The University of Queensland will commence a foundation year program from 1998 for international students wishing to undertake undergraduate University studies in Australia.
The University has joined with International Education Services Limited to operate and internationally advertise the program, to be known as the University of Queensland foundation year.
This program for suitably qualified students will be managed by The Kooralbyn International School and conducted at Brisbane Central Business District premises.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay and Kooralbyn International School principal Robyn Collins will host a function launching the foundation year program at Brisbane Customs House on Thursday, March 6 at 5pm.
University Manager, Institutional Links Patricia Meaney said the foundation year had been designed in response to growing interest from well qualified international students who wished to study in Australia. The University already had positive experiences with academically able students successfully completing degrees after undertaking these types of programs, which helped to bridge the gap between overseas and Queensland Year 12 education systems.
'The University of Queensland has a strong international profile because of its high quality teaching and research programs,' she said.
'We have welcomed international students since the University's inception in 1910, and many graduates have continued on to play important government, business and community leadership roles in their home countries.'
In 1996, the University hosted 1400 international students, half of them completing undergraduate courses.
Miss Meaney said the foundation year program students would be required to achieve certain specified standards for University of Queensland entry. Minimum entry requirements were based on two important criteria - proficiency in the English language and academic performance.
All students would study the same core subjects, including English for academic study; Australian studies; and introduction to research. Students wishing to study business, engineering, information technology and other-science based courses would also study mathematics. All students would choose two or three additional subjects from areas related to their intended undergraduate courses.
The prospectus - which contains an application form and information about the foundation year program - is available from the Director, University of Queensland foundation year, International Education Services Ltd, PO Box 166, Beaudesert, Queensland, 4285, Australia. Telephone 075544 6211, fax 075544 6108.
