Introduction to the Direct Entry Course

The Direct Entry Course (DEC) is a tailored program designed to help students develop their English and academic skills before commencing a degree at an Australian university.

Program Structure

The balance of in-person classes and online study gives students flexibility in how they learn. The program provides support through individual progress monitoring, intervention, and guidance, as well as consultation sessions. Students will develop the skills necessary to understand lectures and tutorials and engage in robust discussions with their classmates.

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
- Development of academic style, academic vocabulary, and essay writing, report writing, and case study skills, as well as academic discussion skills
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, and multimedia presentation skills through collaborative projects
- Improvement of individual language learning needs through online self-study resources

Program Requirements

Students 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)

The program requires students to bring their own device, which must meet the specified requirements.

Learning Support

The learning support program enables students to further strengthen their skills throughout the course and for university. This includes:

Individual progress monitoring, intervention, and guidance
Individual consultations with teachers or counsellors (up to 20 hours of additional support per course)
Assessment-focused teacher input
Online support via eLearning modules
Motivation and confidence-building workshops

Program Duration

Students will study for 36, 25, 15, 10, or 5 teaching weeks, with all courses involving 20 hours of classes per week. The course length depends on the gap between the student's current IELTS score and the English requirement of their degree course.

Determining Course Length

To determine the course length, students need to know their current and most recent English test score, the University course they want to study, and the English test score required for that course.

Entry Requirements

To study this course, students will need:

A conditional offer from the University of Sydney
Their current and most recent IELTS test result or equivalent

Entry requirements may be subject to change without notice. Additional conditions specific to each course are outlined below.

DEC 36 (36 teaching weeks)

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

DEC 25 (25 teaching weeks)

No more than 1 band below degree entry requirement overall
No more than 1.5 bands below degree entry requirement in any skill
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

DEC 15 (15 teaching weeks) and below

DEC 15: No more than 0.5 bands below degree entry requirement overall, and no more than 1 band below degree entry requirement in any skill
DEC 10: No more than 0.5 bands below degree entry requirement overall, and degree entry requirements already achieved for each skill
DEC 5: Overall degree entry requirement already achieved, and 0.5 bands below degree entry requirement in one skill only

Fee Information

Course Fees

2025 Fees

DEC 36 (36 teaching weeks): A$23,400 (tuition fee), A$300 (admin fee), A$460 (materials fee)
DEC 25: A$16,250 (tuition fee), A$300 (admin fee), A$350 (materials fee)
DEC 15: A$9,750 (tuition fee), A$300 (admin fee), A$250 (materials fee)
DEC 10: A$6,500 (tuition fee), A$300 (admin fee), A$200 (materials fee)
DEC 5: A$3,250 (tuition fee), A$300 (admin fee), A$150 (materials fee)

2026 Fees

DEC 36 (36 teaching weeks): A$24,624 (tuition fee), A$300 (admin fee), A$460 (materials fee)
DEC 25: A$17,100 (tuition fee), A$300 (admin fee), A$350 (materials fee)
DEC 15: A$10,260 (tuition fee), A$300 (admin fee), A$250 (materials fee)
DEC 10: A$6,840 (tuition fee), A$300 (admin fee), A$200 (materials fee)
DEC 5: A$3,420 (tuition fee), A$300 (admin fee), A$150 (materials fee)

Important Fee Information

DEC courses that start in 2025 have 2025 tuition fees applied, even where the course finishes in 2026
DEC courses that start in 2026 have 2026 tuition fees applied, except where the course has an offer made on or before October 10, 2025, in which case 2025 fees will be honored
Payments made by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) will incur a 1.53% surcharge
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is required for students intending to study under a student visa

Upcoming Intakes

DEC 36 (36 teaching weeks)

Start date: September 22, 2025, End date: June 26, 2026, CET payment deadline: July 25, 2025
Start date: April 20, 2026, End date: January 22, 2027, CET payment deadline: February 20, 2026
Start date: September 21, 2026, End date: June 25, 2027, CET payment deadline: July 24, 2026

DEC 25 (25 teaching weeks)

Start date: December 8, 2025, End date: June 26, 2026, CET payment deadline: October 10, 2025
Start date: July 6, 2026, End date: January 22, 2027, CET payment deadline: May 8, 2026
Start date: December 7, 2026, End date: June 25, 2027, CET payment deadline: October 9, 2026

DEC 15 (15 teaching weeks)

Start date: September 22, 2025, End date: January 23, 2026, CET payment deadline: July 25, 2025
Start date: March 9, 2026, End date: June 26, 2026, CET payment deadline: January 9, 2026
Start date: September 21, 2026, End date: January 22, 2027, CET payment deadline: July 24, 2026

DEC 10 (10 teaching weeks)

Start date: October 27, 2025, End date: January 23, 2026, CET payment deadline: August 29, 2025
Start date: April 20, 2026, End date: June 26, 2026, CET payment deadline: February 20, 2026
Start date: October 26, 2026, End date: January 22, 2027, CET payment deadline: August 28, 2026

DEC 5 (5 teaching weeks)

Start date: December 8, 2025, End date: January 23, 2026, CET payment deadline: October 10, 2025
Start date: May 25, 2026, End date: June 26, 2026, CET payment deadline: March 27, 2026
Start date: December 7, 2026, End date: January 22, 2027, CET payment deadline: October 9, 2026

Student Visa Processing Times

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, the Centre for English Teaching (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.

Direct Entry Course

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