Master’s Preparation Programme
NCUK
Key Information
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Campus location
Manchester, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
10 - 30 weeks
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Introduction
A programme of exceptional quality, designed with and for universities
The Master's Preparation qualification is the best preparation for success on your chosen postgraduate degree and in your future career.
Advantages of the Master's Preparation Qualification
- Guaranteed entry to thousands of masters degrees at leading universities. Takes the worry away about whether you will get a place
- A unique one-stop application service. Reduces the stress of applying to each university separately and trying to find the right point of contact
- The research skills and the English language knowledge and ability you will need to succeed on a PG qualification. Ensures you not only get in but you’re ready to get on with your studies – some of our students say they were better prepared than UK students
What is Master's Preparation?
The NCUK Master's Preparation qualification gives guaranteed entry to a postgraduate degree on successful completion. It includes:
- Subject Module – choose from Management, Life Sciences, Engineering
- Research Methods – this module is assessed by a dissertation or project proposal. It enables you to source and evaluate information from literature and the web; qualitative and quantitative research methods; research project planning; manipulating and analysing data; intellectual property conventions.
- Orientation to Western Study – this module introduces you to the major differences between studying in their home country and studying in a western university setting. There is no formal assessment for this module.
- English for Academic Purposes – this module gives you an English qualification that is recognised by NCUK University Partners and can be used for visa purposes. The module aims to develop your English language skills with a focus on Academic English.
What are the start dates and how long does it take?
We have intakes in September, January and March for courses that vary between 10, 20 or 30 weeks based on your current level of English. This means you can plan your time and investment accordingly. With the Master's Preparation qualification and a one Year Masters in the UK, you can be back on your career track quicker than anyone else.
Will I get help applying for my Master's degree?
Only NCUK qualifications give you access to our unique Placement Support Service. This means you make a single application and NCUK follow through the applications with each individual University on your behalf. As well as this you will also receive expert advice on degree options and your supporting personal statement. Alternative routes into postgraduate degrees mean that you have to make multiple applications, one for each programme you wish to apply to.
WHAT MASTERS DEGREE CAN I STUDY?
NCUK students have the choice of thousands of degree courses. Whether you want to study Art or Computer Science and Engineering, Life Sciences and Pharmacy or Business, Law and Management, your NCUK qualification guarantees you two conditional offers and one guaranteed place.
Where Can I Study?
We have a wide network of Study Centres that deliver NCUK's Master's Preparation qualifications. To find your nearest Study Centre click here .
Admissions
Curriculum
The Master’s Preparation programme is designed to accommodate diploma and degree graduates, with varying levels of English language ability. All entry points are designed for part-time and full-time delivery. The syllabus presented in this document is divided into three terms for ease of reference: Preparatory Term, Core Term and Final Term. As a guide, each teaching week for full-time delivery will have an average directed study time of 20 hours, spread over a minimum of a 10-week term (including one week for assessments).
Total learning activity including private study would be expected to exceed 40 hours per week. Hours referred to in this document are teaching hours (50 minutes per hour). The Final Term project for Master’s Preparation Enhanced and Master’s Preparation students requires them to dedicate a minimum of 84 hours to independent study (this is not part of the programme’s directed study time). It is expected however that students will spend considerably longer working on this aspect of the programme.
NCUK specifies minimum timetabled contact hours for its programmes but does not set a maximum class contact or total study time; it is recognised that many Study Centres will apply higher than minimum contact times to meet the learning needs of their students.
Master’s Preparation Enhanced
Module
Preparatory (10 weeks)
- English for Academic Purposes
- Orientation to Western Study
- Subject Module
Core (10 weeks)
- English for Academic Purposes
- Research Methods: Data Analysis and Project Planning
- Subject Module
Final (10 weeks)
- English for Academic Purposes
- Research Methods: Project
- Subject Module
Master’s Preparation
Module
Core (10 weeks)
- English for Academic Purposes
- Orientation to Western Study
- Research Methods: Data Analysis and Project Planning
- Subject Module
Final (10 weeks)
- English for Academic Purposes
- Research Methods: Project
- Subject Module
Master’s Pre-Sessional
Module
Final (10 weeks)
- English for Academic Purposes + Orientation to Western Study
- Research Methods: Data Analysis and Project Planning
- Lectures (target is one every two weeks)
Program Outcome
On successful completion of this programme students should be able to:
- Use English confidently in a Western academic environment and demonstrate proficiency in the English language to a standard equivalent to at least EAP grade C.
- Learn effectively at master’s level study.
- Make effective use of a range of generic and subject-specific study skills, language skills, and information and communications technologies as well as self-directed study.
- Conduct project work in appropriate subject areas including the use of primary and secondary data, the analysis of evidence, and the presentation of findings.
- Demonstrate an understanding of Western culture sufficient to aid rapid adjustment to living and studying in the West.
Ideal Students
The Master's Preparation is for
- Anyone wanting to upgrade their English language level ahead of a postgraduate degree programme
- Those wanting to ensure they have the academic skills necessary for successful postgraduate study in English
- Anyone wanting to improve their career pathway or prospects through skills development and postgraduate study
- Employers/sponsors looking to upskill their workforce through postgraduate study and want a one-stop solution with academic and language preparation and the application processes