What Flexible Study Options Does Charles Darwin University Offer?

Updated

Charles Darwin University (CDU) advertises flexible study built around your lifestyle, including 100% online postgraduate study designed for career growth. The university says it draws on more than 30 years of experience in online and distance education to support this. These options suit people who want to keep working or manage other commitments while studying, though the site's homepage does not list every course's delivery mode, so you should confirm the specifics for your chosen program.

What CDU says about its flexible study

The homepage presents flexibility as a core reason to choose CDU. The main claims are:

  • 100% online postgraduate study — described as "flexible postgraduate study that fits around your lifestyle" and "designed for career growth."
  • Study that fits in with you — the university frames its options as adaptable to work and other commitments.
  • Over 30 years of online and distance education — CDU presents this experience as the basis for supporting flexible learners.

These are the university's own descriptions. The homepage does not detail how each course is delivered, how much in-person attendance is required, or what part-time and full-time patterns are available.

Who these options may suit

Flexible and online study is most relevant if you:

  • Want to continue working while you study.
  • Need to fit study around family or other responsibilities.
  • Are considering postgraduate coursework and prefer to study remotely.
  • Live away from CDU's campus locations (Darwin, Alice Springs/Red Centre, and Sydney).

If your course includes practical, clinical, or placement components, online delivery may cover only part of the program. Check the individual course page before applying.

How to find out more

The homepage offers a few direct routes:

  1. Use "Find a course" — enter a course name, select Domestic or International, choose the course type (Undergraduate, Postgraduate Coursework, Postgraduate Research, TAFE, Short courses, Enabling Courses, or Pathways), and pick a study year (2026 or 2027).
  2. Browse by study area — options range from Accounting and Business to Nursing, IT, Law, Education, and Trades.
  3. Browse by type — separate entry points for Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Research and PhD, TAFE, Short Courses, and Pathways.
  4. Follow the "Adaptive" flexible postgraduate study link — the homepage's dedicated entry point for online postgraduate study.

What to verify before you commit

The homepage is a starting point, not a full course guide. Before applying, confirm on the specific course page:

  • Whether the course is offered fully online, on campus, or in a mixed mode.
  • Any attendance, placement, or intensive requirements.
  • Available study loads (full-time vs part-time) and start dates.
  • Entry requirements and fees for your situation.

The site does not publish pricing details on the homepage, so treat cost and any login or access conditions as things to check directly rather than assume.