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.

Project Management
Projects play a key role in many organisations, either because they are organised around projects or because they introduce change through projects. This programme will enable you to use project management tools and techniques, engage stakeholders, obtain systemic insights into projects and provides the opportunity to gain practical experience of managing projects in any industry.

As one of a small group of international students, our tutors get to know you as individuals through group work and contact time. All our tutors have varied industry experience, which influences the programme’s direction and demonstrates the transferability of project management skills between industries and sectors. You will also benefit from our connections with professional bodies including the Association of Project Management, which ensures the relevance and quality of the programme.

In your first term you will explore the principles of project management. You will apply tools and techniques through a simulation and get a better understanding of developing relationships with stakeholders. The second term builds on this knowledge and will give you the opportunity to apply your skills in a real project.

We will teach you how to investigate the new and how to navigate it. We will look at managing people from a psychological and sociological perspective, alternative management approaches like agile and provide you with systemic insights into the management of projects. We carefully balance academic perspective, experiential learning and practical application to advance your knowledge in the most effective way.

You can choose a desk-based dissertation or consultancy project with small and medium-sized enterprises. Past projects have ranged from construction to the MOBO Awards, and from process-based to technology-based.

Throughout the course you will work in a dynamic and international environment that will enable you to develop into a workplace-ready and reflective graduate. Our careers advisers will support you in creating a career plan and give you access to various career events per year.