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Key details
Duration
Intake
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
40Course code
Overview
The Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) is a free program that helps build your academic skills, knowledge and confidence for studying at university.
During the program, you will develop the skills and strategies for managing university life and study.
You will study key areas such as:
- foundations for success;
- academic language and learning;
- foundation maths;
- bioscience;
- perspectives in humanities.
TEP is for you if:
- it has been a while since you last studied and feel like you now need to refresh your skills;
- you did not achieve an adequate Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent;
- you have not completed other eligible qualifications that meet the minimum entry requirements for most CDU undergraduate courses.
Fees
TEP is free for Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and Humanitarian Visa holders. You can study on-campus or externally online.
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 a pathway course at CDU
At CDU, there is a study pathway for everyone. We strive to provide you with a range of alternative entry methods suitable for students at all levels of education and English proficiency.
- Free 16-week Tertiary Enabling Program
- Range of First Nations enabling and pre-enabling programs
- #5 Australian university for first-in-family study (GUG 2024)

Why study a pathway course at CDU
CDU International College prepares you to study undergraduate and postgraduate programs at CDU.
- Attend classes at the modern CDU Waterfront campus in Darwin City, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive CDU student support
- Specialised language development, a well-rounded curriculum and smaller class sizes provide the support necessary to meet your goals and prepare for the real world

Why study a pathway course at CDU
At CDU, there is a study pathway for everyone. We strive to provide you with a range of alternative entry methods suitable for students at all levels of education and English proficiency.
- Free 16-week Tertiary Enabling Program
- Range of First Nations enabling and pre-enabling programs
- #5 Australian university for first-in-family study (GUG 2024)

Why study a pathway course at CDU
CDU International College prepares you to study undergraduate and postgraduate programs at CDU.
- Attend classes at the modern CDU Waterfront campus in Darwin City, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive CDU student support
- Specialised language development, a well-rounded curriculum and smaller class sizes provide the support necessary to meet your goals and prepare for the real world
What will I study?
The Tertiary Enabling Program is a four unit program which is one semester long if undertaken full time. It consists of three core units and one elective which can be undertaken either on campus or externally studying online. Successful completion of the program prepares students to undertake tertiary study at Charles Darwin University.
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 indicated.
Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
Core Units (3 units) | 30cp | Compulsory Core units totalling 30 credit points as detailed below. TEP021 Foundations for Success (unit title change 2022) |
Specialist Elective (1 unit) | 10cp | Specialist Elective unit totalling 10 credit points as detailed below. TEP025 Bioscience |
40cp | Total Credit Points |
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1 - Full time
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or 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.
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
TEP021 Foundations for Success (unit title change 2022) | CO | ||
TEP022 Academic Language and Learning | CO | ||
TEP023 Foundation Maths | CO | ||
TEP025 Bioscience OR TEP026 Perspectives in Humanities (unit title change 2022) | SE |
Students commencing in Semester 1 - Part time
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or 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.
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
TEP021 Foundations for Success (unit title change 2022) | CO | TEP023 Foundation Maths | CO |
TEP022 Academic Language and Learning | CO | TEP025 Bioscience OR TEP026 Perspectives in Humanities (unit title change 2022) | SE |
Students commencing in Semester 2 - Full time
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or 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.
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
TEP021 Foundations for Success (unit title change 2022) | CO | ||
TEP022 Academic Language and Learning | CO | ||
TEP023 Foundation Maths | CO | ||
TEP025 Bioscience OR TEP026 Perspectives in Humanities (unit title change 2022) | SE |
Students commencing in Semester 2 - Part time
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a part time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or 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.
Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
Year 1 | |||
TEP021 Foundations for Success (unit title change 2022) | CO | ||
TEP022 Academic Language and Learning | CO | ||
Year 2 | |||
TEP023 Foundation Maths | CO | ||
TEP025 Bioscience OR TEP026 Perspectives in Humanities (unit title change 2022) | SE |
Students Commencing in Summer Semester - Full Time
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester | |||
Year 1 | |||||
TEP021 Foundations for Success (unit title change 2022) | CO | ||||
TEP022 Academic Language and Learning | CO | ||||
TEP023 Foundation Maths | CO | ||||
TEP025 Bioscience OR TEP026 Perspectives in Humanities (unit title change 2022) | SE |
Students Commencing in Summer Semester - Part Time
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester | |||
Year 1 | |||||
TEP021 Foundations for Success (unit title change 2022) | CO | ||||
TEP022 Academic Language and Learning | CO | ||||
Year 2 | |||||
TEP023 Foundation Maths | CO | ||||
TEP025 Bioscience OR TEP026 Perspectives in Humanities (unit title change 2022) | SE |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
To be eligible for the Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP):
- you must be 17 or over by the census date of the relevant semester.
- you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen (residing in Australia), permanent resident or Humanitarian Visa holder.
Essential requirements
English language requirements
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. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
I really felt like the teachers cared. I think that’s what I like about CDU – it feels like more of a family and more of a home.
Sizol
CDU student

I really felt like the teachers cared. I think that’s what I like about CDU – it feels like more of a family and more of a home.
Sizol
CDU student

Course details
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.
Enabling courses
Applying for ZTEP01 at CDU is a simple online process.
Further Assistance
For information on applying and/or enrolling in this course please contact Charles Darwin University Student Central for assistance.
E: student.central@cdu.edu.au
T: 1800 061 963 (freecall)
FAQ's: Ask CDU
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