Charles Darwin University
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time
Exclusively for Indigenous students, this diploma combines cultural knowledge and heritage with practical research skills to advance Indigenous research in communities, organisations, and government agencies. Develop your own research projects with expert supervision while studying flexibly online or on-ground.
Applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and have the ability to draw on important cultural knowledge and experiences. Entry requirements include successful completion of Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training (ATAR 60+), Certificate III or higher, 0.5 year of higher education study, or equivalent overseas qualifications. Applicants should contact the Faculty of Arts and Society ([email protected]) for a short interview with the Course Coordinator to discuss suitability. English language proficiency is required, with options including Year 12 completion in Australia, 0.5 FTE higher education study, CDU enabling courses, or approved English tests (IELTS 6.5, CAE 176, PTE 58, TOEFL 79).
The course comprises 80 credit points structured as follows: Core Units (50 credit points) cover Indigenous Research Guiding Principles, Principles to Practice, Introductory Indigenous Research Project, Contested Knowledges, and Cultural Capabilities. Specialist Electives (20 credit points) include options such as Colonising Australia, Ethics and Protocols in Indigenous Contexts, Indigenous Land and Resources, Language Studies, Yolngu Languages and Culture, Representing and Recording Country, Indigenous Contemporary Perspectives, and Research with Indigenous People. General Electives (10 credit points) allow students to select from undergraduate units offered by the University. This structure provides foundational knowledge in Indigenous research methodologies while allowing flexibility to explore specific areas of interest or continue research valuable to students' knowledge communities.
Charles Darwin University is uniquely positioned to offer this program through strong relationships with Indigenous community groups and cultural experts. CDU is ranked in the top 100 globally for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021) and holds a five-star rating for graduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024). The university's commitment to Indigenous knowledge systems ensures the advancement and preservation of these traditions while providing flexible study options—online, on-campus, part-time or full-time—tailored to students' circumstances.
Graduates will possess knowledge and skills valuable for research within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contexts, organisations, and communities. Career opportunities include positions in government departments and agencies, private organisations involved in Indigenous research, Indigenous policy development, advocacy roles, and community-based research positions. The course credentials Indigenous research knowledge and skills you already have while helping you apply them in other research settings, opening pathways to leadership roles in Indigenous affairs, research coordination, and community development.
Course fee
Start date
You will be redirected to the training provider to enquire directly. Workinitiatives is not the course or training provider. We aggregate and list courses only.