University Foundations

The NCUK International Foundation Year in Ireland, delivered by DIFC,  is designed for High School Graduates who need specific university preparation before applying for university in Ireland or the UK aswell as a number of selected Universities in Europe.

The main benefits of the program are:

• Direct Access to one of NCUK partner universities
• The English Component of the course meets the universities English requirement
• 3 streams of study- Business & IT, Engineering & Computer Science, Science /Health Studies (Medical Route)
• Guaranteed entry to one of three selected programs for students who successfully complete the Foundation Program

Entry Requirements: Candidates must have graduated from their own High School system (although consideration will be given to graduates of Year 11 of the Russian and Chinese high school system)
Candidates must have an IELTS score of 5.0 on entry (candidates with a lower entry score can take part in our pre-sessional English program)

Program Content: 10 hours English (EAP) per week; 14 hours First Year University subjects per week - 24 hours in class per week.

*NEW* IFY MEDICAL FOUNDATION COURSE

We have now expanded our Partner Medical Universities to Europe and students commencing our Foundation Courses in September 2010 or January 2011 will be eligible to apply for places in medicine or dentistry in 3 Universities in Czech Republic plus one in Hungary

Ireland: Royal College of Surgeons, University College Cork/Foundation Dentistry, Degree in Science – Post Graduate route

Europe: Charles University Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy , Prague, Other.

Subjects Taught: English (EAP), Maths, Two from Three: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, ICT, 4 hours in class per week

Notes (a) No guaranteed place into medical courses (b) These programmes are taught through English and the qualifications are recognised throughout E.U.

Enrollment /Start Dates:

International Foundation Year: September and January
Graduate Diploma:  September and January
English Preparation: Courses start every 4 weeks any time during the year, duration depending on arrival test

Location The program takes place on a major third level campus in Dublin, Ireland and allows participants access to all campus facilities. Beginner level English preparation classes will operate at a partner school in Dublin.

Accommodation Residential accommoadtion on campus in single or shared rooms; or host family accommodation in Dublin 
Graduate Diploma Program: The program is designed to maximise the prospects of success for international students who wish to pursue a masters degree in one of our partner universities. The program includes English for Academic Purposes (EAP), Research Methods & Management, Subject Modules and a 5000 word dissertation.

Entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma include: Bachelors Degree in recognised university, or 3 year university diploma with 3 years relevant work experience. IELTS of 5.0 (September intake), 5.5 IELTS (Jan intake)

NCUK Partner Universities:

Ireland: National University of Ireland Galway, University College Cork, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Dublin City University, University of Limerick, Queens University Belfast, University of Ulster, Dublin Institute of Technology

Other Partner Colleges: Griffith College Dublin, National College of Ireland, Waterford Institute of Technology, Athlone Institute of Technology, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Galway Institute of Technology, Shannon Hotel Management College

UK: Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Manchester, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Liverpool, Leeds Metropolitan University, University of Leeds, University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, University of Bradford, University of Huddersfield, University of Salford

Application

• Application procedure for NCUK universities is co-ordinated by NCUK head office based in Manchester university. DIFC place over 90% of all students who complete the Foundation Courses each year into Partner Universities, students do not need to apply through CAO or UCASS systems.

  • No need to sit IELTS exam, Universities accept EAP grade.

• At start of each academic year each NCUK university prepares a list of undergraduate courses they will accept applications for. Against each course they list the IFY exam grades required and EAP (English for Academic Purposes) score required (students do not need to take IELTS score). If students obtain these IFY exam grades, they will obtain an place on the degree courses in NCUK university. Because of the large number of NCUK partner universities the NCUK Head Office in Manchester university will guarantee a place into one of their partner universities to every student who passes IFY exam (D grade = 40%). In the case of Graduate Diploma students NCUK universities only ask for an EAP grade.

For further information please refer to the following websites:

Dublin International Foundation College (DIFC): www.difc.ie  

Northern Consortium UK (NCUK): www.ncuk.ac.uk

Application On Line: See Agent Log-in Area