Charles Darwin University (CDU): Rankings, Courses & Admissions

Charles Darwin University (CDU) seeks to harness the evolutionary abilities of research, training, and education, with a view towards transforming lives. The University is ranked at 701-750 (2023) and 501-600th (2022) in the QS and THE world rankings respectively. The University completed 25 years in 2014, beginning as the Northern Territory University in 1989. 

The Northern Territory University was later merged with the Northern Territory Rural College and the Centralian College, while a partnership was inked with the Menzies School of Health Research, forming the new university in 2003. The University has received CRICOS, TEQSA, ASQA, ESOS Framework, and the National Code accreditations. 

There are several university campuses including locations like Casuarina, Palmerston, Ellengowan Drive, Alice Springs, Katherine, and Sydney. The centers of the institution cover locations like the Darwin Waterfront, Brisbane, CDU Waterfront, Katherine, Jabiru, and Melbourne. The research institutions and centers include the Menzies School of Health Research, Northern Institute, Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Energy and Resources Institute, The Molly Wardaguga Research Centre, and the Australasian Centre for Resilience Implementation for Sustainable Communities. 

There are several study areas at the institution. These include business, accounting, culinary arts, community services and social work, communications and design, education, exercise and sport science, engineering, IT and network engineering, health, nursing and midwifery, law and legal studies, and public health. 

Famous alumni at the university include the former Northern Territory Administrator, Her Honour, the Honorable Vicki O’Halloran AO, Michael Gunner, the Chief Minister, former Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Willy Telavi, and the Chair of Business South Australia, Nikki Govan. Other distinguished alumni include illustrator-writer-animator Jonathan Saunders and Director at the Nursing Academy (Timor-Leste), Madalena Costa Soares. 

The University has its own Careers Centre for helping students scale up their employability quotient. Employers also get services like free job advertising for students at the institution. There is also the Ask CDU service for students, including assistance with finding jobs, graduate job opportunities, answering interview queries, writing resumes, and more. Career Development solutions include identification of postdoctoral fellowships, job interview assistance and workplace support, along with support services for CVs, job applications, future opportunities, volunteering, research fellowships, and opportunities for industry work opportunities. Students get help with internships, community or outreach programs, entrepreneurial ventures, and more.