Study abroad
Study abroad programs at CDU offer students the chance to experience life-changing study opportunities in Australia for one or two semesters.
As a fee-paying student, you can earn academic credit toward your degree, subject to approval from your home university.
Study abroad program options
Option 1: Design your own program
You can design your own program by selecting units from CDU’s range of study areas, as long as you have the necessary prerequisites. Please note that all units are subject to availability, capacity and eligibility. Please have a look at our unit catalogue to review available units for Semester 1 and Semester 2.
Option 2: Choose a Study abroad package
Select from our unique and exciting Study abroad packages, which draw on our research and teaching strengths. These packages enable you to select specialised units in an area of your interest. We recommend that you have a look at some backup units in case of timetabling clashes and availability, by looking at our unit catalogue for Semester 1 and Semester 2.
Please note that the 2026 units will be published on 1 August 2025.
Unit selection
Students participating in the study abroad program are not required to obtain approval from your home university for the units you wish to enrol in at CDU. However, if you want to transfer your academic credit back to your degree at your home university, you will need to ensure that your home university approves your selected study units.
A full-time load at Charles Darwin University is 30-40 credit points per semester. Generally, 30-40 credit points are equivalent to enrolling in three to four units worth 10 credit points each.
Equivalency of 40 CDU credit points:
| Location | Credit points |
| USA | Approximately 12-15 Credits |
| Europe | Approximately 30 ECTS |
| Canada | Approximately 15 Credits |
| Japan | Approximately 15 Credits |
| UK | Approximately 60 Credits or 30 ECTS |
*Other regions do not have universal credit point systems. Refer to your home university's website to determine the full-time loading.
Fees
Study Abroad students enroll at CDU as fee-paying students.
| Study Abroad Fees 2025 | |
|---|---|
| CDU Study Abroad fee per semester | A$8,700 for one semester and A$17,400 for two semesters |
| Student services and amenities fees | A$40.00 per 10 credit points per semester |
| Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) | A$878 for 3 months, A$1,808 for 6 months (price varies according to duration) |
Additional expenses
Study Abroad students will need to pay for:
- Return flights
- Compulsory overseas student health insurance
- Student visa
- Accommodation
- Living expenses
- External agency fees (optional)
Key dates
| Study period | Applications close |
2025 Semester 2 – July – October 2025 |
3 May 2025 |
2026 Semester 1 – February – June 2026 |
29 December 2025 |
| Semester 2 – July – October 2026 | 3 May 2024 |
How to apply
The CDU study abroad program invites students from all universities around the world to study some of Australia’s most unique programs and courses for a semester or two.
You will need to include the following documents with your application:
- Copy of passport
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Certified copy of a current academic transcript
- Simplified Statement (one page about why you want to study abroad and why you choose to study at CDU)
Your application process includes selecting CDU units to study. Generally, the courses you study at CDU can be transferred as academic credit toward your degree. Transferal of your academic credit is subject to approval from your host university.
You can study for 1-2 semesters. Once you have started your application, select from:
Start your application
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