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Charles Darwin University is dual-sector, meaning that it has both vocational education and training (VET) programs as well as higher education offerings. Due to the large size of the Territory and its dispersed population, CDU is focused on meeting the diverse needs of its broad catchment area through innovative uses of technology. In addition to being a dual-sector university, CDU provides education and training in an engaging and multicultural environment, making it an integral part of the intellectual and social fabric of Northern Australia. CDU has a strong international orientation due to its proximity to Southeast Asia. 

The university was established by combining the Northern Territory University, the Menzies School of Health Research, and Centralian College of Alice Springs (previously known as Alice Springs Community College) on 1 January 2003. This merger enabled the combination of many years of educational heritage, going back to when Darwin Community College was established in 1974. All of these institutions have a long history of providing quality education to their communities, starting with the Darwin Institute of Technology and University College of the Northern Territory, and leading to the current research-intensive institution, CDU. The name "Charles Darwin" reflects the inspiration for the establishment of this university.