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Faculty of Arts and Society

Our courses equip students to navigate complex environments and make an impact locally and globally. 

  • A leader in Indigenous education

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

  • Study the arts flexibly

    Study online, on campus, part or full time. Choose what suits you.

  • #2 in Australia for business management student support

    According to the Good Universities Guide 2025

Our work

Research

Engagement

Innovation

Key people

Message from the Pro Vice-Chancellor

The Faculty of Arts and Society leads positive global change and advances social justice through our teaching, research and collaboration with industry and the community.  

The faculty brings people and places to life, and from that, our desire to think, examine, express and create grows. This drives us to act collectively for positive social change and advance inquisitive, harmonious and equitable society, particularly for those who are most vulnerable. 

We strive to prepare students to be teachers, creative thinkers and innovators in a complex changing world. We bring together expertise in education, business, law, Indigenous knowledge practices, human geography, disaster preparedness and management, languages, humanities and the creative industries.  

Our reputation is based on extensive partnerships with government, industry and community stakeholders to address social, cultural and economic issues in: 

  • sparsely populated regional areas, including Northern Australia 

  • developing regions, including South-East Asia - particularly China, Indonesia and Timor-Leste 

  • Indigenous knowledge, social, cultural and economic futures. 

The faculty’s research and teaching will draw on the strength of the Northern Institute, centres of excellence and multidisciplinary teams primarily engaged in teaching, research, networking and business development. Together, academics, research students and industry professionals examine and drive solutions for emerging social, cultural and economic issues in challenging contexts. 

Portrait of Professor Ruth Wallace
Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Ruth Wallace leads the Faculty of Arts and Society
Kakadu Nawurlandja Lookout landscape

Northern Institute

CDU's Northern Institute is a leader in policy research which builds on the strength of its connections to remote, regional and urban contexts to produce quality analysis.

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Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP)

CDU's free Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) is an alternative pathway into university.  With TEP, you'll have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to succeed at university.

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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Apply for Recognition of Prior Learning to have your previous training, life and work experience counted towards a TAFE qualification at CDU - which means you've won't have to re-learn what you already know. RPL assessments are free for eligible NT residents.

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Faculty events

Faculty news

  • The study examined current road traffic laws, which are mostly inapplicable to automated vehicles.

    “But officer, I wasn’t driving!”: Research reveals the problem with self-driving cars and traffic laws

    Self-driving vehicles are becoming more commonplace on our roads but the traffic legislation keeping them in check is not up to speed, according to new research led by Charles Darwin University.

    Read more
  • Man in black t-shirt stands next to his artwork called 'Skippy Pho' (2022). On the desk in front of him there are paint brushes in three containers.

    Franck Gohier named inaugural artist in residence at CDU’s Danala Campus

    Charles Darwin University (CDU) is pleased to announce nationally recognised printmaker, painter, sculptor and artist Franck Gohier as the inaugural artist in residence at its newest campus, Danala | Education and Community Precinct in Darwin. 

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  • Six women stand behind one man who is seated on the floor while the women look strong and proud standing in poses akin to Charles Angel's.

    Breaking barriers: CDU TAFE’s largest female student cohort leads the way in live production

    It’s girls to the front for this year’s Cert IV in Live Production and Technical Services, with the Charles Darwin University (CDU) TAFE course marking the enrolment of its largest ever female student cohort in what is traditionally a male-dominated field.  

    Read more
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