Enabling courses at CDU
Study with CDU

Pathway Courses

CDU's pathway courses, often called enabling, preparatory or bridging courses, are designed to support you in developing the skills, knowledge, and confidence you need to succeed in your studies. 

If you don’t have an ATAR or meet entry requirements, you can choose to study our free and flexible Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) and in as little as 16 weeks you’ll gain entry to most CDU undergraduate degrees. TEP can be studied online or on campus part-time or full-time.

Why choose CDU?

  • #4 Australian university for undergraduate employment outcomes

    According to The Good Universities Guide 2023 CDU ranks as a leader for undergraduate employment outcomes

  • Study 100% online or on campus

    Get 24/7 access to our online learning platform, recorded lectures and tutorial assistance

  • A leader in Indigenous education

    Each year CDU teaches over 4,000 Indigenous students in over 150 locations across the NT.

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Study your way with confidence

  • TEP student at CDU

    I'm the first in my family to go to uni

    Beth Cooper is a proud Wiradjuri woman from Canberra; passionate about Australian history, design, communication and solving community development issues. Last year, she moved to Darwin to pursue her life goals; kick-starting her study dreams with CDU's free Tertiary Enabling program.

    Coming from a line of strong women, Beth is the first person in her family to go to university and is currently pursuing a combined Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws degree in the hope to become a workers’ rights advocate. We caught up with her to celebrate her first High Distinction grade and to hear about her story.

    Read Beth's story
  • Students in classroom

    Tertiary Enabling Program

    CDU's free Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) is an alternative pathway into uni (sometimes called a 'preparatory' or 'bridging' course). With TEP, you'll have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to succeed at university. You can complete the free course online or on campus, full time or part time, and in as little as 16 weeks you'll meet the requirements to apply for entry to most CDU undergraduate degrees.

    Learn more
  • Indigenous students

    Preparation for Tertiary Success (PTS)

    The PTS program, delivered by CDU and Batchelor Institue has been expecially designed for Indigenous students. If you have not studied in a while or completed year 12 and are unsure about whether you can succeed, the PTS program helps you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to be successful at university.

    Get started

CDU pathway course success stories

  • How I got into the swing of study before starting uni

    How I got into the swing of study before starting uni

    Felex Oryema completed our Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) in order to gain the skills to succeed at university after moving from Uganda. We asked him about his experience studying TEP, VET and Higher Education with CDU.

    Read more
  • male student in a library

    Pathways to get into university

    The path to university study isn’t always linear. Not everybody goes straight from high school into higher education.

    Read more
  • TEP and Team Aspire student Jubilee Weo at a computer

    Becoming a nurse against the odds: Meet Jubilee

    Jubilee Weo always dreamed of becoming a nurse and she’s let nothing stand in her way. Not even the fact that she didn't meet the prerequisites for a nursing degree.

    Read more