Academic English support
If you want to improve your English language skills, UQ has free opportunities on and off campus.
You can attend the free courses listed below if you are:
- currently enrolled in a UQ degree program, and/or
- a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) student, or having English as an additional language (EAL).
These short courses are held each semester and are designed to fit your study.
| Course | Description | Targeting Cohort |
ACE101x is a practical, completely online introductory course for those at university or planning to attend university. This course focuses on the processes involved in planning for, producing and self-reviewing a piece of academic writing. Particular attention is given to argumentative research essays, which are the most common form of academic writing required of students at university level. | All international students | |
| WRITE101X | WRITE101X is practical and introductory course to build your skills in academic writing. This course focuses on the processes involved in planning for, producing and self-reviewing a piece of academic writing. Particular attention is given to argumentative research essays, which are the most common form of academic writing required of students at university level. This course examines the overall structure of an argumentative essay, considering a general framework that can be used for any topic. Practical advice is provided about how to brainstorm, locate information online and evaluate the quality of potential sources of information. | All students |
ACE2 is a practical completely online introductory course into HDR academic writing for research purposes, taking students through the processes of planning and drafting a complete thesis, dissertation or research article. Key skills include devising a research topic, searching for and evaluating the research of others, and understanding disciplinary variation in academic writing. | All HDR students inc honors, MA coursework, Mphil and PHD | |
Potential and current UQ students can prepare for the IELTS Academic tests in this comprehensive, self-paced course covering listening, speaking, reading and writing. | All international studetns | |
UQ College English for Academic Communication (EAC) - General | Free academic language modules for current international/EAL CALD students. Offerings include: comm challenges at Uni, Grammar refresher, annotated bibliographies, literature reviews, critical thinking and writing, oral presentations, reflective writing, report writing for business and social science, report writing for STEM, research essays, case studies, ABC,s of language for writing | All EAL/CALD students |
UQ College English for Academic Communication (EAC) - Discipline Specific | Free courses for current international/EAL CALD students studying in specific courses. The site provides links to EAC faculty-specific courses for: Engineering UG & PG, Dentistry, HDR STEM & HASS, Postgrad Law, Pharmacy (Script), Masters of Pharma Industry Practice, Translation and Interpreting, Architecture, Business | All EAL/CALD students |
Faculty Specific
Business, Economics and Law
| Course | Description | Targeting Cohort |
| Management Communication (MGTS7610) | This PG course will develop written and spoken skills. Students will enhance their writing by learning about and applying skills of paragraph development, 'Plain English' style, and the syntactic structure of clauses and phrases. Students will apply these skills in business contexts (for example: reports, proposals, letters) and academic contexts (the research paper and case study). Speaking skills will be enhanced by understanding and applying oral communication in impromptu and formal speaking (the 5-minute 'pitch'). | Master of Business students |
Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology
| Course | Description | Targeting Cohort |
| Academic English Screening | A screening tool designed by UQC specifically for engineering/IT students to determine if they would benefit from additional academic English language support. Offered to all new EAIT students at the beginning of the semester. | All new students (EAIT) |
| EAC IT | Integrated Discipline specific support for all PG/UG students taking DECO1100 and DECO7110 | All PG/UG students taking DECO1100 and DECO7110 |
Health and Behavioural Sciences
| Course | Description | Targeting Cohort |
| Psychology Student Support Tutors (PSST) | Tutors to provide help with ideas for assignments, planning, structure and flow and writing tips, and study tips for exams. | Psychology students |
Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
| Course | Description | Targeting Cohort |
| Academic Writing for HDR students - HASS (Online Course) | An interactive, online course designed to help HDR students in STEM and HASS improve their Academic English writing skills PURPOSE: Academic Writing self-access modules for HDR students in the UQ Graduate School | New HDR students (HASS) |
Free courses for current UQ students who are international or from EAL background. The site provides links to EAC general and Faculty-specific courses for: | Master of Arts in Translation and Interpreting students | |
WRIT1001 is designed to assist international and domestic undergraduate students who use English as a second language. The course teaches a range of skills necessary to participate in academic life, including academic English, digital literacy, critical thinking, and citation and referencing. | All UG EAL students (HASS) | |
HASS Academic English and Thesis Writing for International Students (WRIT6001) | This course is for (post)graduate students who use English as a second language. It is open to domestic and international students as long as they are not native speakers of English. This course is pre-approved for Study Abroad and Exchange students. | All PG EAL students (HASS) |
Other Resources
| Course | Description | Targeting Cohort |
| This new online course by IEEE enables professional engineers and technical professionals whose first language is not English to improve their language skills in a way that fits the needs and priorities of working adults in the engineering fields. This course presents the English language standards and practice activities that are essential for your daily success—whether you want to describe a project to a peer, submit a technical proposal to a funding source, or justify your technical findings to a supervisor. | All students (EAIT) | |
Academic and conversational English language skills (LinkedIn Learning) | Free courses on LinkedIn Learning for current UQ students to help support conversational and English language skills | All students |
You can also attend classes or join groups to improve your conversational English skills. For example:
- the Your English Corner website lists free English classes held around Brisbane
- the Brisbane ESL English as a Second Language Group runs events where you can practice your English and improve your social and professional networking skills
- English conversation groups meet at Brisbane libraries regularly. To find a group near you, search the Brisbane City Council Library events calendar and select 'English conversation groups' as the subtype.
For more UQ offerings:
| Item | Description | Targeting Cohort |
Assists Psychology international students to settle in – academically, culturally and socially. The site promotes sessions on Writing, understanding the workplace, mental well-being and links to social events. | International Psychology students | |
UQU-affiliated clubs and societies promoted on the website under Connecting U - Boost your social life. Links are provided to 32 clubs and many have their own Facebook pages. | International students | |
A range of mentoring programs are available to support students in their transition to university, and foster positive cultural, social and professional connections. | Domestic and international students | |
The Language Exchange Program is a mutually beneficial peer-to-peer language program. Aims to provide conversational speaking opportunities for students who are interested in learning, developing or sustaining non-native languages. Students can search through the recommended fluent speakers and match with someone. | Domestic and international students | |
Student-run peer-assisted study sessions (both in-person and online). Past students scheduled to assist with first and second-year courses offered as part of Science Programs | All students | |
Writing mentors in the Peer Writing Support program discuss students' drafts with them to improve the quality of their assignments and academic papers and develop their academic writing skills. | Domestic and International Students | |
Free conversation club - groups are run by experienced volunteer tutors | International students and visiting staff | |
This extracurricular program mixes online modules with face-to-face events and covers topics including the psychology of leadership theory, emotional intelligence, the difference between leadership and management, how to lead yourself and others, and peer mentoring. | All students, by application | |
UQ Science Gatton International Students Association (UQGISA) | A student-run international association that engages international students through cultural events and provides assistance to help them adjust to campus life and cultural shock. Non-international students are welcome. | International students at Gatton |
Volunteering opportunities for students to build skills and extend professional and personal networks. | Domestic and international students |
Other Resources
| Course | Description | Targeting Cohort |
| This new online course by IEEE enables professional engineers and technical professionals whose first language is not English to improve their language skills in a way that fits the needs and priorities of working adults in the engineering fields. This course presents the English language standards and practice activities that are essential for your daily success—whether you want to describe a project to a peer, submit a technical proposal to a funding source, or justify your technical findings to a supervisor. | All students (EAIT) | |
Academic and conversational English language skills (LinkedIn Learning) | Free courses on LinkedIn Learning for current UQ students to help support conversational and English language skills | All students |
Learning Advisers
Our advisers can help undergraduate and postgraduate students in all programs clarify ideas from workshops, help you develop skills and give feedback on assignments.
Student Services
If you're having trouble booking online, contact Student Services.
Phone Student Services on 1300 275 870
Email student.services@uq.edu.au
Vist Student Central (Building 42, St Lucia campus)
Live chat with us (8.30am—4.30pm)