University Foundation College has announced that it has become a Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK) partner in Qatar, the first in the region.
It is recognised and approved by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, according to a statement.
The college is a new entrant in the education sector in Qatar, bringing the first UK-recognised and accredited International Foundation programmes from the NCUK, an organisation founded by 11 leading UK universities, including the University of Manchester, University of Leeds, University of Bradford and University of Sheffield.
The programmes are developed in partnership with these universities and are quality-assured by them.
The college is located on Al Jazira Al Arabiya Street, Madinat Khalifa South, Zone 34, and opens on August 23.
University Foundation College in Qatar will offer the NCUK International Foundation programmes (IFY) in Business, Humanities, Engineering and Sciences. The IFY is a two-semester, 17-week programme that forms a ‘bridge’ between secondary school education in Qatar and an undergraduate degree in the UK and elsewhere. The programme develops subject-specific knowledge and English-language skills to enable students to become independent and autonomous learners, the statement notes.  
For students who do not meet the NCUK entry requirements, University Foundation College offers a Pre-Foundation six-month programme to enhance academic English language and basic mathematics skills. There is a focus on the skills students need to succeed when they progress to the NCUK International Foundation programme.
The programme will give students an opportunity to build their skills to ease their transition to the NCUK IFY programme or better equip them with the skills to join the workforce.
Besides the two main courses, University Foundation College will offer several short English-language programmes in General, Academic and Business English. The college is also a British Council IELTS registration centre and will offer IELTS preparation courses throughout the year.
Anoop Patel, director of recruitment and admissions, and Nisairy al-Tahir, head of planning, resources and business development at University Foundation College, who have been instrumental in initiating the tie-up between NCUK and University Foundation College in Qatar over the last 12 months, said ‘there is no UK foundation programmes in Qatar’.
They stressed that the programmes would develop the base on the forward-looking study of the needs of Qatari students in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
The NCUK curriculum will be delivered by qualified, UK-trained specialist teachers and quality-assured by NCUK. “This is a great proposition for international students in Qatar and from the GCC to obtain a world-leading qualification at the doorstep while having the flexibility and choice to access a wide range of leading universities,” the statement noted.
“University Foundation College has evidenced robust academic and experienced tutors and modern facilities in Doha. We believe they will be a great addition to the NCUK network,” said Georgina Jones, NCUK’s market development director.
Al-Tahir added, “The UK is an increasingly popular destination for Qatari students wishing to enrol in undergraduate degree courses but lack the necessary entry qualifications to secure admission. That’s why we have partnered with NCUK to offer this foundation
provision in Qatar.”
The project is fully endorsed and supported by Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Ahmed bin Mohamed al-Thani. He has demonstrated his commitment and desire to offer NCUK foundation preparation programmes in Qatar to benefit the development and learning of students in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
‘There are several benefits for University Foundation College students who enrol in the IFY programme as they will obtain a quality qualification that meets the highest academic standards. Moreover, the IFY qualification is comparable with UK ‘A level’ qualifications,” Patel said.  
University Foundation College has a dedicated team to support and help students in navigating their way through the UK university application process.