Why Study / Key Benefits

• Provides a direct pathway into the second year of a specific undergraduate degree at Adelaide University.
• The programme is equivalent to the first year of a bachelor's degree.
• KICA states that students receive full credit for university-level courses applicable to their destination degree.
• Students receive English-language and learning support while studying.
• KICA states that successful graduates will not need to provide further evidence of English-language proficiency when progressing.
• It is designed for students who have completed the equivalent of Australian Year 12 or a KICA Foundation Studies Program but did not obtain direct entry to Adelaide University.
• The programme combines academic English development with credit-bearing subjects relevant to the intended university degree.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme contains compulsory Academic English subjects plus additional credit-bearing courses based on the student's destination degree.

Compulsory courses include:

• Academic English Fundamentals – DT201EAP
  • Academic reading and comprehension
  • Structuring and formatting assignments and essays
  • Lecture comprehension
  • Academic speaking
  • Academic discussion and group work
  • Academic integrity
  • Referencing.
• Academic English Part A – DT301EAP
  • Academic language development
  • Group work
  • Collaborative communication
  • Participation in undergraduate academic environments
  • Building confidence in academic communication.
• Academic English Part B – DT302EAP
  • Advanced academic language
  • Critical thinking
  • Academic writing
  • Complex discussions
  • Independent research
  • Producing well-structured academic texts.

KICA lists the following elective/credit-bearing courses:

• Accounting – DT202ACC
• Economics – DT207ECO
• Statistics – DT211MAT
• Computing – DT205CSC
• Programming – DT210CSC
• Core Mathematics – DT206MAT
• Engineering Mathematics – DT208MAT
• Physics – DT209PHY
• Biology – DT203BIO
• Chemistry – DT204CHE.

For an Information Technology pathway, the particularly relevant courses include:

Computing – DT205CSC:

• Computer hardware and software fundamentals
• Computer components
• Microsoft Office applications
• Word processing
• Spreadsheets
• Database management
• File management
• Computing-related communication skills.

Programming – DT210CSC:

• Computer hardware and software concepts
• Binary and hexadecimal number systems
• Algorithms
• Flowcharts
• Pseudocode
• Programming fundamentals
• Python programming
• Problem-solving.

Statistics – DT211MAT:

• Data collection
• Descriptive statistics
• Numerical and graphical data analysis
• Inferential statistics
• Statistical estimation
• Testing claims about populations from samples.

Core Mathematics – DT206MAT:

• Calculus
• Linear algebra
• Mathematical foundations for IT, Engineering and Science
• Preparation for undergraduate study requiring mathematical proficiency.

Engineering Mathematics – DT208MAT:

• Advanced calculus
• Linear algebra
• Trigonometric-function calculus
• Vector operations
• Polynomial factorisation
• Parametric curves
• Periodic behaviour.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The principal discipline is Information Technology.

The KICA pathway is designed to lead into the second year of a specific Adelaide University undergraduate degree rather than functioning as a standalone IT degree with independent KICA specialisations.

The programme page's destination-degree tables are currently not populated with the individual Adelaide University degree names, CRICOS codes, credit values or progression scores in the publicly displayed webpage.

Therefore, the exact destination IT degree, specialisation, progression score and credit package should be confirmed before accepting an offer.

Programme Highlights

• Undergraduate pathway to Adelaide University.
• Equivalent to the first year of a bachelor's degree.
• Progression to second-year bachelor's study after successful completion and satisfaction of applicable conditions.
• Duration of 3 or 4 trimesters.
• 12–16 months.
• March, July and October intakes.
• Information Technology discipline.
• Academic English preparation built into the pathway.
• Computing and Programming subjects available.
• Mathematics and Statistics subjects available where relevant to the destination degree.
• English-language and learning support.
• Full credit for applicable university-level courses.
• International tuition fee of AUD 52,995.
• CRICOS code 116798D.

Career Outcomes

The KICA programme is a pathway rather than the final professional IT qualification.

Its immediate academic outcome is progression to the second year of an eligible undergraduate degree at Adelaide University.

Long-term career outcomes depend on the bachelor's degree subsequently completed at Adelaide University. Depending on the selected degree, potential career areas may include:

• software and application development
• information technology
• systems and technology support
• computing
• data and technology-related roles
• information systems
• other technology-related professional areas.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current KICA programme page confirms:

• Programme: Degree Transfer Program Extended Information Technology
• CRICOS code: 116798D
• Duration: 3 or 4 trimesters
• Intakes: March, July and October
• International fee: AUD 52,995
• Domestic fee: AUD 36,000. 

Students should confirm the following before accepting an offer:

• exact Adelaide University destination degree;
• applicable progression score;
• exact courses receiving university credit;
• course availability in the chosen intake;
• exact trimester sequence;
• any destination-degree prerequisites;
• conditions attached to guaranteed progression; and
• the dates stated on the individual offer and CoE.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying at KICA require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500. KICA states that students first need to be accepted into a registered course. After satisfying offer conditions and making the required payment, KICA issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which is then used for the Student visa application.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs currently requires Student visa applicants to:

• apply online;
• be enrolled in an eligible course and hold a valid CoE when the visa is decided;
• hold OSHC or fall within an exemption;
• satisfy the Genuine Student requirement;
• meet applicable health requirements;
• meet applicable character requirements; and
• provide English-language evidence where required or qualify for an exemption.