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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
10Course code
Overview
The Preparatory Studies Program is designed to help you build the skills, knowledge and confidence to get ahead on your university journey.
Please note that Preparatory Studies is not an alternative pathway into higher education like the Tertiary Enabling Program. Instead, it is a free course that can be accessed by future and current students alike, at any stage of learning, to brush up on targeted areas.
Whether you're about to start your engineering degree and want to revise your maths skills, or you're halfway through your arts degree and feel like your essays could use a better understanding of critical thinking strategies, or perhaps you're returning to study after a long period in the workforce and need a hand adapting to a digital learning environment -Preparatory Studies is for you.
Preparatory Studies offers a range of units which you can select from (up to 10 credit points) that align with your objectives. Additionally, Preparatory Studies students have the option to enrol in individual units offered by the Tertiary Enabling Program without completing the entire program.
To guide your unit selection, consider the following recommendations based on your journey and desired outcome:
- General readiness: If you wish to bolster your foundational skills for university studies, UniReady is an excellent choice. It helps you prepare for the academic aspects of university life, familiarising you with CDU's systems, services, and resources. DigiPrep, on the other hand, focuses on enhancing your digital literacy, from navigating online learning environments to creating academic documents and infographics using Office 365 applications.
- If your academic path involves mathematics-intensive fields like engineering, IT, or science, then Preparatory Studies Mathematics will boost your confidence in this crucial area.
- If you're pursuing a health-related program and haven't studied biology recently, or ever, consider enrolling in Human Body Essentials A and Human Body Essentials B. These courses are designed to prepare you for the anatomy and physiology components commonly found in health courses.
- In addition, you can select single TEP units which are delivered during the 12-week semester. So, if you have looked and want to take one unit only, we recommend:
- Academic Language and Learning, to develop your confidence in academic reading and writing
- Foundation Maths, to prepare you for general academic numeracy
- Or Perspectives in Humanities, to develop the critical thinking skills needed to undertake study at university.
Fees
ZPREP is free for Australian and New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, and Humanitarian Visa holders.
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.
Why study a pathway course at CDU
At CDU, there is a study pathway for everyone. We strive to provide you with a range of alternative entry methods suitable for students at all levels of education and English proficiency.
- Free 16-week Tertiary Enabling Program
- Range of First Nations enabling and pre-enabling programs
- #5 Australian university for first-in-family study (GUG 2024)
Why study a pathway course at CDU
CDU International College prepares you to study undergraduate and postgraduate programs at CDU.
- Attend classes at the modern CDU Waterfront campus in Darwin City, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive CDU student support
- Specialised language development, a well-rounded curriculum and smaller class sizes provide the support necessary to meet your goals and prepare for the real world
Why study a pathway course at CDU
At CDU, there is a study pathway for everyone. We strive to provide you with a range of alternative entry methods suitable for students at all levels of education and English proficiency.
- Free 16-week Tertiary Enabling Program
- Range of First Nations enabling and pre-enabling programs
- #5 Australian university for first-in-family study (GUG 2024)
Why study a pathway course at CDU
CDU International College prepares you to study undergraduate and postgraduate programs at CDU.
- Attend classes at the modern CDU Waterfront campus in Darwin City, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive CDU student support
- Specialised language development, a well-rounded curriculum and smaller class sizes provide the support necessary to meet your goals and prepare for the real world
What will I study?
Students must choose 1-2 units to a total of 10 credit points.
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 10 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Specialist Elective (1-2 units) | 10cp |
PRP001 Preparatory Studies Mathematics |
10cp | Total Credit Points |
Study plan
Recommended Study Plan
Choose 1-2 units for a total of 10 credit points from either PRP or TEP^ coded unit to support your learning needs. These units are designed to bridge you in different ways to university-level studies. You can click on each unit to learn how it is designed to help you.
Unit Availabilities
Intensives
| Intensive 1 (INT-1)* | Intensive 4 (INT-4)** | Intensive 6 (INT-6)*** | Summer Semester (SEM-S) |
| PRP001 Preparatory Studies Mathematics (10cp) | PRP002 UniReady (5cp) | PRP002 UniReady (5cp) | PRP001 Preparatory Studies Mathematics (10cp) |
| PRP002 UniReady (5cp) | PRP003 DigiPrep (5cp) | PRP003 DigiPrep (5cp) | |
| PRP003 DigiPrep (5cp) | PRP004 Maths for the Mortally Terrified (5cp) | PRP004 Maths for the Mortally Terrified (5cp) | |
| PRP004 Maths for the Mortally Terrified (5cp) | PRP005 Boost your Presentations (5cp) | PRP005 Boost your Presentations (5cp) | |
| PRP005 Boost your Presentations (5cp) | PRP006 Human Body Essentials A (5cp) | PRP006 Human Body Essentials A (5cp) | |
| PRP006 Human Body Essentials A (5cp) | PRP007 Human Body Essentials B (5cp) | ||
| PRP007 Human Body Essentials B (5cp) |
* Intensive Period 1 is a six-week course. Teaching starts on 6 January 2025 and ends on 16 February 2025. The estimated study commitment is 10hrs/week.
** Intensive Period 4 is a four-week course. Teaching starts on 23 June 2025 and ends on 20 July 2025. The estimated study commitment is 15hrs/week.
*** Intensive Period 6 is a four-week course. Teaching starts on 20 October 2025 and ends on 16 November 2025. The estimated study commitment is 15hrs/week.
^ TEP: All units from the Tertiary Enabling Program (TEP) are available through Preparatory Studies Course pathway. See the TEP course page for see their delivery options.
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
The Preparatory Studies program is a course designed to support students in developing the skills and knowledge needed to make a successful start to their journey through higher education.
To be eligible for the Preparatory Studies Program:
- you must be 17 or over by the census date of the relevant semester.
- you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen (residing in Australia), permanent resident or Humanitarian Visa holder or Pacific Engagement Visa Holder.
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.
I really felt like the teachers cared. I think that’s what I like about CDU – it feels like more of a family and more of a home.
Sizol
CDU student
I really felt like the teachers cared. I think that’s what I like about CDU – it feels like more of a family and more of a home.
Sizol
CDU student
Course details
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
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.
Enabling courses
Applying for ZPREP1 at CDU is a simple online process.
Further Assistance
For information on applying and/or enrolling in this course please contact Charles Darwin University Student Central for assistance.
E: student.central@cdu.edu.au
T: 1800 061 963 (freecall)
FAQ's: Ask CDU
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