Your pathway to RMIT.
RMIT considers you a local student if you are:
Asylum seekers who reside in Australia and study onshore are required to pay international onshore tuition fees for higher education courses.
If you are unsure or hold a different visa type, please contact Study@RMIT for more information.
RMIT considers you an international student if you are:
If you are unsure or hold a different visa type, please contact Study@RMIT for more information.
Not applicable
Or is it?
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AU$29,350 (2025 total)
Foundation Studies is chosen by international students all over the world as their pathway to higher education at RMIT.
Foundation Studies is delivered by RMIT UP (CRICOS provider number: 01912G), a fully owned entity of RMIT University. Foundation Studies provides you with the knowledge, skills and confidence you need for your future academic success.
Located in the heart of the vibrant city of Melbourne, close to cafés, shops, arts and entertainment precincts, RMIT UP’s Foundation Studies specialist staff support you every step of the way. We provide opportunities to develop your global and social network, setting you up for success at RMIT and into the future.
To ensure you get the best start to your studies, RMIT has invested in careers counselling, academic and welfare support for international students to access when and where it suits you.
Develop your discipline-specific knowledge and English language skills in a classes specially designed for international students. You'll also experience different teaching methods and styles of assessment in preparation for your undergraduate studies.
Form lasting friendships and connections with other students from all around the world and enjoy the Central Business District with excursions and learning activities in Melbourne’s parks, galleries and cultural icons.
Engage with specialised equipment and navigate RMIT’s learning spaces, processes and systems with support from our friendly teams.
As you navigate living and studying, our staff will provide you with a safe and inclusive community environment, with opportunities for individual care and support, career advice and social interaction.
Foundation Studies prepares us for what’s to come [in further study at university], but also lets us become acquainted with the city around us, the culture, the ideas, and the people. It allows us to befriend others and understand that we are now transitioning to young adults. By the time we graduate from RMIT proper, we will be ready.
– Marco Cahyono, RMIT Foundation Studies
Foundation Studies is delivered by RMIT UP (CRICOS provider number: 01912G), a company owned by RMIT University.
Foundation Studies gives you the opportunity to study the subjects that align with your interests and study goals. Choose from streams in:
Get in touch with a RMIT international advisor for help with your application, and to find out more about which option is best for you.
RMIT UP Foundation Studies meets the requirements for Foundation Programs which have been registered on CRICOS for delivery in Australia.
The curriculum is designed for overseas students and is comparable in standard to an Australian year 12 curriculum.
Foundation Studies is delivered over two semesters.
You will study four subjects per semester with 20 hours of scheduled study per week.
The Foundations Studies curriculum encourages you to explore new ideas and consider your own place and purpose in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world.
Assessments are designed to connect learning with current real-world scenarios, and can be structured as written or oral, and as independent or group activities.
Our learning activities promote engagement and are designed to build your confidence to think critically and creatively, to reason and to problem solve.
These are highly valuable and transferable employability skills required in all career paths.
During your studies, you will have access to:
The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this course and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.
View the learning outcomes for each stream:
RMIT Foundation Studies is a standard streamed Foundation program.
Students study four subjects each semester.
Each stream consists of six core and two elective subjects. These include two English subjects, Exploring Narratives and Comparative Texts, plus four specialised discipline subjects. In each stream, students choose two electives from the options* provided.
There are six streams to choose from:
Please note, you must enrol in the correct Foundation Studies stream to allow you to meet the requirements of your chosen degree.
*The number of elective options and courses offered are subject to change.
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
Fabio Hutagalung is a graduate of the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) after completing Foundation Studies. Fabio now works as an Account Executive at Encore Jakarta, a boutique branding agency that specialises in 3D rendering. — Fabio Hutagalung
Fabio Hutagalung is a graduate of the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) after completing Foundation Studies. Fabio now works as an Account Executive at Encore Jakarta, a boutique branding agency that specialises in 3D rendering. — Fabio Hutagalung
TEXT ON SCREEN: RMIT University presents
AUDIO: Sound of running vehicles.
VISUAL: Seen on screen is a road sign with text reads NEXT 110m, and next to it is a signage on a shop that reads HALAL KEBABS. Shown next is a kind of street light stand, a pedestrian pathway where there are people walking, a pedestrian traffic sign of a man on the go, a bus stop waiting station, and a man is shown with feet on the pedals as his bicycling on the side street.
VOICE OVER: Design is anything that is put in place with purpose, is eminent in the everyday life, in anything really.
AUDIO: Ambient instrumental music.
VISUAL: Façade of buildings shown, a bird is seen flying over the automobiles and people walking on the street.
VOICE OVER: The environment itself is a design for the inhabitants.
VISUAL: Young man in black suit, clutching his bag by his left hand, walks on the side street. The young man then faces the camera. He wears glasses.
VOICE OVER: I mean, without design, then we would be like a fish that is living in a birdcage.
VISUAL: Focus on the face of the young man. He looks up and turns his face slightly to the left side. Next in focus is the façade of the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne.
TEXT ON SCREEN: Fabio Hutagalung, Design Student at RMIT University
VISUAL: The young man with the glasses enters the scene. He carries what looks like a paper bag on his left hand as he walks across the State Library lawn towards RMIT.
VOICE OVER: My name is Fabio Hutagalung, and I come from Indonesia, and I’m studying Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) at RMIT.
VISUAL: Fabio enters RMIT, then his Design classroom and joins the other students in his class.
VOICE OVER: Prior to coming to Australia, I had no design experience at all. And that’s why I had to take the foundation studies at RMIT.
VISUAL: Fabio prints his design and examines it. Then he approaches and sits with his teacher. He listens attentively as his teacher shares feedback.
VOICE OVER: What I like about the teachers, they always challenge the way you think. They always want you to dig deeper into the brief and the issue. I learned about 3D Modelling, painting and also mixed media, drawing… These things became the foundation to my portfolio to get into my Bachelor of Communication Design at RMIT.
VISUAL: In focus is an art shop where different art collections are on display, for sale. Fabio enters the scene, looking into the window of a shop named Monster Threads.
VOICE OVER: One aspect of design that I’m really interested in...
VISUAL: Fabio is inside the shop holding a card. He feels the design on the card by passing his fingers through.
VOICE OVER: is the sensory aspect:
VISUAL: Fabio picks from the display a yellow flower, touches and smells it.
VOICE OVER: touch, smell...
VISUAL: Fabio picks up a bicycle bell and examines it. He tests the bell and it rings.
VOICE OVER: and visual...
VISUAL: Fabio looks at a miniature wooden design and examines it.
VOICE OVER: Everything just works together.
VISUAL: In focus is the signage RMIT University with white text, in black background, and red logo. Seen on screen is a design student’s work station, with the student working on a design project.
VOICE OVER: At the very heart of design is again-
VISUAL: Fabio is in his student’s design work station, working on his project.
VOICE OVER: whether it will enhance the consumer’s life.
VISUAL: Fabio continues working on his project. He makes a box, holds a small bottle labelled Eucalyptus. He holds something like a rolled white cloth, smells it and labels it Lavender. He artistically lays the Lavender label in the box, then places the labelled bottle in the box.
VOICE OVER: We can’t just do design without studying and understanding about human life-
VISUAL: Fabio shows his finished project, a packaging concept for hotel amenities.
VOICE OVER: about who we are.
AUDIO: Background instrumental music continues.
VISUAL: Buzzing Melbourne metropolis, different buildings, shops, a street crowded with pedestrians from all walks of life.
VOICE OVER: At the heart of a well-designed city is a good identity of what it is, of itself.
VISUAL: Fabio, clutching a black bag with his right hand, walks down the side street. He faces the camera and looks at the buildings and shops along the busy street.
VOICE OVER: I think the identity of Melbourne is sharing, that sense of sharing the identity with so many cultures; so many different people.
VISUAL: Next in focus is the building of the San Remo Ballroom. Fabio walks his way to the Ballroom.
VOICE OVER: When you are so far from your home country, and family, you will feel a bit lonely at times.
VISUAL: Fabio enters the Ballroom and enjoys the company of friends, eating and drinking.
VOICE OVER: And being a part of the RMIT Indonesia Student Society, I met so many different people, from different walks of life and different studies as well.
VISUAL: Fabio takes a beautiful lady partner and dances with her.
VOICE OVER: And I think it’s great to have a community of people around you, not just for networking and building on connections, but they also give you a sense of belonging.
AUDIO: Music fades out. People talking fades. Laughter and clapping of hands fades.
VISUAL: Screen color fades out into white.
TEXT ON SCREEN: RMIT UNIVERSITY
In Foundation Studies, I learnt about 3D modelling, painting and also mixed media drawing. These things became the foundation of my portfolio to get into my Bachelor of Communication Design at RMIT. Studying abroad interests me because I want to live in another culture and learn how people do things differently in different cultures. Melbourne is not very far from my home country and has some of the top-ranking universities in Australia and the world. I chose RMIT specifically because it is well known for its design faculty.
Whatever you’re planning for life and work, we’re right behind you.
At RMIT, we support you every step of the way to succeed in your studies.
We also offer many programs and services to help make sure you are ready for work by the time you graduate.
You must have successfully completed a senior secondary school qualification equal to an Australian Year 11 with a minimum overall average of 50% or pass average. To determine your equivalent high school qualification to an Australian Year 11, or whether certified forecast or provisional results are accepted, please check relevant country requirements at RMIT Country Equivalency.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Students must be 16 years of age upon commencement of this program.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Upper Intermediate at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP).
Foundation Studies at RMIT offers you pathways into higher study, both at vocational and undergraduate level. Use the tool below to explore the certificates, diplomas and degrees available after successfully completing this course.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2025 commencement is AU$29,350.
If you are undertaking Foundation Studies Art, Design and Architecture stream, you are required to purchase the Art, Design and Architecture materials kit to complete required assessment tasks during your program.
The cost of this material kit in 2025 is approximately AU$626.96. This includes a 20% discount.
If you are undertaking any mathematics courses, you will be required to have a Ti-Nspire CX II CAS Graphing Calculator.
This can be purchased from Officeworks. In 2025 the cost will be approximately AU$250.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.
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If you are an international student please select 'switch to international' below to view the full course information.
Foundation Studies is registered as Foundation Standard Program (108492M) on CRICOS.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.