Australian Language and Culture Studies program

The Australian Language and Culture Studies (ALCS) program develops the English language skills you'll need to be confident and successful in university study. These skills are developed through the exploration of topics related to Australian society, culture and language. 

Note: This course is for international Study Abroad and Exchange students only.

Subjects and structure

Three subjects (8 credit points each) are offered in both Autumn and Spring sessions. Three subjects or 24 credit points in each session is considered a full-time academic load in the Faculty.

Autumn

• 59712 Australian Language Studies
• 59713 Australian Media
• 59714 Australians at Work

Spring

• 59709 Australian Conversations
• 59722 Neighbourhoods and Stories
• 59711 Natural Australia

Subject descriptions

Australian Language Studies
Develop your listening, reading, writing and speaking skills, with material mainly related to Australia’s education system.

Australian Media
Build your academic language skills by exploring Indigenous and migrant identity themes in Australian films and television.

Australians at Work
Improve your academic language skills by exploring themes and issues in Australian workplace culture and practices.

Australian Conversations
Develop your listening, reading, writing and speaking skills, with material mainly related to Australian tertiary education.

Neighbourhoods and Stories
Research one of Sydney’s diverse neighbourhoods to enhance your academic language skills.

Natural Australia
Refine your academic language skills by exploring issues related to Australia’s natural environment.

Why do this course?

• Immerse yourself. Learn English and study the Australian language and culture at an Australian university.
• Learn from the best. Our teaching staff specialise in language and literacy education.
• Study in the heart of Sydney, close to transport links, shops and the entertainment area.
• Get to know UTS. Gain access to the UTS Library, Wi-Fi and computing facilities, student union, clubs and societies from the moment you arrive.
• Keep progressing. If you meet UTS English language entry requirements after completing the ALCS, you can enrol in faculty subjects for your second session.

The student experience

“This program enables us to have a great experience at UTS, learning English through the study of Australian artists, geography and wildlife. All the classes stimulate our understanding and our writing skills. We mostly work in small groups so we can improve our ability to speak English. We also meet a lot of friendly classmates in a cool but still serious atmosphere. I really love learning this way!” — Floriane, France

“The classes here are completely different from those in Japan. I’m learning lots of things I didn’t know before” — Haruka, Japan

“I strongly recommend studying at UTS. For the six months that I studied at UTS, I had a different and memorable time. Australian Language and Culture Studies is a good program for non-English speakers to learn English” — Yi Ru, Taiwan

Why study in Sydney?

Why not? With its sunny, coastal lifestyle, mix of cultures and friendly people, there’s a lot to love about Sydney. It’s a vibrant, diverse and tolerant city of nearly five million people that welcomes all people.

When you’re not on campus, there’s lots to do, from festivals and cultural events to outdoor activities like surfing and hiking. Sydney is also home to some of the world’s most desirable destinations (Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains, anyone?), and is close to lots of must-see places for that perfect weekend trip.

UTS is located in the heart of the creative industries and urban dining culture precinct in Sydney, just a five-minute walk from Central Station.

Entry criteria

This program is for international Study Abroad and Exchange students coming to UTS who have not met minimum University English Language entry requirements.

Entry requirements

For entry into the ALCS, you must meet the following English language requirements:

• IELTS: 5.0 and above (all bands)
• TOEFL Internet-Based Test: 35 and above

Once you’ve completed a session of ALCS, you can take an IELTS or TOEFL test. If your test results meet the UTS minimum English language entry requirements, you can enrol in faculty subjects as a Study Abroad or Exchange student for your second session of study.

For full details of all the entry tests and scores accepted by UTS Study Abroad and Exchange Programs please see our entry requirements page.

How to apply

You’ll be able to apply to study the ALCS program for one or two sessions as a UTS Study Abroad or Exchange Student. Visit the Steps to applying page to access the online application form and further information on how to apply.

On your application remember to select the ALCS program and choose the ALCS subjects you wish to study. If your university is a partner of UTS, please consult with your home university Exchange program to seek approval and support.