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. |
| 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.
From 2024 - Foundation Course Weighted Average Mark (FCWAM) (Results for IPC Sem 1 2024 onwards)
The FC WAM is an alternative method of calculating aggregate marks for students in Foundation Studies Programs. Unlike the GPA, where a Grade Point of 0 is given for any failed units, regardless of subsequent successful attempts, the FC WAM incorporates the marks of every attempt at a unit, including failed attempts.
This provides greater parity for admission of Foundation students compared with students admitted based on ATAR.
The FC WAM replaces the GPA when assessing Foundation Studies Program graduates for scholarships and for admission to courses with additional academic achievement requirements. The baseline progression criterion remains as it was – that is, having passed their FSP. Any course-specific English language requirements, such as those based on an external English test or those requiring a certain aggregate mark in the Foundation English units, also remain the same.
Grade Points
The table below shows how percentage results for exams become grade point values, which are then averaged to calculate an overall GPA.
| GPA / 7 | FC WAM conversion |
| 4 | 50 |
| 5 | 60 |
| 5.5 | 65 |
| 6 | 70 |
| 6.5 | 75 |
| 7 | 80 |
| Degree | Additional English requirements Unless a higher requirement is stated, all undergraduate degrees require 50% or higher for all English units. | Stream | Required GPA (2023) | FCWAM (2024) | Prerequisites | Intakes |
| Bachelor of Arts | No | Arts | 4.5 | Successful completion | Sem 1, Sem 2 | |
| Bachelor of Education (Primary) Must also successfully complete the NACAT | 70% average | Arts | 4.5 | Successful completion | Sem 1 | |
| Bachelor of Education(Health and Physical Education) Must also successfully complete the NACAT | 70% average | Life Science | 4.5 | Successful completion | Sem 1, Sem 2 | |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts | No | Arts | 4.5 | Successful completion | Art pre-req assessed prior to Foundation offer | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Laws | 65% average | Law | 6 | 70% | Sem 1, Sem 2 | |
| Bachelor of Media and Communication | No | Arts | 4.5 | Successful completion | Sem 1, Sem 2 | |
| Bachelor of Music | No | Arts | College-assessed | Successful completion | Music pre-req assessed prior to Foundation offer | 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 | Successful completion | Sem 1 |
| Degree | Additional English requirements Unless a higher requirement is stated, all undergraduate degrees require 50% or higher for all English units. | Stream | Required GPA (2023) | FCWAM (2024) | Prerequisites | Intakes |
| Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science^ | 70% average | Life Science | 4.5 | Successful completion | Statistics | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Biomedicine | 65% average | Physical Science | 5.5 | 65% | Chemistry | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery #May also need an ISAT |
70% average | Life Science | 7 | 80% | Chemistry | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Nursing | IELTS 7.0 (with no band less than 7.0) | Life Science | 4.5(Launceston, Rozelle);
5.5 (Hobart) |
Successful completion | Sem 1 | |
| Bachelor of Nutrition Science | 65% average (no individual score less than 60%) | Life Science | 4.5 | Successful completion | Statistics | Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Pharmacy with Applied Honours | 65% average (no individual score less than 60%) | Physical Science | 5 | 60% | Chemistry and Statistics | Health Study Period 1 |
| Bachelor of Psychological Science | No | Physical Science | 4.5 | Successful completion | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Degree | Stream | Required GPA (2023) | FCWAM (2024) | Prerequisites | Intakes |
| Bachelor of Business | Business | 4.5 | Successful completion | Sem 1, Sem 2 | |
| Bachelor of Economics | Business | 4.5 | Successful completion | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Degree | Stream | Required GPA (2023) | FCWAM (2024) | Prerequisites | Intakes |
| Bachelor of Agricultural Science with Honours | Life Science | 4.5 | Successful completion | 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 | Successful completion | Statistics and either Physics or Chemistry |
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/td> | Successful completion | Statistics and either Physics or Chemistry |
Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Architecture and Built Environments | Arts | 4.5 | Successful completion | Sem 1, Sem 2 | |
| Bachelor of Design | Arts | 4.5 | Successful completion | Sem 1, Sem 2 | |
| Bachelor of Engineering (Specialisation) with Honours (Hobart) |
Physical Science | 5 | 60% | Calculus and either Physics or Chemistry |
Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Geospatial Science | Life Science | 4.5 | Successful completion | Surveying major: Calculus Other majors: nil |
Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Global Logistics and Maritime Management | Physical Science | 4.5 | Successful completion | Maritime Technology Management major only (not currently offered): Calculus AND Physics or chemistry |
Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Maritime Engineering (Specialisation) with Honours (Launceston) |
Physical Science | 5 | 60% | Calculus and either Physics or Chemistry |
Sem 1 |
| Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology | Life Science | 4.5 | Successful completion | Sem 1, Sem 2 | |
| Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Science | Physical Science | 4.5 | Successful completion | 1. Marine Biology stream:
Chemistry and Statistics 2. Oceanography: Calculus and Physics* 3. Other majors: nil |
Sem 1, Sem 2 |
| Bachelor of Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies | Life Science | 4.5 | Successful completion | Sem 1, Sem 2 | |
| Bachelor of Science | Physical Science | 4.5 | Successful completion | As per BSc page | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
