Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Foundation Studies Program (Accelerated) is designed for international students who have completed the equivalent of Australian Year 11 but do not meet the requirements for direct entry to Adelaide University.
• Successful completion provides guaranteed entry to the student's packaged Adelaide University degree, subject to achieving the required progression score and satisfying any additional degree-specific requirements.
• The programme is accelerated, taking 9 months rather than the standard Foundation Studies pathway of approximately 11 months.
• Students can select elective subjects aligned with their intended bachelor's degree.
• Students receive a packaged Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) covering the College and University pathway, where packaged enrolment is applicable.
• KICA states that students have access to Adelaide University facilities while studying at the College. The 2026 Kaplan reference guide also highlights small class sizes, dedicated student support and a multicultural student community.
• Students are expected to undertake 20–25 hours per week of independent learning in addition to scheduled classes. 

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The programme contains compulsory academic preparation and elective subjects. Each subject is structured into Part A and Part B to support progressive learning.

Compulsory component

Academic English

• FS101EAP – Academic English Part A
• FS102EAP – Academic English Part B

The subject develops academic reading, writing, listening and speaking skills, academic culture, assessment skills, critical thinking, research and collaborative problem-solving. Part B builds on the skills developed in Part A and further develops interdisciplinary research, critical evaluation and communication.

Elective subjects

Students select subjects according to their intended university pathway. The published programme includes:

• Australian Studies
• Accounting
• Economics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Mathematical Methods. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

There are no formal "specialisations" listed for the Foundation Studies Program itself.

Instead, the programme is streamed according to the student's intended Adelaide University degree. Published pathway areas include:

• Architecture and Design
• Arts
• Communications and Media
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Science
• Teaching and Education
• Business and related areas
• Health and biomedical-related pathways. 

Programme Highlights

• Accelerated 9-month foundation pathway.
• March and October intakes.
• Designed for international students with Australian Year 11-equivalent education.
• Guaranteed entry to the packaged Adelaide University degree after meeting the required progression score and applicable degree conditions.
• Streamed electives allow students to prepare for their intended bachelor's discipline.
• Academic English is integrated into the Foundation curriculum.
• Small-class learning and dedicated student support are highlighted by Kaplan.
• Students can access Adelaide University facilities while studying at the College.
• Packaged CoE can cover the College-to-University pathway.
• CRICOS registered programme: 117434B.

Career Outcomes

The Foundation Studies Program itself is a pathway qualification rather than a professional degree, so it does not directly lead to a specific occupation.

Its primary outcome is progression into the student's packaged Adelaide University bachelor's degree. Potential career outcomes therefore depend on the bachelor's degree subsequently completed.

Examples of pathways include business, IT, engineering, science, health, nursing, teaching, communications and other undergraduate fields.

Specific professional registration or employment outcomes are determined by the subsequent Adelaide University degree and, where relevant, professional accreditation.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The programme is currently presented by KICA as a pathway to Adelaide University rather than the former University of Adelaide pathway. Adelaide University is now the relevant university partner identified on KICA's current website. Adelaide University's own pathway-provider information confirms that Kaplan International College Adelaide provides Foundation Studies, Degree Transfer and Pre-Master's pathways.

Important conditions:

• Guaranteed entry is conditional on successful completion and achieving the required progression score.
• Certain degrees have additional admission requirements.
• Medicine, Dentistry, Midwifery, Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy have additional requirements that KICA says students will be advised about.
• Some degrees require higher English scores than the general Foundation requirement.
• Not all electives are offered in every intake.
• Students must be at least 16 at Foundation commencement. 

International Student Visa Requirements

The appropriate visa for an international student undertaking this Australian pathway is generally the Australian Student visa (subclass 500), subject to the student's circumstances and current immigration rules.

CoE

Applicants must have a valid Confirmation of Enrolment in a full-time CRICOS-registered course. For packaged courses, the Department of Home Affairs requires a CoE for each course in the package.

Genuine Student requirement

Student visa applicants must satisfy Australia's Genuine Student requirement. Applicants must demonstrate that studying in Australia is their primary reason for applying for the visa and answer questions concerning their circumstances, reasons for choosing the course/provider, understanding of study/life in Australia and the benefit of completing the course.

Health and character

Applicants must satisfy applicable health and character requirements. Applicants aged 18 or older must also read the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement.

Financial capacity

The current Department of Home Affairs guidance states that the student must have sufficient funds for:

• travel
• course fees for the relevant period
• living expenses
• schooling costs for accompanying school-age children, where applicable.