We offer a variety of English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) at different levels. We use an active teaching approach to help you learn English. We target reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Many of our courses use our own textbooks and teaching materials. Assessment is a combination of ongoing assessment and final assessment tasks at the end of each course.

Study our courses overseas

We have several partner institutions in China, where you can study VU's English for Academic Purposes:

Learning activities in class

During your classes you will participate in:

  • class discussions and role plays
  • presentations and debates
  • essay and report writing
  • videos and audio learning
  • workshops and tutorials
  • quizzes and tests
  • journal/diary writing
  • computer assisted learning

The average class size is 15 students (maximum of 18 students). Our students study 20 hours a week, 4 hours per day. There are usually 2 hours of morning classes and two hours of afternoon classes. On most days, additional support classes are provided during lunch breaks.

English levels & pathways

There are six levels in VU English from elementary to advanced. Upon successful completion of a level you can:

  • advance to a course in the next level
  • specialise in an area that interests you, or
  • apply to TAFE or University.

We will assess which level is right for you through the VU English Placement Test.

All courses are 5 to 10 weeks in duration.

Level English Language Entry Level General English (GE) English For Academic Purposes (LEL) English For Academic Purposes (EAP) VU Pathways

6

Advanced 2
Approximate IELTS: 6.0/PTE 51-59/TOEFL IBT: 60-78
    EAP 6 Most VU courses requiring IELTS 6.5 or 7 entry (see VU website for exceptions)
5

 

Advanced 1
Approximate IELTS: 5.5/PTE 44-50/TOEFL IBT: 46-59
GE 5 IEL5 EAP 5 Courses requiring IELTS 6.0 entry
4 Upper intermediate
Approximate IELTS: 5.0/PTE 37-43/TOEFL IBT: 35-45
GE 4

 

  EAP 4

 

Courses requiring IELTS 5.5 entry

 

3

 

Intermediate
Approximate IELTS: 4.5/PTE 30-36/TOEFL IBT: 32-34
GE 3

 

     
2

 

Pre-intermediate
Approximate IELTS: 4.0/TOEFL IBT: 20-31
GE 2      
1

 

Elementary
Approximate IELTS: 3.5/TOEFL IBT: 0-19
GE 1

 

     

Level 1 is our lowest English level. Students completing this level have an English ability equivalent to IELTS 3.5.

Course offered

Pathway

After successfully completing this course you can advance to General English level 2.

Level 2 is our pre-intermediate English level. Students completing this level have an English ability equivalent to IELTS 4.5.

Course offered

Pathway

After successfully completing this course you can advance to General English level 3.

Level 3 is our intermediate English level. Students completing this level have an English ability equivalent to IELTS 5.0.

Course offered

Pathway

After successfully completing this course you can advance to Level 4 – upper intermediate.


 

Level 4 is our upper-intermediate English level. Students completing this level have an English ability equivalent to IELTS 5.5.

Courses offered

Pathways

Successfully completing General English Level 4 allows you to advance to General English Level 5.

Successfully completing EAP 4 allows you to move to EAP 5 or enter a TAFE diploma. Level 4 meets the English language admission requirements for diploma courses.

Level 5 is our advanced English level. Students completing this level have an English ability equivalent to IELTS 6.0

Course offered

Pathway

After successfully completing EAP 5 you can:

  • progress to EAP Advanced 2
  • apply to study a bachelor degree - EAP 5 meets the English language admission requirements for a bachelor degree.

Level 6 is our most advanced level. Students completing this level have an English ability equivalent to IELTS 6.5.

Course offered

Pathway

Level 6 meets the English language admission requirements for postgraduate degrees. After successfully completing this level you can enter a Masters or PhD course. Students entering a Masters course need a minimum of a pass. Students entering a PhD course need score of 70% or higher.

Successfully completing levels 4-6 gives you the skills to meet the English language admission requirements for Victoria University’s TAFE and university courses. Search for a course.

Pathways

  • Level 4 gives you access to study diploma courses.
  • Level 5 gives you access to study bachelor courses.
  • Level 6 gives you access to study masters and PhD courses.