Admissions FAQs for UK-Based International Students
Every year, the Abbey DLD Group of Colleges welcomes a number of international (non-British nationals) students who are already studying the UK and wish to transfer schools.
On this page, we address some of the most common questions put to us by our UK-based international applicants.
Q: What are the options if I failed my A Levels or did not get an offer from a university?
A: If you hold a non-British passport and are within the 2-year CAP, you can apply to a one year International Foundation Programme to continue your study and apply to UCAS in the following year in all three of our colleges as follows:
If you hold a British passport, you can apply for One year A-Level retakes at Abbey College Manchester.
Q: What is a 2-year CAP by UKVI?
A: If you’re 18 or over and your course is at degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 5 years. If the course is below degree level, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 2 years. (Quoted from https://www.gov.uk/student-visa)
Q: What is an International Foundation Programme?
A: International Foundation Programmes (IFP) are one-year intensive courses, designed as an alternative to A-Levels, which prepare international students for undergraduate study. All of the IFPs include subject modules specific to the pathway course and they also include core skills modules which aim to equip students with the necessary skills and competencies required for undergraduate study and overall university readiness.
Q. What International Foundation Programme Pathways can I study?
A: Students have a choice of various pathways, each of which comprises a range of Core Skills and Pathway Specific Modules. All pathways are designed to give students a thorough grounding in the key concepts and theories they will meet during their undergraduate studies,
The pathways available are:
- Business (all three colleges)
- Creative Arts or Art & Design (Abbey College Manchester & DLD College London)
- Engineering (all three colleges)
- Environmental Science (Abbey College Manchester)
- Humanities or Social Sciences (Abbey College Manchester & DLD College London)
- Medicine (Abbey College Cambridge & Abbey College Manchester)
- Science (Abbey College Cambridge & Abbey College Manchester)
- Sport (Abbey College Manchester)
- Computer Science and Mathematics (DLD College London)
- Fashion Management (DLD College London)
- Biomedical Science (DLD College London)
Q: What are the entry requirements for the International Foundation Programme?
A:
- Normally be aged 17 or over before the 1st of September in the year of registration
- Have passed GCSE English or have an overall UKVI IELTS score of 5.0 (with a minimum of 4.0 in all components)*
*IELTS requirements may vary for specific subject strands.
Q: Can I repeat my foundation course with you?
A: We will assess your application case by case. This will depend on your previous foundation result and future ambitions as well as your 2-year CAP limit.
Q: What are the fees for the International Foundation Programme?
A: It varies across the three colleges and is based on your passport-issuing country and immigration status. Please visit the webpages below for more details:
DLD College London:
https://www.dldcollege.co.uk/admissions/fees/
Abbey College Cambridge:
https://www.dldcollege.co.uk/admissions/fees/
Abbey College Manchester:
https://www.abbeymanchester.co.uk/admissions/international-admissions/international-fees/
Q: Who will help me to apply for university after I complete my International Foundation Programme and what are the application channels?
A: Each student will have a dedicated UCAS tutor to assist them during the application stage. Most students will apply via UCAS before the deadline in January each year. You may also apply to universities individually via university admissions.
Q: What is the difference between an Abbey DLD International Foundation Programme and other foundation providers?
A: Abbey DLD’s foundation courses are widely accepted by most UK universities and so it is an open foundation course. For previous progression destinations, please visit this webpage:
https://www.abbeycolleges.co.uk/results-and-destinations/
Our class sizes are small at between 8 to 12 students per class, with personal tutors and UCAS advisors to support you.
Q: What are the options if I fail my GCSEs?
A: If you fail your GCSEs, you can apply to a one-year GCSE or Year 11 course in all three of our colleges. We can offer six GCSE subjects for you to complete in one year.
** For Non-British passport holders/International students, you may be able to apply to a one-year foundation course if you are over 17 years old by the 1st of September and depending on your choice of pathway plus your GCSE results.
Q: What are the options if I don’t meet the English requirement to progress onto A Levels or an International Foundation Programme?
A: We offer an Academic Preparation Course at DLD College London and Pre-sessional Course at Abbey College Cambridge to help you to improve your English before the next academic course. Normally students will study for one year or 6 months on this in order to improve to the correct level of English to progress onto a full academic programme.
Q: How do I apply to your colleges?
A: We will first collect your application documents, which will include a completed application form, passport copy, visa or BRP card copies (both sides) or immigration codes, your last two years’ school reports as well as a valid UKVI IELTS report (if you are over 18 or applying to an International Foundation Programme). You may submit them via our online portal or contact our admissions team or your local Sales representatives.
Please read this webpage for more details:
https://www.abbeycolleges.co.uk/admissions/application-process/
Abbey DLD Group of Colleges Online Application Portal
Q: Do I have enough time to apply for my visa for the September 2023 start?
A: Please submit your college application immediately to allow more time for the admission process and your future visa application. We will set up a CAS deadline after September to make sure you will not miss too many classes.
Please note that you will need to apply for your new Tier 4 visa outside the UK if there is no progression on your course level.
Q: Do you have extra-curricular activities?
A: Yes, we offer various extra-curricular activities after school. You can choose one or two or more if your timetable allows.
Q: Do I need to move out of my boarding house during half terms and the Easter holiday?
A: No, our boarding houses will be open during half terms and Easter holidays. The only time you will need to move out is for the winter holiday and summer holiday. You will be asked to remove your belongings before you leave school for the summer holiday.
Please visit this webpage to learn more about our college boarding houses:
https://www.abbeycolleges.co.uk/our-colleges/boarding/
Q: Can I visit your college for a tour?
A: Yes, we are happy to arrange a tour for you Monday to Friday between 9am to 4pm except public holidays. Please contact our admissions team or your local Sales representatives for a tour form and to check availability.
Get in touch today
Want to learn more about studying at the Abbey DLD Group of Colleges? Simply complete the form below and one of our admissions advisors will be in touch with you shortly.
