Program Overview

Pre-Masters Programme at our International Study Centre prepares you for your degree at Lancaster University is offered by Study Group. 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.

Engineering, Computing, Mathematics and Science
The Pre-Masters Programme in Engineering, Computing, Mathematics and Science ensures you are prepared for postgraduate study at Lancaster University. Students on this programme can progress to a variety of scientific degrees.

Programme structure
Throughout the programme, you will study subject specific modules to develop a deeper understanding of your chosen area. You will also study core English language modules that will develop both your language and academic skills to the level required for Masters study in the UK, as well as building your ability to study at postgraduate level by improving your research and critical analysis abilities.

Developmental Psychology
Concerned with the study of how humans change over time, our Developmental Psychology Masters programme provides you with a rigorous and detailed understanding of the discipline. The expertise gained from this course will give you the advantage in any career.

Through this programme you will develop advanced insight into psychology while gaining hands-on experience that will be hugely beneficial in any career. Home to one of the world’s largest centres for developmental psychology research, Lancaster specialises in infancy and childhood development and our department is one of the UK’s leading research groups in the discipline. In this setting you will benefit from the world-leading research being conducted by our staff, and our Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised PhD-level research training.

Throughout the course, you will study five taught modules and one substantial research project. This will ensure you receive the breadth of skills and depth of knowledge to engage with a wide range of careers, or to progress into further research and study.

During the year, you will complete three compulsory modules to develop your fundamental skills and expertise in the discipline, ensuring you graduate with a state-of-the-art understanding of developmental psychology. In addition, you will extend and enhance your ability to analyse and interpret psychology data, and gain a high-level of advanced psychological research skills. A solid foundation in these skills will be invaluable as you progress into research or into specialist psychology roles, such as clinical or forensic psychology.

Within the degree programme, you will also be taught valuable vocational skills that will support your career aspirations in psychology and other fields, such as CV writing, interview skills, team work and presentation skills.

Alongside your study, you will undertake an independent research project, supervised by a member of our research-active staff. This dissertation will allow you to apply all that you have learnt to a dissertation topic of your choice. As well as developing your conceptual understanding, research design, data-analysis, and communication skills, this project will be an exciting learning experience that will give you the opportunity to prove your skills, interests, and enthusiasm. What you achieve in your project will be important evidence of your skills and knowledge in support of any applications you make after graduating.