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AUT

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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.

Undergraduate courses

Undergraduate study in language and culture will give you a solid grounding in your chosen area.

Bachelor's degree

Graduate certificates and diplomas

Add one of our minors

You can add a minor in language and culture to your AUT bachelor’s degree. You can choose from:

Postgraduate courses

Postgraduate study in language and culture will build on your knowledge and expertise in your area of interest.

Certificates and diplomas

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

Four people standing in a row at the International Writers Workshop awards ceremony, from left: Duncan Perkinson, Gillian Roach, Siobhan Harvey, and Bryan Walpert.

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.

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.

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.

New Professors and Associate Professors

07 Nov, 2019

AUT has announced the promotion of 12 leading academics to the position of Professor. A further 15 academics have been appointed as Associate Professors.

AUT moves up 50 places in world rankings

12 Sep, 2019

AUT is now in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 50 for research citations.

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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.

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.

Great graduatesToby GamesEnglish Teacher, Qilu Normal University, Jinan City, ChinaMaster of Professional Language Studies
Bachelor of ArtsAs part of his Bachelor of Arts degree Toby Games spent six months in China on a student exchange programme, and says the experience was life-changing.A personal interest in Chinese language and culture drew Toby Games to AUT’s Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language. As part of his degree he spent six months in China on a student exchange programme, and says the experience was life-changing. After graduating from AUT at the end of 2016, Toby currently works as an English teacher at Qilu Normal University in Jinan City, China.

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.

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.

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Contact details

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