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Postgraduate Coursework

Graduate Certificate of Arts

Key details

Duration

0.5 year/s full-time
1 year/s part-time
0.5 year/s full-time

Intake

Semester 1, Semester 2
On campus - Semester 1, Semester 2
Online - No
Important Dates

Locations

Casuarina campus, Online
Casuarina campus

Credit points required

40

Course code

UARTS1
SATAC codes

Overview

Our Graduate Certificate of Arts is a flexible postgraduate course that prepares you for further studies or research. The course will diversify and grow your knowledge in cultural and creative spheres.

You'll choose to specialise in one of following areas,

  • Cultural and creative research
  • Indigenous research methodologies
  • Indigenous engagement
  • Indigenous policy development
  • Yolngu language and culture studies


Whether you want to consolidate your expertise or forge a new career path, this degree will equip you with the analytical and critical thinking skills you need to succeed.

At CDU, you'll explore unique perspectives on the contemporary issues facing Indigenous Australia, Northern Australia and South-East Asia. Our lecturers are leaders in their fields and are ready to guide and mentor you.



Credit transfers and advanced standing

Pathways


Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

For information about credit transfer available to students with complete or incomplete study at this or other Institutions refer to Pathways for Higher Education to Higher Education

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Credit transfers and advanced standing

Credit transfer

For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU

Fees

Commonwealth supported places

Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:

(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or

(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.

Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

Non-Commonwealth supported places

Full fee paying places are available in this course.

Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.

International tuition fees

The annual tuition fee for full time study in 2024 is AUD $17,124.00. This equates to $ $4,281.00 per 10 credit point unit (0.125 EFTSL).
These fees are subject to increases annually, effective at the start of each calendar year.

You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.

CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.

Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives
  • Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
Luci's art

Why study arts at CDU?

Future-proof your career when you study arts with us. You'll learn to think critically and creatively in a rapidly changing world. Our courses are highly flexible and tailored to fit your interests and career goals.

  • #1 in Australia for postgraduate teaching quality in humanities and social sciences (GUG 2024)
  • #2 Australian university for postgraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
  • Learn from leaders in Indigenous and Asia Pacific knowledge, with close ties to important research initiatives

What will I study?

This six-month course of study gives you the flexibility to study online, on campus or a mix of both, part time or full time. With 24/7 access to learning materials and online collaboration tools, you can study when it suits you.

Course structure


A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 40 credit points as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.

Unit typeCredit PointsSpecific requirements
Specialist Electives

(4 units)
40cp

Specialist Elective units totalling 40 credit points selected from ONE of the five specialisations outlined below:



CULTURAL AND CREATIVE RESEARCH

Choose 40 credit points from the units detailed below:

IAS501 Research Methods 1 (20cp)

IAS511 Creative Project (20cp) (repeatable)

IAS512 Humanities and Social Science Project (20cp) (repeatable)



INDIGENOUS RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES

Complete the following units totalling 40 credit points:

IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts

IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies

IAS523 Indigenous Research Project (2 x repeatable)

IAS524 Indigenous Representation and Ethical Practice



INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT

Complete the following unit totalling 10 credit points:

IAS535 Indigenous Peoples in the Context of Colonised Australia

Choose the remaining 30 credit points from units detailed below:

IAS521 Principles of Research in Indigenous Contexts

IAS522 Indigenous Research Methodologies

IAS523 Indigenous Research Project (2 x repeatable)

IAS524 Indigenous Representation and Ethical Practice

IAS530 Neocolonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development

IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics

IAS532 Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation

IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies

IAS534 Partnership and Engagement in Indigenous Land and Sea Management

IAS536 Indigenous Sovereignty and the Challenges of Reconciliation

IAS537 Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts

IAS538 Challenging Educational Paradigms

IAS539 Intercultural Mediation

IAS541 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1

IAS542 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2

IAS544 Indigenous Language Project

IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing

IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People

IAS549 Learning an Indigenous Australian Language (not offered 2024)



INDIGENOUS POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Complete the following unit totalling 10 credit points:

IAS531 Indigenous Policy Agendas in Federal and State Politics

Choose the remaining 30 credit points from units detailed below:

IAS530 Neocolonialism, Advocacy and the Critique of Development

IAS532 Indigenous Knowledges, Property Rights and Economic Participation

IAS533 Indigenous Knowledges and Epistemologies

IAS536 Indigenous Sovereignty and the Challenges of Reconciliation

IAS537 Building Relationships in Indigenous Contexts

IAS547 Indigenous Knowledges and Wellbeing

IAS548 Healthy Country, Healthy People



YOLNGU LANGUAGES AND CULTURE

Complete the following units totalling 20 credit points:

IAS541 Yolngu Languages and Culture 1

IAS542 Yolngu Languages and Culture 2

Choose the remaining 20 credit points from units detailed below:

IAS543 Yolngu Literature

IAS544 Indigenous Language Project

IAS545 Yolngu Conversation 1

IAS546 Yolngu Conversation 2

 
 40cpTotal Credit Points

Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)

 

Study plan

Students Commencing in Semester 1

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.



Full-time Study Plan

Legend:SE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
Specialist Elective 1SE  
Specialist Elective 2SE  
Specialist Elective 3SE  
Specialist Elective 4SE  



Students Commencing in Semester 2

The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use these as a guide to create an individual study plan.



Full-time Study Plan

Legend:SE = Specialist Elective
Semester 1Semester 2
Year 1
  Specialist Elective 1SE
  Specialist Elective 2SE
  Specialist Elective 3SE
  Specialist Elective 4SE

 

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, masters degree or equivalent international qualification.


Consideration will also be given to applicants who do not have one of the above qualifications, but who have at least five years appropriate professional experience.

Applicants must provide further documentation detailing their employment experience in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV) with their application.

International entry pathway

International PathwayApplicants who have completed the CDU International Masters Qualifying Program (ZMQP01) or the Accelerated International Masters Qualifying Program (ZAMQP1) are eligible for entry.

Essential requirements

English language requirements

To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 ALL applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application. For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.

DOMESTIC STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - Domestic students

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS   
English language proficiency requirements - International students   
Course specific English language proficiency requirements for International students are included below.

The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education from an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.

CDU English for Academic Purposes 4 (ZEAP40)Successful completion of EAP004 English for Academic Purposes 4
IELTS Academic Module (including One Skill Retake)A minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0.
Cambridge Advanced English (CAE)A minimum overall score of 176, with no skill below 169.
Common European Framework Certificate of English ProficiencyA minimum overall grade of C1, valid for three years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic moduleA minimum overall score of 58 with no score lower than 50.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)A minimum overall score of 79 with a minimum writing score of 21.

* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.  
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.

Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.  
 

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don’t be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

The Arts courses at CDU are flexible and adaptable, with the option to choose from a wide range of both practical and specialised majors or study themes. We encourage students to ask about how a program can be tailored to fit their interests and career goals. Don't be afraid to ask that question.

Professor Ruth Wallace

Ruth Wallace

Course details

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.

Australian qualification framework

This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Additional information

Can offers be deferred?
Yes
Award
Graduate Certificate of Arts
Faculty/College
Faculty of Arts and Society
Sector
HE
Area of study
Arts, Languages and Linguistics, Humanities and Social Sciences, Creative and Performing Arts, Indigenous Knowledges, Communications and Design

Contact details

For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:

Email:Student.Central@cdu.edu.auPhone:1800 061 963 (free call)

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

You make CDU

Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.

You make CDU

Our students choose to study with us because we share the same vision – to make a positive change. Whatever your motivation is, we can guide you in the right direction.

How to apply

There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.

Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.

SATAC

SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.

International applications

Applications must be submitted online through our application portal, Studylink. You'll need a valid email address to create your online account. Once you have started your application, you will be able to save it and resume it later. There is no application fee when you apply online.

You may be able to lodge a direct application; however, there may be restrictions on your geographic location. If you cannot submit a direct application via the application portal, please apply through one of our registered agents.

Apply through StudyLink or through an Agent.

SATAC codes

Location
SATAC Code
Casuarina campus (CSP)
1GC042
Casuarina campus (FF)
1GC542
Online (CSP)
1GC042
Online (FF)
1GC542
* CSP = Commonwealth supported place
FF = Full fee

CRICOS codes

Location
CRICOS Code
Casuarina campus
0101378

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