Your free pathway to uni

Open Foundation is your FREE pathway to university. It will help you develop the skills you need not only to gain entry, but to succeed at university and beyond.

Upon completion, Open Foundation provides you with competitive entry into ALL degrees at the University of Newcastle and access to our Guaranteed Admissions Scheme.

Regardless of your background, university is for you.

Competitive entry upon completion, Open Foundation will provide you competitive entry into all degrees at the University of Newcastle.
Guaranteed entry Upon successful completion of Open Foundation, you will be guaranteed entry into over 70 selected degrees.
Flexible study we offer a number of flexible options to help you best balance study with work, social and family commitments.
Student support our aim is to provide the best possible support to ensure you succeed in your studies.

About Open Foundation

Course requirements
To be eligible for admission, applicants must:

  1. be turning 17 or older in the year you begin study*
  2. be an Australian citizen or have Australian permanent residency status
  3. be residing in Australia for the duration of your studies

* Applicants turning 17 in the year of study require parental/guardian consent to proceed with enrolment.

Please note:

Applicants who are currently enrolled in High School below Year 12 or equivalent will require parental/guardian consent to proceed with their enrolment and must complete Open Foundation Extended (60 units). This excludes students who are seeking to enrol in a University Enabling program and concurrently attending high school under an agreement between the University of Newcastle and the relevant high school.

English requirements
You must comply with the level of English proficiency for the program you are applying for.

Applications to study in Semester 1, 2024 have now closed!

Applications for Semester 2, 2024 will open Wednesday 3rd April.

How to apply

  1. When applications are open, hit 'Apply now'.
  2. Create or sign into your account
  3. Begin your application by selecting 'Get started!'
  4. Select your program, preferred location of study and when you would like to commence
  5. Provide 100 points of identification with certified copies of your documentation.

For application assistance, download our Step-by-Step Application Guide (PDF, 1.5MB).

Learn More

Applications to study in Semester 1, 2024 have now closed!

Semester 1, 2024 key dates:

  • 26 February 2024 - Semester 1 commences
  • 22 March 2024 - Semester 1 census date
  • 7 June 2024 - Semester 1 concludes
  • 10 - 22 June 2024 - Semester 1 exam period

Semester 2, 2024 key dates:

  • 3 April 2024 - Applications open
  • 22 July 2024 - Semester 2 commences

View more key dates and events

Download your free Pathways to University guide

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Download your guide PDF, 3.1 MB

Study options

Studying at university requires a significant commitment of your time. To help you balance your study with work, social and family commitments, we offer flexible delivery options.

I want to study

Note: This tool is for information and reference only. To ensure you are enrolled with this selection, you will need to complete the application process here.

Your full-timepart-time options

Lecturer with two students

Open Foundation
Full-time | On-campus

Go with full-time if you can dedicate 20 to 40 hours to study per week. Including all class, study time and assessments. More info

Location icon

On-campus
Newcastle (Callaghan)
Central Coast (Ourimbah)

Duration icon

Duration
6 months - 1 year
1-2 semesters

Start date icon

Start date
Semester 1 begins 26 February 2024
Applications for Semester 1, 2024 are now closed.
Applications for Semester 2, 2024 open Wednesday 3rd April.

If you are wanting to start your degree ASAP, only have a few commitments outside of your studies, and want to experience the perks of studying on campus, full-time on-campus Open Foundation is for you.

  • 30-40 units per semester.
  • 50+ courses available at Callaghan (Newcastle).
  • 35+ courses available at Ourimbah (Central Coast).
  • Choose to study our standard 40 unit program or our NEW 60 unit extended program, where you can trial a number of study areas to find what suits you.
  • 6-12 hours per week.
  • Up to 3 hours per 10 units of study. This includes lectures and tutorials.

14-28 hours per week.

This includes readings, researching, assignment work, discussion board participation and revision.

You can use the Library or our study area facilities if you are looking for a study space on campus.

Student

Open Foundation
Full-time | Flexible Online

Go with full-time if you can dedicate 20 to 40 hours to study per week. Including all class, study time and assessments. More info

Location icon

Flexible online

Duration icon

Duration
6 months - 1 year
1-2 semesters

Date icon

Start date
Semester 1 begins 26 February 2024
Applications for Semester 1, 2024 are now closed.
Applications for Semester 2, 2024 open Wednesday 3rd April

If you are hoping to start your degree in 6-12 months, have minimal commitments outside of your studies but require flexibility around where and when you will study, flexible online Open Foundation is for you.

  • 30-40 units per semester.
  • 20+ courses available.
  • Choose to study our standard 40 unit program or our NEW 60 unit extended program, where you can trial a number of study areas to find what suits you.
  • 6-16 hours per week.
  • 1 hour of online tutorials per 10 units of study plus a weekly module that takes up to 3 hours to complete.

14-28 hours per week.

This includes readings, researching, assignment work, discussion board participation and revision.

Complete your out-of-class study in a time and location that suits you. You are also welcome to use the Library or study areas if you are close by too.

Students drinking coffee

Open Foundation
Part-time | On-campus

Go with part-time if you can only dedicate up to 20 hours to study per week. Including all class, study time and assessments. More info

Location icon

On-campus
Newcastle (Callaghan)
Central Coast (Ourimbah)

Duration icon

Duration
1-4 years
2-8 semesters

Date icon

Start date
Semester 1 begins 26 February 2024
Applications for Semester 1, 2024 are now closed.
Applications for Semester 2, 2024 open Wednesday 3rd April

If you are looking for flexibility but want to experience the perks of studying on-campus, part-time on-campus Open Foundation is for you. It's perfect if you have existing work, family or carer commitments, offering flexibility to complete the program in up to four years.

  • 10-20 units per semester
  • 50+ courses available at Callaghan (Newcastle)
  • 35+ courses available at Ourimbah (Central Coast)
  • Choose to study our standard 40 unit program or our NEW 60 unit extended program, where you can trial a number of study areas to find what suits you.
  • 2-6 hours per week
  • Up to 3 hours per 10 units of study. This includes lectures and tutorials.

8-14 hours per week.

This includes readings, researching, assignment work, discussion board participation and revision.

You can use the Library or our study area facilities if you are looking for a study space on campus.

Student

Open Foundation
Part-time | Flexible Online

Go with part-time if you can only dedicate up to 20 hours to study per week. Including all classes, study time and assessments. More info

Location icon

Flexible online

Duration icon

Duration
1-4 years
2-8 semesters

Date icon

Semester 1 begins 26 February 2024
Applications for Semester 1, 2024 are now closed.
Applications for Semester 2, 2024 open Wednesday 3rd April

If you are self-motivated and looking for flexibility, plus have work, family or carer commitments, flexible online Open Foundation is for you.

You will be invited to visit campus 2-3 times each semester to meet other students and staff. This flexibility means you can study at a time and place that suits you.

  • 10-20 units per semester.
  • 20+ courses available.
  • Choose to study our standard 40 unit program or our NEW 60 unit extended program, where you can trial a number of study areas to find what suits you.
  • 2-8 hours per week.
  • 1 hour of online tutorials per 10 units of study plus a weekly module that takes up to 3 hours to complete.

8-14 hours per week.

This includes readings, researching, assignment work, discussion board participation and revision.

Complete your out-of-class study in a time and location that suits you. You are also welcome to use the Library or study areas if you are close by too.

Got a question about Open Foundation?

Ask us now

Why go to uni?

Go global

Uni opens doors all over the world. Not only will you be exposed to global experiences while studying, many degrees qualify you for jobs around the world.

Better jobs and pay

A uni degree is your ticket to not only a job but a lifelong career with greater employment prospects and higher salaries.

Follow your interests

No matter what you’re into there is a uni degree to suit you. Further narrow your focus by choosing a major, meaning you specialise in a group of subjects as part of your degree.

Enjoy the flexibility

Uni allows you take control of your learning and design your timetable around your other commitments. Uni also has a fun side with lots of clubs, parties, concerts and events.

Feel prepared for work

Uni is not just taught in the classroom. You get real-world, practical experience from the very start. Feel prepared to enter the world when you graduate.

We're here to support you

Helping you find your path to uni

Steph's pathway to uni 1:40

You don't need any qualifications to get into uni. Through Open Foundation, Steph is now studying her dream degree.

There are lots of pathways to university 2:53

Meet Charlotte, an Open Foundation graduate 1:42