NCUK

NCUK is a provider of qualifications that offer a pathway to leading universities for international students. The organisation's main office is in Manchester, UK, with key staff members also located in China and the wider Asia region.

NCUK offers a variety of qualifications and facilitates direct university progression for students, supporting thousands of students annually in their academic journeys. NCUK qualificationsare recognised by universities within the NCUK Global Network and beyond. Successful completion of an NCUK qualification guarantees students access to over 50 NCUK University Partners, offering options to progress to universities in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Canada.

NCUK has placed over 50,000 international students on a range of university degree courses. The available programmes over 9,000 degree options at universities worldwide,

History

1987: The Northern Consortium was formed by a group of 12 universities and was based at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST)

Founder Universities:

• Victoria University of Manchester
• UMIST
• The University of Bradford
• The University of Huddersfield
• The University of Leeds
• The University of Sheffield
• The University of Liverpool
• The University of Salford
• Liverpool John Moores University
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• Leeds Beckett University
• Sheffield Hallam University

Late 1980s and Early 1990s: Established as a charity to professionalize international education, particularly focusing on transnational education opportunities in Malaysia.

The Northern Consortium was initially established by the international offices of 12 universities in 1987 who collaborated to design and deliver a split degree programme for Malaysian government-sponsored students. Programmes were developed which aided the Malaysian economy – engineering, computing, pharmacy and business – and delivered as ‘transfer’ programmes. Students studied a first year in Malaysia before transferring to one of NCUK's founding universities, or to another UK institution.

Over 6,000 students progressed through the programmes and into UK institutions over the 10 years of the project, saving the Malaysian government significant costs in their sponsorship budget

Late 1990s: Entered the Chinese market, introducing the International Foundation Programme. NCUK was among the first to offer such qualifications in China, predating others like A Levels and the International Baccalaureate.

1999: Initiated a joint venture with ACE to develop a nationwide initiative in China focused on the International Foundation Year.

Established China's first international department at Chengdu No. 7 High School, followed by the setup of international departments in 14 other middle schools across China.

Early 2000s: Expanded operations primarily along the Eastern Seaboard of China, including cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Qingdao, and Dalian.

2003: Formed NCUK Ltd as the commercial arm to enter new markets and form new partnerships, driving profits for the charity.

2004/05: Launched an innovative partnership with nine universities of the Northern Consortium and the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST) to create the Sino-British College, a pioneering initiative in the market.

Qualifications

International Foundation Year (IFY)

Designed for secondary school leavers, the IFY provides students is a year-long English Language and pre-university course. The UK ENIC (European Network of Information Centres) recognises the NCUK International Foundation Year as a comparable level to GCE A Levels; Australian high school (SSCE); American high school (AP); and Hong Kong high school (HKDSE) qualifications. Completion of the IFY provides direct entry to the first year of a bachelor's degree.

Students have the option to choose from thirteen subject modules and may select any combination of three modules to study:

• Mathematics for Business
• Chemistry
• Global Studies
• Mathematics for Engineering
• Physics
• Society and Politics
• Mathematics for Science
• Business Studies
• Art and Design
• Further Mathematics
• Economics
• Computer Science
• Biology

The IFY offers students academic preparation for tertiary study.

International Year One (IYOne)

Students undertake a credit-bearing qualification equivalent to the first year of a bachelor's degree. Completion provides direct entry to the second year of a bachelor's degree at a university of their choice

There are five qualification subject areas:

• Accounting and Finance
• Business Management
• Electrical & Electronic
• Engineering
• Events Management
• Law

International Year Two (IYTwo)

Students complete a qualification equivalent to the second year of a bachelor's degree in Business Management. Completion provides direct progression into the third year of a UK university. 15 UK universities accept this program.

Master's Preparation (MP)

This qualification is designed to prepare students for post-graduate academic study.

NCUK Partners

NCUK partners with more than 50 universities in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Delivery Partners

NCUK qualifications are delivered at study centres across the world. The list below includes 40 countries where the different study centres are located:

Algeria Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh British Virgin Islands China Cyprus Egypt Ethiopia Ghana Hong Kong SAR India Indonesia Ireland

Japan Kazakhstan Kenya Madagascar Malaysia Malta Morocco Myanmar Nigeria Oman Pakistan Peru Qatar (University Foundation College) Saudi Arabia

Singapore South Africa South Korea Sri Lanka Taiwan Thailand Tunisia Turkey United Arab Emirates United Kingdom USA Vietnam

University Partners

After successfully completing their qualification, students are guaranteed access NCUK University Partners. Students have various options and can progress to universities in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, Grenada, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

• University of Alberta
• Aston University
• University of Auckland
• University of Birmingham
• University of Bradford
• University of Bristol
• Brunel University London
• Brunel Pathway College
• University of Canterbury, New Zealand
• Cardiff University
• Durham University
• University of Exeter
• University of Huddersfield
• Keele University
• University of Kent
• Kingston University
• Leeds Beckett University
• Lancaster University
• University of Leeds
• Liverpool Hope University
• Liverpool John Moores University
• University of Liverpool
• The University of Manchester
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• Oxford Brookes University
• Queen Mary University of London
• Queen's University Belfast
• Sheffield Hallam University
• University of Salford
• The University of Sheffield
• St George's University, Grenada
• University of Central Lancashire
• The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)
• University of Western Australia
• University of South Australia
• Swinburne University of Technology
• Robert Gordon University
• University of Southampton, Malaysia
• RMIT University
• Harper Adams University
• State University of New York at Oswego
• University of Waikato
• Massey University of New Zealand
• Auckland University of Technology
• Victoria University of Wellington
• University of Lincoln
• University of Otago
• California State University, Monterey Bay
• University of Newcastle, Australia
• De Montfort University
• University of Reading
• University of York
• University of Westminster
• University of West of England

Awards and recognitions

• In 2021, NCUK was named the winner of the Digital Innovation of the Year – Assessment and Credentials award at the fifth iteration of the PIEoneer Awards 2021
• Shortlisted as a finalist for Global Education Investor's Pathway Company of the Year 2021

• Shortlisted for the PIEoneer Awards 2023, for the 'Championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion' award

• Shortlisted in the International Student Recruitment Organisation of the Year category at the PIEoneer Awards 2024