Undergraduate
Diploma of Arts
2021
The Diploma of Arts program offers students a pathway into diverse specialist and interdisciplinary thematic areas including communications, text and digital media; society and culture; digital and global humanities; Indigenous governance and policy; contemporary Indigenous Australian languages and linguistics; digital and creative arts; music, production and performance; and architectural design. As a student, your journey through this program will also develop core communication, critical and creative thinking skills to prepare you to participate in a multi-disciplinary and global workforce.
The Diploma of Arts is ideal for anyone who wants a taste of studying arts and would like to gain a qualification but may not be ready to commit to a full bachelor's degree.
Career opportunities
Graduating from this course may lead to career opportunities in a wide range of fields. The knowledge and skills you acquire through this qualification will begin to prepare you for work in a range of government and statutory authorities such as land councils, museums, training and research organisations, as a policy advisor, or work in diplomacy, communications, media, or consultancy: particularly where these organisations engage with central and northern Australia and Asia. Study with a focus on creative endeavours will support your career as an artist, writer, designer or performer, particularly if you can combine your study with some work in entrepreneurship and business management.
Credit transfers & pathways
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
International applications
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There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
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This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 5.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
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 IV 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.
Essential 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.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 169, with no skill below 169. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of B2. |
| Navitas Academic English (will not be accepted from 2021 onwards) | A minimum overall pass and 55% in Academic English 3. (Note: this score will not be accepted from 2021 intakes onwards). |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 60 and 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.
ATAR profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
Course structure
The course requires the successful completion of 80 credit points of study. Core units provide a foundation of Indigenous knowledge traditions, cultural capabilities and an orientation to our place in Northern Australia. Sixty (60) credit points of Specialist Electives allows students to diversify their studies into areas of specific interest.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Specialist Electives (6 units) |
60cp |
Specialist Elective units totalling 20 credit points from the Group A unit listing: Group A Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points from the Group B unit listing: Units are categorised in alignment with the majors in the Bachelor of Arts, but there is no requirement to complete all Specialist Elective B units from one grouping. Group B SOCIETY AND CULTURE GLOBAL HUMANITIES IN A DIGITAL AGE INDIGENOUS GOVERNANCE AND POLICY CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIA LANGUAGES AND LINGUISTICS CREATIVE AND DIGITAL ARTS MUSIC MAKING, PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN |
| General Electives (2 units) |
20cp |
Units totalling between 20 credit points may be selected from undergraduate units offered by the University. Students may select units from any of the approved specialisations (as above), other units offered throughout the university or by cross institutional enrolment as approved by the course coordinator. |
| 80cp | Total Credit Points |
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full 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.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
Full-time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| Specialist Elective Group A or B | SE | Specialist Elective Group A or B | SE |
| Specialist Elective Group A or B | SE | Specialist Elective Group A or B | SE |
| Specialist Elective Group B or General Elective | SE/E | Specialist Elective Group B or General Elective | SE/E |
| Specialist Elective Group B or General Elective | SE/E | Specialist Elective Group B or General Elective | SE/E |
Students commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard full 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.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
Full-time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| Specialist Elective Group A or B | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective Group A or B | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective Group B or General Elective | SE/E | ||
| Specialist Elective Group B or General Elective | SE/E | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Specialist Elective Group A or B | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective Group A or B | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective Group B or General Elective | SE/E | ||
| Specialist Elective Group B or General Elective | SE/E | ||
Course fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) Australian Citizenship; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident visa holder who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit.
2021: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study of 80 credit points (1.0 EFTSL) for commencing students in 2021 is AUD $25,328.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, 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.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.