Pre-Master's Certificate - English Language and Study Skills, Pre-Masters, Oxford Brookes University Pathways

the United Kingdom

Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Pre-Masters	Full-time	4 months	January	GBP 5510	GBP 5510

About Pre-Master's Certificate - English Language and Study Skills, Pre-Masters - at Oxford Brookes University Pathways

If you are a non-native speaker of English, and want a short course to prepare you for your future master's course, this course will suit you. You will develop your study skills, academic language level and subject knowledge in your chosen area. You will understand the demands of British postgraduate higher education so feel confident to start your degree.

Native and near-native speakers of English who would like to study in the summer semester (May-August) also have the option of taking this course. The individual needs of all students, including their language proficiency, will be taken into account on the programme.

All students will develop an independent study supervised by a subject specialist as part of their preparation for their master's, in addition to modules in academic writing, reading and seminar skills. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this course and whether it is suitable for you.

Overview

Prepare for postgraduate study

The Pre-Master's Certificate will fully prepare you for your future master's course.

You will improve your study skills and use of academic English - the essential skills you will need for your master's course. You also have the opportunity to specialise in a subject of your choice through a module from the range of subjects offered at Oxford Brookes.

Your chosen subject specialism module will improve your knowledge of the area you wish to study in the future, and allows you to gain experience of studying at a UK university. You can choose your module from a range of subjects that include business, tourism, hospitality and leisure, law, social sciences, arts, humanities, computing and technology.

You should choose this course if:

you wish to take a master's in a subject that is different from your undergraduate degree
you wish to improve your study skills before starting your master's course
you want to better understand what is required at master's level in the UK
you have had a break from education and want to build your confidence before starting your master's

The course runs three times each year starting in January, May and September. If you choose to start this course in May you will study through the summer so you can progress directly to a master's course starting in September. Students starting this course in September can progress to a range of master's degrees starting in January.

Teaching learning and assessment

You will be taught by highly qualified academic staff who have many years of teaching experience in the UK and overseas.

Learning methods include:

lectures, seminars and tutorials
group and individual project work and presentations
supervised independent learning
critical thinking tasks.

There will be a maximum of 18 students in a class in your compulsory modules. Your subject specialisation modules may be larger.

Teaching hours

You will have 18 class hours each week, with approximately 20 hours per week of additional time needed for homework, projects, assignments and independent study. Classes are Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays), usually between 9am and 4pm. Some subject modules may be 5pm and 8pm. Most classes are 3 hours long including a 10 minute break.

Assessment

Assessment is by means of a range of coursework, including essays and papers, in-class writing tasks, project work and presentations, listening and summary assignments, and the compilation of reflective portfolios.

Accreditation and quality

We are accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English as a foreign language. The report from our last inspection stated:

The British Council inspected and accredited Oxford Brookes International in October 2009. The Accreditation Scheme assesses the standards of management, resources and premises, teaching and welfare and accredits organisations which meet the overall standard in each area inspected (see www.britishcouncil.org/accreditation for details).

The large English language teaching department of this university offers courses in academic English for adults.

Points of excellence were noted in aspects of general management, academic resources, course design and learner training.

The inspection report stated that the organisation met the standards of the Scheme.

In detail

Course content

The course consists of three language and study skills modules, together with your chosen subject specialism module.

Compulsory modules

Advanced Reading and Research Skills enables you to carry out research for reports, essays, seminars and other presentations effectively and appropriately. You will learn to apply your reading to a specific issue or question, and to evaluate and summarise secondary sources for use in writing assignments. You will also learn to employ correct quotation, paraphrasing and citation techniques, and to write a bibliography following academic conventions. You will widen your library research skills and develop the necessary extensive and intensive reading skills as preparation for writing and seminar assignments at master's level.
Extended Writing Project offers the opportunity to undertake a research project leading to an extended research paper in your academic field (in the format of a report or essay), and to a reflective essay on the process followed, as preparation for postgraduate study. The research can be undertaken using only secondary sources, or both secondary and primary sources. It is a double module, ie 6 hours a week (2 x 3 hours) to enable you to get practice and support with writing through a varied pedagogical approach of classes, tutorials, lectures, workshops and online discussion forums.
Advanced Seminar Skills develops and practises advanced listening, seminar and presentation skills for academic purposes, and builds on skills acquired through the Basic Seminar Skills module. The module includes practice of listening to lectures with note-taking and summary writing activities. You will get varied speaking practice is given in the form of pair and group discussions, consensus activities and a formal debate. You will develop your presentation skills with a researched individual presentation in your own discipline.

Subject specialism module

Subject modules

You will take subject module to improve your knowledge of your subject area, and give you experience of studying at a UK university. You can choose from a wide range of undergraduate modules that suit the master's degree you want to study afterwards:

Computing
Foundations of computation
Web Technology
Basic Mathematical Methods I

Social sciences, international relations and law
Legal Method
Commercial Law
Corporate and business law
Introduction to Politics
Introduction to International Relations 1: Perspectives
Introduction to International Relations 2: Themes and Issues
Global governance and civil society
Foundations of developmental psychology
Social differences and divisions
Foundations of social theory

Built environment
Introduction to Architectural History and Theory
Essential skills in the built environment
Economics of built environment
Sustainability and development
Environmental Decision Making

Business, marketing, accounting and hospitality management
Accounting and Financial Information
Raising Individual Financial Awareness
Management Accounting
Accounting information systems
Corporate and business law
Corporate Finance
E-business
Applied financial skills
Foundations of Business
Business Strategy for Competitive Advantage
International Business
Basic Mathematical Methods I
Microeconomics 1
Macroeconomics 1
Business Economics and Financial Markets
International finance
Management in International Hospitality and Tourism
Operational Finance for Hospitality and Tourism
Festival and Cultural Events Management
Food, drink and culture
Revenue management and pricing
Foundations of Marketing
Managing Business Projects
Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
Context of International Tourism
Planning a successful event
Global Business Communications

Humanities, education and publishing
Key Issues in Film Studies I
Publishing Principles
Publishing Business
Museums and Society
Social world of childhood and youth
Methodology of Foreign Language Teaching
Understanding Communication
Understanding Media

Science, nutrition and public health
Physiology for human movement
Physical activity and health
Scientific skills for health scientists
Psychology of food
Motivating health behaviour
The Leisure Environment
Human nutrition and metabolism
Basic Mathematical Methods I

Please note: the choice of subject modules depends on availability and may change without notice.

Students starting in June take an independent study module instead of the subject specialism module.

Student support

Our dedicated student support team are here throughout your time at Oxford Brookes International and can help with any problems or issue you may face. They can provide one to one support, pastoral advice and guidance to help you progress through your course. They also organise our welcome programme and social events for students.

Course dates

January 2018

Enrolment and induction: 25-26 January 2018
Teaching period and exams: 29 January - 19 May 2018

(See our university calendar for details of bank holidays.)

Key facts

This course is taught by Oxford Brookes International

Course length

Full-time: January-May or May-August

Teaching location

Headington Campus

Start date

January / May 2018 or January / May

Progression and degree options

The Pre-Master's Certificate is a recognised qualification. Most students who successfully complete the course with the required grades go on to study a master's degree at Oxford Brookes or other universities.

You can progress to one of the following master's degrees after your pre-master's. (Some master's degrees such as architecture or arts may require a portfolio of work; others such as health-related courses may require additional work experience).

Arts, Publishing and Humanities

MSc Digital Media Production
MA Digital Publishing
MA Film Studies: Popular Cinema
MA History
MA Music
MA Publishing Media

Biological Sciences

MSc Medical Genetics and Genomics

Business and Management

MSc Accounting
MSc Accounting and Finance
MSc Business Management
MSc Business Management (Corporate Social Responsibility)
MSc Business Management (Economics)
MSc Business Management (Entrepreneurship)
MSc Business Management (Human Resource Management)
MSc Business Management (Marketing)
MSc Digital Marketing
MSc eBusiness
MSc Human Resource Management
MSc International Business Economics
MSc International Events Management
MSc International Events Marketing
MSc International Luxury Marketing
MSc International Management
MSc International Management and International Relations
MSc International Trade and Logistics
MSc Marketing
MSc Marketing and Brand Management

Computing and Information Technology

MSc Computer Science
MSc Computer Science for Cyber Security
MSc Computing
MSc IT Systems Administration andManagement
MSc Mobile and High Speed Telecommunication Networks

Education

MA Education

Environmental Science and Management

MSc Environmental Assessment and Management

Health and Social Care

MSc Applied Human Nutrition
MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition
MSc Cancer Studies
MSc Management in Health and Social Care
MSc Public Health
MSc Rehabilitation

Law

LLM in International Economic Law
LLM in International Human Rights Law
LLM in International Law
LLM in International Law, Globalisation and Development
LLM in International Trade and Commercial Law

Real Estate, Construction and Built Environment

MSc Building Information Modelling and Management
MSc Construction Project Management
MA Development and Emergency Practice
MSc Historic Conservation
MA International Architectural Regeneration and Development
MSc Project Management in the Built Environment
MSc Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management
MSc Real Estate
MSc Real Estate Investment Finance
MSc Spatial Planning
MSc Sustainable Building - Performance and Design
MA Urban Design
MSc Urban Planning, Developing and Transitional Regions

Social Sciences

MA International Relations
MA International Security
MSc Primate Conservation
MSc Psychology

Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure

MSc International Hospitality, Events and Tourism Management
MSc International Hotel and Tourism Management
MSc International Tourism Management

Applications for the master's course will be considered on an individual basis dependent on academic and English language entry requirements. Normally, you can progress to your chosen master's by achieving an average grade of 60% (55% for business/hospitality master's) on the Pre-Master's Certificate. We will help you to apply for your chosen master's during the Certificate.

* Many master's courses at Oxford Brookes can be offered as a two-year programme - you will only need to make one application and can apply for one student visa for the whole two years. On satisfactory completion of the Pre-Master's Diploma year, you transfer to your master's degree in the second year. This option is available for all Business courses, Computing and Digital Technology, International Relations and Health and Social Care Management.

Notes about fees for this course

The tuition fees are £5,510 (2017/18).

This fee is the same for international, EU and UK students.

A £1,000 deposit is required for the Pre-Master's Certificate course.

Teaching materials

Your tuition fees include most of your teaching materials, and gives you access to the university's learning facilities including the libraries, computers and virtual learning environment.

Deposits and refunds

A non-refundable £1,000 deposit is required to secure your place on this course.

In the unlikely event that you decide to leave within the first four weeks of the course we will refund the tuition fees minus the £1,000 deposit. No refunds are available after the fourth week of the course. For more information see our terms and conditions.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

Honours degree, acceptable diploma or equivalent work experience.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 (with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other skills) or equivalent.

If you are a native or near-native speaker of English, or have IELTS 7.0, you should take our Pre-Master's Certificate: Study Skills if you are starting in January. However, you are still welcome to apply for this course if you are starting during the Summer (please see introductory text above).

Applicants are welcome from any academic discipline, as well as those in work and seeking continuing professional development.

English language requirements for visas

This course is classed as a B2 level for visa purposes. To apply for a student visa you will need to meet the minimum B2 English language requirements.

Minimum Age

The normal minimum age for this course is 21. We will admit students under 21 on a case-by-case basis.

How to apply

Apply online directly to Oxford Brookes.

Your admissions officer for this course, Lucy Norris, will be pleased to advise you and will see your application through to the moment you enrol at Brookes.

Contact her on [email protected] or +44 (0)1865 483874 for more information

Conditions of acceptance

When you accept our offer, you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.