Free diploma courses
Our pathway diplomas combine first-year degree courses with foundational courses provided by the Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre (PALS).
These foundational courses are compulsory core courses and FREE for diploma students.
*Please note: This does not include the Diploma in Languages, the Diploma in Surveying or the Diploma in Town Planning.
About your free courses
Within each diploma there are 2-3 foundational courses you must do. To provide these courses at no charge, they are coded as ‘EPFN’ in the Diploma Foundation Studies, which is an enabling program.
The code EPFN stands for 'Enabling Program Foundation'. Each EPFN course matches a 'FN' coded course. For example:
| Free EPFN course | Equivalent FN course |
|---|---|
| EPFNSO110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | FNSO1110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis |
Upon completion of your EPFN courses, you will be awarded credit for the corresponding FN course in your diploma program. You can find the full list of required courses for your diploma in the Program Handbook.
EPFN courses are run by PALS. The PALS team provide enhanced support and an engaging learning environment to help you succeed.
How it works
Following the acceptance of your diploma offer, you will now have two active programs:
- Your diploma program
- Diploma Foundation Studies (program code 50046)
The Diploma Foundation Studies will allow you to enrol in EPFN courses through myHub.
Please see the full list of FN courses below as they appear in your diploma program and the correct EPFN course you must enrol in.
You will not be charged tuition fees or incur HECS-HELP Loan for courses you enrol that begin with EPFN.
Check your EPFN courses
| Complete both of these free courses in your 50046 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
|---|---|---|
| EPFNSO110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | FNSO1110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | Sem 1 |
| EPFNLT108 Research in Action | FNLT1008 Research in Action | Sem 2 |
| Complete both of these free courses in your 50046 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
|---|---|---|
| EPFNSC103 Academic Survival Skills for STEM | FNSC1003 Academic Survival Skills for STEM | Sem 1 |
| EPFNSO110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | FNSO1110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | Sem 2 |
| Complete both of these free courses in your 50046 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
|---|---|---|
| EPFNSO110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | FNSO1110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | Sem 1 |
| EPFNMT121 Introductory Skills in Mathematics and Statistics | FNMT1201 Introductory Skills in Mathematics and Statistics | Sem 2 |
Please note: This program is no longer available to new students, the information below is relevant to currently enrolled, continuing students only.
| Complete both of these free courses in your 50046 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
|---|---|---|
| EPFNSO110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | FNSO1110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | Sem 1 |
| EPFNMT121 Introductory Skills in Mathematics and Statistics | FNMT1201 Introductory Skills in Mathematics and Statistics | Sem 2 |
| Complete both of these free courses in your 50046 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
|---|---|---|
| EPFNLT106 Academic Literacies for Studies in Education | FNLT1006 Academic Literacies for Studies in Education | Sem 1 |
| EPFNMT121 Introductory Skills in Mathematics and Statistics | FNMT1201 Introductory Skills in Mathematics and Statistics | Sem 2 |
| Complete these three free courses in your 50046 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
|---|---|---|
| EPFNMT103 Foundational Studies in Mathematics 1 | FNMT1003 Foundational Studies in Mathematics 1 | Sem 1 |
| EPFNMT104 Foundational Studies in Mathematics 2 | FNMT1004 Foundational Studies in Mathematics 2 | Sem 2 |
| EPFNPS103 Engineering Physics | FNPS1003 Engineering Physics | Sem 1 |
| Complete both of these free courses in your 50046 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
|---|---|---|
| EPFNSC103 Academic Survival Skills for STEM | FNSC1003 Academic Survival Skills for STEM | Sem 1 |
| EPFNLT108 Research in Action | FNLT1008 Research in Action | Sem 2 |
| Complete both of these free courses in your 50069 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
|---|---|---|
| EPFNSC103 Academic Survival Skills for STEM | FNSC1003 Academic Survival Skills for STEM | Sem 1 |
| EPFNLT108 Research in Action | FNLT1008 Research in Action | Sem 2 |
| Complete both of these free courses in your 50046 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
|---|---|---|
| EPFNSO110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | FNSO1110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | Sem 1 |
| EPFNMT121 Introductory Skills in Mathematics and Statistics | FNMT1201 Introductory Skills in Mathematics and Statistics | Sem 2 |
| Complete both of these free courses in your 50070 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
|---|---|---|
| EPFNSO110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | FNSO1110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | Sem 1 |
| EPFNLT108 Research in Action | FNLT1008 Research in Action | Sem 2 |
| Complete both of these free courses in your 50046 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
|---|---|---|
| EPFNSC103 Academic Survival Skills for STEM | FNSC1003 Academic Survival Skills for STEM | Sem 1 |
| EPFNLT108 Research in Action | FNLT1008 Research in Action | Sem 2 |
Complete both of these free courses in your 50046 program | Credit you’ll receive towards your Diploma as listed in the program handbook | Suggested enrolment semester |
FNSO1110 Academic Literacies and Social Analysis | Sem 1 | |
FNLT1008 Research in Action | Sem 2 |
Enrolling in your EPFN courses
To provide these courses free, you must first complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF) for the Diploma Foundation Studies program (program code 50046).
Once you have completed your eCAF, you must select the Diploma Foundation Studies program in myHub before enrolling in the EPFN courses.
Please follow the ASKUON enrolment instructions carefully.
More information
For more information about the EPFN courses and how to change your enrolment please contact the PALS team at Enabling@newcastle.edu.au or call 02 4921 5558.
Need more information?
Send us an email
Call (02) 4921 5558
130 University Drive Callaghan NSW 2308
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