What is a Pre-Masters Program?

A pre-masters program makes you eligible for a master's degree by filling in knowledge gaps from your bachelor's degree. You take this after you finish your bachelor's degree but before you start your master's degree. 

Thousands of overseas students apply to universities in the UK every year to improve their academic talents. The entry requirements in a course can make or break their study abroad plans. This is particularly tricky for students who are:

• Switching fields after the undergraduate program. Sometimes, the old field and the new field don’t align well

• Struggling to pass the English proficiency test

• Don’t have a strong enough foundation in the chosen field

If you fall into any of these categories, a pre-masters course is meant for you. This course can equip you with the necessary theoretical concepts and practical tools needed to fit into the master’s program. It is always a good idea to polish your academic writing skills, improve your language skills, and familiarise yourself with academic terminologies before you take the postgraduation plunge.

Usually, a Pre-Masters degree is a short-term course that generally lasts between 3 - 12 months.
As for the entry requirements, these may vary from institution to institution. But here are some of the commonly considered factors for pre-masters courses in the UK:

1. You may require any one of these:

• A recognised higher-level diploma related to your field of interest

• A recognised undergraduate degree in your field of interest

• An honour’s degree in any subject

2. A minimum IELTS band score of 5.5 or equivalent is required for a pre-masters course, while some institutions also accept 5.0 or equivalent.

Most UK universities offer a set of conventional pre-masters programs for pre-masters students. One of the most popular programs is an Academic Writing Course. A student will learn how to create essays, bibliographies, creative writing, and research papers in this course. This is especially useful because academic styles differ in other countries.

At UK universities, subject-based courses are also widespread. To be eligible for a master's degree that requires a greater level of commitment and aptitude, you must first complete specific pre-requisite coursework. If they have an undergraduate degree in another field, most students who want to enroll in a program take business-related subjects such as business communication and ethics, marketing, or other introductory-level courses.

So, take some time to consider what field you want to pursue a master's degree in. In short, you'll need to figure out which pre-course masters is right for you. And trust us, the options are unlimited.

If you are confused about the application process or simply want to understand all your options, reach out to IDP’s international education specialists, and they will be happy to guide you.