Standard Foundation Program

UAC CODE: 301021

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Overview Course structure Entry requirements Fees and scholarships How to apply

Overview

Study options

Full Time
In person, on campus

Duration
Duration can vary due to your prior learning and work experience. Learn about admission points under Entry Requirements.

Full time: 0.8 years

Fees

Domestic Fee-paying
Estimated annual fee AUD $32,400

How is this calculated?

Location and start dates

North Ryde:

MQUC Term 1 (22 February 2027)
MQUC Term 3 (26 July 2027)
MQUC Term 4 (5 October 2027)

Summary

Key features

Acquire key capabilities to succeed in your studies
Undertake teaching and learning activities that will help you improve your academic knowledge and study skills.
Articulate into a wide range of Macquarie degrees
Successfully complete the program and continue your studies in one of our many bachelor degrees.
Enjoy small class sizes and extra support
Study in small classes and get personalised support from our highly qualified and experienced teachers.
Be future-ready with key digital and STEM-focused skills
Undertake units that will develop your digital and STEM-focused skills, and gain capabilities relevant to a range of study areas.

About the Standard Foundation Program at Macquarie University

I was looking for an alternative pathway into university, so I decided to undertake Macquarie’s Standard Foundation Program. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made, as I constantly find myself drawing on the knowledge I learned in the program. I’m so thankful I found my way into my undergraduate degree through it.

Macquarie University College

Macquarie University College offers a range of pathway programs, including diplomas, and foundation, intensive and masters qualifying programs. All programs help you build your skills and knowledge, so that you're ready to progress to an undergraduate degree. You'll enjoy small class sizes and personalised support.

Learn more about the College

Studying at Macquarie

Our vibrant and leafy campus forms part of one of the largest business and technology precincts in Australia. To ensure you have the right skills when you graduate — whether you're starting your first job or taking your career to the next level — we offer flexible study options, personalised degrees and practical experiences.

Benefits of studying at Macquarie

Entry requirements

Simple steps to entry at Macquarie

See if you meet the academic requirements

Check if you qualify for recognition of prior learning

Academic requirements

Selection rank score:

The selection rank considers your Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or equivalent rank plus any adjustment factors you’re eligible for.

What is the ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0.00 and 99.95. It indicates your position relative to other students aged 16-20 who have completed the HSC and who meet eligibility criteria for an ATAR. Universities typically admit students based on their selection rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustments). However, other criteria – such as a personal statement, questionnaire, portfolio of work, audition, interview or test – may also be considered. Visit the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for more information.

What are adjustment factors?

If you’ve completed the HSC, interstate Year 12 examinations or the International Baccalaureate (IB) and included Macquarie in your preferences, you may be eligible to receive adjustments – additional points that can be added to your ATAR or equivalent admissions rank to boost your selection rank. Many of our degrees allow you to combine our adjustment factor schemes, up to a maximum of 10 points. Not all adjustment factor schemes apply to all degrees, so check adjustment factors for more details.

What if I don't have an ATAR?

Not everybody comes to university with an ATAR. That’s why we provide a range of entry schemes and pathway options that assess your suitability on more than just your educational attainment to date. Explore entry pathways.

Entry pathways to Macquarie

At Macquarie, we consider a range of criteria in addition to your selection rank to assess your suitability for study. We offer many different admission pathways, including early entry schemes and alternative routes to a degree. Use our Entry Navigator to discover which options are best for you.

Year 12 applicants

If you’re in Year 12 or you’ve just completed the HSC, interstate Year 12 examinations or the International Baccalaureate (IB), you apply to Macquarie via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Your eligibility for an offer is determined by your selection rank or our Subject Advantage Entry Scheme. You might also be eligible for the Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme, the Schools Recommendation Scheme or the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Entry Pathway

I have work and life experience

If you’re a non-Year 12 applicant and you don’t hold any formal education qualifications, but you do have informal learning and work experience, you may submit a portfolio for entry into one of our pathway programs, which allow you to articulate into a Macquarie degree after successfully completion.

I have TAFE, college or university qualifications

Macquarie recognises completed TAFE, college and university qualifications. If you’ve completed a recognised qualification, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of prior learning (RPL).

Additional information and requirements

Admission requirements

Assumed knowledge

Recommended studies

Inherent requirements

To be eligible to graduate from your degree, you must satisfy the inherent requirements – essential activities, capacities and academic requisites – of your degree.

View inherent requirements

Student snapshot

View student profiles for each of our degrees and learn how other students have been admitted. Information on the ATAR and selection rank, as well as other criteria and general offer information, is available.

Student profiles

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

If you’ve completed prior study at diploma level or higher, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree.

Your prior learning may consist of:

formal learning (post-secondary study)
informal and non-formal learning (work and life experience).

Learn more about RPL

English language requirements

When applying to study at Macquarie University, you’re required to provide evidence of proficiency in English.

You may satisfy the English language requirements if you’ve completed:

senior secondary studies equivalent to the New South Wales HSC
at least one year of full-time Australian or comparable tertiary study in a country of qualification.

Learn more about English language requirements

The required standard of English for this degree is:

The required standard of English
IELTS band	Minimum score required
Overall	5.5
Reading	5
Writing	5
Listening	5
Speaking	5

Note:

Satisfying the admission criteria does not guarantee you a place in this degree.

How to apply

Course details

Course title:

Standard Foundation Program

UAC code:

301021

Starting year:

2027

Application instructions

Australian or New Zealand citizens, permanent residents of Australia, or holders of Australian permanent resident humanitarian visas who are applying for undergraduate study at Macquarie must apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

To be considered for this course, you must search (based upon the UAC Code provided above) and include it as one of your course preferences.

What you'll need to apply

When submitting your application, it's important you provide:

your personal details (including a personal email address, don't use a school address as it will expire).
your name as listed on your official ID, otherwise you'll have problems when you enrol.
details of your studies and qualifications (including completed secondary studies and complete or incomplete certificate, diploma, and degree studies).
evidence of English language proficiency (if required).

Application for Portfolio Entry

(including those who left secondary education more than two years ago)

Eligibility to apply

you have not previously enrolled in a diploma/undergraduate certificate/degree at a higher education provider, and
you have some informal learning, training and/or relevant work experience

To apply, submit Portfolio form along with your UAC application.

Apply now

Steps to apply

Decide on your course

Explore your entry options and check the requirements

Gather your documentation

Submit your application

Help with your application

For help with your application, or if you have any questions, contact our team.

Future Students
T: +61 (2) 9850 6767
E: futurestudents@mq.edu.au

Important dates

Important dates
Session/Year	Location	Applications open	Applications close	Session commences
MQUC Term 1	North Ryde	8 April 2026	28 January 2027	22 February 2027
MQUC Term 3	North Ryde	1 April 2027	11 July 2027	26 July 2027
MQUC Term 4	North Ryde	7 April 2027	24 September 2027	5 October 2027

Applications for entry pathways

To best help you follow your passion at Macquarie, we’ve created a simple entry program navigator that allows you to compare all of our entry programs and find out which ones suit you the best.

Macquarie Entry Navigator

Course structure

Ask a question

If you’d like to know more about studying at Macquarie University, we’d love to hear from you.

Standard Foundation Program

Overview

Study options

Duration Duration can vary due to your prior learning and work experience. Learn about admission points under Entry Requirements.

Fees

Location and start dates

North Ryde:

Summary

Key features

Top 1.5% of universities

$1 billion invested

Our stunning campus

About the Standard Foundation Program at Macquarie University

Macquarie University College

Studying at Macquarie

Course structure

Where you can study

Core Zone

80 credit points

Stage 1 - Essential units

20 credit points

Stage 2 - Essential units

20 credit points

Stage 3 - Essential units

20 credit points

Stage 4 - Essential unit

10 credit points

Stage 4 - Elective Units

10 credit points

Guide to University terminology

Progression to a higher degree

Course progression requirements

Compare your pathway options

Entry requirements

See if you meet the academic requirements

Check if you qualify for recognition of prior learning

Academic requirements

Selection rank score:

What is the ATAR?

What are adjustment factors?

What if I don't have an ATAR?

Entry pathways to Macquarie

Year 12 applicants

I have work and life experience

I have TAFE, college or university qualifications

Additional information and requirements

Admission requirements

Assumed knowledge

Recommended studies

Inherent requirements

Student snapshot

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

English language requirements

Note:

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Estimated cost

Domestic fee paying

AUD $32,400

Estimated annual fee

AUD $405

Fee per credit point

Government assistance

Student amenities fee

Scholarships

How to apply

Course details

Course title:

UAC code:

Starting year:

Application instructions

Eligibility to apply

Steps to apply

Help with your application

Important dates

Applications for entry pathways

Ask a question

Submit an enquiry

Call one of our course specialists

View our campus

Duration
Duration can vary due to your prior learning and work experience. Learn about admission points under Entry Requirements.