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Pre-Masters Courses

Extended Masters Courses

If you want to study for a Masters but do not meet the entry requirements then our Pre-Masters - Extended Masters degrees are perfect for you.

Extended Masters

An Extended Masters course provides a straightforward route for students who need some extra academic support or help with improving their English language abilities.

From studying four specially-designed modules over one full-time semester, you will quickly gain the skills required for postgraduate study before progressing directly on to the Masters course itself.

Enhanced Extended Masters

As well as an Extended Masters, we also offer an Enhanced Extended Masters on many courses. This Enhanced option is similar to the Extended Masters but has a stronger focus on improving your English and includes a Business English module - this allows you to gain a full understanding of this critical subject area.

Please note: If you qualify for a regular Masters, you will not be accepted on the Extended Masters or Enhanced Extended Masters course.

How to apply - postgraduates

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Scholarships and bursaries

Explainer video

Pre-Masters courses

Watch the video to find out how a pre-Masters course can help you succeed in your Masters degree and career.

Entry requirements

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Extended Masters

In order to study for an Extended Masters you will need:

  • A Bachelor's degree
  • International students must meet our English language requirements at IELTS 6.5 or above, and a minimum of 5.5 for each of the individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).
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Enhanced Extended Masters

In order to study for an Enhanced Extended Masters, you will need:

  • A Bachelor's degree
  • International students must meet our English language requirements at IELTS 6.0 or above, and a minimum of 5.5 for each of the individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening).

Please note: If you qualify for a regular Masters, you will not be accepted on the Extended Masters or Enhanced Extended Masters course.

Modules

You will study the following modules before moving on to a regular Masters:

  • Advanced Study Skills

    This module covers the following elements:

    • UK Higher Education - framework and academic practices
    • Communication – business etiquette, delivering presentations and team working
    • Independent learning, time management and task planning
    • Working effectively as a team, managing tasks and project management.

  • Critical Thinking, Analysis and Evaluation

    This module covers the following elements:

    • Introduction to critical thinking
    • Developing critical thinking skills
    • Identifying and developing a logical argument
    • Identifying flaws in the argument
    • Finding and evaluating sources of evidence

  • Statistics

    This module covers the following elements:

    • Qualitative and quantitative data collection, data management and data protection
    • Analysis, presentation and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data
    • Statistical analysis including measure of averages and variation and hypothesis testing
    • Mathematical methods for research including regression analysis and forecasting
    • Mathematical and statistical analysis using software tools (e.g. R, SPSS, Excel)

  • English (Extended Masters only)

    An English language and academic writing class specially designed for this course. Students entering with IELTS 6.0 must attend this compulsory module.

    Please note, this module is only taught on the Extended Masters.

  • Business English (Enhanced Extended Masters only)

    This module is only taught on the Enhanced Extended Masters and covers the following elements:

    • Critical reading and academic writing for business
    • How to listen and observe critically
    • Business communication skills
    • Critical reflection and analysis.

Courses with Extended Masters options

FAQs

  • What is an Extended Masters?

    An Extended Masters is designed for students who do not meet the initial entry requirements for a Masters degree.

    Through a programme of specially designed modules, the course aims to:

    • Enable students who have already achieved the threshold standards at Level 6 to extend, develop and enhance their knowledge and skills to the standards required for Level 7 study.
    • Develop students’ familiarity with UK academic and scholarly practices and protocols.
    • Increase students’ intellectual confidence so that they feel prepared for Level 7 study in the UK.

    After studying a 12-week programme you will transition seamlessly to a regular Masters course.

  • What is an Enhanced Extended Masters?

    Similar to the Extended Masters, the Enhanced Extended Masters is also designed for students who do not meet the initial entry requirements for a Masters degree but with a greater emphasis on improving your English skills.

    The programme includes a 'Business English' module which will improve students' business terminology and practice to help build students confidence.

    The IELTS requirement to join an Enhanced Extended Masters is 6.0 or above (compared to 6.5+ on the Extended Masters) and the course takes 14 weeks to complete.

    After studying a 14-week programme you will transition seamlessly to a regular Masters course.

  • Why study an Extended Masters or an Enhanced Extended Masters?

    Completing a Masters degree offers numerous benefits for your personal development, career prospects, networking opportunities, potential future salary and more.

    So, if you don't meet the initial entry requirements for a Masters degree then there is no need to worry - our Extended Masters and Enhanced Extended Masters degrees are designed to help you.

    Upon completing a selection of modules which will improve your all-round studying skills (and especially your English on the Enhanced Extended Masters) you will be ready to seamlessly progress onto a Masters degree.

  • How long does an Extended Masters take?

    An Extended Masters begins with a full-time 12-week programme covering four modules that have been designed to raise your skills to postgraduate standard. 

    Once completed, you will progress to a Masters which usually takes a full academic year to study.

    On an Enhanced Extended Masters, you will study full-time for 14-weeks before progressing on to the regular Masters section of your studies.

  • What is the difference between an Enhanced Extended Masters and an Extended Masters?

    An Enhanced Extended Masters (EEM) is similar to an Extended Masters (EM) but has a greater emphasis on improving your English language skills.

    On the EEM you will study a Business English module which aims to improve students’ business terminology and practice to help build their confidence for Level 7.

    Other differences between the EEM and the EM include:

    • A Business English module will be studied instead of English.
    • The IELTS requirement is 6.0 or above on the EEM compared to 6.5 or above on the EM.
    • The duration of study on the EEM is 14 weeks compared to 12 weeks on the EM.
    • Different start dates - see individual course for details.

  • How much does an Extended Masters and Enhanced Extended Masters cost?

    Please see the individual course page for details.

  • Is an Extended Masters equivalent to a regular Masters?

    Yes, they are the same in terms of academic value.

    The Extended Masters is simply a way of enabling students who do not meet the initial entry requirements for a Masters, raise their skillset to the required level, before progressing on to a Masters.

  • Can I study an Extended Masters if I qualify for a regular Masters?

    No. If you meet the entry requirements for a regular Masters you are not eligible for an Extended Masters or an Enhanced Extended Masters.

  • International Students: Do I need a visa to study an Extended Masters?

    The visa process for studying for an Extended Masters is the same as any other postgraduate course.

    More information is available on our visas and immigration page.

  • When does an Extended Masters course start?

    The Extended Masters courses start in October and June and run for 12 weeks. After which, you will progress on to the regular Masters course which usually takes one academic year.

    The Enhanced Extended Masters courses start in September and February and run for 14 weeks. After which, you will progress on to the regular Masters course which usually takes one academic year.

    Dates and times are subject to change.