Foundation Studies – Blacktown and Melbourne campuses

If you haven't got an ATAR, or your ATAR isn't what you were hoping for, don't stress – our Foundation Studies program provides you with another path into university. Develop the skills and confidence to thrive at university and gain guaranteed entry into a range of ACU undergraduate degrees. This fee-free program will prepare you for study at ACU by immersing you in university life while introducing you to a range of foundation units.

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Course structure and term dates
How to apply

Applications are open now

Please note, this page relates to the course offered to domestic students at our Blacktown and Melbourne campus from 2023. International students should refer to our International Foundation Studies information.

Why study this course?

Open to school leavers and non-school leavers, this course offers a range of benefits.

ACU will cover the full cost of your Foundation Studies course fees.
Gain guaranteed entry into an ACU undergraduate degree if you achieve the entry score required for your degree.
Develop the skills and confidence to pursue further tertiary education, such as a bachelor degree.
Become familiar with ACU, including our facilities, resources and systems, and learn about academic expectations and assessment relevant to our bachelor degrees.
Our small class sizes mean you’ll have personalised support from dedicated teachers and student advisers throughout the program.
Develop friendships and study networks that stay with you throughout your university journey.
Be an ACU student from day one, with a student ID card and access to all campus facilities including free Wi-Fi, library resources, student welfare and support services, as well as lots of fun activities and events.

Study fee-free

Gain entry to an ACU course

Get personalised support

Pathways to further study

Foundation Studies is a pathway into all ACU undergraduate degrees on offer in 2025. While this program is currently only offered to domestic students at our Blacktown and Melbourne campuses, it will act as a pathway to degrees at any of our campuses.

You can explore the full list of courses available at ACU on our course browser.

Entry requirements

To apply for this program for 2025, you must:

not have an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or not have achieved an adequate ATAR or equivalent for entry to ACU
have completed Year 11 and be at least 18 years of age by the census date
not have completed other eligible qualifications that meet the minimum entry requirements for entry to ACU.

All ACU students are subject to the Policy on Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

How to apply

You can apply to ACU’s Foundation Studies program via UAC (Blacktown Campus) and VTAC (Melbourne Campus).

Applications for 2024 will open in April through UAC and August through VTAC.

Course structure and term dates

The course is offered over three 10-week terms. Each term is followed by an exam week and a 2 week break week.

2023 term dates

FS Term 2:24 March – 8 June 2025
FS Term 3: 23 June – 7 September 2025
FS Term 1: 22 September – 14 December 2025 on our course browser.

Course hours

FS Term 2: 18 hours of scheduled classes per week
FS Term 3: 16 hours of scheduled classes per week
FS Term 4: 11-13 hours of scheduled classes per week

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