Who is Open Foundation for?

Open Foundation provides a pathway to university for people who do not have the qualifications required for direct entry into a degree program. Here are some people who have studied Open Foundation:

Irene: Cleaner for 20 years, now a Secondary English Teacher

Errol: Motor Mechanic, now a Senior Public Servant in Canberra

Sandy: Single Parent, now teaching at Southern Cross University

Mac: Roadie for various pop groups, now studying for Ph.D. in Community Theatre and working with Youth in Crisis

Steve: Truck driver, now a High School teacher

Formal requirements

There are two formal requirements for admission to Open Foundation.  To be eligible for a place in the program you must:

  • be turning 20 years of age or more in the year of study, and
  • be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status.

You are not eligible for a place in Open Foundation if you already have a degree or currently have good standing in a degree program.

Although there are no educational prerequisites for Open Foundation, it is assumed that students will have a capability equivalent to Year 10 level at high school. Good reading and comprehension skills are needed to complete the program.

English language proficiency

Applicants who are from a non-English speaking background should be aware that Open Foundation courses will require a high level of written and spoken English. It is assumed that students from a language background other than English will have already undertaken formal study of English prior to commencing Open Foundation.

Other things to consider

If you are thinking about whether Open Foundation might be right for you, it is important to think about how you will fit study into your life. It can be very rewarding if study is what you want to do, but it will take time and organisation.

Watch the video below to hear from former students about making the decision to apply for Open Foundation and the factors they considered before applying:

Watch this next video to hear how former students prepared their lives for study:

Next: What costs are involved?

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