UCL INTERNATIONAL Foundation Year (UIFY)
Established in in 1976, NCC Education is a UK-based awarding body, whose qualifications are recognised and accepted by universities internationally. With Centres in over forty countries, four international offices and academic managers worldwide, NCC Education strives to employ the latest technologies for learning, assessment, and support. NCC Education is regulated, and quality assured by Ofqual (the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation in England and Northern Ireland. NCC Education’s Higher Education portfolio includes Business, IT, Engineering and Science Foundation qualifications for early school leavers.
Dr. Dhananjay Kulkarni DEAN OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Speaking about the rationale and prospects of a Foundation Programme for students, Dr. Dhananjay Kulkarni, Dean – UCL stated, “Modern communication technologies have collapsed distance and time, while Globalisation has condensed the barriers and borders. World has changed its ways and means slowly but surely where the speed has been adopted in to each of our lifestyles, and to every activity. Even if there’s no need to hurry, “faster” has become the normative way we do things today. This impatience may be attributed to our busier lifestyles. In a world with such fast-pace lifestyles, one’s success depends on how you set yourself apart, start early and equip yourself with the skills needed in the industry.
In catering to this requirement of speed, the higher education industry has designed pathway programmes and similar fast-track programmes. Many renowned Universities across the Globe have introduced fast-track Foundation programmes to allow for accelerated entry into Undergraduate studies, especially from the UK Universities.”
Nayani Costa HEAD OF MARKETING – British Programmes
UCL’s Head of Marketing Ms. Nayani Costa stated that UIFY provides the opportunity for expanding the opportunities for Sri Lankan students to gain international exposure and be qualified with a globally recognised Degree programme both internationally and locally. UCL has exclusively partnered with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) UCL to offer quality education to local students. UCLan is the 8th largest university in the UK and it had been helping over 100,000 students from all walks of life to make the most of their potential and succeed in their life ambitions. At present, UCLan has a staff and student community approaching 38,000. In terms of overall student numbers, UCLan rests comfortably within the UK’s top 10 modern universities. The University has students and researchers from over 100 countries and has successfully established partnerships with 125 international institutions.
Gihan Silva CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Mr. Gihan Silva CEO of UCL added, “UIFY is the only internationally recognised and accepted UK Foundation programme offered in Sri Lanka which provides the widest choice of pathways to reputed universities internationally. Upon successful completion of the UIFY, students may enter the 1st year of the BSc (Hons) in Software Engineering or BA (Hons) in International Business degree programme of the University of Central Lancashire experiencing a truly international student experience at UCL. Students also have the option of gaining entry to degree programmes in a choice of universities in the UK, Canada, USA, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland among other countries which recognises and accepts the UIFY qualification awarded by NCC Education UK. We are proud to have produced the World’s No. 2 Most Outstanding Student among all international students at the last examination of NCC Education UK. UCL adopts a student- first approach and offers quality transnational higher education and a holistic learning experience including a variety of spots and other extra- curricular activities to students to develop much needed all-round skills and enrich their student experience at UCL”.
Please contact UCL on 0774 110 000 or info@ucl.lk or visit their state- of- the- art UCL Campus conveniently located at 503, Sri Jayewardenepura Mawatha, Rajagiriya should you require further information and assistance.
What do students learn in the UIFY?
The programme emphasises on developing competencies in the English Language & Communication Skills with the focus of preparing students for higher studies in specialised disciplines such as Computing and Business.
• English Language Skills
The module aims to improve skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking, hence, enables the student to acquire a broad range of knowledge which can be used to confidently and effectively communicate in English.
• Communication Skills
Equips the student with the essential skills needed in studying for a degree programme. The student will learn the basic skills necessary to carryout independent research, write academic papers, and to present their work in a formal setting.
• Analytical & Problem Solving Skills
Builds upon the existing knowledge of the student in the area of mathematics whilst introducing new topics appropriate across a range of academic disciplines.
• Subject specific Skills (Electives based on chosen stream)
These modules will form the basis for the destination degree. The UIFY offers specialisation subjects in Computing and Business
Thepul Ginige PROGRAMME COORDINATOR PROGRAMME UIFY/ UCLan Software Engineering
Speaking about the pathway for students completing the programme, Mr. Thepul Ginige – Programme Coordinator for UCLan – Software Engineering Degree/ UIFY and Ms. Maneesha Wijetunge – Programme Coordinator for UIFY said “Our International Foundation Year is a globally recognised qualification, and it provides the pathway for students to develop the skills and knowledge required to commence their undergraduate studies in selected disciplines at UCL – Business and Software Engineering. With the successful completion of the UIFY, students can directly enter to the 1st year of a Degree programme awarded by the University of Central Lancashire, UK. The students will be able to pursue and complete all four years of the degree at our modern UCL campus in Rajagiriya”.
Maneesha Wijetunge COORDINATOR - UIFY
While explaining the delivery model and which type of prospective students were likely to benefit, Mr Thepul Ginige stated, “A University Foundation, as the name itself implies is a pre-university qualification which is ideally suitable for students wanting to begin and speed up their higher education with the O/L qualification. It is a stepping stone which provides you the basis needed to succeed in university education, especially, for students who have already identified their education and career aspirations early in consultation with their parents and mentors.”