NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY)
The NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) programme is a foundation course preparing international students for university entrance at undergraduate level.
- Business and Management - Possible Study Routes
-
Programme Element Hours per week English for Academic Purposes (Core) 6 ESAP for Business 3 Mathematics for Business (Mathematics and Statistics) 5 Business and Management Studies (double module) 8 ICT class 1 Pastoral care/progression counselling 1 - Science/Health Studies - Possible Study Routes
-
Programme Element Hours per week English for Academic Purposes (Core) 6 ESAP for Science/Health Studies 3 Mathematics for Science/Engineering (Mathematics) 5 Science – two subjects: Chemistry and Biology at 4 hours/week each 8 ICT class 1 Pastoral care/progression counselling 1 - Engineering/Technology - Possible Study Routes
-
Programme Element Hours per week English for Academic Purposes (Core) 6 ESAP for Science/Health Studies 3 Mathematics for Science/Engineering (Mathematics) 5 Science – two subjects: Chemistry and Physics at 4 hours/week each 8 ICT class 1 Pastoral care/progression counselling 1
Our partner universities recognise that the NCUK IFY course meets their entry requirements for international students. NCUK guarantees students who successfully complete the foundation programme a place on a degree course in their chosen subject of study.
Why do I need a Foundation Course?
If you want to study at an Irish or UK university you will have to complete a foundation course.
In Ireland and the UK, students applying for a place at university will have attended school for a total of 13 years - whereas in many countries this figure is only 11 or 12 years.
As an international student, a university foundation course is your best pathway to university. Whether you want to study business, medicine, health and science, or engineering, the right foundation course will ensure that you start your degree with the same abilities and potential as an Irish or UK-educated student.
International Foundation Year (IFY) Course Structure
The International Foundation Year (IFY) is a modular programme. It consists of core elements (studied by all) and specific subject modules, which may be grouped to form 'routes', preparing students for degrees in different subject areas.
The core elements include English for Academic Purposes, key study skills such as Information & Communication Technologies (ICT), and the development of independent learning. The duration and type of English language teaching will depend on the language used during your secondary school education.
Subject modules currently offered at DIFC include: Mathematics for Business, Mathematics for Science, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Business Studies, Economics and International Relations.
In addition to core and subject modules, you will receive pastoral care tutorials and counselling on future study options. The IFY programme starting in September is normally delivered over 30 weeks, with students having 20 – 25 hours of directed study per week, supported by a period of self-directed study of at least equal duration.
The IFY programme starting in January is more intensive. It normally runs over 26 weeks, with students having 25 - 32 hours of directed study per week, supported by a period of self-directed study.
The IFY programme provides you with the potential to pursue studies on a very wide range of undergraduate degree courses. These are detailed in the country-specific International Foundation Year Handbooks.
The International Foundation Year Programme has three possible routes:
- Business and IT
- Engineering and Computer Science
- Health and Science
IFY – SCIENCE/HEALTH STUDIES (Medical Route)
“ Proposal to accept NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) for entry to the 6 year medical programme: Those applications with grades of AABB in the ‘Science & Health’ stream of the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) are considered eligible for entry to the 6 year medical programme subject to interview ”
A number of students completed this programme in the past couple of years and 10 students were placed into medical programme in R.C.S.I.
This year 17 students commenced the IFY Health and science route in September 2010, the exam results were published 30th June 2010: 11 students obtained 2 A’s and 2 B’s or higher grades which makes them eligible for entry to medicine R.C.S.I. in September 2010, subject to interview.
Ahmed, Saudi Arabia, IFY 08 Graduate - receiving his Scholarship for Medicine from Diarmuid Moroney
Xiaoli Huang, China IFY H&S 09, receiving her Scholarship for Physiotheraphy
In June 2010 DIFC President visited four famous Medical Universities in Europe and agreements are due to be signed with these Universities before the end of July that they will accept DIFC – IFY Health and Science course as meeting their entry requirements along with their own entry test which will be supervised in DIFC College Dublin in May/June 2011.
These Universities have places available in Medicine and Dentistry and being in the EU their qualifications are recognised throughout the EU.
- 1st Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague
- Masaryk University Brno Chez Republic
- Charles University Faculty of Medicine Hradec Kralove
- Debrecen University Hungry
Masaryk University will be holding its entrance exam in DIFC Dublin in August 2010 for students wishing to join their Medicine or dentistry courses in September 2010.
Pathways to Medical Programmes for students who complete IFY Health and Science Course.
IFY Course Entry Requirements
You must have completed high school (year 11 or 12) and have an English level equivalent to 5.0 IELTS
IFY Start date
September and January each year.
Our College
Read about the English courses on offer to students wishing to study in Dublin.
Sample Offer Letters
View sample offer letters recieved by DIFC students from Irish and UK Partner Universities.
Past Students
Discover where DIFC past students are studying and working and what they say about us.
