University Foundation Studies

Introduction

The Pittwater House Schools are accredited by UNSW Global Limited to teach the UNSW Foundation Year courses and have been offering the UNSW Foundation programmes on its Collaroy campus since 1994.

University Foundation Year (UFY) is a preparation year for university and an alternative to Secondary School Year 12. Foundation courses are completely separate from Year 11 and Year 12 Higher School Certificate (HSC) and secondary school programmes and are an alternative option to the NSW Higher School Certificate for international students. UFY on the Pittwater House campus provides many additional advantages. It is an alternative pathway to the New South Wales public exam and assessment, the Higher School Certificate, which is the normal prerequisite for tertiary study in the State of NSW.

The UFY pathway provides a number of advantages:

• International students are allocated a place in one of their preferred undergraduate programmes at UNSW
• On successful completion of the UNSW Foundation Year programme the student can then proceed directly to their chosen undergraduate programmes at UNSW or other Australian or international universities
• The subjects covered in UFY are designed to prepare students for university and the teaching patterns follow university practice
• The course commence in January each year

The benefits of studying UFY at Pittwater House are as follows:

• students are taught in small tutorial classes
• subjects covered in UFY are designed to prepare students for university and the teaching patterns follow university practice
• students are allocated a place in their preferred undergraduate programme at UNSW
• bi-lingual teachers on campus to assist with student's concerns
• tertiary counselling, cultural and sporting activities available
• over 95% of UFY graduates from Pittwater House have successfully transferred to the degree course of their choice at a variety of universities around the world

Aims

• To provide a quality education
• Offer a stable learning environment
• Bring out the best qualities in each student
• Encourage and develop abilities, latent or apparent

Class Sizes and Teaching

There are small tutorial and lecture groups and as a result staff can support students experiencing study or cultural difficulties. Small classes ensure the active participation of students which increases confidence in the use of the English language. There is consultation with staff after class time when necessary.

Teachers are highly skilled and sensitive to the needs of international students and encourage the healthy development of students intellectually, physically and morally. Foundation Studies teachers are highly trained and accredited by UNSW.

The school environment naturally recognises individuality and the size of the campus and class numbers ensures students are not lost in an overwhelmingly large campus. Individual attention is given to student progress and there is a policy that the care of each student is the responsibility of a senior member of staff and there are open lines of communication with parents and/or guardians.

Programme

The UFY Commerc course commences in January. The teaching programme of lectures and tutorials runs Monday to Friday and pupils are required to attend every day. UFY is a one year programme at Pittwater House.

Catering For International Students

The University Foundation Year (UFY) course is structured as a university "Year 0" and is an alternative pathway to the Year 12 Higher School Certificate (HSC) course. Foundation Studies courses are completely separate from the Year 11 and Year 12 HSC and secondary school programmes. There are no school uniform requirements and classes are co-educational.

Additional Features

Homestay is arranged close to the campus and the location of Sydney's northern beaches offers a clean and safe environment.

Extra-curricular facilities including the short course Olympic Pool, all weather basketball / tennis courts and playing fields are available on campus.

Staff are on hand to assist with matters relating to accommodation, visas, health cover and student welfare.

Enrolment

UFY is an intensive academic course of study designed to prepare students for successful university study and covers specific subjects depending on the degree stream chosen.

Acceptance into UFY requires students to demonstrate:

• they have completed the equivalent of Year 11 with good grades in all subjects including Mathematics
• an IELTS 5.5 (with a minimum of 5.0 in each area)
• Satisfactory behaviour / record of attendance

Students who have attained IELTS 5.0 and have completed Year 11 may package Academic English at NBEC and UFY as UFY Extension, a 15 month programme. The UFY Extension programme commences in September.

The satisfactory completion of UFY leads to the award of the University Foundation Year Certificate by UNSW. All relevant degree courses and vocational courses at Australian universities and TAFE Colleges are available through these course pathways.

Reference should be made to the UNSW Prospectus for specific requirements for countries outside Australia. This can be viewed at www.ufy.unsw.edu.au

All applicants need the following:

• Guardian nominated if under the age of 18 years OR request Pittwater House to arrange guardianship at an additional cost
• $200 Enrolment Fee received by The Pittwater House Schools

Applicants must complete the current Application Form and submit this by post. An original form must be received however a fax copy will be accepted for assessment of applicants.

The Pittwater House Schools Ltd delivers the Foundation Year Certificate (PTW) programme under licence agreement from the University of New South Wales.

• The Pittwater House Schools Ltd CRICOS Provider No. 00897J
• The University of New South Wales CRICOS Provider No. 00098G
• The CRICOS Course Code is 050714G