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Study with CDU

Arts

Study a highly flexible, contemporary arts degree and choose between a range of majors each offering a unique perspective on the world around you and your role in it. 

Creative arts student with artworks

Arts

Study a contemporary arts degree and choose between a range of majors each offering a unique perspective on the world around you and your role in it. 

Study a Diploma, Bachelor, Graduate Certificate or Master in Arts

At CDU, you can study a range of disciplines as part of your Arts degree. Choose from Communications, Literature and Digital Media; Society and Culture; Digital and Global Humanities; Indigenous Governance and Policy; Contemporary Indigenous Australia, Languages and Linguistics; Digital and Creative Arts; Music, Production and Performance; and Architectural design.

Why choose CDU?

  • Study the arts flexibly

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

  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge

    Benefit from lecturers’ strong links to Northern Australia and South East Asia

  • Study a capstone unit to graduate industry ready

    Study a capstone unit to gain hands-on experience before entering the workforce or starting postgraduate study.

Why choose CDU?

  • Kickstart your career by graduating job ready

    With ample opportunities for industry networking, work placements and professional development, CDU students graduate career confident and job ready

  • Destination CDU - Alice Springs | Darwin | Sydney

    With campuses in tropical Darwin, the iconic Red Centre and world-famous Sydney, your unique Australia study journey starts here.

  • #7 Australian university for undergraduate employment outcomes

    According to The Good Universities Guide 2024 CDU ranks as a leader for undergraduate employment outcomes

CDU student portrait outdoor

Bachelor of Arts

Choose from a range of unique majors focusing on Indigenous leadership and the issues and opportunities facing Northern Australia and South-East Asia.

Learn more
Need some help finding the right course or career path?
Academy arts NAIDOC 2021

The Pedagogy of Indigenous Knowledge Sharing through Creative and Cultural Practices

Understand Indigenous artmaking as knowledge sharing to reflect on your professional practice and engage learners in innovative ways.

Find more

Why study an arts degree?

Creative arts student drawing in workshop

In a world of increasing connectivity and complexity, the value of an arts degree has never been greater. The 21st century citizen is both globally and locally responsible, navigating an ever-broadening network of people, place and technology. 

An arts degree has the power to open new ways of seeing, being and activating change in the world. Be it history, literature, creative and performing arts or learning a highly sought-after second language, an arts degree allows you to take your passions and expand on them in ways that engage with the community. 

By choosing to study arts at CDU, you'll also gain valuable insight into our home in Northern Australia. Learn from lecturers and researchers with strong local industry links, as well as leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge. 

Study your arts degree online

Arts student Ally studying online in a cafe

Your arts degree means your choice. What you study and how you study is entirely up to you. Our arts courses include flexible study options meaning you can study online, on campus, full-time or part-time. As an online student, your arts degree is just as packed with guest speakers, workshops, seminars, performances, exhibitions and genuine industry opportunities to complement your learning.

By using our digital learning platform, Learnline, you'll be able to access your study materials on demand, participate in online discussions and tutorials, and engage with fellow students and your lecturers. Our online arts degree students receive the same attention as our on-campus students, with smaller class sizes providing greater support. 

Capstone units in our arts courses provide a balance of academic knowledge and practical experience ensuring you graduate ready for the workplace. Guided independent learning consolidates your skills, recognises your unique direction and the networks required to get there.

Learn more about CDU’s online study experience.

Your career in arts

Arts degree student with film equipment

According to the ASX-100 Board of Directors Report 2020, arts degrees are the most popular degrees held among professional non-executive directors across Australia’s 100 biggest companies. The arts degree is the backbone of the professional workforce across creative industries, government, non-government and private sectors.

At their core, our arts courses are designed to prepare you for the demands of an ever-changing world. Creatively driven problem solving, critical thinking and communication skills are in high demand across Australia and the globe. 

A Bachelor of Arts at Charles Darwin University provides pathways from your major to a broad spectrum of career opportunities, as well as specialisation through further postgraduate study. Our graduates find roles as diverse as their arts degree is, from communications officers, policy advisors and interpreters all the way to music producers, photographers, graphic designers, and everything in between. 

Launch into your new world of study

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    Why an Arts degree is worth studying

    Is an arts degree worth it? It’s a question you might be asking yourself as the Australian Government proposes to re-direct funding from Arts degrees to degrees in health, education, science and technology. It absolutely is, says Pro Vice-Chancellor Ruth Wallace. 

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    How to choose between a certificate, diploma and other qualifications

    Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor, Honours, Master... If you know you’d like to study a certain subject, but aren't sure about the different courses, qualification levels and what they all mean, then read on!

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    Financial support for study: What help can I get?

    Beginning or returning to study can have huge rewards in terms of improving your quality of life and income potential once qualified, but like anything worthwhile, it takes time and money to get there. There is help out there for you.  

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