University of Adelaide

What you'll study

This programme centres on the Kaurna language and its contemporary revitalisation, taught alongside core arts and linguistics subjects. You will study progressive language units that cover phonology, grammar, vocabulary and conversational skills, as well as modules in language documentation, orthography development and language teaching methodology. Complementary subjects typically include Australian Indigenous history and culture, introduction to linguistics, sociolinguistics, applied corpus methods, and community‑based research practice.

Practical components include guided language practice with Kaurna speakers and community language workers, supervised fieldwork, placement opportunities with local cultural organisations, and a capstone research or project unit that allows you to develop resources, teaching materials or documentation for community use. Elective choices let you broaden your study across arts disciplines such as history, anthropology, education and media.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to have completed an approved secondary qualification (for example a state senior certificate or equivalent) or a recognised pathway into undergraduate study. The University offers entry routes for school leavers, mature‑age applicants and Indigenous students, including bridging programmes and alternative selection schemes.

International applicants must meet the University's English language requirements and provide equivalent academic documentation from their home country. There are also specific support and adjustment arrangements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants and those with relevant community experience; check the University’s admissions guidance for available pathways.

Career prospects

Graduates with a major in Kaurna Languages are prepared for careers that support language maintenance, cultural heritage and community services. Typical roles include language revival officer, community language teacher, cultural heritage advisor, museum or cultural centre officer, Indigenous education worker, and researcher in language documentation and linguistics.

Skills developed in the programme—language analysis, teaching and curriculum development, community consultation, project design and audiovisual documentation—are also relevant to employment in education, government agencies, non‑government organisations, media and the arts. Graduates often work in partnership with Indigenous organisations and local councils to deliver language programs and cultural initiatives.

Why study at University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide offers close collaboration with Kaurna community groups and language custodians, providing an education grounded in community‑led revitalisation practice. The School of Languages and Linguistics and associated research centres provide academic expertise in Australian languages, applied linguistics and language documentation.

Students benefit from on‑campus and community teaching, opportunities for supervised fieldwork on the Adelaide Plains, and access to Indigenous student support services and career guidance. The degree’s practical emphasis ensures graduates leave with real‑world experience in language teaching, resource development and community engagement.