Overview
Victorias University's (VU) International Foundations program is designed for international students. Comparable in standard to an Australian Year 12, the program prepares students for tertiary studies at Victoria University.
The course offers a guaranteed pathway towards first year undergraduate degrees and HE diploma, provided students meet the requirements of the agreed pathway.
The International Foundations course:
- is comparable in standard to an Australian Year 12 curriculum
- provides a supportive learning environment for international students as they adjust to living away from home.
The key learning areas are:
- mathematics
- science and technology
- the arts
- business and legal studies.
Upon successful completion of the International Foundations program and course-specific entry requirements, students will be provided guaranteed entry to VU undergraduate degrees and higher education diplomas.
This course is the standard International Foundations course. We also offer International Foundations at VU (extended).
The standard program is delivered over 26 weeks - equivalent to 2 x 13 week trimesters.
Entry requirements
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score of 5.5 with no band less than 5.0.
Academic – 60% average in Australian year 11 equivalent
Country of Qualification
Admission Requirements
Bangladesh
Successful completion of Year 11 with GPA 3.0/5.0
Year 12 Higher School Certificate: N/A
Cambodia
Diploma of Upper Secondary Education D average
China
GAO ER (Senior Middle Year 2) 65% in academic subjects GAO SAN (Senior Middle Year 3) 60% in academic subjects
Indonesia
SMA II (grade XI) with an average score of 6.5/10 SMA III (grade XII) with an average score of 5.5/10
Malaysia
SPM - Pass (D or higher) in 5 subjects
UEC - Overall pass (C8) average in 5 subjects, or
UEC Senior Middle 2 overall pass (C7) from the best 5 academic subjects, exclude Chinese and Malay
STPM - 4.0
Myanmar
Basic Education High School Examination (Matriculation Examination): overall score of at least 60%
Nepal
Higher Secondary Certificate average of 55% OR
Proficiency/Intermediate Certificate average of 55
Philippines
High School Diploma 80% (overall average of academic subjects only)
Singapore
GCE O Levels - Pass in 4 academic subjects (minimum D grade)
GCE A Levels - Pass in 2 subjects (H2 level)
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan O Levels: 'C' grade in 2 academic subjects and 'S' grade in 3 academic subjects
Sri Lankan A Levels: 'S' grade in 3 academic subjects
Vietnam
Successful completion of Year 11 with GPA 6.0/10
Pathways to further study
When you complete this course, you will be accepted into an available Victoria University undergraduate course or diploma course of your choice. You just need to achieve the relevant cut-off scores and meet the requirements set.
Explore the pathways that are available as part of this course:
Arts
| Destination course | % required to apply |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts (ABAB) | 50% |
| Bachelor of Community Development (ABCD) | 50% |
| Bachelor of Criminal Justice (ABCJ) | 50% |
| Bachelor of Criminal Justice and Psychological Studies (ABCY) | 60% |
| Bachelor of Music (ABMC) | 50% |
| Bachelor of Screen Media (ABSN) | 50% |
| Bachelor of Social Work (ABSW) | 50% |
| Bachelor of Youth Work (ABYW) | 50% |
Business
| Destination course | % required to apply |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Accounting (BBAQ) | 50% |
| Bachelor of Business (BBNS) | 60% |
| Bachelor of Psychological Studies/Bachelor of Business (ABPB) | 50% |
| Bachelor of Sport Management/Bachelor of Business (SBSB) | 50% |
| Diploma of Business (Enterprise) (VDBE) | 50% |
Computer & IT
| Destination course | % required to apply |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Cyber Security (NBCS) | 50% |
| Bachelor of Data Science (NBDS) | 50% |
| Bachelor of Information Technology (NBIT) | 50% |
| Diploma of Information Technology (VDIT) | 50% |
Education
| Destination course | % required to apply |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (EBEC) | 60% |
| Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership (EBCL) | 60% |
Engineering
Health & biomedicine
Law
| Destination course | % required to apply |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Laws (BLAW) | 80% |
Sports & exercise
Course contents
To complete the International Foundations at VU course students will be required to complete eight units:
- Two Core units
- Six Discipline (elective) units from the list below
Course structure and units
Core Units:
-
- Unit code
- JYU0002
-
- Unit code
- JYU0003
Discipline (Elective) Units:
-
- Unit code
- JYU0011
-
- Unit code
- JYU0004
-
- Unit code
- JYU0005
-
- Unit code
- JYU0006
-
- Unit code
- JYU0007
-
- Unit code
- JQU0015
-
- Unit code
- JQU0016
-
- Unit code
- JQU0017
-
- Unit code
- JQU0018
-
- Unit code
- JQU0020
-
- Unit code
- JQU0021
-
- Unit code
- JQU0022
-
- Unit code
- JQU0023
-
- Unit code
- JQU0024
-
- Unit code
- JQU0025
-
- Unit code
- JQU0026
-
- Unit code
- JYU0010
Learning outcomes
The International Foundation course, including the curriculum:
- is designed for international students, and
- is comparable in standard to an Australian year 12 curriculum, and
- is intended to prepare students for the needs of first year tertiary studies at Victoria University.
The course:
- incorporates blended teaching and learning activities which challenge and stretch the capacity of the students whilst at the same time developing within each of them a strong sense of self-efficacy; and
- delivers a curriculum which has a global context and promotes curiosity, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and civic and cultural competencies; and
- provides a supported environment for international students as they adjust to living and learning away from home and in Melbourne.
Victoria University offers both a Standard and Extended version of the Foundations course. Both are generalist and units span a broad range of disciplines.
This is the Standard version of the course and is offered over 26 weeks; equivalent to 2 x 13 week trimesters.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score of 5.5 with no band less than 5.0.
Academic – 60% average in Australian year 11 equivalent
Country of Qualification
Admission Requirements
Bangladesh
Successful completion of Year 11 with GPA 3.0/5.0
Year 12 Higher School Certificate: N/A
Cambodia
Diploma of Upper Secondary Education D average
China
GAO ER (Senior Middle Year 2) 65% in academic subjects GAO SAN (Senior Middle Year 3) 60% in academic subjects
Indonesia
SMA II (grade XI) with an average score of 6.5/10 SMA III (grade XII) with an average score of 5.5/10
Malaysia
SPM - Pass (D or higher) in 5 subjects
UEC - Overall pass (C8) average in 5 subjects, or
UEC Senior Middle 2 overall pass (C7) from the best 5 academic subjects, exclude Chinese and Malay
STPM - 4.0
Myanmar
Basic Education High School Examination (Matriculation Examination): overall score of at least 60%
Nepal
Higher Secondary Certificate average of 55% OR
Proficiency/Intermediate Certificate average of 55
Philippines
High School Diploma 80% (overall average of academic subjects only)
Singapore
GCE O Levels - Pass in 4 academic subjects (minimum D grade)
GCE A Levels - Pass in 2 subjects (H2 level)
Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan O Levels: 'C' grade in 2 academic subjects and 'S' grade in 3 academic subjects
Sri Lankan A Levels: 'S' grade in 3 academic subjects
Vietnam
Successful completion of Year 11 with GPA 6.0/10
Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.
How to apply
If you have questions, please get in touch:
- Phone: +61 3 9919 1164
- Online: enquiry form
2024 intakes: June and September
Fees (2024): A$11,800 per semester.
Duration: 26 weeks (2x13 week semesters).
To apply for the International Foundations program, you must prove that you meet the entry requirements by attaching the relevant documentation to your application. This may include:
- evidence of your English language proficiency
- certified copies of your academic transcripts and graduation certificates
- completed background information checklist
- other relevant documents such as letters from schools.
First, register your details in our international application and enquiry system. Submit an online application and attach supporting documents. VU staff will email you if we need further information after you've submitted your application.
Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.
VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.
