A 16-year-old with four IGCSE passes as a private candidate starts Deakin College’s Foundation Program (Standard) in October 2026, aiming for Deakin University’s Bachelor of Laws, with his under-18 Australian student visa granted in 15 days, guided by Uni Enrol’s Jonathan Wong.
Sameer is a 16 year old who recently completed his IGCSE with 4 passes with a goal to pursue his studies in Law abroad. What makes it more impressive is that he took his IGCSEs as a private candidate! His destination: Deakin University in Australia.
After completing his IGCSEs, Sameer actually studied, and completed, his Foundation Diploma in Law at BAC. However, this course is a bridging course to diplomas offered at BAC, and does not meet the requirements of Deakin University. Not wavering from his goals to study in Australia, and as a young student pursuing studies abroad, he came across a challenge: If he can’t apply with his Foundation Diploma, can he directly apply to Deakin University with just his IGCSE results?
That’s where Sameer, and his parents, sought out the help of Uni Enrol, where Jonathan Wong was his assigned study abroad consultant; or more commonly known as, our education consultant.
Can You Get Into an Australian University With IGCSE?
You cannot directly apply to study a bachelor’s degree at an Australian university with your IGCSE results. It counts as Year 11 in Australia, and Bachelor’s degrees ask for Year 12 as an entry requirement. Year 12 equivalent courses are Foundation programs, A-Levels, or other pre-university courses.
Jonathan, after speaking to Sameer’s parents and himself, was aware of Sameer’s goal to study his Law degree in Australia. Jonathan reached out to the university for his pathway options. Sameer, with Jonathan’s help, was eventually offered to study a Foundation Program at Deakin College, before studying his Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University, as his IGCSE results passed the minimum requirements of 3 Passes set by Deakin College for its Foundation Program.
That also means that the Foundation Diploma credits would not be transferred, and Sameer would have to start from the Foundation level again. Not wavering from his own aim to be a corporate legal professional in the future, he agreed to take this pathway.
“From helping me communicate with Deakin University, to providing step by step guidance throughout the entire visa application process, Jonathan and the team made what could have been a stressful and complicated experience feel smooth and manageable.”
Sameer Raj
Is Foundation Faster for Studying in Australia?
Choosing a foundation program is faster because it can be completed within a year, compared to other pre-university pathways like A-Levels, which could take up to 18 months to 2 years. The Deakin College Foundation Program is a Year 12 (Pre-University) equivalent course for international students, with March, June and October intakes every year. There are 2 tracks to choose from; Standard (8 months) or Extended (12 months), and the estimated course fees are from AUD33,600.
Sameer, approaching Jonathan in August, was recommended for the October intake’s Standard track, as he did not want to have a gap in his study period. With that decision made, Jonathan knew that time is of the essence to help Sameer get his offer letter and visa sorted.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Deakin College Offer?
It takes a minimum of 2 working days to receive an offer letter from Deakin College after application has been submitted. It can stretch to 1-2 weeks under conditions if your academic results need extra verification, you applied right before an intake deadline, or if you are under 18 and need welfare arrangements.
Sameer’s application was right before an intake deadline, and being 16 years old, he also had to declare his welfare arrangements in Australia. Jonathan promptly assisted Sameer in getting his personal statements and required details for application, and applied on 12th August 2026, and heard back 12 days later with his offer letter and CoE ready for visa application.
“Jonathan and the team made what could have been a stressful and complicated experience feel smooth and manageable.”
Sameer Raj
Can You Study in Australia at 16?
Yes, you can study in Australia at 16, but will need to have parental consent and approved welfare arrangements until you turn 18.
Under the Department of Home Affairs guidelines for students under 18, you will need to fill the following additional documents:
- Both parents must fill up Parental Consent forms (Form 1229)
- Show a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) from the university, which covers approved accommodation and care, or a guardian nominated on Form 157N.
For Sameer, he has relatives in Melbourne, who have been nominated as his guardians. His parents would need to fill up their personal details in Form 1229 in order for him to travel to Australia.
How Long Does an Under-18 Australian Student Visa Take?
It can take from 3 weeks to 6 months based on how fast prior documentation and biometrics application can be done before lodging. Based on Sameer’s application timeline of September 2026, it could have been a range of between 25 days to 7 months!
Jonathan, knowing that applying for a student under 18 with additional required documents would mean a potentially longer processing time for Sameer’s visa, made sure that Sameer collected all the necessary documentation for lodging. Through Jonathan’s detailed and quick planning, Sameer successfully had his visa granted in under 15 days!
“As a 16 year old student pursuing my education overseas, having a team that was always willing to guide and support me made a huge difference. To my surprise, my Australian student visa was approved in just 15 days!”
Sameer Raj
What Is Life Like at Deakin University in Melbourne?
Since arriving in Melbourne, Sameer enjoying his studies and the city. Thanks to the help of his education consultants, he is still on track to achieving his dream to study Law at Deakin University once he completes his foundation program and meets the entry requirements!
.A huge thank you to Jonathan and the entire Uni Enroll Malaysia team for your dedication, professionalism, patience, and continuous support. I truly appreciate everything you have done to help me take this important step towards my future at Deakin University.”
Sameer Raj
If you’re interested in studying in Melbourne, you can check out the study cost in Melbourne, Australia.
Thinking About Studying In Australia With IGCSE?
Sameer’s story of studying in Australia with questions of what to do after IGCSE, and finding an international pre-university pathway there is just one of the many stories that we encounter at Uni Enrol, and every pathway is unique to us, depending on your course, your target university, and your timeline.
Other stories that we have covered also include the likes of a postgraduate student’s journey from Nottingham University Malaysia to UQ!
Drop by Uni Enrol Study Abroad Office and let us help you plan your perfect Australian study pathway together! Find us at B-02-03, Level 2, Sunway Geo Avenue, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Our education consultants, including Jonathan, are well versed in study abroad pathways across many universities and countries, matching your current course choices to a university of your choosing!
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Start mapping your own post-IGCSE pathway today.
About the Author:
Uni Enrol supports over 80,000 students annually with local and abroad university applications, covering course selection, visas, and scholarships. Our education consultants bring backgrounds in admissions offices, education agencies, and student counselling.
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