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.

Science in Statistics
Data analysis and statistical models support many aspects of the modern world, from science and technology to finance and business. They allow us to overcome scientific, industrial and social problems and a Masters-level understanding of them is beneficial in many careers.

Our Royal Statistical Society (RSS) accredited Masters programme combines a blend of theoretical study with real-world application. Over the year, you will develop advanced statistical skills and knowledge, while having the opportunity to put what you learn into practice and gain valuable, real-world experience. In addition to acquiring advanced technical knowledge, you will also develop project management and communication skills. Upon graduating, you will be ideally placed to pursue a career as a statistician, confident that you can apply your analytical and programming skills in a diverse range of applications.

A carefully structured approach will enable you to develop and strengthen your essential core skills in both classical and modern statistical methods and inference before progressing to the ore advanced and specialist modules. The specialist modules cover a diverse range of statistical topics reflecting both areas of Departmental research expertise and the requirements of leading employers of statisticians. By selecting the appropriate set of these specialist modules, you can choose to follow a pathway in Medical Statistics, which will equip you for a career in the Medical or Pharmaceutical sectors. Alternatively, your selection of specialist modules can reflect your own interests and career aspirations.

Alongside the technical modules, you will undertake a module to advance key transferable skills in programming and communications. Programming, and the confident use of statistical software, enables the analysis of large and complex data sets, whilst communication is an essential skill for all statisticians, who must be able to engage in dialogue with members of the project team, stakeholders and end-users. You will be based in our purpose-built facility, the Postgraduate Statistics Centre (PSC), which is part of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics where you will have access to specialist software and equipment. You will have the opportunity to engage with academic staff members, all of whom are active statistical researchers, and to participate in departmental research colloquia and seminars should you choose to do so.

Finally, over the course of three months, you will complete a Masters-level dissertation. A statistical researcher, who will guide and support you throughout the period, will supervise this independent project. They will advise on the direction of the project, as well as contributing guidance on technical aspects of modelling, interpretation of analysis and presentation of the final report. Whilst dissertation projects are University-led, they may be in collaboration with an external organisation, such as a pharmaceutical company, NHS Trust or hospital, or a research collaborator of your supervisor. Undertaking this dissertation will allow you to bring together and put into practice the discipline specific skills, knowledge and experience you have gained throughout the year. This will take your understanding of advanced statistics beyond classroom learning allow you to develop a working understanding of statistical methodology and build your confidence in working independently and leading the statistical direction of a project. This experience will be invaluable as you progress into a career.