Program Overview

Pre-Masters Programme at our International Study Centre prepares you for your degree at Lancaster University. You will focus on English language, university-level study skills, and academic modules that relate to your degree subject.

Your postgraduate preparation
The Pre-Masters Programme is available over two or three terms at the International Study Centre, providing you with the skills necessary for postgraduate study at Lancaster University. You will  build on the knowledge gained in your earlier studies whilst developing your practical English language and mathematical abilities, as well as study and research skills.

You will develop an intellectual appreciation of issues relevant to your chosen degree through classes designed specifically for international students. These will be based on study and careers skills, as well as subject specific modules, which prepare you for your chosen Masters degree at Lancaster.

How does it work?
When you apply to the International Study Centre, you will choose between two pathways, depending on your career aims. Upon acceptance to the Pre-Masters Programme, you will also receive a conditional offer to study a Masters degree at Lancaster University after successful completion of your Pre-Masters.

Business, Law and Social Sciences
By studying the Pre-Masters Programme in Business, Law and Social Sciences, you can prepare for a successful future in a wide range of roles across business and management, law and the social sciences. The programme leads to a variety of Masters degrees at Lancaster University, including some at the Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) – one of the top 100 business schools in the world.

Programme structure
During this programme, you will study subject specific modules to prepare for your future Masters degree, as well as academic study and English language skills. You will discover how to undertake independent research, as well as developing your writing fluency for postgraduate level. The programme also explores contemporary global issues whilst encouraging you to expand your knowledge by critically analysing the subject matter.

Film Studies
The Film Studies MA at Lancaster provides the opportunity to study film theory, history and culture - particularly transnational cinemas - while also developing your practical skills in filmmaking. If you are passionate about putting theory into practice, we provide optional project-led modules and you could develop your skills in short narrative, documentary or experimental cinema.

The academics who will teach you are active in research and specialise in British cinema, Hong Kong cinema and Asian filmmaking in general, African-American popular culture, Middle Eastern cinemas, European arthouse cinemas and Hollywood Cinema, as well as approaches to film aesthetics, and the intersection between theory, culture and the image.

You will have the flexibility either to submit a traditional independent research dissertation or to undertake a practice-based project accompanied by a critical written piece for your final major research project. You will have access to an excellent range of technical resources and equipment including top of the line digital cameras and digital editing equipment.

The core modules are described under the course structure section above:

• Research Methods: Contemporary Film Theory
• Transnational Cinemas
• Major Research Project: Dissertation

There is also a range of optional modules including Contemporary Gothic, Film Theory and the Creative Process of Writing for the Screen, Digital Journalism & Visual Storytelling and more.  Please note however that each year we run a selection of these optional modules and the modules offered can vary depending on staff availability.

The programme will help you to strengthen your academic foundation if you plan planning to progress to doctoral (PhD) studies at Lancaster or elsewhere. It will also stand you in good stead if you want to pursue a career in the arts and media industries. For example you might be interested in:

• Film and TV sector (Researcher, Writer, Director, Producer, Production Manager, etc.)
• Advertising and other creative industries
• Charities
• PR and Marketing
• Education
• Research Council
• Archives
• Organisations involved in festival and cultural event management
• Cultural and heritage organisations involved in film preservation, curating and archiving
• Multimedia authoring and digital design companies