The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at Kaplan International College Adelaide (KICA) is an English-language preparation program designed for international students who need to improve their English proficiency before progressing to academic study in Australia. KICA describes it as preparation for study in an English-speaking academic environment, with a focus on language proficiency as well as academic study skills.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Designed to develop the English skills needed for academic study in Australia.
• Covers speaking, writing, reading, listening, grammar and vocabulary.
• Includes academic skills such as research, academic integrity, presentations, critical thinking and creative thinking.
• Develops group and team collaboration skills.
• Students are assessed weekly to monitor progress.
• KICA states that students receive individual attention through small classes.
• Maximum class size is 18 students.
• Generally 20 contact hours are provided per week.
• Students learn in an English-speaking academic environment and are introduced to aspects of Australian culture.
• KICA provides counselling and student-support services.
• Extracurricular activities are available to enhance the student experience.
• KICA is a member of English Australia.
• The program is taught by qualified and experienced English-language teaching professionals.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

EAP focuses on English-language development together with academic study skills.

The core areas include:

• Speaking
• Writing
• Reading
• Listening
• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Academic communication
• Group and team collaboration
• Critical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Research skills
• Academic integrity
• Presentations
• Academic study skills
• Communication in an English-speaking academic environment.

Disciplines / Specialisations

EAP does not have formal majors or specialisations.

It is designed to support students preparing for further academic study across different fields. KICA's pathway information connects English preparation with:

• Foundation Studies
• Degree Transfer Programs
• Pre-Master's Programs
• Bachelor's degree study
• Second-year bachelor's pathways
• Master's degree study. 

Programme Highlights

• English-language preparation specifically designed for academic study.
• 10-week or 20-week study options.
• Approximately 20 contact hours per week.
• Maximum class size of 18.
• Weekly progress assessment.
• Academic English development.
• Academic research preparation.
• Academic integrity and referencing-related preparation.
• Presentation skills.
• Critical and creative thinking.
• Group and team collaboration.
• Speaking, listening, reading and writing development.
• Grammar and vocabulary development.
• Student counselling and support.
• Extracurricular activities.
• English Australia membership.
• CRICOS code 069098D.
• International tuition fee of A$500 per week.

Career Outcomes

EAP is not a vocational qualification and does not itself lead to a specific occupation.

Its purpose is to improve English proficiency and academic communication so students can successfully undertake subsequent academic study.

Potential longer-term outcomes depend on the student's subsequent qualification, for example:

• bachelor's degree
• postgraduate degree
• professional qualification
• research study.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current KICA website lists EAP as an active English-language program with CRICOS code 069098D and a current international tuition rate of A$500 per week.

A significant point for students is that EAP is generally connected to the English requirement of the student's intended academic program. KICA states that its EAP information includes IELTS scores and recommended durations needed to reach the required progression score.

Students should therefore establish:

1. their current English score;
2. the English requirement of their intended KICA pathway or Adelaide University course;
3. the recommended EAP duration;
4. the required progression score; and
5. whether any additional English requirement applies to the destination course.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying EAP in Australia may require an Australian Student visa (subclass 500), depending on the duration and circumstances of their study.

The Department of Home Affairs states that a person undertaking study in Australia under the Student visa program must meet the applicable Student visa requirements. A student studying a course longer than three months must obtain a Student visa before commencing under the circumstances described in the migration framework.

For an international EAP student, important requirements can include:

• valid passport and identity documentation;
• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), where required;
• appropriate health insurance / OSHC;
• Genuine Student requirement;
• evidence of financial capacity where required;
• health requirements;
• character requirements;
• compliance with Student visa conditions.

Genuine Student requirement

The Genuine Student requirement applies to current Student visa applications and requires applicants to demonstrate that studying in Australia is their genuine purpose.

For an EAP applicant, the study plan should be coherent. For example, an applicant intending to use EAP to meet the English requirement for a subsequent university degree should be able to explain the relationship between their English preparation and their intended academic study.

Student Visa English Requirement

The English requirement for admission to KICA's EAP program should not automatically be treated as the same as the English requirement for the Australian Student visa.

The visa English requirement is determined under current Department of Home Affairs rules and can depend on the applicant's circumstances, approved test and applicable exemptions.