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.

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.

Quantitative Finance
Large investment banks such as HSBC and Barclays need people who can work on investment strategies and who can mathematically deduce how risky they are. This course is designed to give quantitative students a foothold in this financial world with the advanced, specialist skills that employers are seeking.

If you have a high level of mathematical ability, a background in a subject such as maths, engineering, physics or another highly quantitative subject and wish to move into finance, this could be the course for you.

Unlike other universities, we teach quantitative finance across four departments of Economics, Mathematics, Management Science, and Accounting and Finance. This means you are taught by specialists in each field, and the faculty member with the most quantitative interests in each department. We also limit our class sizes to deliver a quality teaching experience.

You will learn from your peers as you join Masters’ students from other disciplines such as Accounting and Finance, Management Science, Mathematics or Economics for each module.

Graduates of this course leave with a complete toolkit of skills, from big data mining techniques to Python programming. We also offer modules in Python Programming, Stochastic Calculus, Financial Econometrics and Market Risk Forecasting and Control.

As a LUMS student, you will have the chance to work with our careers team and access our global alumni network. Many of our graduates secure roles with high potential earnings. Recent graduates have moved on to work at organisations such as UBS, Credit Suisse and First Derivatives PLC. This course is also an excellent foundation if you are aiming for a PhD.