Centre for English Teaching

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Direct Entry Course

Gain entry to your degree at the University of Sydney and build peer networks
  • https://www.sydney.edu.au/cet/how-to-apply.html Apply now Apply now

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The Direct Entry Course (DEC) is a tailored program which helps you develop your English and academic skills before commencing a degree at an Australian university.

CRICOS Course Code 083314F

    Title : Online and in-person study

    Description : The balance of in-person classes and online study gives you flexibility in how you learn

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    Icon: /content/dam/icons/approved-icons/balance-yoga-flexibility.svg

    Title : Support when you need it

    Description : We'll support you with individual progress monitoring, intervention and guidance, and consultation sessions

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    Title : Build confidence

    Description : Develop the skills that help you understand in lectures and tutorials and have robust discussions with your classmates

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    What you'll learn

    • English language and academic skills through units of study based on discipline-specific themes and genre based assessments
    • Academic digital literacy skills through collaborative project-based research assignments
    • Study skills by using reflective practice
    • Develop your academic style, academic vocabulary and essay writing, report writing and case study skills as well as academic discussion skills
    • Develop critical thinking, problem solving and multimedia presentation skills through collaborative projects
    • Improve your individual language learning needs through online self-study resources
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    You will need a laptop computer (Windows or Apple) to participate in the course. Tablet devices such as iPads are not sufficient.

    Bring your own device (BYOD)

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    Learning support

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    Our learning support program enables you to further strengthen your skills throughout the course and for university. 

    You'll be supported with individual progress monitoring, intervention and guidance, individual consultations with teacher or counsellor (with up to 20 hours of additional support per course), and assessment-focused teacher input.

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    How long you'll need to study

    Students will study for 36, 25, 15, 10 or 5 teaching weeks.  All courses involve 20 hours of classes per week.

    Course length depends on the gap between your current IELTS score and the English requirement of your degree course. 

    You can use the calculator to find the duration that suits you. 

    Ensure you know:

    • your current and most recent English test score
    • what University course you want to study
    • the English test score required for that course, i.e. your target score.

    Check the test concordance table (pdf, 139KB) for the IELTS score that matches your English language score. 

    Then use the calculator to find the DEC duration that suits your needs.

    You cannot study a DEC that does not match up to your current and target overall scores as shown in the table.

      Target IELTS
    Current IELTS 6 6.5 7 7.5
    5   DEC 36    
    5.5 DEC 15 or 10 DEC 25 DEC 36  
    6 DEC 5 DEC 15 or 10 DEC 25 DEC 36
    6.5 DEC 5 DEC 5 DEC 15 or 10 DEC 25
    7   DEC 5 DEC 5 DEC 15 or 10
    7.5     DEC 5 DEC 5

    Upcoming intakes

     

    Start date End date CET payment deadline
    21 September 2026 25 June 2027 24 July 2026
    19 April 2027 28 January 2028 19 February 2027

     

     

    Start date End date CET payment deadline
    07 December 2026 25 June 2027 09 October 2026

     

     

    Start date End date CET payment deadline
    21 September 2026 22 January 2027 24 July 2026
    08 March 2027 25 June 2027 08 January 2027

    Start date End date CET payment deadline
    26 October 2026 22 January 2027 28 August 2026
    19 April 2027 25 June 2027 19 February 2027

    Start date End date CET payment deadline
    07 December 2026 22 January 2027 09 October 2026
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    In December 2024, the Australian Government introduced Ministerial Direction 111, leading to expected 2025 Student Visa processing times of 8 weeks or longer (up to 16 weeks). As a result, CET now allows 8 weeks between Payment Deadlines and course start dates. Students are strongly encouraged to complete enrolment early by accepting their CET Offer and making payment promptly.

    Accept offers and make payment as early as possible

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    Entry requirements

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    To study this course, you will need:

    • A conditional offer from the University of Sydney.
    • Your current and most recent IELTS test result or equivalent (e.g. PTE, Cambridge English and TOEFL results). Read the full conditions on the English language requirements page.

    Entry requirements may be subject to change without notice. See below for additional conditions specific to each course.

    • No more than 1.5 bands below degree entry requirements overall.
    Degrees requiring an English level of IELTS 6.5

    For students requiring an overall target score of 6.5, no more than 1.5 bands below degree entry requirement in any skill.

    IELTS score required Minimum degree requirements Minimum DEC 36 requirements
    Overall 6.5 5.0
    Listening 6.0 4.5
    Reading 6.0 4.5
    Writing 6.0 4.5
    Speaking 6.0 4.5
    Degrees requiring an English level of IELTS 7.0

    For students requiring an overall target score of 7 or more, no more than 1 band below degree entry requirement in any skill, and a minimum of 5.5 in reading and listening.

    IELTS score required Minimum degree requirements Minimum DEC 36 requirements
    Overall 7.0 5.5
    Listening 6.0 5.5
    Reading 6.0 5.5
    Writing 6.0 5.0
    Speaking 6.0 5.0

     

     

    Degrees requiring an English level of IELTS 6.5 or 7.0
    • No more than 1 band below degree entry requirement overall.
    • No more than 1.5 bands below degree entry requirement in any skill.
    IELTS score required Minimum degree requirements Minimum DEC 25 requirements
    Overall 6.5 / 7.0 5.5 / 6.0
    Listening 6.0 4.5
    Reading 6.0 4.5
    Writing 6.0 4.5
    Speaking 6.0 4.5
    Degrees requiring an English level of IELTS 7.0 or above in all skills
    • For students requiring a target score of 7 or more in every skill, no more than 1 band below degree entry requirement in any skill.
    IELTS score required Minimum degree requirements Minimum DEC 25 requirements
    Overall 7.0 6.0
    Listening 7.0 6.0
    Reading 7.0 6.0
    Writing 7.0 6.0
    Speaking 7.0 6.0

     

     

    DEC 15 (15 teaching weeks)
    • No more than 0.5 bands below degree entry requirement overall.
    • No more than 1 band below degree entry requirement in any skill.
    DEC 10 (10 teaching weeks)
    • No more than 0.5 bands below degree entry requirement overall.
    • Degree entry requirements already achieved for each skill.
    DEC 5 (5 teaching weeks)
    • Overall degree entry requirement already achieved.
    • 0.5 bands below degree entry requirement in one skill only.

    Fee information

    2026 fees

    Course duration Tuition fee Admin fee Materials fee
    DEC 36 (36 teaching weeks) A$24,624 A$300 A$460
    DEC 25 A$17,100 A$300 A$350
    DEC 15 A$10,260 A$300 A$250
    DEC 10 A$6,840 A$300 A$200
    DEC 5 A$3,420 A$300 A$150

    Terms and conditions

    Please read the Centre for English Teaching (CET) terms and conditions that apply to you.

    Credit card surcharges

    A surcharge will apply for payments by credit and debit cards:

    • Domestic Visa and Mastercard Credit:  0.7%
    • International Visa and Mastercard:  2.8%
    • American Express:  1.39%

    Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

    If you intend to study under a student visa, you will need Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

    CET can arrange OSHC for you with Bupa as part of the application process. Simply indicate the type of insurance required (single/couples/single parent/ family) on step 2 of the application form.

    You may also arrange your own cover. See the overseas student health cover page for approved providers.