Charles Darwin University

Diploma of Arts

Nationally Recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET)

The Diploma of Arts offers students a pathway into diverse specialist and interdisciplinary thematic areas including:

  • Communications, text and digital media;
  • Society and culture;
  • Digital and global humanities;
  • Indigenous governance and policy;
  • Contemporary Indigenous Australian languages and linguistics;
  • Digital and creative arts;
  • Music, production and performance; and
  • Architectural design.

As a student, your journey through this program will also develop core communication, critical and creative thinking skills to prepare you to participate in a multi-disciplinary and global workforce.

The Diploma of Arts is ideal for anyone who wants a taste of studying arts and would like to gain a qualification but may not be ready to commit to a full bachelor's degree.

Delivery mode

Charles Darwin University offers this course through the following delivery modes:

Blended

Combine the flexibility of online learning with the support of on campus learning.


Locations
  • Ellengowan Drive, Brinkin

Entry requirements

Domestic Students

  • There are no mandated entry requirements.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements are met by one of the following:

  • Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
  • Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
  • Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
  • Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
  • Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 140.
  • Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognized tertiary preparation course.
  • Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.

Defence members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher) meet the academic entry requirement for this course:

  • Air Force: Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman
  • Army: Corporal, Lance Corporal, Private
  • Navy: Able Seaman, Leading Seaman, Seaman

    • Current School Leaver Pathways:

    • Best of 3 Year 12 subject grades
    • School recommendation program

    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. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

    The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in 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 3 (ZEAP30): Successful completion of EAP003 English for Academic Purposes 3
    • IELTS Academic Module: A minimum overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0.
    • Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): A minimum overall score of 169, with no skill below 169.
    • Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency: A minimum overall grade of B2.
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module: A minimum overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50.
    • TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT): A minimum overall score of 60 and a minimum writing score of 21.

    Admission Requirements

    Admission requirements are met by one of the following:

    • Successful completion of the Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (or equivalent) and the awarding of an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of at least 60*.
    • Successful completion of a national qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
    • Successful completion of at least 0.5 year of full-time study (or equivalent) of a higher education degree/diploma.
    • Overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications considered equivalent to the above Australian qualifications.
    • Attainment of a STAT Multiple Choice score of 140.
    • Successful completion of the Tertiary Enabling Program, the Preparation for Tertiary Success courses, or other recognized tertiary preparation course.
    • Submission of an acceptable personal competencies statement and/or employment experience.

    Defence members with service of 1 year or more at the following ranks (or higher) meet the academic entry requirement for this course:

    • Air Force: Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman
    • Army: Corporal, Lance Corporal, Private
    • Navy: Able Seaman, Leading Seaman, Seaman

      • Current School Leaver Pathways:

      • Best of 3 Year 12 subject grades
      • School recommendation program

      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. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.

      The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in 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 3 (ZEAP30): Successful completion of EAP003 English for Academic Purposes 3
      • IELTS Academic Module: A minimum overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0.
      • Cambridge Advanced English (CAE): A minimum overall score of 169, with no skill below 169.
      • Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency: A minimum overall grade of B2.
      • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module: A minimum overall score of 50 with no score lower than 50.
      • TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT): A minimum overall score of 60 and a minimum writing score of 21.
      Additional requirements may apply.

Course fees

Estimated Fee* $0 - $27,096 Fees are based on full-time study.
* Fees are indicative only and vary based on your circumstances and eligibility for government funding.
Full Fee Tuition:
$27,096
Enquire with Charles Darwin University to find out more.
Study mode Blended
Duration 12 Months
Estimated fee* $0 - $27,096 Support may be available

Career opportunities

The Diploma of Arts will prepare you for the following roles.

Anthropologist

Anthropologists are social scientists who study the development and connections in human society. Their research and studies involve a lot of field...

Avg yearly income $99,840
Entry barriers Low

Content Creator

A Content Creator produces media content on a range of digital platforms. You might write articles or blogs, film videos or clips or produce illust...

Avg yearly income $74,984
Entry barriers Low

Curator

A Curator sets up exhibitions in museums and art galleries. You might arrange for pieces to be part of your displays and coordinate information on ...

Avg yearly income $88,400
Entry barriers Low

About Charles Darwin University

Charles Darwin University is a truly unique institution.

With our home and our heart in the Northern Territory, we embrace the inclusive, resilient, and courageous spirit of the NT in our campuses and delivery sites that reach a diverse footprint from the capital cities of Darwin, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney to the regional hubs of Alice Springs, Palmerston and Katherine and our remote locations in Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek and on Country – in community, with the community.

Our multi-campus, dual-sector status, virtual and online expertise, course profile, research activities, delivery methods, and operation result from our commitment to the regions in which we operate.

The Northern Territory spans approximately one-sixth of Australia’s landmass and yet is home to just one per cent of the population, of whom 30 per cent are First Nations Peoples.

Due to our location, we are in an enviable position to contribute to the future opportunity of Northern Australia, and our neighbours in the Asia Pacific, through our innovative and impactful training, education, and research.

The University now has the new Strategic Plan in place, which will guide the development of our university over the next five years. It gives us a very clear road map to building a bigger, better and stronger university, valuing and empowering our people to make a difference.

CDU believes in the transformative power of training, education and research to change people’s lives for the better. We have a collective responsibility to make sure that our training, education and research are not only high quality and delivered by outstanding educators and researchers but are accessible and meaningful. What we do matters to our communities.

We are a deeply connected university, working in partnership and collaboration with First Nations peoples, our communities and industries, government, and alumni to address the needs of the Northern Territory and regional, rural, and remote people nationally and globally.

We are committed to making significant contributions to the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the NT and Northern Australia and to export our expertise nationally and globally.