Foundation Studies
Australian Catholic University (ACU)
The priority processing slots from the Australian Department of Home Affairs have been used up. Visa processing time is 4-8 weeks.
2026
- Total Tuition Fee23,120 AUD
- Course Duration1.0 Year (52 weeks)
- Last Updated07-11-2025
Overview
Introduction
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. If you are a domestic student you can choose to study on campus in Blacktown or Melbourne or fully online live from anywhere else in Australia, or you could choose a mix of on-campus and online study. If you are an international student, you can choose to study in Australia at the Melbourne or North Sydney campus or fully online live from outside of Australia.As a Foundation Studies student, you will be immersed in the distinctive culture of the university throughout the course. You will be provided with all resources for the program including textbooks, laboratory equipment and online resources. You will become familiar with ACU facilities, resources and systems and with the academic expectations and assessment models used in undergraduate degrees at ACU. Class sizes will be small and staffed to provide a highly supportive learning environment. Foundation Studies aims to equip you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed at the undergraduate level at ACU. Regardless of whether you study on-campus or online you will be provided with live personalised support to assist you with progression to your degree program at ACU. The Online ProgramThe course structureYou'll embark on an intensive 8-month program that can be tailored to your preferences. Kickstart your education from anywhere in the world with our offshore online option, you can choose to transfer to study on-campus in Australia during the duration of the program or complete the qualification completely online in your home country and benefit from live online classes led by our experienced university teachers. Our comprehensive curriculum spans Academic English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and arts units, with dedicated support to help you excel in each subject. With a focus on smooth transitions, you'll not only gain confidence in the Australian university community but also build lasting friendships with international and local students. The support service Our competitive pricing covers all resources, textbooks, and online resources, helping you save on living costs by completing the program at home. More importantly, you are guaranteed entry into most ACU undergraduate programs as long as you meet the GPA and English requirements, and there's no need for an external proficiency test at the end of the program. We're committed to ensuring your success, whether you're onshore or offshore, with access to a full suite of support services, including academic guidance and library resources. Enroll today and take the first step toward a bright academic future!
Key Dates
2025
School Application Steps
Follow the process below, prepare materials in order, and track the progress of each stage.
- 1
Prepare Materials (School Application)
- Organize academic and language materials based on the list of target courses and schools.
- If the requirements are not yet met, you can apply for a language pathway program/packaged course (ELICOS/internal test) first.
- Name the electronic versions of documents uniformly (in English) for easy reuse in subsequent visa applications.
Documents for Adult Applicants
- 2
Briefing on School-Arranged Interview (if applicable)
- Submit application materials, including transcripts, passport, and English proficiency proof, to the State Department of Education.
- School review: The Department of Education recommends schools based on the student's situation, and the school arranges an interview after its review.
- Interview notification: An email will specify the interview time, method (usually Zoom or Teams), and preparation details.
- Interview content: A conversation in English including self-introduction, interests, academic situation, future plans, and a comprehensive assessment of learning habits, adaptability, reasons for coming to Australia, etc. The duration is approximately 15-30 minutes.
- 3
Submit School Application
- Submit the application through the school's official website or an agent's portal and pay the application fee (if any).
- Submit supplementary documents as required and track the admission progress (Conditional/Unconditional Offer).
- After meeting the conditions, pay the tuition deposit and complete the acceptance procedure (Accept Offer).
- 4
Obtain CoE and Arrange OSHC
- The school issues the CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment).
- Purchase/confirm OSHC to cover the entire visa period (including dependents, if any).
- 5
Visa Document Preparation (Subclass 500)
- Organize documents for finances, GTE, English proficiency, and medical examination, ensuring consistency with the chosen course.
- Check the letterheads, dates, translation formats, and certification requirements of visa documents.
Language Requirements
IELTS Score
PTE Score
2026 year(s)
Listening
5.0
Speaking
5.0
Reading
5.0
Writing
5.0
Overall
5.5
School Level
The school's visa assessment level determines the risk level for students applying for a visa and is a significant reference.
For example, if a school's visa assessment level is 2, the applicant will face more restrictions and be required to provide more written evidence, such as proof of language proficiency and financial capacity.
Course Campuses
- VIC
- NSW
Similar Course
WA
No data available~