If you are studying a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies combined degree, you’ll need to enrol in the Language and Culture subjects listed on your study plan.

If you’re a first year Bachelor of Arts in International Studies student:

  • You’ll be contacted in May to nominate your preferred country majors.
  • In June/July, you’ll be advised of the major you have been allocated to via UTS email.
  • In August/September you’ll be contacted to complete a language level questionnaire online.
  • If you have prior experience in the language you’ll need to attend a language level assessment so we can determine what level is best for you.

Language and Culture sub-majors and electives

Are you a UTS student with an interest in Language and Culture subjects? You can study any of these languages as a credited sub-major or elective, even if you’re not an International Studies student. All you need is permission from your Faculty before you enrol.

Here’s how the permission and enrolment process works:

  1. As early as possible in the enrolment period, submit an e-request to your Faculty for permission to study your chosen Language and Culture subject/s. Make sure you complete the language level assessment survey in the Language Subject Details section of your e-request.
  2. If your Faculty approves the request, the Student Centre staff will assess the Language Subject Details and supporting statement in your e-request.
  3. If you have little or no experience in the language you’ve chosen, the Student Centre staff will add the Level 1 subject.
  4. If you have prior experience in the language, the School of International Studies staff will process your request and you’ll need to attend a language level session.

Note: Subject places are limited. If you’re intending to study a language subject as an elective, you’ll only be approved if there are spaces available from the cross faculty enrolment date. Please see enrolment dates.

If you still have questions regarding enrolment or language level assessments, please refer to our frequently asked questions below or contact the student centre.

Languages and Culture at UTS: FAQs

Language level assessments

I already have some experience with my chosen language. Will I start at level 1?
Not necessarily. Your language assessment will help us place you in the right class for your level of language proficiency.

I did a bit of language study a long time ago. Do I still need to do a language level assessment?
Yes. All students must sit a language assessment before enrolling in Language and Culture classes. The program coordinators have a responsibility to ensure that you’re correctly placed.

How long will the language level assessment take?
This depends on the language you’ve chosen and how many other students are being assessed at the same time, but the whole process typically takes less than an hour.

Do I need to study for the language level assessment?
The assessment is about ensuring you’re placed at a level of study that reflects your abilities. You might want to brush up a bit if it’s been a while since you last used your language skills.

What do I need to bring to a language level assessment?
The assessment is paper-based, so all you need to bring is a pen.

What happens at the language level assessment?
Generally, there are two parts to most language level assessments: an oral component and a written component. For the oral component, you may be asked to converse with other students or with your assessor. For the written component, you may complete a series of tasks such as filling in the blanks or writing verb conjugations, characters, or an open-ended passage. You will receive your results as soon as the assessment is finished.

What happens after the language level assessment?
The assessor will forward the outcome to the admin team responsible for enrolments. They will update your study plan in accordance with your placement and will notify you via email that you can log in to My Student Admin to allocate yourself to a class. At busy times of year (such as the start of a new term), please allow a couple of days for your study plan to be updated.

I missed the scheduled language level assessment. What do I do?
First, please check to make sure that there are no additional sessions available. If all scheduled language level assessment times have come and gone, you should contact the relevant coordinator to make alternate arrangements.

I think I’ve been placed in a level beyond my abilities. Can I drop down to a lower level?
It depends. Some students are genuinely assessed as sitting between two levels. In this case, the assessor will decide which option is the best fit for your skills, but will often urge you to try the higher level. Language study is challenging and should require work, but if you have serious concerns you can raise them with the coordinator during the first two weeks of classes.

Enrolment

Do I have to pick two tutorials for my Language and Culture subjects?
Yes. Most Language and Culture subjects are comprised of two tutorials (typically scheduled two days apart), totaling four contact hours per week. If your subject will be delivered via a different mode (for instance, two hours face-to-face plus a blended learning component), you will be informed of this.

Can I mix tutorial 1 from one class and tutorial 2 from another?
No. For a variety of pedagogical, assessment and administrative reasons, this isn’t possible. You must attend both of the tutorials for your allocated activity.

The tutorial I wish to attend is full. Can I be placed in it anyway?
Generally, no. The only time you can be placed into a tutorial that is full is if you’re studying a language as a non-elective part of your degree (e.g. as a core subject, sub-major or diploma requirement) and you can’t attend any other tutorials due to subject clashes. Requests based on preference or non-academic commitments (work, family or other activities) can’t be accommodated.

I submitted an e-request/had a language level assessment, but my study plan still hasn’t been updated so I can’t enrol. What should I do?
Please be patient. It can take a couple of days for the paperwork to be actioned into the systems. In the meantime, consult the timetable find out when and where classes are taking place and start attending. You may not ultimately be able to enrol into your preferred activity, but by attending a class at least you won’t have missed any content.

I’m attending classes but my enrolment hasn’t been processed yet and I don’t have access to Canvas. What should I do?
Email your tutor to let them know about your situation, and ask them to give you access to Canvas. The request must go through your tutor so they can verify that you are attending the class.

Attendance

I have another commitment during my scheduled class time. Can I sit in on another tutorial so I don’t fall behind?
No. Language and Culture subjects rely very heavily on students being at ease with each other to practice the language and work effectively in small groups. Mixing cohorts impedes a comfortable environment forming and puts all students at a disadvantage.

Is attendance counted towards my mark?
This depends on the subject and its specific assessment tasks. Many Language and Culture subjects have an assessment task (such as contribution to in-class learning) that requires you to be present to earn marks. However, even if attendance isn’t counted in your subject, you should try to attend as many classes as you can — this is where you can practice your language skills and clarify points you might not fully understand.

I missed the first Language and Culture class(es). What should I do to catch up on the course content?
This will vary from subject to subject, but some first steps might include:

  • checking class notes/announcements on Canvas
  • contacting your tutor directly.