Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
About NCUK International Foundation Year
Yes. University Foundation College is licensed by Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
NCUK is unique in higher education. NCUK is a consortium of leading universities dedicated to giving international students guaranteed entry to universities worldwide and helping them succeed when they get there. The NCUK is headquartered in Manchester, UK with the study centres across the globe. University Foundation College is the only NCUK partner in Qatar.
With a diverse set of qualifications available as well as opportunities for qualified students to progress directly to university, NCUK supports thousands of students each year on their academic journeys. As our qualifications are recognised by universities from within the NCUK Global Network and beyond, we are able to give students the best start and guarantee access to an NCUK University upon successful completion of their studies with us.
NCUK Guarantee –If you pass your NCUK qualification you are guaranteed a place at an NCUK partner university and have thousands of degree courses to choose from.
Every year students from over 100 nationalities study NCUK programmes:
- 90% of NCUK students successfully achieve a place at their first choice university.
- 80% of NCUK students gain a first or second class degree at university.
The NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) prepares international students for entry into the first year of undergraduate degree courses. The NCUK IFY offers you a choice of streams in Science/Medicine, Engineering, Business, Humanities and Art & Design; each stream contains a different combination of three subject modules to fit the requirements of your chosen degree.
You will also study NCUK’s ‘English for Academic Purposes’ (EAP) module to improve your language ability and meet the English requirement for admission to your preferred degree programme.
The NCUK IFY is recognised by UK NARIC as comparable to the UK’s ‘GCE A-Levels’ and other leading international qualifications.
NCUK qualifications provide access to thousands of degree programmes. The range of programmes available to you will depend on the subjects that you study on the IFY, and on your final grades.
You can use NCUK’s University Course Finder to explore the full range of degree options that NCUK qualifications make available, and the grades you’ll require for access to each.
Yes. After a process of research and selection, supported by our University Application Centre, you can apply through UCAS to UK universities, as well as other universities around the world that require a direct paid application. Each university course will have its own criteria for entry, and your final destination will depend on your grades in the NCUK IFY: the better you do, and the harder you work, the more choice you will have.
Foundation Year at UFC allows you to progress to prestigious universities for the remaining three years of your degree, even if you were not initially accepted due to insufficient qualifications. You can still improve your chances by completing our Foundation Year. Changing degrees or universities after starting your foundation year can be challenging, but our Foundation Year gives you an additional year to determine what you truly want to study in a three-year degree without losing a year. Also, our Foundation Year is often more affordable than the first year at many universities.
Yes. NCUK Qualifications are recognised by universities in the UK and worldwide. The NCUK IFY qualification – taught at the University Foundation College – is recognised by UK NARIC as comparable to the UK’s ‘GCE A-Levels’, Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), the Senior Secondary School Certificate of Education in Australia and the USA’s Advanced Placement programme.
NCUK’s academic quality procedures conform to the standards set out by the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) in its Quality Code (the QAA is the independent organisation that sets and monitors standards in UK higher education).
Students who successfully complete their NCUK qualification can gain guaranteed access to one of the NCUK Partner Universities.
Yes, the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) is equivalent to A-Levels. On behalf of the UK Government, UK NARIC validates that the IFY is comparable to four major international qualifications, including A-Levels. For more information, please click here.
For guaranteed entry at an NCUK University you must meet the following requirements:
- 96 NCUK points on the subject modules; and
- All students must achieve a minimum of overall grade C with no less than grade D in each EAP skills component (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking). Even if grades are adequate in subject modules, without an EAP grade D in all components we cannot guarantee a place at an NCUK Partner University.
If you achieve between 72 and 88 points with a grade A-C for EAP, NCUK may be able to place you on to a limited number of degree programmes.
This guarantee is subject to the following exclusions:
- The guaranteed entry requirements do not apply to students applying to study dentistry or medicine. These programmes have limited availability as well as additional requirements in the application process (e.g. interviews and admissions tests such as UCAT). For more information please find the NCUK Medicine brochure here.
Yes. NCUK is well known for the quality of its university admission advice and works very closely with our University Application Centre. We will support you through every stage of the application process to NCUK partner universities across the world.
NCUK’s bespoke English for Academic Purposes (EAP) module is designed specially to develop English language ability for international students.
The module will support you in reading, writing, listening and speaking (the core components of language learning) and – unlike many English language assessments – it will also provide you with the study skills that you need to succeed at university.
About Progression Routes to Universities
You can explore NCUK University Course Finder tool to search for your dream university degree course at NCUK University Partners worldwide. You can find thousands of degree programmes by filtering by subject or by Country or by University.
Yes. University Foundation College has an articulation agreement with universities in Qatar, allowing students to progress to the second year of four-year undergraduate degree programmes upon successful completion of the foundation programme at University Foundation College.
About College Admissions
University Foundation College welcomes applications year-round to the most appropriate intake but we recommend that you apply as early as possible. You can find the required information here. The final decision on your admission will be made when you fill the application with complete required information. You can fill the application here.
It depends on your English and Maths qualifications. You can find further information here.
Qatari Qualifications
- Qatari General Secondary Education Certificate (Al-Thanawiyya Al-Amma) 60% or above
- Minimum IELTS score of 5.0 (no single element less than 4.5) or recognised equivalent English language proficiency* (eg. TOEFL, SAT, Duolingo,PTE
- Pathways requiring Maths students need to have SAT 550+**
*Students who do not have an English language proficiency can take our own internal entrance test.
**Students who do not have an SAT can take our own internal test.
British Qualifications
- Minimum 5 IGCSE passes (including grade C or above in Mathematics and English Language).
Or
- Minimum of 2 AS Levels (grade E or above).
Students who do not have a minimum C grade in English Language or any recognised English language proficiency at the required grade must take our Internal English Entrance test.
Students Maths will have to take our Internal entrance test (maths test needed for Pathways requiring Maths).
We do accept BTEC Qualifications as a replacement for GCSE/AS.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
- Successful completion with a minimum of 22 points.
- Students who score lower than 4 in IB English or does not have any recognised English language proficiency at the required grade must take our Internal English Entrance test.
American Qualifications
- Successful completion and award of the Diploma.
The academic year of NCUK IFY starts in September and ends in June. However, we accept applications all year round and we recommend that you apply as early as possible in order to secure your place.
No, our programmes are not taught online. Students are required to attend classes in person. However, we utilise new technologies like Microsoft Teams to ensure students can stay connected with their teachers and access additional support when needed.
Yes, we accept international students from outside Qatar. The college will assist students in obtaining a student visa for Qatar. Please note that the visa application process will commence only after the deposit fee has been paid. Additionally, students are responsible for covering all extra costs, including travel, visa expenses, accommodation, and food within Qatar.
Fee Structure
The total fee for the NCUK IFY is QAR 73,000. That fee includes the non-refundable deposit fee (QAR 10,000), the tuition fee, the cost of processing your application, course materials and all the support you will require, academically and for your university applications. The fee for the English and Maths test will be additional if required which is QAR 300 each.
Studying NCUK IFY in Qatar with us is better financially, compared to the cost of studying a similar programme overseas: you will save on the cost of living, a visa application, accommodation, and international flights, making the College the most cost-effective route to degree-level study. After the completion of NCUK IFY you can potentially progress to same overseas university you prefer for completing your degree.
Please be aware that University Foundation College does not offer full scholarships. However, discounts may be considered depending on grades.
More questions? We are happy to help you!
For admission related enquiries please fill out the form below and one of our team members will get in touch with you soon.
How to Apply
We have an experienced team of admissions staff waiting to talk you through your options at University Foundation College and beyond, helping you to make decisions today which will positively influence your education and career.
We will provide you with personal counselling and support as you make the transition from high school to University Foundation College and then to your university degree programme.