Director's Welcome

Welcome to the English Language and Foundation Studies Centre at the University of Newcastle. Our University is located on the east coast of New South Wales in Australia, some 150km north of Sydney. Newcastle is the second largest city in New South Wales. Our aim is to provide Australian and International students with high quality programs to enable them to access University study.

The right program for you

The Centre provides both English Language and tertiary preparation programs. In the English Language area, the Centre incorporates a well regarded and comprehensive ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) programs.

In the tertiary preparation area, our Newstep program provides people aged 18 to 20 a "second chance" to study at university. This proven pathway has enabled many young people to access undergraduate studies since it was established in 1990. Our Open Foundation program is the largest of its kind in Australia, and has been successfully preparing mature-aged students to enter University for more than 30 years. Our Yapug program is designed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people qualify for entry into undergraduate degrees at the University of Newcastle. In addition, the International Foundation program offers international students a direct academic pathway to undergraduate study.

A place of opportunity

If you are a prospective international student, we believe we have the English Language programs to develop your language skills in preparation for further studies. If you are a prospective Australian student and are looking for the opportunity to change your life, our Foundation Studies programs will help you to realise your potential. The opportunity is yours for the taking.

Associate Professor Seamus Fagan
Centre Director
English Language & Foundation Studies Centre