Do you want to study in Australia but haven't got the marks for direct entry to university?
June 2010 saw the launch of UTS Foundation Studies - a University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) programme, delivered by INSEARCH on behalf of UTS. It is designed to prepare students for undergraduate study in Australia. It is a performance-based pathway programme leading to INSEARCH higher education diplomas and UTS undergraduate degrees which Sri Lankan students can commence on completion of their O Levels.

UTS Foundation Studies is offered as an Accelerated Programme (2 semesters/8 months) and as a Standard Programme (3 semesters/12 months). Students who successfully complete the UTS Foundation Studies programme with the required GPA (Grade Point Average) and grade in Academic English are guaranteed a place in either the INSEARCH higher education diploma or the first year of the UTS undergraduate bachelor's degree that corresponds to their stream of study - a student's pathway and matriculation depends on the GPA they achieve.

INSEARCH has been operating since 1987 and pioneered the pathway programme as an alternative way to enter university. Australian student, Benjamin Lewinsohn found himself exploring his options after he didn't achieve the marks required to pursue his dream of a career in aeronautics with the Navy.

"I found a few institutions that offered Foundations and pathways into university. However, none of them had a specific focus on Engineering. INSEARCH really appealed to me because the UTS Foundation Studies programme offers a variety of theoretical frameworks so I chose to enrol in the Physical Sciences Foundation course with its focus on Engineering."The course structure and teaching style at INSEARCH is so similar to the experience of my friends who are already studying at university! I feel I have an advantage though, as small class sizes means I am not competing to get the attention of the teachers. I also get the chance to use UTS facilities and build up my familiarity with the campus. It's a good option for people who are not able to get directly into university".

Upon completing the UTS Foundation Studies programme, Ben plans to continue with his Engineering studies at UTS with a Bachelor of Engineering and hopes to pursue a career in the Navy once he has graduated. "INSEARCH is helping me achieve my long term career objectives. Ever since I was young I have had a dream to fly and work on helicopters. With a degree behind me, I believe this dream will become a reality and in a few years from now I will be working for the Navy".

For more information about UTS Foundation Studies, visit www.insearch.edu.au
Rae de Rooy - info@insearch.edu.au
Note: INSEARCH is a controlled entity of the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). INSEARCH is a registered non-self accrediting higher education institution and a pathway provider to UTS.
INSEARCH CRICOS provider code: 00859D / UTS CRICOS provider code: 00099F
UTS Foundation Studies (Accelerated)
CRICOS course code: 068815K
UTS Foundation Studies (Standard)
CRICOS course code: 068814M
Source: David Samuel, Business Development Manager, Austrade-Colombo.
E-mail: David.Samuel@austrade.gov.au