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Did you know that choosing a foundation course in Australia can help you get into a great university?

These courses let you spend a year at a university, getting ready to meet the grade requirements for an academic degree in Australia. They are especially useful for international students who need to bridge the gap between their home education and the Australian system.

Check out this article to find out more about foundation courses for international students, why a foundation year is helpful, and other important details.

1. Foundation Year in Australia

A foundation year in Australia is a stepping stone for many international students, helping them prepare for their chosen field of study. This program lasts for a year and sets the stage for a full-degree program.

Students study elective and compulsory subjects, with streams available in science and business studies. Additionally, there's typically support for improving English language skills.

2. Why Study A Foundation Program?

• Get individual attention with a supportive learning environment, small classrooms and personal student care.

• Study university-relevant subjects with high-quality course content and exceptional teaching.

• Flexible options for students who have just completed their 11th year and want to jumpstart their international education.

• Students who complete their foundation studies program do not have to provide IELTS evidence to satisfy the English language requirements set up by the university. 

• After completing a Foundation Studies Program (FSP), you’ll get a direct pathway to enter a university. 

3. The Best Universities In Australia Offering Foundation Courses

Many schools, universities, vocational education, and training institutions in Australia offer foundation courses. 

Some foundation courses are available at university campuses, giving students access to a few amenities like computer laboratories, libraries, student clubs, sports centres, housing and health facilities. 

The most common feature of foundation studies is that a university will give you a provisional place in an undergraduate program - under the condition that you’ll achieve the required grades. 

Here are some top universities in Australia that provide foundation courses:

•  - Melbourne

•  - Brisbane

•  - Adelaide

•  - South Perth

•  - Perth

•  - Hobart

•  - Melbourne

•  - Sydney

All Australian universities mentioned above offer international foundation year programs to help students enter academic life. 

Most universities provide preparation courses at a pre-bachelor level so that it’s easy for you to enrol into a top university if you are aiming for an undergraduate program. 

4. Foundation Course Study Areas Offered by Australian Universities

Universities in Australia offer various foundation course study fields. Studying a subject covered by the international pathway curriculum of the institutions will increase your chances of getting accepted by top universities in Australia. 

These are the main disciplines for university preparation that you should consider:

• Science - studies in physics, scientific communication, mathematics, engineering principles and computing. 

• Computer Science & IT - studies in databases, algebra, web development, and business information systems.

• Health Science - studies in health challenges, anatomy, chemistry and physiology. 

• Engineering - studies in digital electronics, physics, materials technology, computer science, and chemistry. 

• Commerce/ Accounting - studies in accounting principles, introductory marketing and management principles, microeconomics, statistics and mathematics. 

In addition to specific subject studies, many institutes help Australian international students with project management, communication skills, academic English, learning at university, technology laboratory work, and more.

Introductory pathways offered by Australian universities also prepare students for other areas like biosciences, liberal studies, media and communication, hotel management, international tourism, arts, fashion design, etc. 

The only thing you need to do now is select the right study area and start preparing for a degree in one of the top universities in Australia.

5. Entry Requirements 

The admission criteria for Australian foundation programs are comparatively lower than a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree. University preparation courses usually have two types of entry requirements for international students in Australia:

• Academic Requirements

• English Language Proficiency

Most institutions require students to have a qualification equivalent to the 12th year in Australia (completion of high school). 

Other universities may require you to complete the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) - a secondary certificate of education in Australia or equivalent. To gain entry to a foundation course, you may have to meet spoken and written English standards. 

The entry requirements may vary between courses, so you need to check with the university and see the exact specifications you need to meet to enrol in a specific course. You’ll obtain the essential foundation knowledge for a university degree course in Australia through preparation courses.

6. Foundation Courses Tuition Fees

Each university in Australia has its tuition fee structure for foundation courses. They vary depending on the duration of the program, where you want to study and what you want to study. 

The estimated Foundation course fee is somewhere between AUD$15,000 and $39,000.

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