Grade Point Average (GPA), relevant research experience, and the availability of appropriate supervision.
Career opportunities
Graduates will acquire fundamental knowledge to carry out independent research in a particular field. This course will give graduates the research training and abilities they need to apply their foundational research skills in the workplace or to continue their education in a research higher degree.
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
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 a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study humanities and social sciences at CDU?
Interested in world events and where we're heading? Study humanities and social cciences at CDU to dive into global issues like social and political change. You'll develop the critical thinking skills, analytical abilities and creativity to understand society's biggest issues and how to address them.
- #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Unique focus on Indigenous and Asia Pacific perspectives
Why study a postgraduate degree at CDU?
Study a postgraduate course at Charles Darwin University to upskill at work, fast-track your career, increase your job prospects or explore a new interest. We offer flexible study options so you don't have to put your life on hold while you learn.
- #2 Australian uni for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Top 100 university globally for quality education
- Our graduates enjoy higher than average employment rates and starting salaries
Why study humanities and social sciences at CDU?
Interested in world events and where we're heading? Study humanities and social cciences at CDU to dive into global issues like social and political change. You'll develop the critical thinking skills, analytical abilities and creativity to understand society's biggest issues and how to address them.
- #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
- #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
- Unique focus on Indigenous and Asia Pacific perspectives
What will I study?
The course comprises 40 credit points of core and elective units. The core unit is 20 credit points. Additionally, students may choose from specialist electives totalling 20 credit points focusing on business, creative arts, social science, language and linguistics.
Course structure
All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
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 Units (1 units) | 20cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below. IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp) |
| Specialist Elective Units (1-2 units) | 20cp | Specialist Elective units totalling 20 credit points from the list below. BUS508 Business Analytics |
| 40cp | 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.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for a student 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 assumed knowledge, pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for each unit.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp) | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Part-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp) | CO | Specialist Elective | SE |
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester | Intensives |
| EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education EST510 Research Based Practice and Leadership IAS502 Research Methods 2 IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts TES501 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics CRA503 Research Methods for the Creative Arts (20cp) BUS521 Business Research Skills | BUS508 Business Analytics EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education IAS502 Research Methods 2 IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies TES501 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics BUS521 Business Research Skills | BUS508 Business Analytics BUS521 Business Research Skills | |
| Not Available MPP503 Realist Research and Evaluation | |||
_____________________________________
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 2
The Recommended Study Plans provided below are suitable for a student 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 assumed knowledge, pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements for each unit.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp) | CO | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp) | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester | Intensives |
| EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education EST510 Research Based Practice and Leadership IAS502 Research Methods 2 IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts TES501 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics CRA503 Research Methods for the Creative Arts (20cp) BUS521 Business Research Skills | BUS508 Business Analytics EMG505 Research Methodologies in Education IAS502 Research Methods 2 IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies TES501 Research Methods in Applied Linguistics BUS521 Business Research Skills | BUS508 Business Analytics BUS521 Business Research Skills | |
| Not Available MPP503 Realist Research and Evaluation | |||
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Applicants must have successfully completed one of the following (or an equivalent international qualification):
- a recognised four-year honours degree; or
- a three-year bachelor degree and either:
- One year (full-time equivalent) of professional or research experience in a field relevant to your area of research; or
- A Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master's degree.
Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements may be considered for admission if they have at least four years (full-time equivalent) of employment experience. Employment should be in a field relevant to your area of proposed research. Applicants applying through this pathway are required to submit the following with their SATAC application:
- A current CV; and
- A Statement of Purpose outlining how the course aligns with their career goals and research interests; and
- A letter from their employer, on official company letterhead, confirming their job title, a summary of duties, and dates of employment. Employment must be in a field relevant to the proposed area of research.
All applicants must contact the Faculty of Arts and Society at fas@cdu.edu.au before submitting an application to discuss potential research areas. Admission is subject to alignment between the proposed research area and the applicant's background and experience.
International entry pathway
Applicants who have completed the CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40) or the Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP2, ZAMQP1) are eligible for entry.
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
Accreditation
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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.
Share this course