Foundation Studies Courses teach you the skills and knowledge necessary to undertake an undergraduate degree and are designed specifically for students with an international education background.
International students who complete a Foundation Studies program are guaranteed (if entry requirements are met) a place in an undergraduate degree at UNSW (Faculties of Law and Medicine have additional requirements). You can also apply to all other Australian and New Zealand universities, as well as other universities around the world for undergraduate studies.
There are three main academic programs in Foundation Studies.
- The Standard Plus program is an extended program which runs for 12 months and is recommended for students with strong English language proficiency (IELTS 5.5 or equivalent) who need or would like a slower pace of tuition.
- The Standard program runs for 9 months and is recommended for students with stronger English language proficiency (IELTS 5.5 with minimum 5.0 in all individual skills or equivalent) and solid academic results.
- The Transition program runs for 19 weeks and is for international students with very strong English language proficiency (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent) who have completed a matriculation program in their own country (e.g. A-levels) but have not quite met the entry requirements for an undergraduate degree, or who need to gain assumed knowledge in certain subjects.
You will be placed in the program that is most appropriate to your level of study and academic achievement.
There is also an English Plus program which is recommended for students who meet the academic requirements for Foundation Studies but whose English language proficiency is moderate (IELTS 5.0 or equivalent). This program runs for 10 weeks or more, and you would complete this program before starting a UNSW Foundation Studies program.
About the academic programs
- Places are awarded on the basis of academic merit.
- You attend lectures and tutorials that replicate the university environment.
- 85% of students complete their program successfully.
- UNSW Foundation Studies graduates perform equal to or better than other international and local students at UNSW.
- Classes are small – approximately 16 to 18 students.
- You can choose from ten streams of study in four areas: Science, Commerce & Business, the Arts, and Design & Building.
- Successfully complete a relevant stream of study and you can gain 6 units of credit towards an undergraduate degree at UNSW’s College of Fine Arts or Faculty of Science.
What do the programs teach you?
- knowledge relevant to your area of study
- critical thinking and creative problem-solving
- familiarity with the Australian university environment
- skills for collaborative study
- competence in academic English.
