The aim of the Foundation Program is to provide courses in English Language, Arabic Language, Mathematics, Information Technology and General Study Skills (Personal Professional Development) to national and non-national students who wish to progress into non-federal higher education or post-secondary vocational training institutions, but do not have the appropriate credentials of high school certificate (Minimum of 60% required for direct entry to higher education). Selected institutions will be invited to offer this program a view to progression into their own academic or vocational programs, as well as providing an award which can be used by students for transfer to other institutions. Recipient institutions will determine if this award satisfies their program entrance qualifications (as approved by the CAA at the point of Accreditation).

Foundation Program Structure

The Foundation Program will be ‘Outcome-Based’, thus giving freedom for institutions to develop their own courses (components) to meet the learning outcomes and skill competencies as prescribed by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA). The institutions will be asked to produce their curricula for the various components to include sets of learning outcomes, associated methods of instructional delivery, and assessment for measuring achievement of the outcomes.

The Foundation Program will comprise five core components (courses):

• English Communications
• Arabic Communications
• Mathematics (I and II)
• Information Technology
• General Study Skills

The Mathematics components will be available in two distinct pathways. Mathematics I will accommodate the need of learners intending to advance into arts/humanities/design and selected business programs. Foundation Mathematics II will be appropriate for those who wish to move into Higher Education programs in science/technology/engineering and the more quantitative business programs. The specific eligibility of students entering and graduating from each of the two Mathematics pathways will be determined by the receiving institutions.

Students intending to progress into Higher Education programs delivered in Arabic, would be required to undertake the English Communications component, but the exit standard would be TOEFL 400 (Paper-Based Test) or equivalent score in an internationally recognized test approved by the Commission.

No credit will be awarded for the program or components within the program. A final certificate will be awarded by the participating licensed institution to students successfully completing all courses, and this certificate will be recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.