English for academic purposes

English for Academic Purposes

Set yourself up for success at Southern Cross University with our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. EAP will build on your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. You will also improve your academic and digital literacy practices, including researching, referencing, note-taking, using the Southern Cross University Learning Management System, and giving presentations.

Which level should I choose?

Your EAP level will be selected based on your level of English language skills during your application.

  • EAP1 - Entry to courses with Academic IELTS 5.5 and 6.0 (CEFR B2)
  • EAP2 - Entry to courses with Academic IELTS 6.5 (CEFR B2+)
  • EAP3 - Entry to courses with Academic IELTS 7.0 (CEFR C1)

Students studying EAP must be on a student visa and class attendance is
closely monitored as per the Attendance Policy for ELICOS Programs.

How to apply

Click on the Apply button below to register for English language Programs

Apply

When can I start?

Our intensive EAP program runs three times a year, just before university classes begin. Individual students’ EAP pathway lengths vary, depending on the number of weeks they require to enter their university course.

Leading into Term 3 Weeks of English Start Date End Date
Term 3, 2026
starts:Monday, 06 July
(O Week: 29 June 2026)		 50 02 June 2025 12 June 2026
45 07 July 2025 12 June 2026
40 18 August 2025 12 June 2026
35 22 September 2025 12 June 2026
30 27 October 2025 12 June 2026
25 01 December 2025 12 June 2026
20 19 January 2026 12 June 2026
15* 23 February 2026 12 June 2026
10 30 March 2026 12 June 2026
5 11 May 2026 12 June 2026

*Start date for the Undergraduate Qualifying Program

Leading into Term 5 Weeks of English Start Date End Date

Term 5, 2026
starts: Monday, 26 October
(O Week: 19 October 2026)

 50 29 September 2025 09 October 2026
45 03 November 2025 09 October 2026
40 08 December 2025 09 October 2026
35 26 January 2026 09 October 2026
30 02 March 2026 09 October 2026
25 06 April 2026 09 October 2026
20 18 May 2026 09 October 2026
15* 22 June 2026 09 October 2026
10 27 July 2026 09 October 2026
5 07 September 2026 09 October 2026

*Start date for the Undergraduate Qualifying Program

EAP start dates leading to Term 1, 3, 5 2027 & Term 1 2028

 

 

 

Leading into Term 1 Weeks of English Start Date End Date
Term 1, 2027
Starts: Monday, 08 March 2027
(0 week: 01 March 2027) 		 50 02 February 2026 12 February 2027
45 09 March 2026 12 February 2027
40 13 April 2026 12 February 2027
35 25 May 2026 12 February 2027
30 29 June 2026 12 February 2027
25 03 August 2026 12 February 2027
20 14 September 2026 12 February 2027
15* 19 October 2026 12 February 2027
10 23 November 2026 12 February 2027
5 11 January 2027 12 February 2027

*Start date for the Undergraduate Qualifying Program

 

 

Leading into Term 3 Weeks of English Start Date End Date
Term 3, 2027
starts: Monday, 5 July 2027 
(O Week: 28 June 2027)		 50 01 June 2026 11 June 2027
45 06 July 2026 11 June 2027
40 17 August 2026 11 June 2027
35 21 September 2026 11 June 2027
30 26 October 2026 11 June 2027
25 30 November 2026 11 June 2027
20 18 January 2027 11 June 2027
15* 22 February 2027 11 June 2027
10 29 March 2027 11 June 2027
5 10 May 2027 11 June 2027

*Start date for the Undergraduate Qualifying Program

Leading into Term 5 Weeks of English Start Date End Date

Term 5, 2027
starts: Monday, 25 October 2027
(O Week: 18 October 2027)

 50 28 September 2026 08 October 2027
45 02 November 2026 08 October 2027
40 07 December 2026 08 October 2027
35 25 January 2027 08 October 2027
30 01 March 2027 08 October 2027
25 05 April 2027 08 October 2027
20 17 May 2027 08 October 2027
15* 21 June 2027 08 October 2027
10 26 July 2027 08 October 2027
5 06 September 2027 08 October 2027

*Start date for the Undergraduate Qualifying Program

EAP start dates leading to Term 1, 3, 5 2027 & Term 1 2028

 

 

 

Leading into Term 1 Weeks of English Start Date End Date

Term 1, 2028
starts: Monday, 6 March 2028
(0 week: 28 Feb 2028) 

 

 

 

 50 01 February 2027  11 February 2028
45 08 March 2027  11 February 2028
40 12 April 2027  11 February 2028
35 24 May 2027  11 February 2028
30 28 June 2027  11 February 2028
25 02 August 2027  11 February 2028
20 13 September 2027  11 February 2028
15* 18 October 2027  11 February 2028
10 22 November 2027  11 February 2028
5 10 January 2028  11 February 2028

*Start date for the Undergraduate Qualifying Program

2026 ELP Breaks:

  • Monday 22 December 2024 – Sunday 4 January 2026                                        
  • Monday 20 April 2026 – Sunday 26 April 2026
  • Monday 10 August 2026 – Sunday 16 August 2026
  • Monday 21 December 2026 - Sunday 3 January 2027

 

2026 Public Holidays:

  • New Year - Thursday, 1 January 2026
  • Australia Day - Monday 26 January 2026
  • Good Friday - Friday 03 April 2026
  • Easter Monday - Monday 06 April 2026
  • Anzac Day - Friday 25 April 2025
  • Labour Day - Monday 04 May 2026 (Gold Coast Campus ONLY)
  • Kings Birthday - Monday 08 June 2026 (Lismore Campus ONLY)
  • Gold Coast Show Day - Friday, 28 August 2026 (Gold Coast only) **
  • King's Birthday QLD/Labour Day NSW - Monday 05 October 2026

**Expected day

2027 ELP Breaks:

  • Monday 21 December 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027
  • Monday 19 April 2027 – Sunday 25 April 2027
  • Monday 09 August 2027 – Sunday 15 August 2027
  • Monday 20 December 2027 - Sunday 02 January 2028

 

2027 Public Holidays:

  • New Year - Friday, 1 January 2027
  • Australia Day - Tuesday, 26 January 2027
  • Good Friday - Friday, 26 March 2027
  • Easter Monday - Monday, 29 March 2027
  • Anzac Day - Sunday, 25 April 2027
  • Anzac Day - Monday, 26 April 2027
  • Labour Day - Monday 03 May 2027 (Gold Coast Campus ONLY)
  • King's Birthday - Monday 14 June 2027 (Lismore Campus ONLY)
  • Gold Coast Show Day - Friday, 27 August 2027 (Gold Coast only) **
  • King's Birthday QLD / Labour Day NSW - Monday 04 October 2027

**Expected day

What will I study?

All English for Academic Purposes (EAP) classes include:

  • 20 hours of face-to-face tuition per week from experienced and qualified TESOL teachers
  • 5+ hours of independent self-study
  • Classes focused on the development of academic and digital literacies needed for successful study in Australian universities.
  • Formative and summative assessments that develop students’ understanding of research, referencing, note-taking, presentations and SCU’s Learning Management System.
  • Access to library, computer laboratories and other university facilities
  • Program completion documents.

Successful completion of the EAP program may lead to enrolment in diplomas through to postgraduate qualifications. Please contact us for entry levels for specific programs.

What will it cost?

2026 Tuition costs:

  • $460 per week for 15 weeks or less (20 hours face-to-face tuition + 5 hours self-study)*
  • $270 enrolment fee (non-refundable)

*$420 for 16+ weeks in 2025

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Our English language programs

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Ready to take the next step?

Enquire today to discover the possibilities with Southern Cross University.

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Contact SCU College

Dean, SCU College - Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic Quality)  SCU College team
Professor Thomas Roche Gold Coast, Lismore and Coffs Harbour
T: +61 7 5589 3366

E: colldirector@scu.edu.au

 T: +61 7 5589 3366

E: scucollege@scu.edu.au