The International Foundation Studies Program (FSP) has been developed to meet the needs of students who have a desire to advance their educational knowledge and skills in preparation for entry to university. Core and academic elective content develops theoretical proficiencies, skills and competencies as well as entrepreneurial enterprise, and leadership and team skills to equip students with the pedagogical constructs required for study at tertiary level. In addition to these academic and social foundations, students are also equipped with ongoing cultural orientation to Australia and the Northern Territories.
The Program is also designed to allow students to experience a focused study in an area of special interest or in specific disciplines that will better prepare them to study across the various sectors of their selected university course. It also helps students set and articulate goals and improve their self-management capabilities and confidence.
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This course is accredited by the University for delivery from 2020.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
Admission criteria
- Applicants must have completed the equivalent of Year 11, Australian Secondary Schools.
Essential requirements
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. International applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course is met by either undertaking previous education in an English-speaking country or undertaking one of the following English language tests and obtaining the minimum requirements listed below.
| IELTS Academic Module | A minimum overall score of 5.5 with no band less than 5.0. |
| Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) | A minimum overall score of 162, with no skill below 154. |
| Common European Framework Certificate of English Proficiency | A minimum overall grade of B1. |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic module | A minimum overall score of 42 with no score lower than 36. |
| TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) | A minimum overall score of 46 with a minimum score of 14 for reading, speaking and listening and a minimum score of 21 for writing. |
* All tests are valid for two years from the date of the test to the date of commencement at CDU, unless otherwise specified.
* Where applicable, international applicants must also satisfy the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) English language requirements for student visa applications.
Do you have a question regarding English requirements at CDU? Please email: international@cdu.edu.au.
Course structure
The information provided for this course was valid for the final year of enrolment. Students continuing in this course may find there have been some changes to the unit availability. Students should, in the first instance, refer to the recommended study plan in the newest version of this course to make their unit selection for the current year.
Every re-enrolling student will be able to complete their current course of study. As a continuing student you should always consider transferring to the newest course version to enable you to take advantage of new and exciting changes to university programs. Students electing not to transfer should refer to the transitional arrangements where provided.
If you have any queries, or concerns about your course progression you would like clarified, please contact Student Central on freecall 1800 061 963 or student.central@cdu.edu.au.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
All units are scheduled for seven contact hours per week over a 13 week teaching semester giving a total of 728 class contact hours in a two semester course. The three core units (FSP001, FSP002 and FSP003) are offered every semester. Other units are offered every second semester so that students have access to all units in a two semester course. At least one mathematics unit selected from FSP010 Foundation Mathematics with Calculus or FSP011 Foundation Mathematics with Statistics must also be taken.
| Unit type |
Credit Points |
Specific requirements |
| Core Units (3 units) |
30cp |
Core units totalling 30 credit points as detailed below.
FSP001 Foundation English A |
| Specialist Elective Units (5 units) |
50cp |
Specialist Elective units totalling 50 credit points selected from the units listed below. At least one Mathematics unit from either FSP010 or FSP011 must be included. FSP005 Foundation Accounting |
|
80cp |
Total Credit Points |
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1 2021
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 (Summer) 2021/22 | |||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||||
| FSP001 Foundation English A | CO | FSP002 Foundation English B | CO | ||
| FSP003 Foundation English C | CO | Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective - must include at least one Maths unit selected from FSP010 or FSP011.
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 2021 | Semester 2 2021 | Semester 3 (Summer) 2021/22 |
| FSP005 Foundation Accounting FSP007 Foundation Marketing and Tourism FSP008 Foundation Design FSP010 Foundation Mathematics and Calculus FSP011 Foundation Mathematics with Statistics |
FSP006 Foundation Economics FSP007 Foundation Marketing and Tourism FSP009 Foundation Media Studies FSP012 Foundation Health Studies FSP013 Foundation Chemistry FSP014 Foundation Physics |
Students commencing in Semester 2 2021
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 (Summer) 2021/22 | |||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||||
| FSP001 Foundation English A | CO | FSP002 Foundation English B | CO | ||
| FSP003 Foundation English C | CO | Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE | ||
| Specialist Elective | SE | Specialist Elective | SE | ||
Specialist Elective - must include at least one Maths unit selected from FSP010 or FSP011.
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 2021 | Semester 2 2021 | Semester 3 (Summer) 2021/22 |
| FSP006 Foundation Economics FSP007 Foundation Marketing and Tourism FSP009 Foundation Media Studies FSP012 Foundation Health Studies FSP013 Foundation Chemistry FSP014 Foundation Physics |
FSP005 Foundation Accounting |
Students commencing in Summer Semester 2020/21
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student who commenced in summer semester 2020/2021 and enrolled in a standard load.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 (Summer) 2021/22 | |||
| Calendar Year 1 | |||||
| FSP001 Foundation English A | CO | ||||
| FSP003 Foundation English C | CO | ||||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||||
| Calendar Year 2 (2022) | |||||
| FSP002 Foundation English B | CO | ||||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||||
| Specialist Elective | SE | ||||
Specialist Elective - must include at least one Maths unit selected from FSP010 or FSP011.
Specialist Elective Availability
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 (Summer) 2021/2022 |
| FSP007 Foundation Marketing and Tourism FSP008 Foundation Design FSP010 Foundation Mathematics and Calculus FSP011 Foundation Mathematics with Statistics |
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| Semester 1 2022 | ||
| FSP006 Foundation Economics FSP009 Foundation Media Studies FSP012 Foundation Health Studies FSP013 Foundation Chemistry FSP014 Foundation Physics |
Unit Rotation Availability
The rotation of unit offerings is listed in the table below. Rotation A will begin in Semester 1 21 followed by Rotation B in Semester 2 2021, followed by Rotation A in Semester 3 (Summer) 2021-22 and Rotation B in Semester 1 2022.
Specialist Elective Availability
| Rotation A | Rotation B | Rotation A |
| Semester 1 2021 | Semester 2 2021 | Semester 3 (Summer) 2021/22 |
|
Core Specialist Electives |
Core Specialist Electives |
Core Specialist Electives |
| Rotation B | Rotation A | |
| Semester 1 2022 | Semester 2 2022 | |
|
Core Specialist Electives |
Core Specialist Electives |
|
Course fees
International tuition fees
The annual tuition fee for full time study of 80 credit points (1.0 EFTSL) for commencing students in 2021 is AUD $20,800.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.