Academic English programs

To help you work out which program best suits your needs, go to pathways.

Generally, Academic Language programs are offered in the afternoon, with 20 hours of classes each week.

• Academic English (AE) - Develops language and study skills for tertiary study
• Intensive Academic Writing Program (IAW) - Help with a five-week intensive writing program
• Intensive English Program (IEP) - Offers students with IELTS 6.0 intensive USYD entry preparation
• Academic Englsih master class (AEM) - Very high level academic Englsih course
• Graduate Academic Skills (GAS) - Very high level intensive academic English course
• Advanced Skills for Academic Success (ASAS) - Intensive four-week upgrade of academic study skills

Pre-intermediate to advanced levels

Academic English (AE) courses are designed to help you succeed in your tertiary studies at the University of Sydney, another university, a TAFE institution or a business college.

AE will improve your English and your academic study skills. Writing, reading and presentation skills are emphasised in this program.

IELTS preparation is an integral part of AE programs.

AE programs are normally 10-week courses with multiple entry times throughout the year. To give you flexibility in study, you can enrol for as many terms as you wish.

The AE program consists of 20 hours per week of instruction.

CET strongly recommends that if you are continuing your university studies, you bring a laptop to enhance the learning process.

Placement test: You need pre-intermediate-level English to enter AE programs. When you arrive at CET we assess your level of English. When you take the placement test you will have a short interview with one of the teaching staff. We then place you in the class which is most appropriate for your level of English.

If your English level is low, you can enrol in the General English program until your English has reached pre-intermediate level. Go to General English GE) for more information.

Advanced level

This is an intensive 5-week academic writing course specially designed for students who have high English test scores:

• IELTS 6.5 or higher with a writing score of 5.5, or higher, or
• TOEFL 575 or 233 (computer based) with TWE 4.0, or higher, or
• TOEFL iBT 90 or higher

We encourage students to take this program if they wish to accelerate their proficiency in writing. Entry times are flexible but we recommend you take this course shortly before your planned entry to university.

Over the 5-week program, you will be assessed through coursework and a final exam. The coursework comprises a portfolio of several pieces of written work that you complete during the course. The exam (in week 5) comprises an essay of 250 words or more (similar to the TWE or Task 2 of IELTS). You must complete the coursework and pass the final exam in order to achieve university entry.

Advanced level

IEP is specifically designed as an intensive academic English 11-week program, consisting of the following elements:

• Academic English
• Study skills
• The CET university entry test (e-test)
• An IELTS test

Students get the maximum opportunity to enter their studies at the university. Students will have the opportunity to take the CET (e-test) and, as a back-up, we have arranged for students to sit for an IELTS test.

Click here for photos & videos - 2007 IEP Class.

Higher advanced level

A very high level 10-week academic English course. If you have reached at least the equivalent of IELTS 6.5 and require an IELTS 7.0 to commence formal studies, this is a suitable course for you.

The program focuses on individual and group activities and tasks which replicate university degree study. It is offered twice each year to coincide with university entry dates.

High level intensive

A very high level intensive academic English course. It is designed for students who have reached a higher advanced level with at least the equivalent of IELTS 6.5 who may be intending to study graduate programs at an Australian or other university. It is organised as a 5-week module, and is task-based on overall weekly themes. The tasks and themes are sequential and are designed to be cumulative as well as integrated.

More specifically, this course is designed to help you:

• Develop study skills for a different academic culture
• Provide experience in the dynamics of group work
• Develop confidence in the ability to critically question and acquire knowledge
• Provide experience in the broad range of registers encountered in academic life

Very advanced level

AusAid sponsored students only

ASAS is a 4-week intensive program. It is not primarily an English course. Instead, it reinforces your academic study skills in areas such as:

• Seminar presentations
• Efficient researching
• Critical thinking
• Academic writing
• Note-taking from lectures
• Library skills
• Efficient use of the internet
• Research methods

We recommend this course for students who may not require English, but would benefit from 'boosting' their academic study skills before undertaking university studies.

ASAS is the University of Sydney's recommended preparation for international students who have unconditional offers for undergraduate or postgraduate study.

We also welcome students planning to study at other universities.

To view previos graduations please visit the Films and flicks of CET section of our website.