Course Overview

About This Course

The Foundation Studies Program provides a pathway to ACU undergraduate degrees for students who wish to study at university but do not have a recognised Year 12 qualification, and enrolment is open to both international and Australian domestic students. It aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed at undergraduate level at ACU, with personalised support to assist your progression into your degree whether you study on campus or online. All resources are provided, including textbooks, laboratory equipment and online resources, and you become familiar with ACU facilities and systems and with the academic expectations and assessment models used in its undergraduate degrees. The curriculum spans English and Academic Skills, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Law and Business units, with dedicated support in each subject. Domestic students study either the Accelerated one-semester program or the Full two-semester program depending on previous education experience, at the Blacktown or Melbourne campus, fully online from anywhere else in Australia, or a mix of both. International students take the Full two-semester program, tailored to their intended undergraduate degree, at the Melbourne or North Sydney campus, or through an offshore online option that lets them start from home and either transfer on campus later or finish entirely online with live classes. The program totals 80 credit points: two specified units, one further specified unit and five choice units. Students who complete the course with the required entry score, and who meet the academic and English requirements for their intended degree, are guaranteed entry to most ACU undergraduate programs; no external proficiency test is needed at the end, except for the Bachelor of Nursing.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Melbourne

1200 Mair St, Ballarat, VIC 3350

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Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

$0 CSP

Duration

The course is completed over 1 or 2 semesters depending on cohort and program map. Accelerated (Domestic only) - 1 semester Full Program (Domestic and International) - 2 semesters

Intakes

Semester 1 intake: Beginning March 2027 (Applications open August 2026) | Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning August 2027 (Applications open April 2027)

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must be 18 years or over by the census date of the first relevant study period of enrolment.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

International students

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the equivalent of year 11 (completion of senior high school in countries where this is not considered equivalent to an Australian year 12). ACU publishes minimum academic entry requirements by country.
English language requirements: for applicants whose intended undergraduate degree requires an English proficiency level of IELTS 6.5 or below, one of the following:
- IELTS overall score 5.5, with an individual score of 5.0 in all tests
- PTE 42, with a minimum of 36 in all four communicative skills
- TOEFL internet-based total of 46: minimum 14 in writing, 14 in speaking, 4 in listening and 4 in reading
- C1 Advanced overall score of 162, with a minimum score of 155 in all tests
- ACU English Language Test, or ACU EAP - D (55-59%)
For applicants whose intended undergraduate degree requires an English proficiency level of IELTS 7 or above, one of the following:
- IELTS overall score 6.0, with an individual score of 6.0 in all tests
- PTE 50, with a minimum of 50 in all four communicative skills
- TOEFL internet-based total of 60: minimum 21 in writing, 18 in speaking, 13 in reading and 12 in listening
- C1 Advanced overall score of 169, with a minimum score of 169 in all tests
- ACU English Language Test, or ACU EAP - C (63-64%)
Alternatively, applicants may present at least one full-time year of study of an Australian secondary or tertiary qualification at AQF Diploma level or higher. For more information see the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
Additional instructions apply for international students under 18 years of age.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2027 Admission.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Foundation Studies program at Australian Catholic University typically pursue further education in various undergraduate fields, equipping them for diverse career paths. This program prepares students for roles in sectors such as education, health, social services, and business, depending on their chosen degree. The skills and knowledge gained also enhance employability in entry-level positions while providing a strong foundation for future academic and professional success.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

ASQA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units14 units

FSDE001

Essential Skills at University

FSDE002

Skills for Academic Success

FSIE001

Essential English at University

FSIE002

English for Academic Success

FSMU001

Maths for University

FSRP001

Communication for Reflective Practice

FSSC002

Biology

FSBN001

Business Streams

FSDL001

Digital Literacies

FSLL001

English Language and Literature

FSGS001

Global Studies

FSHC001

Health Care in Australia

FSCU001

Society and Culture

FSPP001

Proficiency Test Preparation

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of the Foundation Studies program and how long does it take?

The Foundation Studies Program is completed over one or two semesters depending on cohort and program map. The Accelerated program (domestic students only) runs for one semester, and the Full Program (domestic and international students) runs for two semesters. Students who complete the Accelerated program are credited 40 credit points; the full award is 80 credit points.

Will I be guaranteed entry into an ACU undergraduate degree after completing Foundation Studies?

After you complete Foundation Studies, you will gain guaranteed entry* into the ACU undergraduate degree of your choice, provided you achieve the Entry Score and English proficiency levels required for your chosen degree. Students wishing to study Bachelor of Nursing will require additional evidence of English language proficiency.

What are the minimum age requirements to enrol in Foundation Studies?

Domestic applicants must be 18 years or over by the census date of the first relevant study period of enrolment. Additional instructions apply for international students under 18 years of age.

What facilities and support services will I have access to as a Foundation Studies student?

As a Foundation Studies student, you will be an ACU student from day one with a student ID card and access to all campus facilities including free Wi-Fi, library resources, student welfare and support services, and lots of fun activities and events. You will also benefit from small classes and receive structured, personalised support from dedicated teachers experienced in working with students with an international background.

Who is the Foundation Studies program designed for?

Foundation Studies is designed for students who wish to study at university but do not have a recognised Year 12 qualification, and enrolment is open to both international and Australian domestic students. It prepares students for undergraduate study at ACU by helping them become familiar with ACU facilities, resources, systems, and the academic expectations and assessment models used in undergraduate degrees.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $55,000 to $72,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $72,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $115,000 per year

Career Paths

Business AnalystAccountant or Financial AnalystSoftware Developer or IT ConsultantRegistered Nurse or Allied Health ProfessionalMarketing and Communications Coordinator

Key Skills

Academic writing and essay structure for university-level assessmentCritical thinking and analytical reasoningEnglish language proficiency for academic contexts (reading, writing, listening, speaking)Quantitative and mathematical reasoningResearch skills including source evaluation and referencing (APA, Harvard)

Full Course Overview

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