Studying Foundation Courses Abroad: How Much Does It Cost?

A foundation course equips you with independent study skills, language proficiency and essential numeracy and logical thinking abilities to help prepare you for an undergraduate degree.

This is done in a university setting where you can immerse yourself in the student culture as well as have access to the University library and other services.

By attending a foundation course, not only will you officially be able to pursue a degree, you will be more confident and prepared for the next leg of your student journey that will require more knowledge and academic rigour to succeed.

Foundation courses are available in many English-speaking countries including Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, the UK as well as the United States.

Depending on your country and institution, a foundation course might be considered a true bridging course to fill the gaps and that means you might not be entitled to direct entry to the second year of a university program but you can still move on towards the first year.

This is unlike a foundation degree, there is a difference here. In a foundation degree, it is equivalent to two years out of a three or four-year undergraduate degree program. This allows you to move directly into the 2nd or 3rd year of a program.

A key deciding factor of which country to choose is to ask yourself if you would like to pursue further education in that particular country. Because it will be easier to gain entry and much more convenient to apply for a visa extension than starting from scratch in a new study destination.

There are a few criteria you should consider when choosing your foundation course provider. Firstly, you want to make sure that your foundation course is accredited as well as guarantees a pathway to the university upon completion of the course and meeting the entry requirements.

Institutions like Australia’s Monash University have a pathway guarantee for the foundation course or ‘foundation year’. Additionally, whether you are studying in a private institution or university, you want to make sure that the institution is accredited or recognised in the country.

For example, in Australia, reputable and recognised institutions are registered with the Australian Government’s Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). This helps to ensure the highest quality education possible so that your foundation course is helpful and prepares you comprehensively for a full undergraduate curriculum.

The costs of your foundation program will largely depend on the institution and country that you are in.

Here’s a quick comparison of the average of various foundation courses or foundation year programmes across various study destinations:

Australia - S$25,000

The UK - S$30,000

Canada - S$25,000

New Zealand - S$21,000

Ireland - S$20,000

The United States - S$35,000

Thankfully, to find the right foundation course and easily browse through different institutions that offer it across the study destinations, you can easily use the IDP course finder here.

You will gain key information including how long the course will be and how much the course will cost in total, allowing you to select the right foundation program to better prepare you for the challenges ahead!

Take the next step with a foundation course and start the journey towards your dream degree abroad!

Not only will you prepare yourself with quality education and secure an undergraduate placement upon completion of the foundation year, but you’ll also immerse yourself into the student culture and your chosen study destination!

However, you will need to plan ahead and work out your costs & needs to determine which foundation course is suitable for your current career aspirations and budget.

We can help you through this process!

At IDP, we have a team of education counsellors that can offer tailored guidance and assist you throughout your journey.

Get started with your free counselling session today.