NCFE accredited qualifications support learners progression to university

17 January 2020

Abbey College Cambridge is using NCFE’s Accreditation Services to gain recognition and endorsement for their International Foundation Programmes (IFP).

These programmes are an alternative Level 3 pathway to give learners a route to university. Abbey College Cambridge has created four pathways – Business Economics, Engineering, Science and Biomedicine and Humanities – which provide the necessary foundations for international students to access specific degrees at various UK universities.

Official recognition for bespoke in-house training

The NCFE guidelines for accrediting the IFPs has allowed the college to create specifications which are both academically rigorous and standardised across all pathways. In particular, the guidelines for guided learning hours, total qualification time, and exam moderation are key foundations for the specifications of these programmes.

Neil McKenzie, Head of Foundation Programme & Director of Studies at Abbey College Cambridge, commented: “Learners enjoy the programme as they find it stimulating and challenging. The outcome for our IFP learners is Level 3 qualifications that allow them to progress to a number of top-rated UK universities. Over the years we have had our learners progress to numerous Russell Group universities to study undergraduate degrees in Business Management, Neuroscience, Nutrition, Economics and Management, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Forensic Science, and Accounting and Finance.

“We have found NCFE to be a helpful and willing partner to work with”

“Abbey College Cambridge has found NCFE to be an extremely helpful and responsive partner. Whenever we have had to ask for support, this has been forthcoming and timely. NCFE was recommended to us by our sister college, and we would be more than willing to recommend their Accreditation Services to other organisations. The simple reason is that we have found NCFE to be a helpful and willing partner to work with when devising our different pathways.”

An Engineering Pathway learner said: “I particularly enjoy the practical elements of Physics and Chemistry as it allows us to get hands on experience of technical equipment whilst at the same time improving our teamwork and coordination skills as we work in groups.”

Positive feedback was also received from a Biomedicine and Science Pathway learner: “The material is very interesting and the delivery very professional. I particularly enjoy the English language classes where we debate all kinds of interesting issues. Although I have studied the subjects in my home country, I’m learning new topics and exploring ones that I know in greater detail. I particularly appreciate the numerous practical elements we do in class.”

NCFE Accreditation Services are fantastic for organisations who want to give their bespoke in-house training and qualifications something extra, with official recognition from one of the UK’s biggest awarding organisations.

To find out more about our Accreditation Services, visit our dedicated webpage.

You can read more about the benefits of accredited training for employers, companies and learners in this blog.