Two Year Master's Programme, MA, MSc, Pre-Masters

About Two Year Master's Programme, MA, MSc, Pre-Masters - at Oxford Brookes University Pathways, Oxford Brookes University

This master's course includes a pre-master's year before your master's to develop your study skills, subject knowledge and academic language level. You will only need to make one application and you can apply for one visa to cover the whole two years of study.

This course will be suitable for you if:

• your undergraduate qualifications do not meet the level required for direct entry to postgraduate study
• you wish to take a master's in a subject that is different from your undergraduate degree
• you wish to improve your study skills and academic language level before starting your master's course
• you want to better understand the academic demands for studying 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

Many full-time master's courses at Oxford Brookes University can be taken as part of this two year course (See 'Progression and degree options' for further information).

See more information about our other one and two semester pre-master's courses.

You can apply online for this course (see How to Apply, below).

Overview

Combine your master's and pre-master's in one application

Year 1

In your first year you will study our Pre-Master's Diploma to improve your English language and study skills to the level needed for postgraduate study. You will also choose from a wide range of subject modules to improve your academic knowledge.

Year 2

In the second year you will transfer to your chosen master's course. On successful completion of the two year programme you will be awarded the master's degree of your course.

The following information is about your pre-master's in your first year.

Teaching learning and assessment

Your pre-master's will be taught by highly qualified academic staff in Oxford Brookes International, who have many years of teaching experience in the UK and overseas.

You will be taught in a supportive multi-cultural environment to allow you to familiarise yourself with the teaching styles and life at an English speaking university. You will benefit from the expertise and experience of our teaching staff in preparing international students for university study.

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 16-18 class hours each week, with approximately 20 hours per week 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

This programme combines our Pre-Master's Diploma in the fist year with a master's course at Oxford Brookes University. For more information about the content of the second year please see your chosen master's course entry in our online prospectus.

Modules

In your first year you will take:

• six compulsory language and study skills modules
• two subject modules in a subject of your choice.

Compulsory modules:

• Reading and Research improves your skills in academic research, reading and analysis. You will develop the skills required to locate appropriate sources through library catalogues, databases and the internet, and to assess the academic credibility, validity and usefulness of those sources. You will practise intensive text comprehension skills, note-taking and summarising, critical thinking, reasoning and self-reflection.
• Academic Writing enables you to write an academic case study, essay and a report. You will learn to effectively summarise and evaluate secondary sources, to apply your reading to a specific issue or question and how to use correct citation techniques. You will also develop the skills necessary for writing at a postgraduate level including planning, brainstorming, editing, text organisation and rewriting.
• Basic Seminar Skills enables you to practise the listening and speaking skills needed for group presentations, listening to lectures and news, and engage in critical discussions.
• Advanced Reading and Research Skills will widen your research skills and develop the necessary reading skills as preparation for writing and seminar assignments at a master's level. 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 develop your knowledge of quotation, paraphrasing and citation techniques, and to write a bibliography following academic conventions.
• Extended Writing Project gives you the opportunity to carry undertake a research project leading to an extended research paper in your own subject area, and to a reflective essay on the process followed. 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 classes, tutorials, lectures, workshops and online discussion forums.
• Advanced Seminar Skills develops your listening, seminar and presentation skills to and advanced level, building on the skills learnt in the Basic Seminar Skills module. You will practice listening to lectures with note-taking and summary writing activities. You will get varied speaking practice in pair and group discussions, consensus activities and a formal debate. You will develop your presentation skills with a researched individual presentation in your your own subject area.

Subject modules

Your subject modules will 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.

If you start in January you will take an independent study module instead of a subject module during the summer semester.

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

September 2017 start

Enrolment and induction: 18-22 September 2017
Semester 1: 25 September - 18 December 2017
Semester 2: 29 January - 19 May 2018

January 2018 start

Enrolment and induction: 25-26 January 2018
Semester 1: 29 January - 19 May 2018
Semester 2: 29 May - 10 August 2018 (dates tbc)

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

Key facts

This course is taught by Oxford Brookes International

Course length

Full-time:  Two years - Pre-Master's Diploma plus master's degree

Teaching location

Headington Campus

Start date

September 2017 or January / September 2018

Progression and degree options

The following master's are currently available as part of this programme. 

Two Year Master's Degree - Business

• MSc Accounting
• MSc Finance
• MSc Business Management
• MSc Human Resource Management
• MSc International Management
• MSc International Management and International Relations
• MSc International Trade and Logistics
• MSc Marketing
• MSc International Hospitality, Events and Tourism Management
• MSc International Hotel and Tourism Management

Two Year Master's Degree - Technology, Design and Environment

• MSc Computing
• MSc eBusiness
• MSc Digital Media Production
• MA Music
• MA Publishing

Two Year Master's Degree - Humanities and Social Sciences

• MA International Relations

Two Year Master's Degree - Health and Life Sciences

• MSc Health and Social Care Management (requires 3-6 months' voluntary/work experience or related degree)

Other subjects

Other master's options may be available on a case by case basis. Our other pre-master's courses offer progression on to a wider range of master's degrees. Please contact the pathways admissions team on pathways@brookes.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1865 483206 for further information.

Notes about fees for this course

The tuition fees for the pre-master's year are £11,000 (for Sept 2017/Jan 2018 entry). This fee is the same for international, EU and UK students.

In your second year the tuition fees are those for the relevant master's course.

A £1,000 deposit is required for the Two Year Master's 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

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