Foundation Studies at Kaplan Murdoch is a university-preparation programme designed primarily for international students who need an Australian Year 12-equivalent pathway before entering the first year of an undergraduate degree at Murdoch University. It is particularly suitable for students who have completed Year 11 or equivalent and want to progress to university study, accelerate their preparation, or change their intended degree stream.

Key benefits include:

• Provides a pathway to first-year undergraduate study at Murdoch University.
• Designed specifically with international students in mind.
• Develops academic English, study, research and communication skills.
• Allows students to select subjects according to their intended bachelor's degree.
• Helps bridge gaps in academic knowledge between secondary school and university.
• Offers pathways across business, science, technology, arts, media, communication and other disciplines.
• Successful completion normally provides entry to the first year of most Murdoch University undergraduate degrees, subject to the relevant course requirements

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

Students complete 8 units over two study periods.

All students must complete the two English units:

• Essential Australian Studies
• Introduction to Academic Communication

The remaining 6 units are selected from discipline groups according to the student's intended bachelor's degree.

Available subject areas include:

English:

• Essential Australian Studies
• Introduction to Academic Communication

Mathematics:

• Introductory Mathematics
• Mathematics for Science

Science and Technology:

• Information Technology for Academic Studies
• Computer Science
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology

The Arts:

• Introduction to Media
• Media Production

Business and Legal Studies:

• Accounting
• Management
• Economics.

Disciplines / Specialisations

Foundation Studies does not have formal specialisations in the same way as a bachelor's or master's programme. Instead, students build an appropriate subject combination around their intended degree.

Possible discipline areas include:

• Business and Commerce
• Accounting
• Management
• Economics
• Information Technology
• Computer Science
• Science
• Engineering preparation
• Media and Communication
• Creative Media
• Arts
• Criminology
• Psychology-related pathways
• Data Analytics
• Other eligible Murdoch University undergraduate disciplines.

Programme Highlights

• CRICOS registered: 093279K.
• Designed primarily for international students.
• 2 trimesters.
• 15 weeks per trimester.
• Approximately 36 weeks overall.
• 8 units.
• June and October intakes.
• Delivered at Murdoch University, Perth Campus.
• 2026 international tuition fee: AUD 28,440.
• Pathway to first-year study of most Murdoch University undergraduate degrees.
• Subject selection is linked to the intended bachelor's degree.
• Academic English and university study skills are integrated into the programme

Career Outcomes

Foundation Studies is not itself a professional qualification and therefore does not have standalone graduate career outcomes.

Its principal outcome is progression to an undergraduate degree at Murdoch University.

Depending on the bachelor's degree subsequently chosen, students can progress toward areas such as:

• Accounting
• Management
• Finance
• International Business
• Marketing
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Information Technology
• Data Analytics
• Communication
• Creative Media
• Arts
• Criminology
• Science
• Agricultural Science and other eligible disciplines.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current 2026 information confirms that Foundation Studies is offered with June and October intakes and has a 2026 international course fee of AUD 28,440.

Important progression conditions include:

• A final mark of 50% or higher in all Foundation Studies subjects normally meets the entry requirement for Murdoch University bachelor's courses with an ATAR requirement of 70 or equivalent.
• Law requires a higher standard: at least 78% average and at least 70% in Introduction to Academic Communication.
• Engineering (Honours) requires at least 70% average and at least 50% in Introduction to Academic Communication.
• Nursing has restricted access and additional English requirements.
• Veterinary Science and Bachelor of Education are excluded from the standard direct Foundation Studies pathway. Veterinary Science can instead be accessed through the Bachelor of Science in Animal Science pathway.

International Student Visa Requirements

Foundation Studies is CRICOS registered under 093279K and is specifically registered for delivery in Australia to overseas students.

International students normally use the Australian Student visa (subclass 500) for eligible full-time study.

The Department of Home Affairs states that Student visa holders can participate in eligible study in Australia and generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.

Key visa requirements can include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Genuine Student requirement.
• Appropriate Overseas Student Health Cover, unless exempt.
• Financial capacity evidence where required.
• Health requirements.
• Character requirements.
• English-language evidence where applicable.
• Any additional documents requested by the Department of Home Affairs.