Frequently Asked Questions

What is UKCBC?

UKCBC is an independent Technical and Vocational Education and Training college with two decades of experience delivering high-quality affordable education to students. Founded in 2001, in the United Kingdom, UKCBC has 6 campuses including an English language arm and has catered to over 4000 students. The Dubai Campus is UKCBC’s first international college located in Dubai International Academic City, where students from all over the world can gain vocational qualifications in Business, Computing, Engineering and Accounting as well as undertake English language courses.

What are your tuition fees?

Our aim is to provide an affordable British education to students who choose us for their higher education.

You can find our updated tuition fees using the following link: https://ukcbc.ac.ae/fees-payment/ or by contacting us at admissions@ukcbc.ac.ae

Do you offer scholarships?

UKCBC has developed a range of scholarships and savings schemes so that students can gain quality education with financial peace of mind. You can learn more about our available scholarships by contacting us at admission@ukcbc.ac.ae. Please bear in mind that we offer several limited-availability scholarships that may not be available throughout the year.

How can I apply for a scholarship?

Please submit an application form by contacting us on admissions@ukcbc.ac.ae or directly through our website using the following link: https://ukcbc.ac.ae/apply-online and one of our course advisors will guide you through any additional steps to avail of savings scheme and successfully enroll with us.

Where is your campus located?

Our campus is located in Dubai International Academic City, Block 10, Floor 2.

Please use the following link for directions: https://g.page/UKCBCUAE?share

There is ample parking available in and around Dubai International Academic City. The closest parking lot to our campus is opposite the Dubai Statistics Center in Block 12.

How many intakes do you have each year?

We offer the following intake schedule:

Pearson BTEC & HND programmes – September, January, and April intakes.

English Programmes – Rolling intake every week

ACCA: 4 intakes per year – March, June, September & December

Can I work part-time while studying?

Yes, currently, UKCBC students can work part-time, in any of the 9 Creative Clusters (Free Zones) with an approximate limit of 20 hours per week as allowed by the DDA and the Dubai Creative Clusters Authority.

Are all classes conducted in English?

Yes, all classes at the UKCBC Dubai Campus are conducted in English. Our student support and recruitment team speak over 10 different languages to help explain our admissions, enrolment and other student services procedures.

What happens once I complete my studies at your College?

Our qualifications are a stepping stone to your academic or professional journey. On completion of our qualifications, you can either choose to transfer to one of 200 universities globally to continue your undergraduate education, apply for a top-up year or gain entry-level employment.

Will I have any extracurricular activities?

Absolutely. All our students partake in the Academic and Professional Development (APD) programmes, which are delivered as part of our curriculum. Each month, students have the ability to improve their soft and technical skills that can be used both in college and at work. We also organize seminars and industry visits each semester so that students gain a better understanding of the current workplace environment.

What is a BTEC qualification?

BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the world’s largest learning company with offices all around the globe. BTEC stands for Business and Technology Education Council. BTECS are vocational qualifications that combine practical learning with theory content to prepare students for the job market. BTEC courses range from Level 2 to Level 7 which means for students who have not completed their high school education and progress all the way up to the postgraduate level with different entry points.

How do the different Pearson courses work?

Pearson courses are divided into 3 categories:

BTEC Level 2 Diploma: Broadly equivalent to 4 GCSEs, these courses offer an introduction to the topic of your choice and combine practical exercises with theoretical topics. The usual duration is 12 months.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma: Equivalent to 3 A levels, these courses offer a more in-depth look at the subject, with more specialized knowledge tailored towards a specific career path or job function.

HND: The Higher National Diploma is broadly equivalent to the first 2 years of university and offers advanced subjects with some pre-requirements. This 2-year qualification allows students to start their studies with UKCBC and further transfer to over 200 universities worldwide for their final year of university.

Where will my diploma be accredited from?

Upon completion of our Pearson qualifications, you will receive your diploma from Pearson UK which is acknowledged and recognised by universities and employers worldwide.

What was the result of your last Performance report?

The Pearson Annual Programme Monitoring Review 2020-21 performance highlights. 
32% of our passing students scored Distinction vs 12% at the international and 20% at the country level. 
50% of our passing students scored merits vs 34% at the international level and 22% at the country level.

You can find the detailed Annual Programme Monitoring Review 2020-21 report here.

Are your courses approved by the ACCA?

Our UKCBC Dubai Campus is the first ACCA Gold Approved Learning Partner in the emirate of Dubai. We have a veteran programme leader and an experienced faculty who have exceptional pass rates thanks to their personalized notes and extensive knowledge of the exam material.

Can I avail exemptions for different papers based on my previous education?

Yes, ACCA allows for exemptions on up to 9 of the 13 required papers. In order to start your exemption application please visit the ACCA website or contact us at admissions@ukcbc.ac.ae and one of our course advisors will aid you during the whole process.

How long does it take to complete all 13 papers?

With our recommended course load, you would complete the qualification in around 30 to 36 months. This depends on you passing all exams and not taking any breaks during this time.

What happens if I fail a paper?

We offer qualifying students who are repeating a paper with us, a free preparation and review sessions during the next exam sitting. This guarantees that you won’t pay extra to prepare for a failed paper and shows how committed towards aiding students pass all exams on their first try.

What are the minimum entry requirements to join ACCA?

• 2 A levels & 3 IGCSE’s including English & Math
• CBSE Grade 12 minimum with 2 subjects over 65% and 3 subjects over 50% including English or Mathematics/Accounting
• IB Diploma with 24 points
• BTEC Level 3 in any field or an HND Business, Accounting or any Business-related qualification
• Students who have completed grade 10 or equivalent can start the ‘Foundations in Accountancy’ route for ACCA.

What is FIA?

Foundations in Accountancy (FIA) is a set of entry-level courses developed by the ACCA, with the needs of the current job market in mind. The FIA qualification has different entry points, allowing students to select the most appropriate entry route and progression towards the ACCA membership.

Are your tutors native English speakers?

We employ a diverse group of passionate English tutors hailing from the UK, USA and Canada with several years of English as a second language (ESL) teaching and tutoring experience

What is the purpose of an IELTS certificate?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is the world’s most popular exam for measuring proficiency in the English language. This test is a requirement for migration into English speaking countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and more. Also, this language certificate is a part of the entry requirements for most international universities when applying for higher education.

The IELTS test measures English proficiency in the areas of listening, reading, writing, and speaking

Which IELTS certificate do I need?

There are two types of IELTS certification:

IELTS Academic is for non-native speakers of the English language interested in pursuing higher studies at a college or a university in an English-speaking country or at any university across the world, including in the UAE, where the medium of instruction is in English.

IELTS General is for non-native speakers of the English language interested in migrating to countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, etc. for work or residence purposes.

What are the entry requirements for English courses?

Before you sign up for any of our English courses you will be asked to take our online placement test and have a 1-on-1 interview with one of our English tutors to determine your reading, writing, speaking and listening proficiencies. Based on your results you will be offered different course timings that are appropriate to your level.