Pre-Master's Certificate: Study Skills
Overview
Prepare for postgraduate study
If you are a native or near-native speaker of English, this new Pre-Master's Certificate will improve your academic knowledge and study skills for your future master's course.
You can specialise in a subject of your choice from a wide range of subjects that include business, tourism, hospitality and leisure, law, social sciences, arts, humanities, computing and technology..
You should choose this course if:
- your undergraduate qualifications do not meet the level required for postgraduate study
- you wish to take a master's in a subject that is different from your undergraduate degree
- you wish to improve your study skills before starting your master's course.
Teaching, learning and assessment
You will be taught by highly experienced academic staff. They are specialists in teaching academic skills to international students and have many years of teaching experience in the UK and overseas.
Your teachers will familiarise you with the range of techniques that are used in postgraduate study . Learning methods include:
- lectures, seminars and tutorials
- group and individual project work and presentations
- supervised independent learning
- critical thinking tasks.
Assessment is by a range of coursework, including essays and papers, in-class writing tasks, project work and presentations, listening and summary assignments, and the compilation of reflective portfolios. You subject modules may also be assessed by formal exams.
Teaching hours
You will have 16 class hours each week, with additional time needed for homework, projects, assignments and independent study, making the total amount of study per week about 36 hours.
Classes are Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays), usually between 9am and 4pm. Some subject modules may be 5pm and 8pm. Most classes are 3 hours long including a 10 minute break.
In detail
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
The course consists of:
- Modules to develop your research and study skills to enable you to succeed in postgraduate level study
- Subject modules to increase your knowledge of the area you wish to study in the future, and give you experience of studying at a UK university. .
This course will also give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the teaching, learning and support facilities at Oxford Brookes, and to adapt to university life in a supportive international environment.
Modules
You will take 2 compulsory study skills modules:
- Advanced Reading and Research Skills will widen your research skills and develop the necessary reading skills as preparation for writing and seminar assignments at a master’s level. You will learn to apply your reading to a specific issue or question, and to evaluate and summarise secondary sources for use in writing assignments. You will also develop your knowledge of quotation, paraphrasing and citation techniques, and to write a bibliography following academic conventions.
- Extended Writing Project gives you the opportunity to carry undertake a research project leading to an extended research paper in your own subject area, and to a reflective essay on the process followed. The research can be undertaken using only secondary sources, or both secondary and primary sources. It is a double module, ie 6 hours a week (2 x 3 hours) to enable you to get practice and support with writing through classes, tutorials, lectures, workshops and online discussion forums.
You will also take 2 subject modules
Your chosen subject modules will improve your knowledge of your subject area, and give you experience of studying at a UK university.
A wide range of options are available from the university's modular programme. Here are some of the more popular choices:
- Business (including e-Business, International Management, International Business Law, Hospitality and Tourism, Accountancy, Marketing, and Economics)
- Social Sciences and Law (including Politics, International Relations, Law, International Human Rights, Sociology, Psychology, and Anthropology)
- Education (including Communication and Media, Language and Linguistics, Sports and Coaching, Philosophy, Religion, Culture and Ethics)
- Built Environment (including Architecture, Construction, Real Estate, Planning, Environmental Sustainability)
- Technology (including Computing, Mathematics, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering)
- Life Sciences (including Biotechnology, Microbiology, Nutrition, Sports Science)
- Health and Social Care (including nursing, social work and public heath)
Please note: the choice of subject modules depends on availability and may change without notice.
If you start in June you will take an independent study module instead of a subject module.
Course dates
The course runs twice each year - you can start in January or May. If you start in May you will study through the summer so you can start your master's course in September.
May 2012 start
31 May – 24 August 2012
January 2013 start
21 January – 17 May 2013
Key facts
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
Taught by
Course length
Full-time: January-May or June-August
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane
Start date
May
2012
January
or
June
2013
Contact
Krisztina Jaksa (Programme Administrator)
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1865 483874
Progression and degree options
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
The Pre-Master’s Certificate will help you meet the entry requirements for master's courses at Oxford Brookes University. You will need to get an average grade of 60% to progress to your Master’s
Our Pre-Master’s Certificates are also accepted by many other UK universities.
Tuition fees
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
The tuition fees are:
- £4,320 (2011/12)
- £4,750 (2012/13)
This fee is the same for international, EU and UK students.
Apply / Entry reqs
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- An honours degree, acceptable diploma or equivalent work experience.
English language requirements
- Native or near-native speaker of English, or at least IELTS 7.0, TOEFL ibt 95 or equivalent.
Applicants are welcome from any academic discipline, as well as those in work and seeking continuing professional development.
How to apply
You should apply directly to Oxford Brookes International for this course.
Please contact the Programme Administrator, Krisztina Jaksa, on pathways@brookes.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1865 483874 if you have any questions about the course or applying.
Conditions of acceptance
When you accept our offer you agree to the conditions of acceptance. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.
