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Academic English programs

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

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

Academic English (AE)

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 course.

IELTS preparation is an integral part of AE courses.

AE courses normally run for 10-week 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 course 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 courses. 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 course until your English has reached pre-intermediate level. Go to General English (GE) for more information.

 

Take a look at a sample timetable for the Academic English (AE)

Intensive Academic Writing (IAW)

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
Study

We encourage students to take this course 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 course, 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.

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Intensive Entry Program (IEP)

Advanced level

IEP is specifically designed as an intensive academic English 11-week course, 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.

Academic English Master Class (AEM)

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 course 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.

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Graduate Academic Skills (GAS)

reading a book

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 courses 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

Advanced Skills for Academic Success (ASAS)

Very advanced level

AusAid sponsored students only

ASAS is a four-week intensive course. 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 previous graduations please visit the Films and flicks of CET section of our website.

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