Foundation Program

FOUNDATION

English + Business

Australian Foundation Program

The Foundation Program is a practical qualification which prepares students for employment, and further education and training.

This program is designed for students who would like entry into an Aspire undergraduate diploma program, leading to a bachelor degree, but have not completed high school year 12 or equivalent. It is also suitable for students who would like an introductory program before tackling a full diploma.

A SOLID FOUNDATION

The Australian Foundation program provides students with the following advantages:

  • Skills to begin working
  • Preparation to transition smoothly to further studies
  • Classes held in a beachside location or city centre
  • A hands-on, practical approach to teaching
  • Small, individual classes
  • Extra academic support
  • Can be completed in a total of 8 months
  • Helps students to progress into an Aspire undergraduate diploma and then possibly transition to the second year of a bachelor degree with one of our university or college partners.*

WHO SHOULD STUDY A FOUNDATION PROGRAM?

The Australian Foundation Program is ideal for:

  • International students who would like to undertake a foundational qualification and develop the study, language and cultural skills needed to succeed in Australia.
  • International students new to study in Australia who would like an introductory program before progressing to a full diploma qualification.
  • Students who have not completed the equivalent of an Australian year 12 (final year) of schooling.
  • This program is ideal for students who are seeking a pathway to progress into an Aspire Institute diploma and then possibly articulate into a bachelor degree with one of our university or college partners.

The qualification is made up of 10 modules covering English subjects and core business disciplines such as Marketing, Mathematics for Business and Business Principles.

Quick Facts

CRICOS Code076374G
UAC CodeN/A
Accreditation StatusNon Award
AQF LevelN/A
CampusCity Campus, Sydney CBD,
Online*

Duration2 trimesters (8 months)
Industry TrainingN/A
FEE-HelpN/A
Study Modeon campus | online*
StartMain Intakes: February, May, August
Mid-Trimester Intakes: March, June, October (subject to availability)
Annual Indicative Student Enrolments18 enrolments in 2022

* In accordance with the Australian Government ESOS National Code international students on a student visa can only undertake 33% of their total enrolment load online and must be enrolled in at least one (1) on-campus subject in each compulsory study period. Learn more.

Course Structure

TRIMESTER 1TRIMESTER 2
MODULESLecture/ Tutorial HoursSupervised Studies HoursMODULESLecture/ Tutorial HoursSupervised Studies Hours
English 162English 262
Essentials of Computing41Australian Cultural Studies41
Intro to Accounting41Intro to Service Management41
Business Principles41Mathematics for Business41
The Law in Australia41Intro to Economics41
Total Study Hours per Trimester (364)Total study hours per Trimester (364)

CRICOS: 076374G

LEARNING METHODS

The ICMS Foundation Program is delivered through face to face lectures, tutorials and supervised self-directed study. Tutorials will be limited to 15 students. Concepts introduced in lecture format will be examined, amplified and explained in tutorials with the generous use of practical examples. On-line supplementation will be available for most units through the ICMS Learning Management System “Moodle”.

Learning methods utilised in the Foundation Program include Direct Instructions, Discussions, Group work, Co-operative Learning, Problem Solving, Student Research, Role Play/Simulations and Case Studies/Case Methods. A brief description of learning methods and how they assist international students for higher education studies in Australia is as follows:

  • Direct Instruction: Whole class expository teaching techniques. Example: Lecture, Demonstration.
  • Discussion: Whole class or smaller groups, face-to-face group interaction in which students exchange ideas.
  • Group work: Two or more students working together without direct intervention from the teacher for at least some of the time (or indirect guidance), within a structured learning environment focused on achieving specific learning outcomes.
  • Co-operative Learning: Students working collaboratively to achieve common learning goals. Requires positive inter-dependence, on-going direct interaction, individual accountability, appropriate interpersonal skills, and reflective approach to learning.
  • Problem Solving: Strategy for posing significant, contextualised, real world situations, and providing guidance and instruction to learners as they develop content knowledge and problem solving skills.
  • Student Research: Inquiry that is carried out systematically and purposefully, and focuses on revealing some new knowledge.
  • Role Play/Simulation: Students demonstrate playing a specific role in relation to a specific scenario/situation/set of circumstances etc to develop skill/competency, providing practice opportunities for practical application.
  • Case Study/Case Method: Requires students to seek feasible ways of resolving contextualised realistic issues, developing the ability to identify a range of potential answers, whilst developing an understanding of theory and problem solving skills simultaneously.

Characteristics of the Program

The Foundation Program will help international students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds meet the academic entry standards of ICMS and concurrently to develop the study, language and cultural skills needed to succeed in degree study in Australia. The characteristics of the Foundation Program are:

  • The pace, style and teaching philosophy are focused on supporting international students, almost all of whom have English as a second (or third) language.
  • Tutorial class sizes are limited to 15 students.
  • The ICMS team of student support staff provides academic and pastoral support to students and organises social gatherings and sporting activities.
  • The use of English in the academic context is studied as two separate subjects as part of the ICMS Foundation Program providing specific, focused support to ESL speakers.
  • A familiarisation with Australian society and culture is an integral part of the program.
  • Students may enter the program at various times throughout the year to suit their differing home country academic calendars.
  • We can also provide or arrange accommodation.

The curriculum is designed by ICMS academic staff to incorporate the specific knowledge and skills identified as prerequisites for study in the ICMS specialisations. The program students study on the College campus and have full access to campus facilities. The teaching format is designed to familiarise students with the teaching style used in ICMS and to develop the learning skills required by this style of teaching. Academic quality is overseen by the ICMS Academic Board.

Students complete a total of 728 hours made up of small group classes and self guided learning.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for admission, students need to complete the equivalent of Australian year 11 standard education and be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of the Foundation Program.

*Minimum GPA requirements must be met (4.5 or higher for Degree entry and 2.0 or higher for diploma entry)

Download the flyer here.