Charles Darwin University

Casuarina Australia

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Charles Darwin University (CDU) is a research-intensive university based in Australia's Northern Territory, renowned for delivering real-world impact well beyond our unique location in northern Australia. As the Northern Territory's only university, CDU offers PhD candidates an unparalleled opportunity to undertake research that matters, in fields where we have built international recognition: Indigenous and tropical health, environmental science, ecology, remote health, energy, and public policy. Though we are one of Australia's smaller universities, CDU punches well above its weight, ranking in the top 200 universities globally for sustainable development impact (Times Higher Education Impact Rankings) and 18th worldwide for Good Health and Well-being. Our researchers include 23 academics listed among Stanford and Elsevier's World's Top 2% Scientists. At CDU, PhD candidates benefit from intensive supervisor support, a multidisciplinary research culture, generous scholarship opportunities, and the chance to conduct fieldwork in one of the most unique and unspoiled environments on Earth.

Why study at Charles Darwin University?

Generous scholarship opportunities: Access RTP and Strategic Project scholarships offering stipends of approx. $35,000/year, full tuition fee offsets, and top-ups of up to $18,000/year for high-performing PhD candidates across pre-approved projects.

World-leading research impact: Ranked in the top 200 universities globally (THE Impact Rankings) and 18th worldwide for Good Health and Well-being, with 23 CDU academics named in Stanford and Elsevier's World's Top 2% Scientists list.

Distinguished supervisors, intensive support: Work alongside some of the most influential researchers in their fields, including ecology, AI, Indigenous health, and environmental engineering, in a university small enough for personalised mentorship.

Research that changes the world: Conduct research with real-world impact across Indigenous and tropical health, environmental science, energy, and public policy, with strong partnerships across Asia and outcomes relevant to communities globally.

A unique place to discover: Live and research in Australia's Northern Territory, one of the most unspoiled environments on Earth, where fieldwork, cultural exchange, and adventure are part of the PhD experience.

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Casuarina Australia

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About Charles Darwin University

Charles Darwin University (CDU) is a research-intensive, dual-sector university with its home and heart in Australia's Northern Territory. As the Northern Territory's only university, we are committed to providing education, training, and research that reflects the inclusive, resilient, and courageous spirit of the region.

Our mission is to deliver world-class education and research that makes a real-world impact, both in northern Australia and across the globe. We value diverse perspectives and create an inclusive, supportive environment where students can connect, discover, and grow. What matters most is not where you have come from, but where you want to go and the impact you want to make on the world.

CDU has built a strong international reputation for research excellence in Indigenous and tropical health, environmental science, ecology, remote health, energy, and public policy. The majority of our research is conducted through dedicated institutes, including the Menzies School of Health Research, the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, the Northern Institute and the Energy and Resources Institute

Our research also spans education, business, law, Indigenous futures, creative arts, psychology, engineering, and IT.

CDU is ranked the number one dual-sector university in Australia for graduate employment outcomes (2024 Graduate Outcomes Survey) and is recognised as Australia's most equitable university (Financial Review Best Universities Rankings 2025). Our researchers include 34 academics ranked among the top 2% worldwide on the Stanford University and Elsevier global list, reflecting the calibre of supervision and mentorship available to our PhD candidates.

View the prospectus for Charles Darwin University

Student life at Charles Darwin University

At Charles Darwin University, you will find a vibrant, welcoming, and genuinely diverse student community. With campuses across the Northern Territory and a strong online cohort, our students come from all corners of Australia and around the world, bringing a richness of perspectives that makes CDU a truly unique place to study.

Whether you choose to study on-campus or take advantage of our flexible online study options, you will be fully supported every step of the way. International students benefit from dedicated support services and our Buddy Program, designed to help you settle into life in Australia and feel connected from day one. PhD candidates join a research community where collaboration, mentorship, and access to world-class supervisors are part of everyday life.

Darwin itself offers a relaxed, tropical lifestyle that few Australian cities can match. With year-round warm weather, world-renowned national parks like Kakadu and Litchfield on your doorstep, vibrant food markets, and a multicultural arts and music scene, life outside the lab or library is genuinely rewarding. The Northern Territory is also one of the most unique and unspoiled regions on Earth, offering unparalleled opportunities for fieldwork, cultural exchange, and adventure.

Choose to live on or off-campus with our accommodation services, and discover everything student life at CDU has to offer. Whatever your background, you will find a place to belong, grow, and thrive.

Disciplines available at Charles Darwin University

Business & Management

Computer Science

Education

Law

Psychology

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Frequently asked questions

What research areas is CDU known for?

CDU has built an international reputation for research excellence in areas of strategic focus, including Indigenous and tropical health, environmental science, ecology, remote health, energy, and public policy.

Our research spans four faculties and is delivered through dedicated research institutes such as the Menzies School of Health Research, the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, the Northern Institute, and the Energy and Resources Institute. We also have growing research strengths in education, business, law, Indigenous futures, creative arts, psychology, engineering, and information technology.

CDU is recognised globally for its contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and ranks in the top 13% of universities worldwide for sustainability impact.

Who can apply for a PhD at CDU?

To be eligible for a PhD at CDU, applicants must meet our admission requirements, which typically include an honours or master's qualification with a thesis and/or research component at AQF Level 8 or 9, plus a strong GPA.

High-quality applicants will also have peer-reviewed publications, significant practical research experience, or skills aligned with CDU's strategic priorities. For scholarship consideration, very high-quality applicants typically have first-class honours, Q1 first-author publications, or equivalent research achievements. Both domestic and international applicants are welcome. Full eligibility guidelines are available at CDU's admission policy page.

What PhD scholarships are available at CDU?

CDU offers a range of generous scholarship opportunities for PhD candidates.

Domestic applicants can apply for the RTP Domestic PhD Scholarship, which includes a stipend of approximately $35,000 per annum plus a full tuition fee offset for up to three years. The DVCRCC Domestic Strategic Project Scholarship offers the same stipend and fee offset, plus an additional top-up of up to $18,000 per year.

International applicants can apply for the International PhD RTP Scholarship (stipend plus full fee waiver, very limited availability) or the Graduate Full Fee Scholarship, which covers tuition fees for three years full-time.

Find current scholarship opportunities and pre-approved projects at the Outstanding Researchers website.

How do I apply for a PhD project and scholarship?

The application process begins by reviewing available pre-approved projects on the Outstanding Researchers website and contacting the lead supervisor directly.

You will need to submit an Expression of Interest including a cover letter (max 2 pages) outlining your suitability, a curriculum vitae listing publications and research experience, a 500-word statement explaining your interest in the project, and copies of your postgraduate transcripts. If the supervisor selects you as a preferred candidate, you will then complete the Higher Degree by Research Candidature and Scholarship Application Form.

Applications are reviewed by the ADR Review Panel, which awards scholarships monthly based on availability and faculty strategic objectives.

What support is available for PhD candidates at CDU?

PhD candidates at CDU benefit from intensive supervisor support from researchers who are leaders in their fields, with 34 CDU and Menzies academics ranked in the top 2% worldwide on the Stanford and Elsevier global list.

The Office of Research and Innovation provides administrative expertise across ethics, grant applications, research communication, and Higher Degree by Research administration. Candidates can take part in Higher Degree by Research conferences, three-minute thesis competitions, and a multidisciplinary research community that encourages collaboration across faculties.

International students also receive dedicated support through CDU's Buddy Program and a full range of support services to help them settle into life in Australia.

What is it like to live and study in Darwin?

Darwin offers a relaxed, tropical lifestyle that few Australian cities can match. With warm weather year-round, world-renowned national parks like Kakadu and Litchfield on your doorstep, a multicultural arts and food scene, and access to some of the most unspoiled environments on Earth, life at CDU is genuinely rewarding both personally and professionally.

Northern Australia provides unparalleled opportunities for fieldwork, cultural exchange, and adventure, particularly for researchers working in Indigenous studies, ecology, environmental science, or remote health. CDU offers a range of on campus and off-campus accomodation options to help you find your home away from home.