NCUK

NCUK is a leading provider of high-quality qualifications that offer a pathway to leading universities for students worldwide, focusing on preparing students for success in higher education and beyond. 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 qualified 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 USA, and Canada.

NCUK has placed over 50,000 international students on a wide range of university degree courses. The available programmes span over 9,000 degree options at leading universities worldwide, encompassing fields such as Arts, Humanities and Law to Engineering, Science and Technology through to Business, Finance and Marketing. ^[1]

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) ^[1]

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.

Designed for secondary school leavers, this qualification provides students with the academic and English language skills needed for university study. Universities worldwide and UK ENIC (European Network of Information Centres) formally recognises the NCUK International Foundation Year as a comparable level to GCE A Level; Australian high school (SSCE); American high school (AP); and Hong Kong high school (HKDSE) qualifications. Successful completion 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

Typically completed over nine months, the International Foundation Year offers students a high level of academic preparation for tertiary study. This preparation is reflected in the outcomes, with over 80% of NCUK students achieving a first- or second-class degree classification in their degree programmes, and 69% achieving a 2:1 or higher at university.

Students undertake a credit-bearing qualification equivalent to the first year of a bachelor’s degree. Successful 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

Students complete a credit-bearing qualification equivalent to the second year of a bachelor’s degree covering a range of Business Management modules. Successful completion provides direct progression into the third year (FHEQ Level 6) of a UK university.

This Pathway is accepted by 3 NCUK University Partners. Students can progress to 15+ degree courses

This qualification is designed to help students develop the advanced academic, research and English language skills they will need to succeed in postgraduate study at a master’s degree level.

NCUK has a global network of over 120 Delivery Partners across more than 35 countries, and 50+ world-class university partners in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

NCUK partners with schools, colleges, universities, governments and investors globally and work together to build a successful pathway to university for aspirational students.

NCUK qualifications are delivered at a multitude of studycentres across the world allowing local students to study in their home countries before continuing their studies at university. The list below includes 40 countries where the different study centres are located:

NCUK’s qualifications are designed to create a pathway for international students into its University Partners, enhancing their diversity and global reputation. After successfully completing their qualification, students are guaranteed access^[5] to over 50 NCUK University Partners. Students have various options and can progress to universities in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, 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

• In 2021, NCUK was named the winner of the Digital Innovation of the Year – Assessment and Credentials award at the fifth iteration of the prestigious PIEoneer Awards 2021 and was also shortlisted as a finalist for Global Education Investor’s Pathway Company of the Year 2021, recognising its efforts to serve students during the COVID-19 pandemic and its innovative approach to education, including digital assessments and flexible study options

• 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.^[6]