Why IFY?
The UK education system requires students to have studied for 13 years before starting university. Most countries around the world have a 12 year education system so UK universities ask that international students complete a Foundation Year or fast-track programme before applying.
Our Foundation Programmes are in partnership with the Northern Consortium UK (NCUK) and we offer two routes:
- Business and Management
- Science and Technology
The NCUK Guarantee:
NCUK guarantees that all students who pass the IFY programme will be placed on an appropriate course in an NCUK partner institution.
Most UK honours degrees are only 3 years long so students will still graduate at the same time as they would studying a 4 year degree course in other countries.
IFY Advantages:
- Guaranteed place in a range of degrees at a NCUK Partner University in UK or Ireland
- Progression to Ireland or Australia at undergraduate level
- Wide range of courses available in Business, Law, Computers, Science, Medicine, Hospitality, Humanities etc
- IFY exams are equivalent to A levels but students have a better chance of a place in University with IFY exams compared to A levels
- IFY exams are benchmarked to A levels and the English for Academic Purposes module (EAP) is recognised by all university partners as an IELTS equivalent
- NCUK courses are highly prestigious being designed by leading UK universities
- 10,000 students have completed these courses and transferred to Universities in the UK
View/Print our IFY Advantages vs A Levels
Who are NCUK?
NCUK was set up by 12 UK universities in 1987. It is one of the most established international education consortia in the world and, since its foundation, over 10,000 students have studied NCUK programmes and gone on to study degree courses in NCUK partner universities.
The NCUK founder partner universities include the largest universities in the UK. They offer a very large range of degree courses and together educate over 20% of all students studying in England. All provide excellence in teaching and research to the highest international standards with over 160 departments which have been rated as 5 or 5 star in the most recent UK Research Assessments.
NCUK's Irish partner universities include leading universities on the island of Ireland. Education has been a key factor in making Ireland one of the fastest growing economies in the world over the past decade and university education in Ireland is renowned for its creativity, flexibility, pragmatism and informality.
NCUK Member Universities
NCUK's founding university partners who created the Northern Consortium are:
All of the above universities accept the International Foundation Year (IFY) for entry to bachelors' degrees and offer guaranteed places to successful IFY students.
View/Print our IFY UK University Course Directory
Irish Universities
All of the above universities accept the International Foundation Year (IFY) for entry to bachelors' degrees and offer guaranteed places to successful IFY students.
View/Print our IFY Irish University courses directory
In addition to the founding partners, NCUK works with other UK and Australian partner universities which recognise IFY for entry to a range of undergraduate degrees.
Additional UK Universities
Australian Universities
What will I study?
The IFY is designed to prepare international students for undergraduate study in NCUK partner universities. It provides a bridge between the education systems of the students' home country and those of the UK and Ireland.
The quality of NCUK programmes is underpinned by the reputations of the NCUK founder partner universities that own NCUK. NCUK provides the curriculum and sets the standards for the delivery of its study programmes, which are monitored through robust quality assurance measures including externally set examinations, external examiners and regular audit.
Students will study English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or Key Skills plus three subject modules. Successful completion of the NCUK IFY will ensure that students have the skills and knowledge required to succeed in their degree studies. In 2006/7 Belfast Institute will be offering two possible study routes to NCUK IFY students.
Possible Study Routes:
Buisness and Mangement
| Programme Element |
Hours/wk |
| English for Academic Purposes |
6 |
| English for Special Academic Purposes, Business |
3 |
| Mathematics for Business (Mathematics & Statistics) |
5 |
| Business & Management Studies (double module) |
8 |
| ICT class |
1 |
| Pastoral care/progression counselling |
1 |
| |
Total 24 |
Possible Study Routes:
Science & Engineering
| Programme Element |
Hours/wk |
| English for Academic Purposes |
6 |
| English for Special Academic Purposes, Science |
3 |
| Mathematics for Science |
5 |
| Science - Chemistry (Core) Choice of Physics or Biology (each 4 hours/week) |
8 |
| ICT class |
1 |
| Pastoral care/progression counselling |
1 |
| |
Total 24 |
The IFY Programme starts 2 October 2006 and finishes on 15 June 2007
Entry Requirements
The success rate of visa applications reached 99.9% last year in China, because of the high standard of NCUK programmes. For entry you will need to meet the following criteria:
- Any high school graduates can apply, you do not have to achieve National University examinations
- You should be at least 17 years old and have successfully completed your home country's high school qualifications
- You will also need a minimum English language level of IELTS 5.0 or equivalent
If you do not have a recognised/certificated English language level, please contact International Office for further advice about English course application.
Tel: +44 (0)28 9026 5171
Email: internationaloffice@belfastmet.ac.uk
If you haven't yet reached this level of English, you could enrol at the Belfast Institute for an English course, to bring you up to the required level.
View/Print our NCUK entry requirements summary
University Progression
NCUK provides 'fast-track' applications to its partner universities for IFY students and you will be supported by Belfast Institute throughout the application process. During your programme you will receive information and guidance on university progression including visits to and from representatives of NCUK partner universities. Remember - successful completion of the NCUK IFY course guarantees you a place on a degree course in one of the NCUK partner institutions.
Fees and Costs
How to apply
Visa and Immigration
Apply Now |
