Universities worldwide and UK ENIC (European Network of Information Centres) formally recognises the NCUK International Foundation Year as a comparable level to GCE A Level; Australian high school (SSCE); American high school (AP); and Hong Kong high school (HKDSE) qualifications.
A qualification designed with our university partners to prepare you for first year entry to undergraduate degree courses. Studying in small classes with NCUK in your home country before you start your degree will give you the confidence you need before you start your degree course.
Quality is at the heart of everything that we do so our qualifications meet the highest academic standards set by our university partners. As well as academic knowledge, the NCUK International Foundation Year will give you specialist English language, study and cultural skills that are an essential part of your degree course. This unique combination will help you to get in to the University of your choice and get on with your future career.
A foundation qualification is normally required by students who have completed high school outside of the UK education system and/or in a language other than English.
This qualification will help bridge the gap between your local qualification and university study and is designed to give you the academic and English language skills needed to succeed at an international university.
Typically the International Foundation Year takes 9 months to complete but there are both shorter (6 month) and longer (2 year) options available. Please check with your Study Centre to see what options are available.
Like A-Levels, you choose three academic subjects from the list below depending on which degree you want to study at university. You will also study one of our English for Academic Purposes modules which gives you the academic English language skills needed for university.
You can choose 3 subjects from:
With the International Foundation Year, you can progress onto more than 9,000 degree subjects at top-ranked universities worldwide.
The following document will provide you with overviews of what to expect from the International Foundation Year and a wider understanding of each individual module that Study Centres can offer (please note that not all NCUK Study Centres will deliver every module listed in this document). This includes information on the aims of the qualification, course structures, assessment methods and more.
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NCUK always acts in your best interests, helping you to realise your dreams and ambitions both at university and afterwards, in your life and career. That’s why upon successfully completing the NCUK International Foundation Year, you gain guaranteed* entry to a suitable course at an NCUK University Partner.
The NCUK Guarantee means you have an excellent choice of leading universities who will offer you a suitable place based on your grades and area of interest. NCUK gives you that offer on results day and takes the stress out of the application process. *Click here to find out further information about the NCUK Guarantee.
All NCUK English modules provide essential preparation for university study. Your options are:
The NCUK International Foundation Year is assessed by coursework and by examination. 70-80% of your final grades will be based on examinations, although this depends on the subjects you choose. All assessments are set and moderated by NCUK.
We have 120+ Study Centres located around the world meaning that you can choose to study locally at a Study Centre near you or you can choose to study in the UK and Ireland. Search for your Study Centre here.
NCUK awards the final certificate. Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate showing that you have passed the programme and a transcript that details your module results.
NCUK’s International Foundation Year is accepted by leading universities worldwide allowing you to gain access to top-ranked international universities.
See how NCUK International Foundation Year grades compare to other common qualifications and gradings based on UCAS tariff points by clicking here.
Tuition fees vary depending on where you choose to study. Please contact your nearest Study Centre for details.
You must be 17 years old and have completed 12 years of high school education and have a recognised English language qualification e.g. IELTS 5.0.
NCUK students have the choice of progressing to thousands of degree courses. Whether you want to study Art, Computer Science, Engineering, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Business, Law, or Artificial Intelligence, the International Foundation Year will equip you with the tools needed to succeed at university.
The NCUK International Foundation Year is accepted by many universities worldwide, including in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA and more.
NCUK currently offers students the chance to complete a UK degree at our University College, the Sino British College in Shanghai, China. You can choose from the following:
NCUK has a dedicated team that helps you with your university applications. We also work with counsellors in each of our Study Centres that are dedicated to helping you. Together, we will support you through the full university application process and guide you through every step of the way.
We know that not all students achieve their predicted grades. Because of our unique relationship with our University Partners, we are able to offer our University Application Service. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for your chosen universities, NCUK can help you by finding an alternative solution so that you can still progress to university.
Terms and conditions apply, see www.ncuk.ac.uk/guarantee for details
Fast-track your journey to university with our International Foundation Year. This programme offers an accelerated path to university, designed to equip you with the essential academic skills and knowledge needed for success in your chosen field. As demonstrated by our student cohort of 2022/2023, this fast-track route has proven to be an effective stepping stone to undergraduate study
We’ve helped tens of thousands of international students gain guaranteed access to leading universities, choosing from thousands of different courses, and earning good undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a huge range of subjects.
International university graduates have the knowledge and skills that are valued by employers all around the world. At your NCUK university you will have access to top level careers advice and guidance to help you focus on the right job for you and to stand out from the crowd in an increasingly competitive jobs market. Choosing your NCUK qualification is the first step to realising your dreams and ambitions.
The greatest achievement i've had would be receiving my NCUK results, this opened doors for a whole new myriad of opportunities, beginning with university.
Kenya
University of Bristol
MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
I chose to study at The University of Manchester because of the world reputation of the university and the city; the university is globally well-respected and will boost my employability.
Thailand
The University of Manchester
BSc (Hons) Accounting with Industrial/Professional Experience
Due to studying an NCUK qualification I am now studying abroad which has made me more independent. Meeting people from different countries and learning about their cultures helped me enjoy this experience.
Mongolia
Queen Mary University of London
BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Business Management and Accounting
If you don’t meet the entry requirements of the International Foundation Year, you might be eligible for our University Access Programme. This programme is designed to enhance your English language and study skills to progress to an undergraduate degree at a UK university.
