Program Overview

Foundation Program

The Foundation Program has been developed to bridge the gap between high school and tertiary studies. While completing the Foundation Program, students will study units and practice skills required for academic success in the SIBT Diploma Program (equivalent to one year of University studies). Some of the Foundation units students select will depend on the Diploma they wish to study.

Your Direct Pathway to an SIBT Diploma

• High School
• SIBT Foundation
• SIBT Diploma
• University Degree

Key Information

Duration

The standard program lasts 8 months.

Intake Dates

Intake dates are in March, July, and October.

Campus Location

The campus is located at Level 4, 255 Elizabeth Street, Sydney.

CRICOS Code

The CRICOS code for the standard program is provided.

Australian Fees

• A$22,740 (2025)
• A$23,500 (2026)

International Fees

• A$25,000 (2025)
• A$27,000 (2026)

Program Requirements

To be eligible for the Foundation Standard Program, students must have completed year 11 or equivalent and achieved an equivalent IELTS of 5.5 with 5 in each band.

Core Units

The standard program includes five core units:

• FNDS013 Advanced Academic Communication Skills
• FNDS014 Intercultural Studies
• FNDS015 Information Technology
• FNDS016 Advanced Academic Writing and Research
• FNDH023 Essential Mathematics or FNDE021 Mathematics 1 (Engineering students must choose FNDE021 Mathematics 1)

Standard Program Elective Units

Elective units are offered in various streams:

• Arts, Media and Communications stream
  • FNDA023 Mass Communication
  • FNDB022 Management
  • FNDB023 Marketing
• Business and Commerce stream
  • FNDB020 Accounting
  • FNDB022 Management
  • FNDB023 Marketing
• IT stream
  • FNDE020 Introduction to Project Management
  • FNDB022 Management
  • FNDB023 Marketing
• Engineering stream
  • FNDE020 Introduction to Project Management
  • FNDE023 Mathematics 2
  • FNDB022 Management
• Health stream
  • FNDB022 Management
  • FNDB023 Marketing
  • FNDE020 Introduction to Project Management
• Social Science stream
  • FNDA023 Mass Communication
  • FNDB022 Management
  • FNDB023 Marketing

Assessment Methods

Assessments in the Foundation Program encourage learning and indicate students' level of achievement against set criteria, standards, and learning objectives. Assessment methods vary depending on the units selected and include a combination of assessment tasks, such as individual and group assignments, essays, oral presentations, tutorial participation, and formal examinations.

English Support

Students have the opportunity to work on improving their English language skills and practice the four key skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) in various contexts through programs available at SIBT and Navitas English.

Entry to an SIBT Diploma

When students successfully complete their SIBT Foundation Program and obtain the required Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 (on a 10-point scale) for their preferred diploma, they will be guaranteed a place in that diploma.

Fast Track to Diploma

Students who pass the first 4 recommended units of the Foundation Program (Standard) and achieve an overall average of 70% or above may be eligible to transfer into an SIBT Diploma.

TEQSA Accreditation

The SIBT Foundation Programs (Standard) have been registered on CRICOS for delivery in Australia to overseas students and comply with the ESOS Act 2000, the National Code, and the National Standards for Foundation Programs.

Student Cohort Profile

The student cohort profile provides information on the background of current students, including:

• Applicant background
• Current students by session and percentage
• Details on admitted students based on ATAR, vocational education, and other criteria