High School Preparation Course CRICOS Code 022332J
Choosing the best High School Preparation Course assists you to meet the English level requirements for entry to Australian high schools.
AICOL offers an HSP English pathway to Queensland State High Schools and many good Private High Schools.
Questions: What do international high school students need to know to study in Australia?
Q: What is a High School Preparation (HSP) Course?
A: A course to teach international students the English skills needed to enter Year 7 to Year 12 in Australian secondary schools.
Q: Why do I need to do a High School Preparation course before I go to a high school?
A: Because good quality high schools will not accept international students unless their English meets the requirements set by the school.
Q: What English level is required by schools?
A: Different schools have different requirements. Most require an IELTS test, or equivalent test, or a report from AICOL confirming the English level of the student.
Q: When does the course begin?
A: On Mondays throughout the year.
Q: Entry age limit?
A: 12 – 16 years (minimum age 11 years) We also offer a Young Learner and Primary School preparation course.
Q: Entry requirement?
A: Pre-intermediate to Intermediate English based on AICOL entrance test.
Q: Class size?
A: Average 8 – 12. Maximum 15
Queensland State Terms for 2023
- Term 1: Monday 23 January — Friday 31 March
Term 2: Monday 17 April — Friday 23 June
Term 3: Monday 10 July — Friday 15 September
Term 4: Tuesday 3 October — Friday 8 December
(Years 10, 11 & 12 vary)
Queensland State Terms for 2024
| Term 1 | Monday 22 January to Thursday 28 March | 10 weeks |
| Term 2 | Monday 15 April to Friday 21 June | 10 weeks |
| Term 3 | Monday 8 July to Friday 13 September | 10 weeks |
| Term 4 | Monday 30 September to Friday 13 December | 11 weeks |
Students may enrol in our High School Preparation course during school holidays.
A good English for High School Preparation Course is essential for most international students wishing to successfully enter a High School in Australia.
AICOL is able to offer prospective students a pathway to Public Schools and many Private Schools. Students who are entering Year 7 to Year 11 in Australian secondary schools can enrol in the AICOL HSP program. They can study and achieve the English language requirement for direct entry into the nominated high school. The HSP course includes:
• Australian culture and life skills
• Physical Education (PDHPE)
• Technology
• Human Society and
• Creative Arts.
In addition up to 5 hours per week will be dedicated to facilitating the student’s learning of practical mathematical and science vocabulary. The vocabulary content is selected from Years 5 to 11 mathematics and science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) topics. Students will receive the support they need to build up their confidence. All AICOL staff use their best endeavours to impart an understanding of the value of ethics and traditional values.
We offer the best High School Preparation Course – make your own inquiries – compare us with others.
- Highly qualified highly experienced teachers
- FREE Guardianship – conditions apply
- All classrooms have fresh air ventilation
- Weekly entry dates
- Small classes with individual attention
- Interesting and varied learning materials
- Regular detailed progress reports to parent/agent/local school
- 25 hours of face-to-face core class-time learning
- Library time and sports time
- Introduces students to Australian culture
- Homework
- Option to join Young Learner or General English class while waiting for High School Preparation course entry-level to be reached
- Suitable for age 11-16 years – primary school preparation also available
- Tuition fees held in trust account
- Balance Tuition refunded (less administration fee) if the student starts their course early at the local school
More good reasons to choose AICOL Gold Coast English School:
- AICOL has its own in-house homestay placement service and, whenever possible, we take care to place our students with an Australian family with children. Ideally we try to find a family with high school students but this is not always possible.
- AICOL has a wonderfully convenient, safe and healthy location.
- Face-to face classes are held in COVID safe classrooms with fresh air ventilation, and an average of 10 to 12 students per class. Air conditioning is available when required
- There are also two lunch rooms, kitchens and toilets exclusively dedicated to junior students.
- Fresh healthy food is readily available at nearby shops.
- Directly opposite the Southport Broadwater and parklands. Leather dining chairs are a popular choice for many people because they have a number of benefits. They are generally more durable and long-lasting than fabric chairs, and they are also easier to clean and maintain.
Don’t forget to check out more Courses to Study English as well as our Homestay and Other Accommodation options.
If you only have time for a few weeks study you may like our holiday programs. See Camps.
More High School Information
In Australia education is the responsibility of each State, not the Federal Government.
The Queensland School System begins at Prep (4 to 5 years of age) and concludes at Year 12 (average age 17 years old):
• 7 years of Primary School (Prep – Year 6)
• 6 years of High School (Years 7 – 12)
Upon completion of Year 12, Queensland students have numerous options to continue their study. Options include study at University, an institute of Technical And Further Education (TAFE) or a private vocational college.
There are currently 17 State schools on the Gold Coast which accept international students. This number is increasing virtually every year as the population of the Gold Coast is growing strongly, especially in the northern suburbs:
SS—State School, SHS—State High School, SC—State College, SSC—State Secondary College
- Ashmore SS page | Ashmore SS handbook (PDF, 336KB)
- Benowa SS page | Benowa SS handbook (PDF, 161KB)
- Benowa SHS page | Benowa SHS handbook (PDF, 235KB)
- Broadbeach SS page | Broadbeach SS handbook (PDF, 147KB)
- Elanora SHS page | Elanora SHS handbook (PDF, 182KB)
- Helensvale SHS page | Helensvale SHS handbook (PDF, 218KB)
- Keebra Park SHS page | Keebra Park SHS handbook (PDF, 178KB)
- Merrimac SHS page | Merrimac SHS handbook (PDF, 189KB)
- Merrimac SS page | Merrimac SS handbook (PDF, 232KB)
- Miami SHS page | Miami SHS handbook (PDF, 262KB)
- Nerang SHS page | Nerang SHS handbook (PDF, 190KB)
- Palm Beach Currumbin SHS page | Palm Beach Currumbin SHS handbook (PDF, 240KB)
- Queensland Academy for Health Sciences page | Queensland Academy for Health Sciences handbook (PDF, 693KB)
- Robina SHS page | Robina SHS handbook (PDF, 173KB)
- Southport SHS page | Southport SHS handbook (PDF, 346KB)
- Upper Coomera SC page | Upper Coomera SC handbook (PDF, 328KB)
- Varsity College page | Varsity College handbook (PDF, 191KB)
AICOL works closely with several Gold Coast Private Schools including:
Students must, of course, always meet the entry requirements of the individual school.
Unfortunately many parents are focused solely on their child gaining entry to a local high school, regardless of whether their English language ability is adequate. Many times we have seen parents insist that their child start school against our advice, only for them to find that their child is not able to communicate with the Australian students and not understand their class lessons. Sometimes this results in the other students and the teacher not enjoying having that student in the class. Some schools accept international students even if their English is inadequate, as they either rely on their ESL support staff or have an ESL unit of their own.