Foundation · 1 Year · 120 Credits · Full-Time · NCC Education (UK)
The Foundation in Higher Education Studies — Business is a one-year, full-time bridging programme delivered face-to-face on our Brussels campus, designed for students who need to strengthen their academic background or English language skills before continuing their studies. It is built on the NCC Education (UK) Level 3 International Foundation Diploma for Higher Education Studies (L3IFDHES), an Ofqual-regulated qualification set at RQF Level 3 — the same regulatory level as A-Levels or a BTEC Level 3 — with 120 credits, 1,200 hours of Total Qualification Time and 672 Guided Learning Hours.
The Business Pathway combines three core academic-English, mathematics and study-skills units with three Business Pathway elective units — Introductory Accounting, Introductory Economics and International Business — giving students a genuine first taste of undergraduate business study while closing any gaps in their secondary-education profile or English proficiency. The programme is delivered over three terms (36 weeks including induction, feedback and submission weeks) and assessed entirely by coursework — assignments, reports and portfolio tasks, graded Pass, Merit or Distinction — with no written examinations.
An Ofqual-regulated, RQF Level 3 qualification — equivalent in level to A-Levels — purpose-built to prepare students for direct entry into Year 1 of a business degree.
Study Introductory Accounting, Introductory Economics, International Business and Law for University Study — not generic study-skills content, but genuine first-year-adjacent business modules.
Dedicated English for Academic Purposes, Mathematics for University Study and Research & Study Skills modules — with an extended English track for students entering below IELTS 5.5.
On successful completion, progress directly onto Brussels College's ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Business and Management — the next step on our own qualification ladder — with no separate entrance exam required.
Onward recognition of the L3IFDHES by universities outside Brussels College's own ladder varies by receiving institution and is confirmed case-by-case at application stage — see the Admission tab.
All students complete 120 credits across one academic year, delivered as 6 units over 3 terms (Term 1: Weeks 1–12; Term 2: Weeks 13–24; Term 3: Weeks 25–35). The exact mix of core and elective units depends on your English level at entry:
3 core units (60 credits): English for Academic Purposes, Mathematics for University Study, Research & Study Skills for University Study — plus all 3 Business Pathway electives (60 credits): Introductory Accounting, Introductory Economics, International Business.
4 core units (80 credits): the above three plus Developing English Language Skills — plus 2 of the 3 Business electives (40 credits), selected with your academic adviser.
Full unit-by-unit, term-by-term detail is in the Curricula tab.
Brussels College is committed to recruiting students with the potential and motivation to succeed at university level. All candidates must meet the following entry requirements to be considered for the Foundation in Higher Education Studies — Business programme.
Every unit is assessed entirely by coursework — assignments, reports and portfolio tasks — with no written examinations, and graded Pass, Merit or Distinction. Each term follows the same rhythm: a formative draft is reviewed with tutor feedback partway through (Weeks 8, 20 and 30), and final submissions are due at the end of each term (Weeks 12, 24 and 35). All submissions are plagiarism-checked (Turnitin) and countersigned with a Learner Declaration Form, with sampling by Brussels College's Internal Quality Assurance team and periodic review by an NCC Education External Quality Assurer. Newly enrolled students must be registered with NCC Education within 28 days of the start of study. On successful completion of all 120 credits, students progress directly onto Brussels College's ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Business and Management, the next step on our own qualification ladder. Students wishing to progress instead to a different university, or onto NCC Education's own Level 4 Diploma in Business, should confirm that institution's requirements with our Admissions Office before applying, as progression terms are set by each receiving institution individually.
All Foundation students are supported by: a Personal Academic Tutor; in-sessional English Language Support for borderline IELTS entrants; Study Skills Support (time management, note-taking); Library and Digital Library access; Career and University Progression Guidance, including dedicated UCAS/university application workshops in the final term; IT Support; Disability Support Services; International Student Support; and Mental Health and Wellbeing Services.
The following documents are required to complete your enrollment. Please ensure all documents are valid and, where applicable, officially translated into English or French.
International students requiring a Belgian student visa must also submit the Enrollment Certificate issued by Brussels College, proof of financial means, and a medical certificate as required by Belgian immigration authorities. Please verify current requirements with the Belgian embassy in your country.
| Unit | Name | Category | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 01 | English for Academic Purposes | Compulsory | 20 |
| Unit 02 | Mathematics for University Study | Compulsory | 20 |
| Unit 03 | Research and Study Skills for University Study | Compulsory | 20 |
| — | Developing English Language Skills | Route B only | 20 |
Route A students (IELTS 5.5+) take Units 01–03 (60 credits). Route B students (IELTS 4.5–5.4) also take Developing English Language Skills (80 credits of core units total).
| Unit | Name | Category | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 04 | Introductory Accounting | Elective | 20 |
| Unit 05 | Introductory Economics | Elective | 20 |
| Unit | Name | Category | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 06 | International Business | Elective | 20 |
Route A students take all three Business Pathway electives, Units 04–06 (60 credits). Route B students take two of the three, selected with their academic adviser (40 credits), to bring their total to 120 credits.
Structure and unit numbering as delivered by Brussels College (Curriculum Plan v1.0, August 2026). Assessed entirely by coursework — assignments, reports and portfolio tasks — graded Pass, Merit or Distinction; no written examinations. All module details are subject to annual review by NCC Education.