Course Overview
Qualification name: Level 3 International Foundation Diploma for Higher Education Studies
Qualification equivalence / pathway: Foundation Studies/Pre-U,
UK qualification system equivalence: Foundation, BTEC First Diploma? O’Level / GCSE ? Grades 9-1 ?
Assessment: Blended assignments and exams
Awarding body: NCC Education
Recognition: Ofqual, QiW
Curriculum
Units
To complete the qualification a student must study and pass units to the total of 120 credits based on IELTS score and desired career pathway:
- (A) 4 core + 2 elective
- (B) 3 core + 3 electives
- (C) 4 core + 1 electives + 2 electives
- (D) 3 core + 2 electives + 2 electives
Core Units for Students with a score of 4.5≤ IELTS (or equivalent) <5.5
- Developing English Language Skills
- English for Academic Purposes
- Maths for University Study
- Research and Study Skills for University Study
These Core Units equate to 80 Units – Students need to choose additional Electives to make up another 40 Units
Core Units for Students with IELTS (or equivalent) score of ≥ 5.5
- English for Academic Purposes
- Maths for University Study
- Research and Study Skills for University Study
These Core Units equate to 60 Units – Students need to choose additional Electives to make up another 60 Units
Choose Elective Units to follow your desired undergraduate pathway:
20 Credit Units
- Law for University Study
- Introductory Accounting
- Introductory Economics
- Introduction to Programming with Python
- International Business
- Physics for University Study
- Further Maths for University Study
- Chemistry for University Study
- Biology for University Study
- Digital Art
- Fine Art
- Art & Design (General)
10 Credits Units
- Introduction to Computer Science
- Digital World
Choose Electives Based on Your Intended Degree Pathway
The International Foundation Diploma offers elective units that can support progression into different fields of undergraduate study. The roadmap below shows examples of suitable subject combinations.

Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
- Completed their GCSE/IGCSE 'O' Levels or an equivalent qualification in their own country and passed 5 subjects with minimum grades of 'C', '4' or equivalent in each. These should include Mathematics and English.
- Have a valid score of 4.5 or above in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination or equivalent for students whose first language is not English. Alternatively, students can take the free NCC Education Standard English Placement Test which is administered by our Accredited Partner Centres.
Centres need to provide evidence to justify any equivalency decision (both qualification equivalency and grade equivalency) they make pertaining to any enrolments via non-GCSE or non-standard routes.
Study Abroad Pathway
Students that complete the NCC Education Level 3 International Foundation Diploma for Higher Education Studies (L3IFDHES) can:
- Apply to Year 1 of a university degree programme at over 100 universities, branch campuses, business schools and professional bodies in 20+ countries.
- Or enrol onto the NCC Education Level 4 Diploma in Computing (L4DC), Level 4 Diploma in Computing (with Business Management) (L4DB BM) or Level 4 Diploma in Business (L4DB), equivalent to Year 1 of a UK bachelor's degree.
- All fees are in RM (Ringgit Malaysia) currency unless stated otherwise.