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Pre-Masters Programme in Business and Management

A pathway leading to postgraduate degrees in marketing, management and entrepreneurship

The Pre-Masters Programme in Business and Management at the International Study Centre prepares you for a wide selection of business-related postgraduate degrees at Royal Holloway.

Key facts

Course length: Two terms

Entry points: March

Age: 20+

See entry requirements

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What you will study

The Pre-Masters Programme in Business and Management is specifically designed to provide you with an awareness of key business and management functions with exposure to modern industry practices, preparing you to study business and management at a postgraduate level and move on to managerial and leadership roles within organisations.

Additionally, this programme will focus on enhancing your linguistic skills with a module dedicated to academic English language tuition. This will ensure your writing and speaking skills are at an appropriate level to study a postgraduate degree in English.

Core modules

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

The overall aim of the module is to provide you with core foundation knowledge in Accounting and Finance. The module enables you to understand the fundamental basics and concepts of accounting, covering both Financial and Management Accounting as well and associated topics therein. It will enable you to acquire appropriate skills, both in the preparation of accounts and the analysis of them, and thus progress with confidence onto the Masters programme.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: explain key concepts, principles, regulations, documents and structures of Accounting in a business context; identify the differences and key aspects relating to Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, Costing and Decision Making theories; prepare advanced financial statements – Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statements – taking into account multiple adjustments; critically analyse the financial position of a company from both a Financial and Management Accounting viewpoint; critically assess the value of management decision making processes in the context of practical examples and use decision making processes to evaluate capital investment methods and risk and return.

The module will introduce you to the fundamentals of economic analysis; provide basic and intermediate knowledge in microeconomics and macroeconomics; develop your skills and ability to apply economic concepts and theories to real world situations and prepare you for further study at postgraduate level in Economics.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: apply knowledge and understanding of macroeconomic theories to explain decisions made by households, firms and governments; critically analyse different market structures and explain mixed case realities; use Data from national income accounting to analyse economic performance; evaluate general equilibrium and discuss the role of price adjustment in achieving it and analyse both domestic and international economic issues using macroeconomic models, propose and critically evaluate appropriate policies to address the issues.

This module introduces students to creative processes, behaviour and skills that are central to entrepreneurial venture. The module will help you to draw the link between entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership skills. You will gain an understanding of the nature of entrepreneurs and leadership styles and identify your own leadership capabilities whilst exploring a business start-up and preparing a business plan.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: highlight and explain theories and models that underpin leadership and entrepreneurship in relation to starting a new business venture; explore the principles of innovation and its relevance to entrepreneurship in an economic context; recognise and relate the link between leadership, organisational management and innovative capabilities of an organisation; identify the causes of business or organisational failures and how failures can become opportunities for innovation and leadership; critically assess the key requirements of starting a new venture and show how these can be met in starting a business; evaluate strategic position, leadership goals and innovation strategy of a given company or organisation and analyse the impact of leadership styles on the creativity and performance of an organisation.

You will be encouraged to select a project linked to your intended Master’s Degree. You will take responsibility to effectively manage the project. The choice of a project title can be made in consultation with the research interests of the destination departments and colleagues at the Royal Holloway University whilst your tutor in the Centre will act as supervisor and research is discussed during regular tutorials. You will cultivate the necessary research skills to work both individually and as a group to identify a research gap, research and think critically on subject module content, drawing on theory for application in an academic research context.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to: identify and explain the differences between qualitative and quantitative data methods of data collection; explain the relevance of primary and statistical methods to academic research projects; undertake a literature review and be able to critically evaluate academic arguments to identify gaps; detect and discuss methodological and ethical thoughts in academic research; formulate research question, select appropriate research method, critically evaluate information and data to undertake an individual academic project and apply theoretical knowledge from the subject area to chosen research project.

Combined visa

Save time and money, and experience a seamless transition to postgraduate success, by studying our Pre-Masters course and the remainder of your degree with one visa.

Doing this means you will benefit from:

  • Just one visa required for the whole length of your study
  • Alternatives to IELTS for UKVI can be used to join the Pre-Masters programme*
  • No need for an additional IELTS test before joining your postgraduate degree
  • No visa requirement to return home between the courses
  • Work up to 20 hours per week
  • Ideal for students who have exceeded their two years of pre-degree study in the UK.

*IELTS or equivalent required, alternatives accepted include TOEFL iBT, Pearson, IGCSE, IB, HKDSE, India HSC (recognised board), Malaysia SPM, WAEC.

Progression degrees

After completing your Pre-Masters Programme and meeting the required grades, you can progress to your chosen postgraduate degree at Royal Holloway. This will involve meeting the required grades, which can be subject to change. You will have the opportunity to discuss this with your teachers once you are approaching the end of your programme.

Degree Programme NameAwardOverall GradeEnglish Grade
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Admissions

Applying to Royal Holloway International Study Centre is easy and straightforward. Check entry requirements, tuition fees and see what you have to do before you arrive, from getting your student visa to arranging accommodation.

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International Study Centre

The International Study Centre helps you prepare for undergraduate and postgraduate study at Royal Holloway, University of London. It is a dedicated learning space for international students, sharing the University's campus and facilities.

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English Language Preparation

If you meet the academic entry requirements for our programmes but need help with your English language, you can join our English Language Preparation programme delivered fully online first.

Join us today

Our Student Enrolment Advisors are available to answer any questions you may have and help you with your application. We can't wait to meet you!