Description of Course
- NCC Level 3 International Foundation Diploma in Higher Education Studies is an alternative qualification to the traditional Advanced Levels. International Foundation studies is becoming popular among students who are inclined towards a more practical approach to higher education preparation. Students will have the additional advantage of qualifying for higher education progression within a period of one year as opposed to taking two years for Advanced Level studies.
- The programme emphasises the development of sound academic writing and research skills including in relation to foundation mathematics while enabling students to develop subject-specific knowledge and skills pertaining to Computing education. The Foundation programme with the Computing Pathway provides streamlined access to various higher education degrees, ranging from the conventional fields of Computing and Computer Science to emerging areas such as Games Development and Cloud Technology.
- The Foundation qualification offered at Gateway Graduate School (GGS) in partnership with UK’s NCC Education has widespread recognition among universities in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Singapore and Malaysia. There are direct university tie-ups organised by GGS with prestigious institutions such as the University of South Australia (UniSA). In addition, there are direct progression agreements made by NCC Education with a large number of universities across the world (
Entry Requirements
- Candidates are expected to have successfully completed secondary education in an appropriate range of subjects including C passes for English Language and Mathematics at OLs/IGCSEs.
Course Content
1. Developing English Language Skills
30 Credits
This broad unit focuses on developing the basic skills of students in the aspects of speaking, comprehending, writing and listening of the English language.
2. English for Academic Purposes
10 Credits
This unit prepares students for the academic English skills required for higher education studies in terms reading strategies, academic vocabulary, structuring written work for academic purposes and listening strategies.
3. Advanced English Language Skills
20 Credits
Through this unit students will be able to advance their English language skills in terms of the following: Speaking and presenting to different audiences as per contextual requirements; comprehending general and unfamiliar texts; writing structured, factual, descriptive and explanatory texts, utilising complex linguistic structures and vocabulary; and applying a range of listening strategies in order to understand lengthy predictable discussions, factual presentations and more abstract conversations.
4. Study and Communication Skills
20 Credits
This unit provides students the opportunity to hone their study and communication skills in terms of the following: Taking effective notes from a variety of sources; working out the meaning of unfamiliar content; understanding common steps in producing academic work; producing academic work by utilising a clear drafting process; and appreciating different styles of learning.
5. Culture Studies
10 Credits
This unit will enable students to explore cultural issues in the light of preparation for higher education studies in an international context.
6. Foundation Mathematics
10 Credits
Through this unit students will be able to develop foundational skills in mathematics in terms of performing a range of algebraic calculations, solving a range of basic equations, presenting data in graphical forms, understanding the fundamentals of differential calculus, understanding the fundamentals of integral calculus, understanding measures of dispersion and understanding the fundamentals of probability.
7. Introduction to Computer Science
10 Credits
This unit enables students to gain understanding of various aspects of computer science in terms of fundamentals of hardware and software, the characteristics of hardware components, representation of data in a computer system, the fundamental concepts of computer networks as well as cultural, ethical and legal issues relating to computing.
8. Introduction to Programming
10 Credits
Through this unit students will be able to develop practical skills pertaining to basic programming; these range from creating project documentation to writing programs for different purposes.
