Many Australian universities (especially the most renowned universities) request overseas students to have completed either their freshman courses in their own countries or a foundation program before studying at bachelor courses. As a result, many universities have established foundation classes with an aim of helping overseas students who have poor English or whose country educational system is different from that of Australia to improve their English. Successful completion of the foundation class course with satisfactory performance will ensure the admission into relevant university for a bachelor degree. A foundation class may be categorized as a standard, accelerated or consolidating class as per

their different learning periods illustrated as follows:

1. UNSW Foundation Year

As a renowned first-class university in Australia, UNSW foundation programs have five streams of courses optional to students, i.e.
Physical sciences � upon completion, the student may choose the following majors: aviation, engineering, computer science, optometry and optics, medical science, natural science, etc.
Life sciences � upon completion, the student may choose the following majors: health and sports science, medical science, biology, biomedical science, optometry, environmental science and management, psychology, public health, food science and technology, natural science, etc.
Commercial sciences � upon completion, the student may choose the following majors: accounting, commercial science, economics, information system, tourism and hotel management, literary art and social science, international trade, banking and finance, law and some other double-degree majors
Media and design � upon completion, the student may choose the following majors: media and communications, digital media, drawing and design, art theory and history, architectural design, indoor or ground architecture, industrial design, social science, urban development and design, fine arts, etc.
Literature and social sciences � upon completion, the student may choose the following majors: literature, social science, criminology, research on Australia, Asia and Europe, linguistics, media and communications, education, social work science, music, humanities, literature and law, international science, etc.

2. The University of Sydney Foundation Program

As a renowned first-class university in Australia with a long history, the University of Sydney enjoys a high reputation in the world and its foundation programs has five streams of courses open to students, i.e.
Science/engineering/health science � upon completion, the student may choose the following majors: agriculture, architecture, education, engineering, health science, psychology, medical science, computer science and technology, marine navigation, natural science, etc.
Economics/commercial science � upon completion, the student may choose the following majors: commercial science, economics, commercial law, management science, etc.
Literature/media � upon completion, the student may choose the following majors: literature, social science, media communications, education, social work science, etc.
Optical art and design � upon completion, the student may choose the following majors: optical art, fine arts, etc.
Music � upon completion, the student may choose the following majors: music, etc.

3. Monash University Foundation Year

Monash University is located in Australia second largest city of Melbourne and one of the eight renowned universities in Australia. Any graduate from its foundation class will be allowed to study the optional majors of law, medical science, literature, engineering, information science, etc. or apply for admission to other renowned universities so long as his or her grade is satisfactory.

4. The University of Western Australia Foundation Year

As one of the most renowned universities in Australia, the University of Western Australia was founded in 1911 and located in Perth of Western Australia. The graduates of its foundation program, provided that they satisfy certain requirements, will be allowed to either study the majors of economics, commercial science, literature, anthropology, architecture, agriculture science, computer science, information technology, engineering, psychology, medical science and natural science in the University or apply for other renowned universities.

5. The University of Newcastle International Foundation Program

As one of the renowned universities in Australia, the University of Newcastle enjoys a sound environment on campus and thus is an ideal place for further study. The graduates of its foundation program, provided that they satisfy certain requirements, will be allowed to either study the majors of commercial science, law, education, literature, engineering, science of architectural environment, health and medical science, natural science and information technology or apply for other renowned universities.

6. The University of Wollongong Foundation Studies

As one of the renowned universities in Australia, the University of Wollongong Foundation Studies has such leading majors as education, engineering and computer science among Australian universities. Its foundation program has four optional categories for the students, including liberal arts and social science, commercial science, mathematics and IT as well as natural science and engineering science. The graduates, provided that they satisfy certain requirements, will be allowed to study most of the majors in the University or other renowned universities in Australia.

7. The Meridian International School

This School has campus in both Sydney and Melbourne. Its foundation program is called the Global Assessment Certificate (GAC) and is recognized as a qualification for admission by 60-plus universities in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada and Britain. The GAC course consists of three levels (Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3). Each level takes 12 weeks (totaling 36 weeks). One of the biggest advantages of this course is it is great value for money as the price of this foundation program is considerably less than some of the larger universities but at the same time graduates get the same choices.