Trinity College

Foundation studies at Trinity

Overview

Trinity College was founded in 1870 after the model of the English colleges of Oxford and Cambridge, and affiliated as a college of and within the University of Melbourne.

Trinity College Foundation Studies (TCFS) was established to provide an academically excellent preparatory pathway for talented international students seeking entry to the University of Melbourne. Today, approximately 25 per cent of the University of Melbourne’s commencing international undergraduate students come through Trinity’s Foundation Studies.

TCFS is the only Foundation Studies program with guaranteed entry into University of Melbourne undergraduate courses for students who achieve the required scores. TCFS is a rigorous and challenging academic program taught by leading academics. The program has been designed in conjunction with the University of Melbourne and is supervised by the University’s Academic Board.

Trinity takes pride in its 140-year rich history, during which it has educated students from over 60 different countries. Away from the cacophony of the world, Trinity is located on the campus of the University of Melbourne and is one-and-a-half kilometres away from the city centre.

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What's new

One of the major highlights of 2017 was the opening of the Gateway Building by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove. The Gateway Building is intended as a world-class educational facility for Trinity College’s Pathway School, the second largest of its kind in Australia, providing international students the opportunity to equip themselves with the qualifications needed to go on to study at the University of Melbourne. The Pathways School welcomes students from 25 different countries, including China, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Myanmar.

The Gateway Building includes 25 tutorial rooms, an auditorium with capacity for 250 people, five drama rooms, an art gallery, six music practice rooms, computer and physics labs, archival storage spaces and student meeting rooms.

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Teaching resources

Teaching resources are available for all students in all intakes including a the Trinity College library which is utilised by TCFS students throughout their time at Trinity. Recently the English Conversation Corner was established for students to develop their English writing, reading and speaking skills. Casual conversations are a great way to get to know people and to become more comfortable in your surroundings. At the English Conversation Corner, TCFS students and staff share ideas and experiences, give and receive advice, and make friends. Students and staff come from many different countries, and have an amazingly diverse range of experiences and expectations.

The English Conversation Corner provides a place and time to relax and communicate informally, but in a meaningful way. Participation is voluntary, free, and open to everyone at Trinity. Topics are chosen democratically by participants and include popular themes such as Food, Music, Movies, Travel, Current Affairs, Technology, Pets, Local Customs, Jobs and Careers, and Shopping Tips.

We also share the experiences of being at Trinity College, living in Melbourne and having been – or are planning to go – to university or into the workforce. There is always something to talk about and plenty of things to share at the English Conversation Corner.

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Academic structure

The Foundation Studies program produces graduates who are informed, critical, self-reflective and morally aware. The program aims to be the best foundation studies program in Australia, to provide the best bridging year for international students.

Through this course, students develop the confidence and creativity needed at university, through university-style lectures and tutorials and participate in a broad program of extracurricular activities.

Graduates of Trinity College Foundation Studies are guaranteed a place at the University of Melbourne course of their choice, by satisfying the prerequisite subjects including core subjects Literature, HOI, Drama and English for Academic Purposes.

More information about the academic program at Trinity College Foundation Studies…

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Student life

There’s plenty to do at Trinity College outside of the classroom. Students can enrol in one of the numerous Trinity Life Skill Clubs (TLC) and societies to indulge in a hobby or just interact with peers. Trinity Life Skill clubs aim to enrich the experiences of students while they live and study in Melbourne while learning new skills as well as developing network of friends and peers. TLC covers a range of activities which includes enhancing the students physical, spiritual and educational development. Since 2015, there are more than 25 clubs available for students to join including, Mediation, Badminton, Movie, Philosophy, Art & Craft, Gardening and many more!

Students have numerous opportunities to socialise and interact at events such as barbecues, sporting events and musical performances. Those who like travelling and exploring places can grab the chance to be part of groups that tour areas in and around Melbourne and Victoria.

Trinity College Foundation Studies students also have the opportunity to join clubs at the University of Melbourne.

More about campus life at Trinity…

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Facilities

Trinity College’s outstanding facilities enhance the whole experience of learning and enrich the College experience.

Trinity College Foundation Studies is an iPad, e-Learning program. With the use of iPads in classrooms, teachers are able to provide students with an enhanced learning experience that encourages engagement with learning materials so that the student has an active role in the learning process.

Teaching and extracurricular facilities include traditional and contemporary teaching and meeting spaces, tutorial rooms and a lecture theatre, music practice and drama rehearsal rooms, and college-wide wireless access. Student common room areas are utilised by Trinity student during the morning and evening as well as weekend use. Students have the facilities at Trinity to study individually or collaborate in groups in order to complete group assignments, practice rehearsals for Drama performances or collaborate as a group on projects and assignments.

The Dining Hall, where students, staff, alumni and friends come together as a community, to socialise and to share meals, is central to college life at Trinity.

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Scholarships & funding

Trinity College Foundation Studies scholarships are awarded to outstanding students in each major intake on the basis of academic merit, intake and region, and allocated on a competitive basis. To be eligible, prospective students need to have excellent high school results, not be a permanent resident of Australia and have lodged a Trinity College Foundation Studies Application Form.

There are four selection rounds with a designated number of scholarships for each round:

November the year prior for the January to March intakes
May for the July intakes
June for the August intakes
August for the October intake

The Foundation Studies program also awards merit-based scholarships each year to the students with the best academic performance in the February Main, July Fast Track, August Main and October Fast Track programs.

Trinity College Foundation Studies students are regularly among the recipients receiving scholarships to the University of Melbourne.

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