University foundation courses:

Access and foundation courses are basically the same thing. The terms are used interchangeably but foundation is often used to refer to a foundation-level course at a university (where you then do your degree). On the other hand access is used to refer to a course taken at an institution separate from the university at which you will do your degree but has links with the university. Both are designed to prepare you for degree-level study. If english is not your first language, english language courses (elicos) are available for you so that you can achieve the standard of english needed to take uk university studies.

The majority of students complete their access or foundation courses within one or two years but this is flexible as well (some can be offered at an accelerated pace of 6 – 9 months). Access and foundation courses are a good way to find out whether degree study is for you and what you think of the routine, the people and the atmosphere of australia and uk educational institutions.