The University of Sydney Foundation Program (USFP) is designed for students who need support to reach the entry requirements for their desired undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney. You will gain an insight into relevant topics as well as the academic knowledge you’ll need to progress. Here, you can read about the variety of modules you can study on each structure of this program.
English | Accounting | Australian Studies | Biology | Chemistry | Economics | Foundations of Social Science | Foundations of Visual Arts and Design | Government and Law | Information Technology | International Studies | Mathematics | Media Studies and Communication | Music | Physics
English A and B aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable students to best achieve their academic potential at University.
The main aims for this module are:
To develop awareness and competency in the range of language-related skills required for successful study at Higher Education level. These include the processes and conventions of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures.
To develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language to enable students to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence.
To support students in reflecting on their learning and identifying how to improve their skills and language.
To ensure students are able to meet the requirements of the partner University through demonstrating a minimum English language level of IELTS 6.5 in the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Topics include:
Assessment:
Semester One English
Semester Two English
Prerequisite: Semester 1 English is a prerequisite for Semester 2 English.
This module explores the diversity of the Australian environment and the impact that people have on it. The course will help students to better understand the country they are
studying in, and to develop an informed perspective on current environmental issues.
Topics include
Assessment
Australian Studies B explores Australian history with a focus on Early Colonial Development (1770 – 1840) or Australia in Conflict (1901 – present day). Students will obtain knowledge, understanding, attitudes, values, and skills to develop informed perspectives on a range of historical issues. Students will undertake investigations through the analysis of historical sources and enhance their ability to think critically and problem solve. Students will be required to look for historical bias and formulate written responses to assess historical evidence. This course improves student literacy skills required for university study.
Topics include
Students will also gain an understanding of very important contemporary issues facing Australia such as:
Assessment
An introduction to the fundamental concepts and processes of living organisms, and a study of modern biology in the context of the world around us. Develops practical, research, analysis and presentation skills.
Topics include
Assessment
An introduction to the structures, processes and systems of plants and animals. Study of the origin of life will demonstrate the evolution of the unique Australian ecology. Develops practical, research, analysis and presentation skills.
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Assessment
Develops students knowledge and understanding of fundamental concepts in physical and inorganic chemistry. Students learn laboratory and analytical skills required for undergraduate study.
Topics include
Practical work is embedded within each topic.
Assessment
Prerequisite
Year 11 Chemistry or equivalent.
Co-requisite
At least Mathematics for Business A, however Mathematics for Science A is recommended.
Builds on what students have learnt in Chemistry A and further develops their knowledge and understanding of key concepts in physical, inorganic and organic chemistry. Students expand their laboratory and analytical skills acquired in Chemistry A needed for undergraduate study.
Topics include
Practical work is embedded within each topic.
Assessment
Prerequisite
Chemistry A and at least Mathematics for Business A.
Co-requisite
At least Mathematics for Business B, however Mathematics for Science B is recommended.
Gain insight into the operation and regulation of the modern market based economy, including the main market models, government regulation polices, and the need for government intervention into the free market.
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Assessment
Discover the operation of the economy and the sectors and institutions within it. Understand why economic activity contracts and expands, and how policies support the achievement of goals and targets.
Topics include
Assessment
An introduction to personal development, social change and research skills; which are key to the undergraduate study of Psychology and Sociology.
Topics include
Assessment
Conducts the Personal Interest Project whereby students research a contemporary social issue using research methods and sampling techniques. The focus is on compiling data and strong report writing skills.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Foundations of Social Science A.
The course is an introduction to a wide variety of media and art techniques for students who wish to study Visual Arts and Design at University. It develops practical, creative, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Approximately 70% of class time is devoted to practical art making.
Topics include
Assessment
Co-requisite
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design Elective A.
This elective course allows students to develop their practical art making skills, plus their independent research and problem solving abilities.
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Assessment
This course extends the skills students have learned in Core A. Students develop a body of work in their preferred form (Visual Arts or Design) based on the research of artists, designers, concepts, techniques and media.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design – Elective A and Foundations of Visual Arts & Design – Core A.
Co-requisite
Extends the skills developed in Elective A, plus the techniques, critical language and understanding of art works gained throughout the course. Students produce a body of work in their preferred form.
Topics included
Assessment
Prerequisite
Foundations of Visual Arts and Design – Elective A.
Note: The final body of work and the portfolio is assessed by Taylors College and the Sydney College of Arts (Sydney University).
This module gives students an understanding of the influences of the British parliamentary system on the development of Australian law and the system of government as it now exists. It also gives an introduction to the criminal justice system operating in Australia.
Topics include
Assessment
This module introduces students to current issues related to the protection and enforcement of human rights and the effectiveness of legal and non-legal measures in promoting peace and resolving conflict between states.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Government and Law A.
This 'hands on' course complements the theory learned in the Accounting / Business course by providing the technical skills needed to customise programs, and use software to set up an internet based company.
Topics include
Assessment
This subject will appeal to creative students wishing to develop their own software and video games. Students will learn screen design and how to write an actual program 'code' using common programming languages. Students will learn game design and development and how to build 3D characters and virtual worlds.
Topics included
Assessment
An introduction to modern international and global politics. Explore the factors that shape politics, learn research and analysis skills, and present orally in student seminars.
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Assessment
Preparation for the undergraduate study of a wide range of international economics, business and politics studies. The focus is on practical problem solving through real case studies from the modern world of business.
Topics included
Assessment
This course is intended to give students an understanding of, and competence in, aspects of Mathematics that are applicable to the real world. It provides students with the background and skills necessary for University study requiring some mathematics. Mathematics for Business A may be studied as a minor.
Topics included
Assessment
Prerequisite
Year 11 Mathematics or equivalent.
This subject extends the mathematical studies of Mathematics for Humanities A with particular emphasis on applications to problems in Economics and Finance.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Mathematics for Humanities A or Mathematics for Science A.
This course is intended to give students an understanding of and competence in, aspects of Mathematics that are applicable to the real world. It provides students with the background and skills necessary for university study requiring a significant level of mathematics. Mathematics for Science A may be studied as a minor.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Year 11 Mathematics or equivalent.
This course extends the mathematical studies of Mathematics for Science A with particular emphasis on applications to physical problems.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Mathematics for Science A.
This subject extends topics from the core Mathematics for Science course. The material is treated in considerable depth. Advanced Mathematics B may be studied as a minor, subject to prerequisites below.
Topics included
Assessment
Prerequisite
Advanced Mathematics A or high achievement in Mathematics for Science A or Mathematics for Humanities A. Students must be concurrently studying the Mathematics for Science B course.
This subject is for students who wish to enter the world of public relations and the mass media, journalism, TV, radio, film and digital media. It examines the meaning of language, media and communication, and takes a historical view of the media in Australia, compares newspapers and magazines and the power of media ownership. Digital media is another important part of this course.
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Assessment
Here we focus on the ethical issues facing journalists, then we learn to identify and analyse the most common types of stories in newspapers like hard news and soft news, as well as learn how to analyse and read images in the media.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Media Studies and Communication A.
This module aims to prepare students who want to take music for a tertiary subject or degree at a university.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
An equivalent to ABRSM or AMEB Grade 6 practical for instruments.
Audition:
In person or USB stick or via a web link or DVD.
Note:
Students have the options to choose either the Con pathway or the Taylors Pathway in this module. The students who select Con pathway will need to follow the university calendar and start their individual tuitions on a later date (about 2 weeks) than the Taylors pathway. An additional fee for individual tuition is payable for this subject.
This module aims to prepare students who want to take Music for a tertiary subject or degree at a university. It enables students to increase their aural awareness and musicianship skills.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
An equivalent to ABRSM or AMEB Grade 5 theory or a further placement theory test
This module aims to develop a fundamental understanding of Music. Students will gain the opportunity to perform in concert (solo, duo and ensemble), attend concerts, meet professional musicians and widen their music repertoire.
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Assessment
Prerequisite
This module assumes students have some knowledge of musical notation. An audition and interview are required. An additional fee for individual tuition is payable for this subject.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Music Core Performance A. An additional fee for individual tuition is payable for this subject.
Music History
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Music Core Theory A.
Solo and ensemble performance
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Pass Music Elective A or special audition and theory test. An additional fee for individual tuition is payable for this subject.
New Curriculum July 2024. From July 2024 the Taylors College Sydney will be implementing a new Curriculum for Standard, Intensive and Extended Foundation programs.
The Curriculum will consist of modules which will enhance student skills across multiple disciplines and align with the University of Sydney graduate attributes. As part of the new curriculum, all students will study the core units of Academic English and Social Research and Inquiry. They will then study 3 further modules from the 11 study modules listed below.
These include. Mathematics – Business Mathematics – Science Accounting and Financial Management Economics and Development Applied Computing Art and Design Biology Chemistry Physics Cultural Studies International and Global Studies
* Music will no longer be offered from July 2024
**Students commencing in January Standard and January Extended and April Intensive will not be impacted by the new Curriculum.
***Current student choice of undergraduate degrees will not be impacted.
This module will offer learning experiences that help students develop an understanding of physicists' work. Students will be introduced to the knowledge and applications which results from the work of physicists.
Experiments form a major component of the course and are designed to develop practical skills and introduce students to new technology.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Year 11 Physics or equivalent.
Co-requisite
At least Mathematics for Business, but Mathematics for Science is strongly recommended.
Develop practical, research and critical thinking skills. Subjects include Astronomy (the study of the Universe) and the real-life applications of waves. Experiments and computer data analysis form a major part of this course.
Topics include
Assessment
Prerequisite
Year 11 Physics or equivalent.
Co-requisite
At least Mathematics for Business, but Mathematics for Science is strongly recommended.
Extended English focuses on reading, writing, speaking and listening. Skills are linked to a thematic topic.
Assessment