Language and culture

AUT's language and culture programmes focus on language in its widest sense. Our courses cover 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.

Culture is at the heart of everything we do: we realise that language and culture are inextricably bound – one can't exist without the other.

Research in language and culture

We believe in high-quality research that has impact, and have world-class researchers and research strengths across 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 Refugee Education

AUT’s Centre for Refugee Education provides an on-arrival education programme for resettled refugees. It works closely with the School of Language and Culture – Bachelor of Arts students often complete their workplace experience at the centre and many former refugees advance their English skills through the school’s programmes.

Centre for Refugee Education

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
They Are Us image - illustration by Ruby Jones
Seddon Memorial Technical College reunion
Two people using their cellphones
A woman using her laptop
AUT Edge Award winners
They Are Us image - illustration by Ruby Jones
Christchurch tragedy
15 Mar, 2019
The tragic event in Christchurch today devastates us. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their friends and families.
Seddon Memorial Technical College reunion
Celebrating AUT through the years
21 Jan, 2019
Over 50 of our oldest alumni came together for the 2018 Seddon Memorial Technical College reunion hosted by the alumni office.
Two people using their cellphones
Research tackles online trolls
16 Jan, 2019
Dr Philippa Smith recently returned from the OII in the UK where she studied counter speech strategies in response to negative online discourses.
A woman using her laptop
Initiative to address interpreter demand
09 Jan, 2019
AUT is offering six scholarships for the Graduate Certificate in Arts (Interpreting), targeted at speakers of identified rare languages in NZ.
AUT Edge Award winners
Gaining skills for the workplace
14 Dec, 2018
Auckland Council are proud to sponsor the overall achievement prize for the AUT Edge Award, an extra-curricular employability award at AUT.
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Taylor Marston
Rebekah Guy
Nick Jones
Thalia Henry
Sharelle Govignon-Sweet
Taylor Marston
Great graduatesTaylor MarstonStudent, Kobe University, JapanPostgraduate Certificate in Business Studies
Bachelor of ArtsHe was always drawn to Asian culture, says AUT Bachelor of Arts alumnus Taylor Marston who was twice awarded the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia.He was always drawn to Asian culture, says AUT Bachelor of Arts alumnus Taylor Marston who was twice awarded the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia.
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.
Nick Jones
Great graduatesNick Jones Freelance Narrative Designer / Teaching Assistant, AUTMaster of English and New Media Studies
Bachelor of ArtsIf you want to be on the cutting edge of technology, entertainment and linguistics, English and new media studies is a great choice, says Nick Jones.If you want to be on the cutting edge of technology, entertainment and linguistics, English and new media studies is a great choice, says Nick Jones. The interactive learning environment has been one of the highlights of his studies. For his master’s degree, he researched non-linear storytelling and storytelling in relation to virtual reality. He loved that he could apply the findings from his research to his work as a narrative designer.
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.
Sharelle Govignon-Sweet
Great graduatesSharelle Govignon-SweetEnglish Teacher, Albi, FranceBachelor of ArtsStudying intercultural communication immediately resonated with her, says Sharelle Govignon-Sweet who studied a Bachelor of Arts and now lives in France.Studying intercultural communication immediately resonated with her, says Sharelle Govignon-Sweet who completed a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Social Sciences. Now working as a self-employed English teacher in the south of France, Sharelle always encourages her students to consider different cultural perspectives.
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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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