The Foundation Year programme at University of Puthisastra is designed to prepare new students for progression in their chosen degree, both at UP and abroad through our partnership with the International Foundation Group (IFG) for international certification. After completing the Foundation Year, students will have the foundational knowledge, softs skills, and academic attitudes needed to succeed in their studies and professional careers.
Foundation Year Program
Domestic Degrees at UP: Excellence in Education Here in Cambodia
There are currently 4 Foundation Year (FY) streams offered at UP:
- Health Sciences FY prepares students to study:
- Medical Doctor in General Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Dentistry (DD)
- Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharm.)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (BSM)
- Information Technology FY prepares students to study the Bachelors of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) with two majors:
- Database & Programming
- Networking & System Administration
More information about this programme can be found on the Faculty of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology’s webpage
- English Business FY prepares students to study the new Bachelors of Arts in English Business at UP. More information about this programme can be found on the Faculty of English and Employability’s webpage.
- Science & Research FY prepares students to pursue their studies in Cambodia’s only Bachelor in Science Research (BSR). More information about this programme can be found on the Faculty of Health Science & Biotechnology’s webpage.
International Degrees: UP’s Foundation Year Prepares Students to Go Abroad
In 2024, UP’s Foundation Year programmes have been certified by IFG, allowing students to apply for UK, Australian, and other international universities’ programmes when they complete Foundation Year at UP.
Majors include:
| Business Management | Maths |
| Finance | Chemistry |
| Accounting | Biology |
| Economics | Biochemistry |
| Marketing | Medicine |
| Entrepreneurship | Dentistry |
| Computer Programming | Optometry |
| Information Sciences | Biomedical Sciences |
| Management Information Systems | Pharmacology |
| Software Engineering | Physiotherapy |
| Cyber Security | Artificial Intelligence |
| Games Design/Gaming | and many more! |
Students who apply for the international stream at UP must pass all courses in the Foundation Year programme and provide an IELTS certificate of an appropriate level for their field of study (typically band scores between 5.5 – 6.5).
For more information about the opportunities to use UP’s Foundation Year programme to launch into an international degree. Please click here to see more information about the International Foundation Programmes.
Team Members
Ms. Eron Smith
Director of Foundation Year
Tel: (+855) 92 506 444
Email:esmith@puthisastra.edu.kh
Programme Details
All Majors:
All students in Foundation Year take the following courses:
| Semester 1 | Credits | Semester 2 | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Skills Development | 2 | First Aid | 2 |
| Computer Applications | 2 | Mathematics** | 2 |
| Core English I | 3 | Core English II | 3 |
| English Composition: Fundamentals of Writing | 3 | English Composition: Informative Writing | 3 |
| Khmer History and Culture | 2 | Introduction to Research Methodology | 2 |
| English Intensive I* | 1 | English Intensive II* | 1 |
*Students sit an English placement test at the beginning of the year, which may exempt them from English Intensive I and II.
** BSIT students are exempt from general Mathematics due to courses in their major.
Health Science Majors & Bachelor of Science Research
In addition to the courses that all majors take, students who study Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing, Midwifery, and Science Research also take:
| Semester 1 | Credits | Semester 2 | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 2 | Anatomy | 3 |
| Biochemistry | 2 | Embryology | 2 |
| Fundamental Chemistry | 3 | English Medical Terminology | 3 |
| Total Credits per Semester: | 20 | 21 |
Bachelor of Arts in English Business
In addition to the courses that all majors take, Bachelor of English Business students take the following courses:
| Semester 1 | Credits | Semester 2 | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Business | 2 | Introduction to Economics | 2 |
| Business in a Cambodian Cultural Context | 3 | Basic Principles of Accounting | 3 |
| Total Credits per Semester: | 18 | 18 |
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
In addition to the courses that all majors take, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology students take the following courses:
| Semester 1 | Credits | Semester 2 | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linear Algebra | 3 | Statistics* | 3 |
| Introduction to Programming I | 3 | Introduction to Programming II | 3 |
| Multimedia and Graphic Design | 3 | ||
| Total Credits per Semester: | 19 | 20 |
*BSIT students are exempted from the general Mathematics course delivered by FY.
Entry Requirements
Students who wish to apply to UP must complete the following:
Health Sciences:
- High School diploma
- Pass the National Entrance Examination (NEE) in Biology, Chemistry, and Maths
- UP Health Check – TB Test
- English Placement Test
Science Research, English Business, Information Technology:
- High School diploma
- English Placement Test
