![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.difc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/igcses-study-abroad-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
IGCSE results are being released across the globe this week and many students are still considering what to do next, in order to best prepare them for their future studies abroad.<\/p>\n
It seems too good to be true, right? Wrong! There is an alternative pathway that thousands of students have taken to study abroad in order to progress to undergraduate programmes\u00a0in some of the top UK and Irish Universities. It\u2019s called the NCUK International Foundation Year<\/a> (IFY).<\/p>\n There are a number of reasons why you should consider choosing the IFY over A Levels:<\/p>\n You are probably familiar with the structure of GCE A Levels, whereby you choose three academic modules depending on which degree you are hoping to study at university. The IFY is no different\u00a0\u2013 except that the three academic\u00a0subjects you will study are\u00a0pre-selected. In addition, the IFY programme also covers English for Academic Purposes (EAP). This provides a solid grounding of academic English for international students looking to study in Ireland or the UK.<\/p>\n In addition to EAP, you\u00a0will study the following academic subjects based on your chosen study stream:<\/p>\n Where the IFY stands out compared to A Levels is in the development of transferrable skills. These are vital skills\u00a0such as critical thinking, problem solving, study & organisational skills and ICT skills.<\/p>\n In a benchmarking study undertaken by\u00a0UK NARIC<\/a>\u00a0in 2014, it was concluded that \u201cthe IFY programme develops a comparable range and level of knowledge, understanding and competencies\u201d as the GCE A Level qualification. Therefore, \u201cit can be considered to provide suitable preparation for undergraduate study\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Another factor setting IFY apart from A Levels is the opportunity to adapt to a new culture and Western study principles. The focus of IFY is to help\u00a0prepare you to succeed when you start your Bachelor degree, and this covers topics such as:<\/p>\n Moreover, these skills will help you start on the right foot in your University studies \u2013 rather than trying to catch up during your first year.<\/p>\n Many students considering Foundation are concerned about the recognition of their IFY qualification for admission to University. However, the IFY was specifically designed by\u00a0NCUK<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a group of leading UK Universities \u2013 to help prepare you\u00a0to succeed in your\u00a0undergraduate studies.<\/p>\n The IFY is recognised by NCUK Universities in the UK and worldwide,\u00a0most Irish Universities\/Colleges<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a09 specialist Medical Universities<\/a>.<\/p>\n This\u00a0means that you have guaranteed access to the DIFC \/ NCUK university partner network, once you successfully pass your Foundation studies. In fact, 100% of students who pass the IFY achieve a university placement.<\/p>\n At the heart of the IFY programme, is a strong focus on results \u2013 that is, a University placement. Therefore,\u00a0from the moment you start your IFY studies, your teachers and tutors will be working closely with you. And, you\u2019ll be fully supported in your University applications. In comparison, during A Levels, you are largely left to navigate the university application process on your own \u2013 sometimes with a little guidance from your school counsellor, depending on your school.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick snapshot of how the International Foundation Year compares to A Levels<\/p>\nWhy Choose the IFY over A Levels?<\/h3>\n
\n
What Will You Study?<\/h3>\n
\n
Adapting to Western Study Principles<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.difc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/4468-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n\n
Guaranteed Progression to NCUK Universities<\/strong><\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.difc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/ncuk-international-foundation-year-uni-logo-bar-01-1024x636.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.difc.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/difc-irish-universities-no-header-1024x347.png\")
<\/p>\nA Quick Comparison: IFY versus A Levels<\/h3>\n