We hope that you will soon be joining the University of Wales Validated Diploma at the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance. At the end of your study, if you are successful, you will be awarded a Diploma in Banking and Finance by the University of Wales.

Course of Study

The University of Wales Validated Diploma Program is composed of sixteen subjects excluding the BIBF foundation year which is composed of eight subjects. (For more information on this please click here). For a full time student this course of study requires 3 years of study. The BIBF academic year comes in two semesters, semester one is from September to January and semester two is from February to June.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the University of Wales Validation Diploma Program, the candidate must supply:

• An acceptable school leaving qualification with a GPA not less than 3.0 (out of 4.00) or 80% overall average
  - High school diploma
  - GCE A Levels- A & B Grades will be exempted from foundation year
  - International Baccalaureate (IB) 28 & above will be exempted from foundation year
• Proof of proficiency in English for non-native speakers. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) a minimum of 550 Score is required or IELTS minimum 6.0 is acceptable
• Transcript of the past three grades (10, 11 & 12)
• Writing an essay
• Two recommendation letters
• Copy of passport
• Copy of CPR
• Two Photographs

Fee Structure

BIBF has brought to Bahrain this study program at an enormous saving for the students and their families. In addition to savings in traveling, accommodation and living costs abroad, the University of Wales Validated Program offers savings in the tuition fees as well. The fees are:

Tuition BD. 1800 per semester

Tuition fees are payable at the beginning of each semester when a student registers for subjects.

Dates, Timing and Applications

• Application for Admission starts in February of each year
• The application for admission is only open until July of each year
• First semester commences in September of each year
• Application forms are available at BIBF. You can also obtain one by fax or e-mail or download from our website. (Click here)

Other Information

BIBF is the venue for the University of Wales Validated Program. Students (if required) will study the first year of the BIBF foundation course and the following two years of the Validated Wales Diploma in Bahrain utilizing BIBF’s excellent facilities and outstanding faculty. Teaching materials developed by BIBF staff, in addition to extra text books and materials offered by the University of Wales visiting panel of expert assessors have been prepared for the courses. End of semester examinations will also be run by BIBF faculty in Bahrain, but approved by the Exam Board from University of Wales as moderator and an external examiner from another British University (excluding the University of Wales).

About the University of Wales

Founded by Royal Charter in 1893, the University of Wales is the degree-awarding body for the vast majority of higher education students in Wales, as well as for many at other higher education institutions in the United Kingdom and overseas.  It is the degree-awarding body for the following institutions in Wales:

Aberystwyth University 

Bangor University

Glyndwr University (previously known as North East Wales Institute of Higher Education)

Swansea University

University of Wales, Lampeter

University of Wales Institute, Cardiff  

University of Wales, Newport

Swansea Metropolitan University (previously known as Swansea Institute of Higher Education)

Trinity College, Carmarthen

The University is the degree-awarding authority not only for these institutions, but also for over 100 other higher education institutions both within the United Kingdom and overseas, with which it also enjoys close links. Annually, it awards around 15,000 initial degrees and more than 4,000 higher degrees, making it the second largest degree-awarding body in the United Kingdom. The number of students, from all over the world,  pursuing University of Wales degrees is more than 80,000, and their studies cover almost the full range of subjects.
The University is a major national institution in Wales.  While it is, of course, committed to helping to fulfill the educational and economic needs of Wales and to supporting its linguistic, cultural, and national heritage, the University is also committed to its international role and to enhancing its standing across the UK and overseas.