Improve your English skills at Swinburne University.

Swinburne English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) are designed to help you improve your English language skills in preparation to study or to progress your career.

Swinburne offers two types of English language courses:

  1. General English (GE),  Levels 1–3 (Elementary to Intermediate)

  2. English for Academic Purposes (EAP),  Levels 3–5 (Intermediate to Advanced)

General English (GE) is designed to improve your language skills for day-to-day situations. It can also prepare you for further English language studies.

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is designed to teach you the language skills needed to study at university. It can help you meet the minimum English language entry requirements for entry to your chosen course at Swinburne.

When you choose ELICOS at Swinburne, the content and length of your course will be personalised to your existing English language skills. Our aim is to help you meet your goals. Course duration is between 5 and 50 weeks and courses begin every five weeks. ELICOS students have access to self-guided and online learning resources, participate in group projects and excursions, and have access to student clubs.

e-Learning and the Independent Learning Centre

All ELICOS students have access to the Independent Learning Centre at Swinburne’s Hawthorn campus. The centre offers many resources to help develop your e-learning, language and research skills.

Independent learning and research skills are an important part of university study. As part of your English language course, you will spend a minimum of five hours each week developing independent e-learning skills.

You will be offered access to free workshops and tutorials at the Independent Learning Centre and 24-hour library access to further improve your language skills.

You can complete the e-learning component of your course on our online learning management system, Canvas, from home or anywhere with a reliable internet connection.