Why Study with DIFC?

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About DIFC

Dublin International Foundation College (DIFC) was set up in 1999 to deliver specialised foundation courses preparing international students for entrance into partner universities in Ireland and the UK. Both undergraduate and postgraduate level programmes are taught and students who successfully complete these are placed in a wide-variety of Higher Education courses.

Over the past decade DIFC has placed over 1,200 students onto undergraduate and postgraduate courses in partner universities and colleges in Ireland and the UK.

In 2004, DIFC was appointed by NCUK as their exclusive delivery centre in Ireland, due to our reputation for running quality foundation courses as a pathway to university entrance, DIFC was appointed by NCUK to deliver its qualifications in Ireland, specifically the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) and NCUK Master’s Preparation (PMP).

Only NCUK study centre in Ireland

Being the only NCUK Study Centre in Ireland, DIFC offers student’s access to NCUK’s Universities located worldwide – providing you with thousands of courses to choose from for your university studies.

This means it keeps your options open, rather than restricting your progression to just one University.

NCUK is a consortium of leading UK universities dedicated to giving international students guaranteed access to universities worldwide and helping you succeed when they get there.

NCUK qualifications are recognised by NCUK Universities and by many others worldwide including most universities across the UK.

All students who successfully pass their NCUK International Foundation Year or Master’s Preparation with DIFC will be placed onto a suitable degree programme at one of the NCUK Universities or one of DIFC’s Irish partner universities. The entry criteria for each of our university partners vary, so where you are placed will depend on how well you do in your exams.

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Your University place

DIFC provides full University placement counseling to students from all over the world who wish to study for an overseas degree.

Students who successfully pass the NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) or Master’s Preparation qualifications with DIFC will achieve a University place in their chosen field of study. In fact, since 2010 alone we have successfully helped over 1,200 international students progress to undergraduate or postgraduate degrees.

Due to high demand DIFC cannot guarantee placement to medical universities, however since 2009, we have placed over 300 students in their chosen medical university.

Some fun facts

Ireland is an English speaking country with a mild climate and a population of 5 million Dublin is ranked the 32nd best student city in the world for student mix, while also ranked as the 7th best city in the world to visit Ireland has a high quality education system which is internationally recognised Students can save up to 10% on the cost of their Foundation studies compared to the UK Ireland is ranked as the 2nd safest country in the world to live according to the Global Peace Index

Working in Ireland

DIFC students are not permitted to work during their foundation studies; however, if you progress to undergraduate or postgraduate studies in Ireland, you will be allowed to work part-time up to 20 hours per week during school term and 40 hours per week during holidays. There are some exceptions to this, so if you are considering working during your studies, come and talk to us and we can advise you further.

Postgraduate students can stay in Ireland for 24 months in employment, following their studies.

If you have graduated from a university in Ireland, you can avail of this scheme.

Employers can hire graduates who are eligible to work for up to 40 hours per week.

There is a similar scheme in the UK offered to graduates of Bachelor and Master’s degree, where you may remain to work for up to 24 months.

You must have a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card which will be extended for 12 months.

You apply, after your results issue, to the GNIB office. You must:

Provide a letter from the University Student Desk indicating you have obtained your examination results and are eligible to graduate Have a valid passport Have your IRP Card Pay €300 by credit/debit card.

After 12 months, you may be eligible for the Green Card or Work Permit Scheme.