R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, OCT 9
For Indian students aspiring to earn an international degree, the journey abroad could begin closer to home. The Firebird Institute of International Studies (FIIS), Coimbatore, has entered into an academic partnership with UK-based INTO Qualifications to bring global pathway programmes to India, enabling students to prepare for overseas university education before making the transition to foreign campuses.
- UK-based INTO Qualifications partners with Firebird Institute to bring international pathway programmes to India
- January 2027 launch planned, with 60 students to be admitted in three batches
- Students can complete their first year of undergraduate preparation in India before progressing to overseas universities
- Coimbatore-based Bannari Amman business group backs the initiative to widen global education opportunities
- FIIS to extend programme delivery across southern states, including Tamil Nadu
- End-to-end mentoring to help students navigate admissions, academic preparation and overseas university onboarding
Announcing the initiative while addressing the media in Chennai, Dr. R. Nandagopal, Chief Operating Officer of FIIS, described the partnership as a new initiative backed by the Coimbatore-based Bannari Amman business group. Under the arrangement, FIIS is authorised to admit 60 students in three batches beginning January 2027, he said.
Dr. Nandagopal said FIIS had been authorised to deliver INTO Qualifications’ Global Pathway Programmes and was positioned to offer Indian students an opportunity to undertake their initial year of undergraduate-level study in India before proceeding to overseas universities for the remaining years of their degree programmes.
He told navjeevanexpress.com that FIIS was the only institute in India authorised under this arrangement to offer the first-year undergraduate pathway before students move abroad to continue their studies. The programmes are intended to help students strengthen their academic preparedness and adjust to international education systems before entering a foreign university environment.
A bridge between Indian classrooms and global campuses
INTO Qualifications, a UK-based awarding organisation specialising in international university preparation, works with a network of universities across major overseas education destinations. According to Dr. Nandagopal, the wider university network includes more than 100 leading institutions across Europe, South Korea and the United States.
He added that FIIS had also been authorised to operate across southern states, including Tamil Nadu, extending the potential reach of the initiative beyond Coimbatore.
Emphasising that the transition to overseas education involves more than securing admission, Dr. Nandagopal said FIIS would prepare students mentally for studying abroad and provide continuing guidance throughout the process.
“Besides preparing the students mentally to pursue their studies abroad, FIIS will hand-hold them from getting admission to onboarding the universities,” he said.
The support is intended to help students and their families navigate the various stages of international education, from identifying suitable progression opportunities to meeting university requirements and preparing for life on a foreign campus.
International qualifications, delivered in India
FIIS, located at Chettipalayam, Coimbatore, is part of the Firebird education ecosystem. Its partnership with INTO Qualifications is designed to combine an internationally structured curriculum with teaching, mentoring and student support delivered locally.
INTO Qualifications provides qualification design, academic oversight, moderation, assessment frameworks and quality assurance, while approved delivery partners such as FIIS provide classroom teaching, student support and campus facilities.
The International Foundation qualification is externally benchmarked by Ecctis and operates within the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level structure.
Commenting on the partnership, Sujana Abirami Sundararaman, Managing Trustee, FIIS, said:
“At Firebird, our vision has always been to empower students with world-class education that opens doors globally while nurturing their individual potential. Partnering with INTO Qualifications allows us to bring a globally accredited academic framework right here to Coimbatore. By offering a supportive, high-touch learning environment closer to home, we are enabling young learners to transition seamlessly into top international universities with confidence, clarity, and strong academic preparation.”
Two pathways to overseas undergraduate education
The partnership offers two distinct academic routes for students seeking international undergraduate education.
The International Foundation Programme (IFP) is a Level 3 qualification designed to prepare students for progression to undergraduate degrees in the United States, the United Kingdom and other international destinations, subject to individual university entry requirements.
The International Year One (IYO) is a Level 4 Advanced Diploma that can enable eligible students to progress directly to the second year of relevant undergraduate degree programmes in the UK, subject to the receiving university’s requirements.
The programmes are designed for Class 12 graduates, including students who may not immediately satisfy the direct-entry requirements of their preferred overseas universities.
Academic preparation with personalised mentoring
Highlighting the academic and operational aspects of the initiative, Dr. R. Nandagopal, Chief Operating Officer, FIIS, said:
“This partnership creates a structured, cost-effective, and low-risk bridge for students aspiring to study abroad. By combining INTO’s rigorous academic standards and global progression network with FIIS’s small cohort sizes, expert international faculty, and comprehensive mentoring, we ensure our students are fully prepared for the demands of degree-level study overseas. Furthermore, our focus on facilitation—from scholarship guidance to local industry internships—ensures a holistic development journey.”
FIIS plans to maintain small class sizes, capped at 20 students, to facilitate personalised attention and academic support. Students will also have access to optional IELTS preparation support to help them meet relevant English-language requirements.
The institute will assist eligible students with university scholarship applications, guide families exploring education loans and facilitate local internship opportunities to provide practical exposure alongside academic learning.
Reducing the cost and uncertainty of studying abroad
Completing the initial phase of study in India could help families reduce overseas living and tuition expenses during the early stage of a student’s academic journey. For students progressing to universities in the United States, transfer of up to 30 credits may be possible, depending on the institution, degree programme and modules completed.
Progression to overseas universities will remain subject to the relevant institution’s admission criteria, English-language requirements and recognition of the qualifications undertaken.
With admissions for the inaugural intake scheduled to begin in January 2027, the FIIS–INTO Qualifications partnership seeks to establish a structured route for Indian students to pursue international degrees with stronger academic foundations and guidance closer to home.
For aspiring students and their parents, the initiative places a premium on preparation, personal mentoring and informed decision-making—key considerations when turning the ambition of an overseas education into a realistic academic pathway.
FIIS faculty members with International exposure B Harendran, Elavarasan Annamalai and Smirna Curlin were also present at the media briefing.