Foundation
Studies
University is for everyone, and we all take different paths to get there. Our Foundation Studies programs will give you the skills and confidence in preparation for entry to the University of Tasmania.
Prepare to study at university
Foundation Studies programs are a direct academic pathway to first-year undergraduate degree study.
The programs act as a bridging course for international students who wish to study a university undergraduate degree course but don’t yet meet academic requirements and/or have the English language skills for tertiary study.
Program options
• Fast-track: 4 units over one semester (2 core + 2 elective)
• Standard: 8 units over two semesters (4 core + 4 elective)
CRICOS course codes: 0100809 (Fast-track), 0100808 (Standard)
To successfully complete the program, students must achieve a 50% pass in all units, including English.
Successful completion means graduates can enter one of the University of Tasmania’s undergraduate degree courses. Each degree course has a minimum GPA requirement beginning at 4.0 (which equates to a minimum pass in the Foundation Program).
Each Foundation Studies program option can be undertaken in one of five content streams. In addition to core units, students select a minimum of compulsory stream units, plus other stream units (see table below)
Fast-track students are required to complete two units only from the compulsory stream units column in order to fulfil the requirements of a stream. Unit availability may vary each semester. Combined degrees may have additional requirements. If you have any questions about unit selection, please contact the International Pathway College for advice.
| Stream | Compulsory stream units | Recommended other stream units | Additional unit requirements for specific degrees |
| Arts | Choose a minimum of three from: • Psychology • Design & Society • Statistics • Media Studies | • Marketing Design & Strategy | N/A |
| Business | Choose a minimum of three from: • Macroeconomics • Microeconomics • Marketing Design & Strategy • Statistics | • Media Studies • Design & Society | N/A |
| Law | Choose a minimum of three from: • Psychology • Macroeconomics • Microeconomics • Statistics | • Marketing Design & Strategy • Media Studies • Design & Society | N/A |
| Life Science | • Chemistry • Statistics • Psychology | • Calculus • Physics | • Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Nautical Science) and Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Marine Engineering) require Statistics and either Physics or Chemistry. • Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences requires Statistics and Calculus. • Bachelor of Nutrition Science requires Statistics Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science requires Statistics. • Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine requires Chemistry. |
| Physical Science | Choose a minimum of three from: • Calculus • Statistics • Chemistry • Physics | • Design & Society • Macroeconomics • Microeconomics | • Bachelor of Engineering (Specialisation) with Honours requires Calculus and either Physics or Chemistry. • Bachelor of Biomedicine requires Chemistry. • Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science prerequisites are dependent on major. • Marine Biology requires Chemistry and Statistics. Oceanography requires Calculus and Physics. • Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours requires Chemistry and Statistics. |
- To demonstrate a coherent understanding of a discipline’s foundation level through identifying, describing and explaining foundational theories, concepts, principles, models and processes.
- To apply this understanding to routine and relevant problems and settings and to make subsequent interpretations.
- To demonstrate intellectual independence, impartiality and sound judgement within general academic and specific disciplinary frameworks.
- To communicate ideas and findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences in written and oral formats using appropriate conventions and logical development supported with evidence and research.
Sample course progression
Foundation Studies (Fast-track) program finishing in May 2024 articulate into Bachelor degrees starting in Semester 2 2025 (mid-June).
Foundation Studies programs finishing in September 2024 or mid-February 2025 articulate into Bachelor degrees starting in Year 2 – Semester 1 2025 (mid-February).
Foundation Studies (Standard) program finishing in May 2025 articulate into Bachelor degrees starting in Year 2 – Semester 2 2025 (mid-June).
Progression requirements from Foundation Studies Program to undergraduate study at the University of Tasmania
Successful completion of a Foundation Studies Program allows students to progress to an undergraduate degree course at the University of Tasmania.
Each course requires a specific Grade Point Average (GPA) from the Foundation Studies Program for entry, and this varies from course to course.
A GPA is calculated from the results of all units studied. The maximum GPA achievable from a Foundation Studies Program is 7.0.
| Degree | Additional English requirements Unless a higher requirement is stated, all undergraduate degrees require 50% or higher for all English units. | Stream | Required GPA | Intakes |
| Bachelor of Arts | No | Arts | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Education (Primary) Must also successfully complete the NACAT | 70% average | Arts | 4.5 | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Education(Health and Physical Education) Must also successfully complete the NACAT | 70% average | Life Science | 4.5 | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts | No | Arts | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Justice Studies | No | Law | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Laws | 65% average | Law | 6 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Media and Communication | No | Arts | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Music | No | Arts | College-assessed | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Social Work with Honours | IELTS score of 7.0 (with no band less than 6.5) – no equivalency accepted. Applicants must meet this requirement prior to commencing the Foundation Studies pathway into a Bachelor of Social Work. + | Arts | 4.5 | Sem 1 |
+ Applicants with less than IELTS 7.0 may apply for the Foundation Studies + Bachelor of Social Science package and then apply for the Bachelor of Social Work if an IELTS of 7.0 (with no band less than 6.5) has been achieved on completion of the Foundation Studies Program.
| Degree | Additional English requirements Unless a higher requirement is stated, all undergraduate degrees require 50% or higher for all English units. |
Stream | Required GPA | Intakes |
| Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science^ | 70% average | Life Science | 4.5 | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Biomedicine^ | 65% average | Physical Science | 5.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Medicine Science and Doctor of Medicine | 70% average | Life Science | 7 | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Nursing^ | IELTS 7.0 (with no band less than 7.0) | Life Science | 3 year in Launceston: 4.5 2 year in Rozelle: 4.5 2 year in Hobart: 5.5 |
Nursing Study Period 1 |
| Bachelor of Nutrition Science | 65% average | Life Science | 4.5 | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours | 65% average | Physical Science | 5 | Health Study Period 1 |
| Bachelor of Psychological Science | No | Physical Science | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
^Limited places – entry is competitive.
No additional English requirements. All undergraduate degrees require 50% or higher for all English units.
| Degree | Stream | Required GPA | Intakes |
| Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours | Life Science | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
Advanced Diploma of Applied Science (Nautical Science) Foundation students do not meet employment pre-requisite for the Bachelor degree also makes the visa more than 5 years. | Life Science | 4 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
Advanced Diploma of Applied Science. (Marine Engineering) Foundation students do not meet employment pre-requisite for the Bachelor degree also makes the visa more than 5 years. | Life Science | 4.5 | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments | Arts | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Design | Arts | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Specialisation) with Honours | Physical Science | 5 | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Maritime Engineering (Specialisation) with Honours | Physical Science | 5 | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology | Life Science | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science | Physical Science | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies | Life Science | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Science | Physical Science | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences | Life Science | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Global Logistics and Maritime Management | Physical Science | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
No additional English requirements. All undergraduate degrees require 50% or higher for all English units.
| Degree | Stream | Required GPA | Intakes |
| Bachelor of Business | Business | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Economics | Business | 4.5 | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
In addition to the degrees above, combined degrees are available and some may have higher entry requirements.
Other degrees not listed above may be unavailable for Foundation Studies students to progress to. Please contact International Pathway College if you have any questions about pathways to degrees. Not all degree programs are available at Hobart’s Sandy Bay Campus.
Foundation Studies Program graduates who do not gain the GPA required for their chosen undergraduate course may still be able to enter an International First Year Diploma and join the undergraduate course in its second year, with no overall loss of time.
Grade Points
The table below shows how percentage results for exams become grade point values, which are then averaged to calculate an overall GPA.
| Grade | Description | Grade point value |
| 80-100% | High Distinction | 7 |
| 70-79% | Distinction | 6 |
| 60-69% | Credit | 5 |
| 50-59% | Pass | 4 |
| 0-49% | Fail | 0 |
