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Two Year Master's Programme

MA or MSc

Key facts
Overview
How to apply
Tuition fees
Learning and assessment
Progression

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Key facts

Start dates

January 2025 / September 2025 / September 2026

Location

Headington

Course length

Full time: Two years - Pre-Master's Diploma (September-May or January-August) plus master's degree

Department

Oxford Brookes Business School

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Overview

This master's course includes a pre-master's year before your master's to develop your study skills, subject knowledge and academic language level. You will only need to make one application and you can apply for one visa to cover the whole two years of study.

This course will be suitable for you if:

  • 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 academic language level before starting your master's course
  • you want to better understand the academic demands for studying at master's level in the UK
  • you have had a break from education and want to build your confidence before starting your master's

Many full-time master's courses at Oxford Brookes University can be taken as part of this two year course (See 'Progression and degree options' for further information).

See more information about our other one and two semester pre-master's courses.

male student in class

How to apply

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

  • Second class honours degree or equivalent overseas qualification

Minimum age

The normal minimum age for this course is 21. We will admit students under 21 on a case-by-case basis.

English language requirements

IELTS 5.5 with 5.5 in all skills

If you do not meet the English language requirements you could take our University English course before starting this programme.

English 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.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Application process

Use our simple, direct online application form. You should state on your application which Oxford Brookes master's you want to study during your second year.

For assistance with your application contact our admissions team on admissions@brookes.ac.uk

Apply now

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£13,950
International full time
£13,950
Home (UK) full time
£14,650
International full time
£14,650

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Tuition fees

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£13,950
International full time
£13,950
2025 / 26
Home (UK) full time
£14,650
International full time
£14,650

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

In your second year the tuition fees are those for the relevant master's course.

Deposits and refunds

A £3,000 deposit is required to secure your place on this course.

In the unlikely event that you decide to leave within the first four weeks of the course we will refund the tuition fees minus the £3,000 deposit. No refunds are available after the fourth week of the course. For more information see our terms and conditions.

The fees that EU/EEA students starting courses at UK universities after the UK has formally left the EU are required to pay will depend on what is agreed as part of the UK's exit negotiations. Please see Brexit FAQs for the most up-to-date information.

Financial support and scholarships

For general sources of financial support, see our Fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

It's your responsibility to purchase core texts and cover print/binding costs where coursework submission is required. Please note that a lot of the coursework is now submitted online.

 

Learning and assessment

Combine your master's and Pre-Master's in one application

Year 1

In your first year you will study our Pre-Master's Diploma to improve your English language and study skills to the level needed for postgraduate study. You will also choose from a wide range of subject modules to improve your academic knowledge.

Year 2

In the second year you will transfer to your chosen master's course. On successful completion of the two year programme you will be awarded the master's degree of your course.

The following information is about your Pre-Master's in your first year.

female student talking to fellow students

Study modules

This programme combines our Pre-Master's Diploma in the first year with a master's course at Oxford Brookes University. For more information about the content of the second year please see your chosen master's course entry in our online prospectus.

In your first year you will take:

  • six compulsory language and study skills modules
  • two subject modules in a subject of your choice.

Compulsory modules for semester 1

Compulsory modules

  • Academic Writing

    This module 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.

  • Advanced Reading and Research Skills

    This module 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.

  • Seminar and Interview Skills

    This module 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.

  • Managing Yourself

    This module helps students explore a range of personal, interpersonal and global literacies designed to enhance postgraduate study, personal and professional development and active citizenship. Students explore, discuss and reflect on a variety of approaches and theories aimed at developing their autonomy, self-awareness, personal resilience and communication skills. They are also encouraged to reflect on their impact and agency as active citizens, exploring sustainability themes, such as social and environmental awareness and cultural competencies. The module enables students to develop a knowledge and understanding of crucial 21st century literacies and the nature of learning and change.

Compulsory modules for semester 2

Compulsory modules

  • Advanced Seminar Skills

    This module develops and practises advanced listening, seminar and presentation skills for academic purposes, and builds on skills acquired through the Seminar and Interview 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.

  • Extended Writing Project

    This module 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.

  • Reading and Research Skills

    This module 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.

Subject specialism modules

Optional modules

Independent Study Module (students starting in January)

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.

Built Environment Subject Specialism Module

If built environment is your area of interest, you can choose from:

  • Introduction to Architectural History and Theory
  • Essential skills in the built environment
  • Economics of built environment
  • Sustainability and development
  • Environmental Decision Making

Business, Marketing, Accounting and Hospitality Management

If this is your area of interest, you can choose from:

  • Accounting and Financial Information
  • Raising Individual Financial Awareness
  • Management Accounting
  • Accounting information systems
  • Corporate and business law
  • Corporate Finance
  • E-business
  • Applied financial skills
  • Foundations of Business
  • Business Strategy for Competitive Advantage
  • International Business
  • Microeconomics 1
  • Macroeconomics 1
  • Business Economics and Financial Markets
  • International finance
  • Management in International Hospitality and Tourism
  • Operational Finance for Hospitality and Tourism
  • Festival and Cultural Events Management
  • Revenue management and pricing
  • Foundations of Marketing
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Managing Business Projects
  • Purchasing and Supply Chain Management
  • Context of International Tourism
  • Global Business Communications
  • Introduction to people management
  • Organisational behaviour and management

Computing Specialism Module

If Computing is your area of interest, you can choose from:

  • Foundations of computation
    Web Technology
    Basic Mathematical Methods I

Humanities, Education and Publishing

If Humanities, education and publishing is your area of interest, you can choose from:

  • Key Issues in Film
  • Publishing Principles
  • Publishing Business
  • Museums and Society
  • Social world of childhood and youth
  • Psychology and education
  • Comparative and international perspectives on education
  • Understanding language: systems and use
  • Language acquisition
  • Understanding Communication
  • Understanding Media

Science, Nutrition and Public Health

If Science, nutrition and public health is your area of interest, you can choose from:

  • Physiology for human movement
  • Physical activity and health
  • Scientific skills for health scientists
  • Psychology of food
  • Motivating health behaviour

Social Sciences, International Relations and Law Specialism Module

If Social sciences, international relations and law is your area of interest, you can choose from:

  • Legal Method
  • Commercial Law
  • Corporate and business law
  • Introduction to Politics
  • Introduction to International Relations 1: Perspectives
  • Introduction to International Relations 2: Themes and Issues 
  • Global governance and civil society
  • Foundations of developmental psychology
  • Learning from influential papers in psychology
  • Personality and individual differences
  • Biological psychology
  • Social differences and divisions
  • Foundations of social theory

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Learning and teaching

Your pre-master's will be taught by highly qualified academic staff, who have many years of teaching experience in the UK and overseas.

You will be taught in a supportive multi-cultural environment to allow you to familiarise yourself with the teaching styles and life at an English speaking university.

Learning methods include:

  • lectures, seminars and tutorials
  • group and individual project work and presentations
  • supervised independent learning
  • critical thinking tasks.

There will be a maximum of 18 students in a class in your compulsory modules. Your subject specialisation modules may be larger.

Teaching hours

You will have 16-18 class hours each week, with approximately 20 hours per week additional time needed for homework, projects, assignments and independent study.

Classes are Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays), usually between 9am and 4pm. Some subject modules may be between 5pm and 8pm. Most classes are 3 hours long including a 10 minute break.

Assessment

Assessment methods used on this course

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.

Progression

The following master's are currently available as part of this programme.

Two Year Master's Degree - Business

Two Year Master's Degree - Technology, Design and Environment

  • MSc Computing
  • MSc Digital Media Production
  • MA Publishing

Two Year Master's Degree - Humanities and Social Sciences

  • MA International Relations

Two Year Master's Degree - Health and Life Sciences

  • MSc Health and Social Care Management (requires 3-6 months' voluntary/work experience or related degree)

Other subjects

Other master's options may be available on a case by case basis. Our other pre-master's courses offer progression on to a wider range of master's degrees.

Please contact the admissions team on admissions@brookes.ac.uk or call + 44 (0) 1865 535000 for further information.

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.