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Pathway Courses

CDU's pathway courses, often called enabling, preparatory, or bridging courses, can help you meet entry requirements to a range of undergraduate degrees.

They also develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence you will need to succeed in your studies.

TEP Summer Semester applications close 14 November

TEP student at CDU

Tertiary Enabling Program

CDU's free Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) is an alternative pathway into university that can help you meet entry requirements for a range of undergraduate degrees while building your study skills and confidence. 

If you don't have an ATAR, meet entry requirements, or just haven't studied in a while, TEP is perfect for you.

TEP can be studied online, on campus, part-time, or full-time.

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First Nations Pathway Pre Enabling Opening

First Nations Pathways to University Programs

CDU's pathway programs help First Nations students get ready for university. You can choose a program that matches your interests, like health, arts, education, engineering, science, law, business, or accounting.

You'll have First Nations mentors, tutors, and support services to help you succeed. Once you complete your program, you can get into a range of CDU courses with exit qualifications at Certificate, Diploma, or Degree level.

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Need some help finding the right course or career path?

Why study pathway courses?

Students studying in library

At Charles Darwin University, we celebrate your unique path to higher education. That's why we offer a range of alternative pathways into university that can be taken before entering higher degree studies. Whether you missed out on an ATAR, haven't studied in a while or want to test if you're ready, there is a program to support your pathway into CDU.

Two of our free university pathways can benefit students who didn't obtain the required Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for their desired course at CDU. If this is you, then successfully completing our Tertiary Enabling Program, known as TEP, can be used as a alternative basis for admission for most undergraduate courses here at CDU. 

If it's been a while since you last studied, get a refresher by choosing from the range of short intensive units in our free Preparatory Studies Program. Not only do these pathways programs help you develop the skills to succeed in your future degree, but you'll also have a chance to form friendships and a supportive network of like-minded students on a similar journey to higher education.

Study your pathway course online

Arts student Ally studying online in a cafe

Studying at CDU offers great flexibility and our pathways courses are no different. Whether you choose to study on campus or online, part-time or full-time, you'll be able to access the same university support services as every other CDU higher education and TAFE student.

As an online student in a pathways course, you can access your learning materials 24/7 and receive the same support from your lecturers and tutors as students studying on campus. 

Our dedicated First Nations programs are delivered on campus in Darwin, while our free Preparatory Studies Program is available for online students. 

Our free Tertiary Enabling Program is available for online students or face-to-face from our Darwin or Sydney campus, as well as partly in Alice Springs.

CDU pathway course success stories

  • First Nations Pathways to University Program student Norlisha

    Norlisha's pathway to Indigenous health research

    Norlisha had been working in health research for several years, with the thought of study always at the back of her mind. Not knowing how or where to start, Norlisha says it took quite a while to take that first step. Then, she discovered CDU's First Nations Introduction to University Program. 

    Read more
  • Law student Beth in her Brisbane office during an internship

    I'm the first in my family to go to uni: Beth's story

    Beth took the first step in her journey to becoming a lawyer, by completing CDU’s free Tertiary Enabling Program. These days, Beth is well on the way to achieving her dream; she’s finishing her law degree online, while working as a legal intern in Brisbane.

    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
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