Program Overview

Foundation Studies prepares you for a successful transition to degree-level study, providing a pathway to the first year of study of a bachelor’s degree at Murdoch University.

This course is suited to you if you:

• Need an entrance qualification for Murdoch University
• Want to accelerate your university preparation after Year 11, or equivalent
• Want to change your degree stream after Year 11, or equivalent

Course Structure
For Foundation Studies you will complete eight units over two study periods, studying a combination of core and elective units. The units you will undertake will be determined by your chosen degree. All students must complete the two English units and at least one unit from each Discipline Group.

Each unit of study builds concepts from an introductory level through to university entrance level. The units are designed to develop your learning techniques as well as bridging gaps in your unit knowledge.

• English
  • Essential Australian Studies
  • Introduction to Academic Communication
• Mathematics
  • Introductory Mathematics
  • Mathematics for Science
• Science and Technology
  • Information Technology for Academic Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
• The Arts
  • Introduction to Media
  • Media Production
• Business and Legal Studies
  • Accounting
  • Management
  • Economics

Leading to: Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Arts
At Murdoch University you can combine a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with a Bachelor of Arts.

Adding an arts degree to your law qualification will help you hone your communication and problem-solving skills to give you a competitive edge in your career.

The combination of a Law and Arts degree means you'll gain valuable additional skills to use in your future career, including presentation skills, media liaison, language skills or knowledge of polices and international relations.

Major: History
History is central to any meaningful understanding of the present political, social and moral world - therefore it’s vital to a democratic and open society. If we are to understand the political structures, other institutions, concepts, myths and practices on which modern societies are based, we need to know how they have developed. In this major, you will develop a mental map, stretching back across time and enabling you to situate yourself in the world in which you live.

A History major will also build on your techniques of source analysis and skills of writing and comprehension to a degree, providing you with valuable assets you can utilise for a broad range of careers.

3 reasons to study History at Murdoch

• Study two majors in three years to graduate with two specialisations, or study the History major with minors in Australian Indigenous Studies, Global Politics or Religion to further enhance your career prospects.
• Knowledge of history is fundamental to our understanding of our society and the global system. A degree in this field prepares you for a range of exciting careers where you can create policy, show initiative, manage projects, carry out research, and make a difference in the world.
• You’ll learn from history experts including Dr Arjun Subrahmanyan. Dr Subrahmanyan explores how democracy, social change, intellectual history and modern life have impacted Thailand. He’ll get you thinking about how decisions of the past are impacting and informing the future in Southeast Asia.

What you'll learn
Your core units will include subjects such as The Empire Strikes Back: Imperialism and Colonialism in Modern History. You can choose electives to specialise in the history of Australia, Europe or Asia. In this course you will:

• Build extensive knowledge of the past, and examine historical issues through self-directed research projects that use a variety of secondary and primary sources.
• Construct evidence-based arguments that interpret historical sources, scholarship and changing representations of the past.
• Explore niche topics through your unit electives such as; Spies, Saboteurs and Secret Agents, The Vietnam Wars and Hollywood and History.