The CQU Foundation Studies program is a 14 course non-award program designed to produce students who are equipped to successfully undertake study in a tertiary environment. The program provides instruction in English for academic purposes, practical academic study skills and fundamental knowledge in key skill areas that can be applied to a tertiary study environment.

 

The program is made up of 26 weeks of study divided into 2 consecutive semesters of 13 weeks duration. The program consists of 14 courses.

Term 1 comprises 7 core foundation courses which are compulsory. Students will begin by moving through a series of 4 academic English courses which focus on developing key skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking. There are also a number of core courses which focus on fundamental skills in the areas of Mathematics, Computing for Academic Study and Academic Study Skills.

In Term 2 students study 4 core courses and three additional courses for a chosen stream. These are made up of 2 Academic English courses, a Communication Skills course and Probability, Statistics and Finance. The additional 3 courses are chosen from one of 3 specialised streams listed below:

• Business stream
• Computing stream
• Social Science stream

More details on the courses in each stream can be found on the 'Courses' page.

 

As part of the assessment requirements of this program students will undertake a significant load of independent study (280 hours over two terms), half of which is supervised. Independent study activities can include but are not limited to:

• Orientation;
• Library and Learning Skills Unit Orientation;
• Learning Skills Unit appointment;
• Weekly home group meetings with coordinator;
• Library research/private study;
• Group study;
• Laboratory sessions;
• Exam preparation; and
• Other campus activities related to coursework.