The UK-based City & Guilds has introduced an International Foundation Programme in Pakistan, offering students an alternative pathway to traditional A-Levels and Intermediate education.
The programme is designed as a pre-university qualification, helping students develop academic knowledge alongside practical skills, critical thinking and communication abilities. It provides a different route for students who want to continue toward undergraduate studies in Pakistan or abroad.
Importantly, Pakistan’s Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) lists the LAI International Foundation Programme associated with City & Guilds among recognized foreign qualifications. The programme has an HSSC-relevant equivalence, while LAI International GCSE is listed as SSC-relevant.
The foundation route is generally structured to take around 12–14 months, depending on the institution and programme structure. It emphasizes coursework, projects and practical learning rather than relying solely on conventional examination-based assessment.
The initiative could give Pakistani students another option after secondary education, particularly those looking for an internationally oriented qualification and a pathway toward universities in Pakistan or overseas.
City & Guilds’ wider partnership with London Assessment International has also introduced international GCSE, A-Level and Level 3 foundation programmes, with Pakistan becoming the first country to officially license these programmes. Teaching for the broader programme portfolio was planned from the 2026/27 academic year.
Overall, the new foundation programme adds a third pathway alongside A-Levels and Intermediate, potentially giving Pakistani students greater flexibility in choosing their route to higher education.
