Pre-Master's Diploma: English Language and Study Skills
Accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English
Overview
Prepare for postgraduate study
The Pre-Master's Diploma has been designed to fully prepare you for your future master's course.
You will improve your study skills and use of academic English - the essential skills you will need for your master’s course. You will also have the opportunity to specialise in a subject of your choice through modules from the range of subjects offered at Oxford Brookes.
Your chosen subject specialism modules will improve your knowledge of the area you wish to study in the future, and allow you to gain experience of studying at a UK university. You can choose your modules from a 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 and use of academic English.
The course runs twice each year starting in September and January. If you choose to start this course in January you will continue your studies through the summer so you can progress directly to a master's course starting in September.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Learning methods include:
- lectures, seminars and tutorials
- group and individual project work and presentations
- supervised independent learning
- critical thinking tasks.
Assessment is by means of 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.
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.
Accreditation and quality
You will be taught by highly qualified academic staff. They are specialists in English for Academic Purposes (EAP), who have many years of teaching experience in the UK and overseas. Our teaching and research expertise includes intercultural communication, academic reading, IT, business English, and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
We are accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English as a foreign language. The report from our last inspection stated:
The British Council inspected and accredited Oxford Brookes International in October 2009. The Accreditation Scheme assesses the standards of management, resources and premises, teaching and welfare and accredits organisations which meet the overall standard in each area inspected (see the British Council website for details).
The large English language teaching department of this university offers courses in academic English for adults.
Points of excellence were noted in aspects of general management, academic resources, course design and learner training.
The inspection report stated that the organisation met the standards of the Scheme.
In detail
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
The course consists of six compulsory language and study skills modules, together with two subject specialism modules in an area chosen by you.
Compulsory modules
- Reading and Research enables you to improve your skills in academic research, reading and analysis. You will develop and refine the skills required to locate appropriate reading sources through library catalogues, databases and the internet, and to assess the academic credibility, validity and usefulness of those sources. You will also learn to make informed decisions as to what to read and what not to read for the purposes of seminar and writing assignments. You will practise intensive text comprehension skills, note-taking and summarising, critical thinking, reasoning and self-reflection.
- Academic Writing enables you to write a case study, argument essay and a report, to effectively summarise and evaluate secondary sources, and to apply your reading to a specific issue or question in an essay. You will learn to employ correct citation techniques, and the methods for producing a coherent argument in an essay and develop the microskills necessary for writing at this level: prewriting, planning, brainstorming, editing, text organisation and rewriting.
- Basic Seminar Skills enables you to develop and practise listening and speaking skills in the areas of: group presentations, voice and pronunciation, listening to lectures and news, and engage in critical discussions. This will help you to engage in seminar classes at UK universities.
- Advanced Reading and Research Skills enables you to carry out research for reports, essays, seminars and other presentations effectively and appropriately. 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 learn to employ correct quotation, paraphrasing and citation techniques, and to write a bibliography following academic conventions. You will widen your library research skills and develop the necessary extensive and intensive reading skills as preparation for writing and seminar assignments at master’s level.
- Extended Writing Project offers the opportunity to undertake a research project leading to an extended research paper in your academic field (in the format of a report or essay), and to a reflective essay on the process followed, as preparation for postgraduate study. 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 a varied pedagogical approach of classes, tutorials, lectures, workshops and online discussion forums.
- Advanced Seminar Skills develops and practises advanced listening, seminar and presentation skills for academic purposes, and builds on skills acquired through the Basic Seminar Skills module. The module includes practice of listening to lectures with note-taking and summary writing activities. You will get varied speaking practice is given in the form of pair and group discussions, consensus activities and a formal debate. You will develop your presentation skills with a researched individual presentation in your own discipline.
Subject specialism modules
You are free to choose your subject modules from a wide range of options from the university's modular programme. Your choice will normally be made based on your interests and future field of study. 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, and 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 your course in January, during the summer semester of your course you will take an independent study module instead of a subject module.
Course dates
September 2012 start
Semester 1: 17 September – 21 December 2012
Semester 2: 21 January – 17 May 2013
January 2013 start
Semester 1: 21 January – 17 May 2013
Semester 2: 31 May – 24 August 2013
Key facts
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
Taught by
Course length
Full-time: Two semesters or one semester plus a summer teaching period
Teaching location
Headington Campus, Gipsy Lane site
Start date
September
2011
January
or
September
2012
Contact
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 Diploma is a recognised qualification in its own right. Most students who complete the course go on to study a master's degree at Oxford Brookes or other universities.
Most master's courses at Oxford Brookes can be offered as a two-year programme. The first year consists of the Pre-Master's Diploma. Subject to satisfactory completion of the Diploma, you transfer to the appropriate school in the second year to study your master's degree. Please contact us for more information about this.
Tuition fees
CONTACT US
+44 (0) 1865 483874
pathways@brookes.ac.uk
The tuition fees are:
- £8,640 (2011/12)
- £9,500 (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
- Honours degree, acceptable diploma or equivalent work experience
English language requirements
- IELTS 5.5 with 5.5 in all skills;
- TOEFL ibt 72 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking;
- or equivalent
Applicants are welcome from any academic discipline, as well as those in work and seeking continuing professional development.
English language requirements for visas
This course is classed as a B2 level for visa purposes. To apply for a student visa you will need to meet the minimum B2 English language requirements.
How to apply
To apply for the course, please contact Oxford Brookes International for an application form or download the form at: www.brookes.ac.uk/international/apply/pathway.
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.
