Essential Academic English
The first step to improving your English before university.
What is Essential Academic English?
This 10-week intermediate course prepares you with the academic English skills you need to enter the University English Entry Course (UEEC) and Foundation English Entry Course (FEEC).
You’ll take your first step to developing the English skills you need to succeed at university. This course is designed for people who already have some English skills, but need to reinforce their speaking, reading and writing.
With a better understanding of the basics, you’ll be ready to continue on your learning path with UNSW.
Intakes
Multiple
Duration
10 weeks
Weekly class time
20 hours
Progression
UNSW College English Course
Delivery mode
On-campus
CRICOS Code
043923A
- Overview
- Progress to UNSW Sydney
- What you'll learn
- Entry requirements
- Key dates
- Fees
Who is this program for?
Our Essential Academic English course has been designed specifically for international students who need to further develop their English skills ahead of enrolling in the University English Education Course (UEEC) or Foundation English Education Course (FEEC).
This program gives you a head start on your English development and puts you in the best position to get the most out your UNSW experience. You’ll work on the basics of academic writing and research, improve your grammar and critical thinking skills, build confidence in your speaking for presentations and academic discussions and learn the best ways to take notes. When you’ve successfully completed the course, you’ll be ready to start your UEEC or FEEC.
Why study with UNSW College?
A faster way to improve
The Essential Academic English course is only 10 weeks long. That means you’ll be ready to continue your learning journey at UNSW College and beyond in less than three months.
Specially designed to prepare you for what’s next
The Essential Academic English course is built to prepare you for the next step in your journey to university. You’ll be taught by highly qualified and experienced teachers who know the keys to success, in small classes so you get the support you need.
Your future at UNSW
Essential Academic English gives you practical tools you’ll use throughout the rest of your learning career at UNSW College and beyond. UNSW Sydney is a top 20 university with the best resources available to help you build a great career and a bright future.
Once you successfully complete your Essential Academic English course, you will progress to a University English Entry Course (UEEC) or Foundation English Entry Course (FEEC), depending on your future pathway.
Top 20
Worldwide
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
Most
Employable Graduates
AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
Leading
Innovation
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
Overview
Essential Academic English helps you master some of the key skills you’ll need to thrive at UNSW. You’ll be ready to further improve your English and prepare for the next stage of your learning journey.
These skills include:
- Enhancing your academic writing with better grammar
- Reading academic texts and using them for research
- Improving your critical thinking
- Speaking clearly and effectively during presentations and academic discussions
- Listening and note-taking skills to help you get the most out of your learning sessions
You’ll learn from experienced UNSW teachers whose knowledge of course material and university course structure will ensure your English language levels are where they need to be.
Entry requirements
The Essential Academic English program is designed for international students who need to improve their English skills before starting a University English Entry Course (UEEC) or Foundation English Entry Course (FEEC).
You will be placed in an appropriate class based on a test score under the following conditions:
- IELTS, TOEFL and PTE tests must have been taken within 24 months of the enrolment date.
- If you have variations in test subscores, you may be assessed individually for placement and may require additional weeks of study.
- UNSW College reserves the right to require you to undertake our placement test to confirm appropriate course placement.
- UNSW College reserves the right to make changes to this course placement guide without notice.
- Progression into the next Academic English Program depends on your achievement in course assessments. You may progress more quickly or slowly than the indication in weeks provided in this table.
- UNSW College also accepts Cambridge Advanced English (CAE).
Academic calendar
Essential Academic English (EAE) is a 10-week intermediate course that prepares you with the academic English skills you need to enter the University English Entry Course (UEEC) and Foundation English Entry Course (FEEC). See our program Key Dates and choose the maximum level of English available (e.g. 30 weeks for UEEC and 20 weeks for FEEC) to find out the start date for the Essential Academic English Program.
The academic calendar consists of important dates throughout your study period such as Orientation, census dates, study weeks, exam weeks and breaks for your program or course of study.
Essential Academic English Standard Fees
2024 tuition fees
A$630 per week
2025 tuition fees
A$668 per week
| Weeks | 2024 tuition fees | 2025 tuition fees |
|---|---|---|
| 10 weeks | A$6,300 | A$6,680 |
Note: The tuition fee that you will pay depends on the calendar year in which you undertake your study in the course. Fees are reviewed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed, so it’s important to remember that indicative tuition fees shown above are not guaranteed. Any update to fees is effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are for tuition only – other fees and charges are not included.
Ready to apply?
At UNSW College, every application we receive is carefully considered. When you are ready to join us, click the button below – or visit how to apply for a step-by-step guide.
Why study with UNSW College?
Over 50 years’ experience
As the first university language centre in Australia, we have over 50 years’ experience in teaching English and preparing students for university.
Support as you learn
Our English language programs are designed for international students like you, so you can develop the study skills to take the next step with confidence.
The foundations of your university journey
Experience life on campus, engage in university style learning and make friends from around the world as you start to prepare for university.
"The English language course teaches a lot of regular content during the undergraduate period. Such as the format of the paper, the way the tutorial is performed, and how to make notes on the lecture."
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Diploma & Foundation Studies
UNSW Global Pty Limited ABN 62 086 418 582 trading as UNSW College™ currently delivers Diplomas and Foundation Studies on behalf of UNSW Sydney - CRICOS Provider Code 00098G; UNSW Sydney TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12055 (Australian University).
From 26 August 2024, UNSW College™ will commence delivery of Diplomas under its own CRICOS Provider Code - 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
From 13 January 2025, UNSW College™ will commence delivery of Foundation Studies under its own CRICOS Provider Code - 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
Pre-Masters Program & Academic English
UNSW College™ delivers the Pre-Masters Program and Academic English programs under CRICOS Provider Code 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
See https://unswcollege.edu.au/esos for more information. © 2024 UNSW Global Pty Limited.