Foundation

What is international Foundation program?

The University Foundation Program (UFP) is 8-12 months intensive course that leads to entry to a wide range of universities as an alternative to the conventional A-Level route, which takes two years to complete. The course is assessed on the basis of credit points, and has been carefully designed so that Minor and Major modules each carry a number of points for both coursework and examinations in each of the three Phases of the University Foundation Program.

The overall allocation of points for the course is divided on a ratio of 40:60, for coursework and examinations respectively. However, the allocation varies for individual modules and Phases depending on the nature of the subject and most suitable method of assessment. Students who maintain a steady workload throughout each of the three Phases of the University Foundation Program and who acknowledge the importance of both coursework and examinations will therefore benefit; as such, the course is considered more aligned to study and testing habits on most modern university degree courses.

The UFP was conceived as an alternative to A-Level courses for international students wishing to gain entry into universities. Although the structure of A-Levels has been changed in recent years to adopt a more holistic, coursework-based approach, the University Foundation Program offers still less emphasis on end-of-year exam performance and as such is considered more manageable for students whose first language is not English.

In the UK the course runs for up to one academic year. A student starting the course in September of a given year will usually be able to start university in October the following year. Some institutions offer a faster-track course; students on these programs enroll in January, graduate in August and commence University in October.

Some providers of the University Foundation course or Program will have different entry points throughout the year, offering students greater flexibility. The total duration of such courses will still add up to 9 months of full-time study. Students graduating the University Foundation Program are eligible for entry into many British universities but they are not eligible for entry into Oxford, Cambridge.

Foundation Studies in Australia gives international students the opportunity to study a pre-university year within a fully-accredited specialist program as the first step to completing tertiary studies. Foundation studies in Australia also known as Certificate IV & the purpose of the Certificate IV qualification type is to qualify individuals who apply a broad range of specialised knowledge and skills in varied contexts to undertake skilled work and as a pathway for further learning. A select group of schools offers a range of programs designed to cover the different options an international student might like to pursue at the tertiary level. It is equivalent to Australia's Year 12 (the pre-university year).

Foundation Studies in Canada known as University Transfer Program Stage-1, which gives international students the opportunity to study a pre-university year within a fully-accredited specialist program as the first step to completing tertiary studies. Students graduating the University Transfer Program Stage-1 are eligible for entry into University Stage-2 course (Equal to first year of Bachelor degree) OR direct Bachelor entry into chosen Canadian University.

Who can do this?

Students must meet the minimum entry requirements of O-level, 11 years of education to enter into Foundation/Certificate-IV OR UTP-Stage -1 Program. Students of A-levels OR intermediate also asked to Foundation Program if they not meet the minimum entry requirements of the course. Some of the UK Universities may accept student with minimum qualification of Matriculation from Pakistan. In Canada & Australia one semester UTP Stage-1 Program also offer to students if they slightly fall behind the entry requirements of UTP Stage-2 Program.