UniSA Foundation Studies
Degree Level Non Standard
Year 2024
This degree is only available to Australian students
You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Prerequisites
None
Assumed Knowledge
None
Entry Scores
2024 Guaranteed Entry
TAFE/RTO: N/A
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2023 Cut-Offs
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Entry requirements
Admission criteria
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
No formal minimum entry requirements apply.
Applicants who have not completed SACE or a Certificate III must be 18 years of age or over before:
- February 1st of the year of intended enrolment for the study period 2 intake, or
- July 1st of the year of intended enrolment for the study period 5 (midyear) intake.
Applicants who have previously studied at higher education level or completed a TAFE/VET award at Certificate IV or higher will not be considered for admission to this program.
Essential requirements for admission
The Foundation Studies enrolment process adds a layer of specialised support for commencing UniSA Foundation Studies students. For further information, please refer to the Essential Requirements for UniSA College Enrolment web page. In some instances, students will be advised to enrol in a part time study load.Prerequisites
NoneAssumed Knowledge
None
This fee-free program (excluding SSAF) is also available at Mount Gambier, Whyalla and in external mode.
Degree overview
- Great start to university life, setting you up for success for further studies in the discipline you’re interested in. You will be confident and ready to embark on your future study journey.
- Designed for people who don’t meet entry requirements for their desired degree, including school leavers without an ATAR or those looking to return to study.
- Successful completion allows you to progress into an Undergraduate Certificate in University Studies. From there, you can competitively apply for many UniSA or UniSA Online degrees using your competitive Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Successful completion also allows you to progress into a Diploma with many specialisations on offer. From there, you can competitively apply for any UniSA or UniSA Online degree using your competitive Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Receive support from enrolment through to program completion with enrolment help sessions, mentoring, small class sizes and access to peer-assisted study sessions. More information can be found here.
Snapshot
UniSA Foundation Studies is a six-month program aimed at students with no previous qualifications, or for school leavers without an ATAR, with the added bonus of being fee-free*.
You’ll get a great start to university life by learning the skills needed to study for your degree, including:
- How to write academic assignments
- Effective time-management
- How to reference to a university standard
- How to research and form topic analysis
As a Foundation Studies student, you will take courses on campus or online and will have access to our full range of support services. Flexible study options are available, such as full-time or part-time and external (online) studies, depending on your course selection.
Upon successful completion, you can progress into an Undergraduate Certificate in University Studies or a Diploma with a chosen specialisation. From there, you can use your competitive grade point average (GPA) to apply for a UniSA bachelor's degree.
* You will be required to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee as determined by the Australian Government.
What you'll learn
You will study core courses to develop your academic writing, communication, numeracy, research, and study skills – including how to write academic assignments, how to reference and effective time management. These skills and experiences will give you the right launchpad to navigate your future at university.
Study hours
Your study schedule will be divided into the time you spend attending classes and watching lectures as well as independent study, including your personal research and assignment work.
Assessment
Your assessments may include:
- research papers
- presentations
- tests (in person and online)
- assignments
- take home examinations
- group assignments
- participation and attendance
- examinations
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Further Study
After successfully completing this six-month program, you can progress into an Undergraduate Certificate in University Studies with a chosen specialisation in Business, Creative Studies, Education Studies, Health, Social Sciences or STEM. You can also choose to progress from UniSA Foundation Studies to a Diploma with many specialisations on offer. From here, you can then competitively apply for many UniSA or UniSA Online degrees using your competitive Grade Point Average (GPA).
Why UniSA Foundation Studies
You will be fully supported when choosing courses within your program so that you are confident and ready to transition into either an Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma. You can book one-on-one appointments with the helpful UniSA College staff for enrolment/study support, or access individual Program Director appointments and consultations with academic staff in the UniSA College Common Room. You will also be taught by highly experienced academics from UniSA.
Online study
Studying externally (online) gives you the flexibility to study where and when you want, at your own pace. All of the courses offered through UniSA College can be studied online. You can choose your study mode when you enrol. With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 digital environment, you can also:
- access your lectures online, plus study and course resources
- submit your assignments and get feedback
- use forums and discussion boards for team work and communication
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses have advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. You’ll discover that your journey at UniSA is also about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. Depending on your campus, you’ll find student gyms, pools, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you’re keen to explore the social side of university life, there’s movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Student services
You will have full access to our student support services to help you settle in to university life before you begin studying a bachelor's degree. We want you to be successful and if you need help, you’ll have it. We provide a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- library services
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- wellbeing resources and advice
- accommodation
- community health clinics
- services offered through our student association, USASA
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with access to virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library services and assignment results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your program director
I have a strong background in health sciences, with a focus in human health and more specifically human anatomy and physiology. Through teaching, I am passionate about sharing strategies to study effectively. As a program director of Foundation Studies I am grateful to be a part of providing an opportunity for so many students to experience and commence a journey in higher education. Within the role I am conscious of the challenges that students face when attempting to enter university study and to becoming a university student. Because I meet students from all walks of life, I am experienced and proud of the work I and the College do to support students as they navigate this journey and transition to becoming a successful university student.
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How do I apply?
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
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Where can I get further information?
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.
Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.
