Information on this page is for international students
Course not available to Australian residents
Intakes: 

2023: October
2024: June, September

Duration: 
32 weeks
Location: 
City Campus
Fees: 

2023: $11,220*
2024: $11,800*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.
Apply

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.

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

Why do students love International Foundations at VU? - Transcript

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:

Destination course % required to apply
Bachelor of Laws (BLAW) 80%

Course contents

To satisfactorily complete the International Foundations at VU course, students will be required to complete eight units:

-
Two Core units
-
Six Specified units

Students will be advised that it may be a requirement to undertake a Mathematics unit in order to satisfy the conditions of entry into some Victoria University undergraduate degrees or higher education diplomas.

Foundation Enabling Outcomes for International Students

After completing the foundation program, students will have a knowledge of:
The VU university environment and expectations, requirements, academic conventions including academic integrity, knowledge of academic literacies including some discipline specific knowledge in the areas of humanities, since and maths.

Students will demonstrate a range of skills including:
-
Cognitive skills to understand, analyse, synthesise and critically evaluate information;
-
Information skills to find, retrieve and amylase information for use in academic contexts;
-
Communication practices to foster the exchange of knowledge and ideas within an academic context;
-
Academic literacy skills enabling the written communication of ideas and critical analysis;
- Independent learning including digital literacy skills.

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:

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.

Register to apply

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.