Language and culture

AUT's language and culture programmes focus on language in its widest sense. Our courses cover the study of languages such as New Zealand Sign Language, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, Korean and Samoan, as well as the areas of creative writing, English and its relationship with new media, translation and interpreting, international studies and the importance of intercultural competencies, discourse analysis and language teaching.

A certificate or diploma will give you an introduction to your chosen subject and can prepare you for further study.

Research in language and culture

We believe in high-quality research that has impact, and have world-class researchers and research strengths across the field of language and culture.

More about our research

International student exchange

Immerse yourself in another culture while you study and have the adventure of your life. Check out where you can go on exchange – and read some stories from returned AUT students.

Exchange for AUT students

Centre for Creative Writing

AUT’s Centre for Creative Writing offers an open and exciting learning environment where you can pursue your creative writing ideas and turn them into reality. Based in Auckland city, the centre offers multiple study pathways and the chance to gain advanced qualifications.

Centre for Creative Writing

News
Sam Orchard and SSBD logo
Siobhan Harvey holding a book of poetry in her office.
New Internz
Four people standing in a row at the International Writers Workshop awards ceremony, from left: Duncan Perkinson, Gillian Roach, Siobhan Harvey, and Bryan Walpert.
QS stars 2019
News pattern
Sam Orchard and SSBD logo
Same Same But Different 2020
07 Feb, 2020
2020 is a big year for Same Same But Different, as AUT alum Sam Orchard takes the helm as programme director.
Siobhan Harvey holding a book of poetry in her office.
Lecturer wins Robert Burns poetry award
05 Feb, 2020
Creative Writing Lecturer Siobhan Harvey has won the Robert Burns Poetry Competition for 2020.
New Internz
Say kia ora to the new Internz
04 Dec, 2019
24 AUT graduates have been selected by international companies including TimeZoneOne, Play Rugby USA, and Smithsonian to be international interns in 2020.
Four people standing in a row at the International Writers Workshop awards ceremony, from left: Duncan Perkinson, Gillian Roach, Siobhan Harvey, and Bryan Walpert.
Siobhan Harvey scoops poetry award
21 Nov, 2019
The prestigious Kathleen Grattan Prize for a Sequence of Poems has this year been awarded to an AUT creative writing lecturer.
QS stars 2019
AUT gets 5 QS stars in all categories
13 Nov, 2019
AUT has received the maximum five stars for the first time in every category according to the global education analysts QS in their recent results.
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Rebekah Guy
Rohan Willis
Chien-ju Ting
Mary Wilkins
Thalia Henry
Rebekah Guy
Great graduatesRebekah GuyNew Zealand Sign Language InterpreterBachelor of ArtsWhen Rebekah Guy first discovered Sign Language interpreting, it was love at first sight. Now, a Sign Language Interpreter, she loves the variety of her work.When Rebekah Guy first discovered Sign Language interpreting, it was love at first sight. Choosing to study at AUT was a life-changing decision for her. Once she had made the decision, she instantly knew it was the right one. She enjoyed being part of the supportive environment, and loved that the classes were interactive and could be adapted to the needs of Sign Language classes.
Rohan Willis
Great graduatesRohan WillisDoctor of PhilosophyAUT’s culture makes it stand out from other universities, says Rohan Willis who came to AUT as an international student from the USA to complete a PhD.AUT’s culture makes it stand out from other universities, says Rohan Willis who came to AUT as an international student from the USA to complete a PhD in applied language studies. For his doctoral research Rohan is exploring how learning another language influences New Zealand-based ESOL teachers’ professional knowledge and classroom practice.
Chien-ju Ting
Great graduatesChien-ju TingDoctor of PhilosophyFor her AUT Doctor of Philosophy research, sociolinguist Chien-ju Ting is currently investigating Taiwan's Indigenous language revitalisation policies.For her PhD research, sociolinguist Chien-ju Ting is investigating Taiwan's Indigenous language revitalisation policies. She has enjoyed the events and opportunities postgraduate students have access to, says Chien-ju who is the PhD student representative for the School of Language and Culture and expects to complete her PhD in 2020.
Mary Wilkins
Great graduatesMary WilkinsDoctor of Philosophy
Master of Creative Writing
Bachelor of ArtsHow is mental health represented in literature? That is the interesting topic Mary Wilkins is currently exploring for her PhD in creative writing at AUT.How is mental health represented in literature? That is the interesting topic Mary Wilkins is exploring for her PhD. She began researching this topic in her master’s degree but felt she had only just scratched the surface. Supervised by Dr Paul Mountfort from AUT’s School of Language and Culture, Mary hopes her research will creative additional support for teenagers with mental health issues.
Thalia Henry
Great graduatesThalia HenryAuthorMaster of Creative WritingNot many award-winning novels start life as a postgraduate assignment, but that was certainly the case for Thalia Henry and her debut novel Beneath Pale Water.Not many award-winning novels start life as a postgraduate assignment, but that was certainly the case for Thalia Henry and her debut novel Beneath Pale Water. The novel was recently awarded an IPPY gold medal award in the category Best Regional Fiction, Australia and New Zealand. Since graduating from AUT, Thalia has been busy writing as well as helping other authors get their work published.
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Contact details

Contact us online
Phone 0800 AUT UNI (0800 288 864)

School of Language and Culture
AUT Tower (WT Building), Level 8
Corner Rutland and Wakefield Streets
Auckland City
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