English Language and Foundation Studies Centre
Welcome to the English Language and Foundation Studies Centre. Since 1974, thousands of people have entered University through one of our enabling or international programs, making our Centre the largest of its kind in Australia.
Our mission is to contribute research leadership to the field of enabling education, to sustain excellence in teaching and learning, and above all, to provide our students with an outstanding student experience that will help them to achieve their educational goals.
STUDY OPTIONS
Open Foundation
Open Foundation is a free pathway program offered at the University of Newcastle for people who do not have the qualifications required for direct entry into an undergraduate degree program.
Not only is Open Foundation designed to help you gain entry, it helps you develop the skills needed for successful study at a university level. We want to give you every chance to succeed, regardless of your background or level of previous education and to help you there are no tuition fees to complete the program.
To be eligible for a place you must be:
Newstep
Newstep is a free pathway program offered at the University of Newcastle for people who either didn’t complete Year 12 due to adverse circumstances or who didn’t get enough marks for entry into university.
Not only is Newstep designed to help you gain entry, it helps you develop the skills needed for successful study at a university level. We want to give you every chance to succeed, regardless of your background or level of previous education, and to help you there are no tuition fees to complete the program.
To be eligible for a place you must be:
Yapug
Yapug is a free pathway program offered at the University of Newcastle for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples who do not have the qualifications required for direct entry into an undergraduate degree program.
Not only is Yapug designed to help you gain entry, it helps you develop the skills needed for successful study at a university level. We want to give you every chance to succeed, regardless of your background or level of previous education, and to help you there are no tuition fees to complete the program and we offer a range of support services.
To be eligible for a place you must be:
UON Prep
UON Prep bridging and refresher courses are designed to improve your academic skills and refresh your knowledge prior to commencing your degree.
Each course is not designed to replace completing assumed or recommended studies at high school, instead serving to refresh your knowledge and bridge the gap of time. Research has shown that students who complete a UON Prep bridging and refresher course perform better in their degree.
English language courses
English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) are designed to enable international students to develop their English language skills for a variety of purposes.
All courses prepare students for further study at the University of Newcastle. Academic language and skills are taught throughout the English for General Purposes program.
Study abroad
Our Study abroad programs run for one year and allows students enrolled in overseas institutions to study at the University of Newcastle and receive credit for these studies at their home institutions.
Our research
The English Language and Foundation Studies Centre aims to be a global research leader in the fields of access, equity and enabling education. Our research supports evidenced based change in the provision of alternative pathways to higher education. Our research into widening participation and enabling education investigates the social and economic benefit to students, their families, and the general community. It also seeks to improve enabling pedagogies, diversified modes of educational delivery to ever-wider constituencies, and academic outcomes of students from various equity groups.
Cultural Safety Statement
The English Language and Foundation Studies Centre recognises and respects the unique history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their unbroken relationship with the lands and the waters of Australia over millennia. We are dedicated to reconciliation and to offering opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access and succeed in higher education. The Centre is committed to providing a culturally safe and inclusive environment for all.