Foundation courses in Australia for international students

By Jakir Hossain

Dreaming to pursue academic life in Australia?

But not sure if you meet the entry requirements!

There are solutions to all of your tensions! We have got you covered with the list of all the top Foundation course providers, here to pave the way to your adventureful Aussie life.

These kinds of foundation programmes are like a welcoming deal from the Australian education system, providing higher education opportunities for international students and preparing them for multicultural university life.

Offering a blend of academic preparation, English language development, and cultural adaptability. Ensuring that you're not just academically ready but also comfortable in navigating the Aussie way of life.

If you desire to improve your English proficiency, learn the basics of a specific subject, or simply adapt to a new learning environment, the foundation courses in Australia are ready to provide the perfect platform. By giving you a supported pathway to your chosen degree, making your dream of studying in Australia a reality.

Prepare to say "G'day" to your academic future! Below we shall discuss and mention in detail about the institutions providing foundation programmes in Australia.


Basics of Foundation Programme

Improve on English:

The basics of a foundation programme are to develop a student’s English skills. This prepares an individual to tackle future courses that need advanced English expertise, as most study areas are in English.

The programme is tailored to improve reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in academic English so that a student does not find it difficult to understand lectures or study materials.


Subject-specific study:

Foundation courses provide subject-specific academic guidance providing the student with a basic idea of what they are going to study at the university level in their preferred study area.

For example, a student intending to pursue a Law degree or a Bachelor at law (LLB) shall get basic knowledge in Law and Government & politics in their foundation year.

This helps the student gain advanced knowledge on what subject area they are going to study and gives a headstart in Hons studies. Thus subjects like mathematics, science, or social studies are being taught in the foundation year, depending on the student's intended major.

Build study skills and time management:

Foundation courses also help students adjust to the academic environment in Australia. This kind of programme is made to aid in preparing students for starting higher education, including how to properly value time, manage coursework, take notes, do workshops and engage in discussions.

Cultural adjustments:

Helping international students adapt to living and studying in Australia is another service of the foundation programme. Slowly you will be given ideas physically and mentally about how cultures of different States operate with programmes that may include orientation sessions, short research and social activities, to help you better integrate into the Australian lifestyle both socially and mentally.


Institutions in Australia offering foundation programmes

Here are some popular institutions offering foundations in Australia:

1. The University of Newcastle, Australia

  • University Rank: Ranked 14th in Australia and 179th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025)
  • Programme Name: Foundation Studies
  • Starting intake: February, June and October
  • Duration: 2-3 trimesters (8 or 12 months)
  • Study Location: Newcastle, Australia
  • Tuition Fees: around AU$28,640 per year (increases every year)
  • Entry requirements: Minimum Admission Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 with an average of 3.3 or better in Higher Secondary and at least 5.5 overall (all bands 5.0 or above) on IELTS Academic.

2. University of New South Wales (UNSW)

  • University Rank: Ranked 3rd in Australia and 19th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025)
  • Programme Name: Standard Foundation Program
  • Starting intake: March, August, November
  • Duration: 9 months full-time study
  • Study Location: Sydney, Australia
  • Tuition Fees: around AU$41,100 per year (increases every year)
  • Entry requirements: Minimum Admission Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 with an average of 3.3 or better in Higher Secondary and at least 6.5 on the IELTS Academic.

3. RMIT University

  • University Rank: Ranked 10th in Australia and 123rd in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025)
  • Programme Name: Foundation Studies
  • Starting intake: July, January
  • Duration: Full-time 1 year
  • Study Location: Melbourne, Australia
  • Tuition Fees: around AU$29,350 per year (increases every year)
  • Entry requirements: Must be 16 years of age and a minimum 11 years of Australian study or 70% average over 5 subjects or better in Higher Secondary and IELTS Academic minimum overall band of 5.5 (with no individual band below 5.0).

4. University of South Australia

  • University Rank: Ranked 22nd in Australia (QS World University Rankings 2025)
  • Programme Name: International Foundation Year Program
  • Starting intake: February, June & October
  • Duration: 12 Month(s) full-time study
  • Study Location: Adelaide, South Australia Tuition Fees: around AU$30,200 per year (increases every year)
  • Entry requirements: Minimum Admission Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 with an average of 3.3 or better in Higher Secondary and at least 6.5 on the IELTS Academic.

5. Swinburne University of Technology

  • University Rank: Ranked 19th in Australia and top 300 in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025)
  • Programme Name: Swinburne Foundation Program
  • Starting intake: January, March and July
  • Duration: 8 months full-time
  • Study Location: Melbourne, Australia Tuition Fees: around AU$30,960 per year (increases every year)
  • Entry requirements: Minimum Admission Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 with an average of 3.3 or better in Higher Secondary and IELTS overall band of 5.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 5.0.

6. The University of Western Australia

  • University Rank: Ranked 7th in Australia and 77th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025)
  • Programme Name: UWA Foundation Program
  • Starting intake: June & October Duration: 8 or 12-month course
  • Study Location: Perth, Western Australia
  • Tuition Fees: around AU$35,300 per year (for 2025)
  • Entry requirements: Minimum age 17 and over. Completion of Year 11 with good grades, or equivalent or Average (GPA) of 3.0 with an average of 3.3 or better in Higher Secondary and at least band 6.0 on the IELTS Academic (no band less than 5.5).

7. University of Queensland

  • University Rank: Ranked 40th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025)
  • Programme Name: IES Foundation Year
  • Starting intake: January, June & October
  • Duration: 1 year-long course Study Location: Lucia, Australia
  • Tuition Fees: around AU$17,000 per year (for 2025)
  • Entry requirements: Completion of Year 11 with good grades, or equivalent or Average (GPA) of 3.0 or 70% marks achieved at HSC level and at least band 6.0 on the IELTS Academic (no band less than 5.5).

8. Trinity College

  • Programme Name: Trinity's foundation studies
  • Starting intake: January, September and May
  • Duration: 1 year-long course
  • Study Location: Lucia, Australia
  • Tuition Fees: around AU$42,416 to AU$52,660per year (for 2025)
  • Entry requirements: Completion of Year 11 with good grades, or equivalent or Average (GPA) of 3.0 or 70% marks achieved at HSC level and at least band 6.0 on the IELTS Academic (no band less than 5.5).

9. The University of Adelaide College

  • Programme Name: Foundation Studies Standard
  • Starting intake: March, August, April and October
  • Duration: 8 months to 1 year of full-time study
  • Study Location: Adelaide & Melbourne, Australia
  • Tuition Fees: around AU$$35,100 per year (for 2025)
  • Entry requirements: Completion of Year 11 with good grades, or equivalent or Average (GPA) of 3.0 or 70% marks achieved at HSC level and at least band 6.0 on the IELTS Academic (no band less than 5.5).

10. Monash College

  • Programme Name: Foundation Year – standard, extended or intensive.
  • Starting intake: January & July
  • Duration: 8 months to 1 year of full-time study
  • Study Location: Victoria, Australia
  • Tuition Fees: around AU$38,400 to $51,900 per year (for 2025)
  • Entry requirements: Completion of Year 11 with good grades, or equivalent or Average (GPA) of 3.0 or 70% marks achieved at HSC level and at leastOverall 5.5, with no band less than 5.0 on the IELTS Academic.

Private foundation providers:

There are many certified teaching institutions, that provide foundation preparation and are in partnership with universities all over Australia. Private foundation providers also have study centres all over the globe where students can study their foundation courses and save a lot on tuition fees.

Passing from one of these private institutions will give you the same level of degree as you would from an on-campus Australian university foundation programme. Here is a list of some of the popular private institutions providing academic guidance on foundation courses.

1. NCUK (The Northern Consortium of UK Universities)

In partnership with The University of Newcastle, UNSW Sydney, RMIT University, University of South Australia, & Swinburne University of Technology.

2. Navitas

In partnership with ACAP University College, Charles Sturt University, Curtin University, Deakin University, Edith Cowan College, Eynesbury College, La Trobe College, Griffith College, Sae University College, SAIBT, Taylors College Sydney, University of Canberra, Western Sydney University, Hawthorn University & University of South Australia.


3. Study groups

4. Other providers


All of these foundation providers are trained to provide appropriate materials and meet the needs of international students, and some Australian universities also offer similar preparation programmes for domestic students who need additional support in transitioning to uni-level work.

In short, the States is a great destination for choosing your career platform, providing numerous foundation programmes for you to choose from and preparing yourself as a competent scholar for pursuing undergraduate degrees.

FAQ

1. What is the tuition fee for the Foundation Programme in Australia?

Tuition fees can range from A$30,000 to A$35,000 per year for a foundation course.

2. Is passing a foundation course difficult?

Foundation study can be easy if your previous education is similar to the foundation course's curriculum. These courses are generally designed to be accessible to international students with diverse academic backgrounds.

They provide an English language development, structured learning environment and support systems to help students adjust to the academic demands of a university.

3. What is the duration of the foundation course?

Foundation courses typically last between 8 to 12 months, depending on the institution and the specific program.

4. Can I choose my subjects in the foundation course?

Yes, many foundation courses offer a range of subjects, and you can often choose based on your interests and the requirements of your intended undergraduate degree.

5. Are there any scholarships available for foundation courses?

Yes, many institutions offer scholarships for international students. It's best to check with the specific institution for available scholarships and eligibility criteria.

6. Can I work part-time while studying in the foundation course?

Yes, international students on a student visa are usually allowed to work part-time for up to 40 hours per fortnight during the semester and unlimited hours during semester breaks.