Charles Darwin University
0.5 year full-time
A free, intensive enabling program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students aged 17+ that builds academic skills and university readiness across six discipline pathways including Health, Teaching, Arts, Business, Engineering, and STEM, with dedicated mentoring and support.
To participate in this program, you must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, aged 17 years or older, and have completed at least Year 10 or equivalent. Mature applicants without Year 10 completion can apply based on demonstrated skills and experience. No prior university experience is required. All students receive comprehensive academic and peer support throughout the program.
The program consists of two core units: ZIP011 Exploring Diverse Ways of Knowing and Doing, and ZIP012 Communicating Diversity and Perspectives at University. Students select one of six specialization pathways: Health (clinical and non-clinical careers, health policy, research, management), Teacher Education (teaching careers, professional standards, Indigenous education, language development), Arts and Humanities (creative arts, storytelling, political science, history, social studies), STEM (environmental science, information technology, aviation/drones, applied science), Engineering (engineering fundamentals, Indigenous knowledge integration, career prospects), or Business & Accounting (global business environment, ethics, budgeting, bookkeeping, taxation). Each pathway combines academic skills development with discipline-specific content delivered through 50-60 contact hours plus supported online engagement.
Charles Darwin University is ranked #5 in Australia for first-in-family study (GUG 2024) and demonstrates strong commitment to First Nations education through specialized support services. CDU offers a comprehensive study pathway system with free enabling programs, dedicated First Nations mentoring, and flexible delivery options across multiple campuses. The university provides state-of-the-art facilities, smaller class sizes, and a supportive community environment designed specifically to help First Nations students transition successfully into higher education.
Upon completing this program, graduates can progress to Certificate II or III qualifications in their chosen discipline area. Those with NTCE or Certificate III qualifications can enrol directly in Diploma or Degree programs at CDU. Alternatively, students can complete additional enabling units (TEP023 Foundation Maths, TEP025 Bioscience, or TEP024 Perspectives in Humanities) to qualify for diploma or degree entry. The program opens pathways to diverse careers including healthcare professionals, teachers, artists, business professionals, engineers, and STEM specialists, with ongoing support from CDU's First Nations student support team.
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