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Pre-Master's in Business, Economics, Social Sciences and Humanities

Discover the global impact of business, economics, social sciences and humanities and gain essential skills for today’s world.

Key facts

Entry requirements

Check our academic and English language entry requirements

Fees

Visit the Fees page for full details.

Prepare to shape tomorrow’s world

Business drives everything from online shopping to international finance, offering great career prospects. Economics, with its focus on how societies use limited resources, is crucial for understanding and addressing challenges like poverty, inflation and sustainability. In social sciences, you’ll examine the forces that shape individuals and societies, while humanities open up insights into human culture through language, literature, art and history.

This Pre-Master's programme not only deepens your subject knowledge but also hones your English and academic skills, preparing you to confidently transition into master’s studies at Cardiff University.

What will I study?

Your programme will consist of academic skills modules, academic modules related to your subject-area and English language training.

Core modules

The Academic English Skills course teaches students the specific academic language skills they need to develop for success at Cardiff University. The course focuses on receptive (listening and reading) and productive (speaking and writing) skills through practice in semi and authentic task-based activities which build a strong foundation in preparation for each student's future studies. This critical module places particular emphasis on developing academic reading and research skills; research-based writing along with presentation and seminar speaking skills.

This is a core module for all Pre-Masters students progressing onto Business, Economics, Computer Sciences, Social Science or Humanities degrees. Students entering into Master’s programmes in these fields will need to have a strong background in evaluating and conducting primary research. This module provides students with the foundation required to engage with primary research at a postgraduate level. Students on these pathways will develop essential skills necessary to effectively design, execute and report on academic research, introducing and reinforcing knowledge and skills relevant to the Research Project module.

Conducting independent research is a requirement for many postgraduate courses, while project management skills are much sought-after in the world of work. As such, Research Project has been established as a core module for all Pre-Masters students progressing onto Business, Economics, Computer Sciences, Social Science or Humanities degrees. This module provides students with an authentic experience of academic research in their discipline. Students will have the opportunity to build a “researcher identity” by formulating a robust research methodology, carrying out original research in their field, and gaining first-hand experience of the research process (including managing the supervisor-supervisee relationship and engaging in meaningful discussion within the postgraduate community).

Business modules

This module introduces students to contemporary business issues and trends in today’s ever-changing environment. The first section of the module will introduce students to ongoing technological advancements and activities in today’s business world, contemporary business theories and their application to organisational practices. The second part of the module will provide information on the nature of business organisations, tools for strategic environmental analysis and organisational culture. The final aspect of the module examines consumerism, ethics, supply chain networks, marketing and innovation within organisations.

The module aims to empower students as global citizens with the requisite knowledge of emerging global issues in relation to politics and the economy. To do that, the module provides students with theoretical and practical global perspectives on some key issues, such as culture, States and foreign policies, environment and leadership.

This module introduces students to contemporary business issues and trends in today’s ever-changing environment. The first section of the module will introduce students to ongoing technological advancements and activities in today’s business world, contemporary business theories and their application to organisational practices. The second part of the module will provide information on the nature of business organisations, tools for strategic environmental analysis and organisational culture. The final aspect of the module examines consumerism, ethics, supply chain networks, marketing and innovation within organisations.

Economics modules

This module equips Pre-Master's students with the essential mathematical skills and techniques required for advanced economic analysis. Covering a wide array of topics—such as sets, functions, calculus, optimization, integration, matrix algebra, descriptive statistics, probability, and regression analysis—it provides a robust foundation for academic success. Through a variety of teaching and learning activities, this module offers an engaging and thorough learning experience tailored specifically for Pre-Master's students. It will enhance students' quantitative skills and prepare them for the rigorous demands of a Master’s program in Economics.

This module provides an in-depth exploration of microeconomic principles, equipping Pre-Master’s students with the analytical tools necessary for advanced economic analysis. Covering a comprehensive range of topics, the module delves into the intricacies of markets, consumer behaviour, product theory, and market structures, while also examining game theory and the role of government in addressing market failures. 

This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of macroeconomic theory and its applications; by delving into key concepts, theories, and models, students will develop critical analytical skills necessary for evaluating macroeconomic performance, understanding business cycles, and assessing the effectiveness of macroeconomic policies. The module equips students with the analytical tools and theoretical knowledge necessary for advanced macroeconomic analysis and policy formulation.

Human Geography and Planning modules

Research and data analysis are vital tools in understanding the world and making informed decisions about it. During this module, students will investigate methodological issues and the role of statistical analysis in academic research. In doing so, they will explore quantitative and qualitative research methods with the aim of locating the usefulness of statistics. They will learn about concepts and principles of statistics, probability and data analysis, developing a valuable foundation for both primary and secondary research projects.

The module aims to empower students as global citizens with the requisite knowledge of emerging global issues in relation to politics and the economy. To do that, the module provides students with theoretical and practical global perspectives on some key issues, such as culture, States and foreign policies, environment and leadership.

This module introduces students to contemporary business issues and trends in today’s ever-changing environment. The first section of the module will introduce students to ongoing technological advancements and activities in today’s business world, contemporary business theories and their application to organisational practices. The second part of the module will provide information on the nature of business organisations, tools for strategic environmental analysis and organisational culture. The final aspect of the module examines consumerism, ethics, supply chain networks, marketing and innovation within organisations.

Social Sciences and Humanities modules

The globalisation module is essential for students on the Pre-Master's Social Sciences and Humanities route. The module allows the students to engage with the different definitions of globalisation, approaches to globalisation and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of globalisation. Students will learn key concepts, drivers and impacts of globalisation and will have the opportunity to use real life and contemporary examples to engage in academic debates and discussions on the relationship between globalisation and politics, trade and development.

The module aims to empower students as global citizens with the requisite knowledge of emerging global issues in relation to politics and the economy. To do that, the module provides students with theoretical and practical global perspectives on some key issues, such as culture, States and foreign policies, environment and leadership.

This module introduces students to contemporary business issues and trends in today’s ever-changing environment. The first section of the module will introduce students to ongoing technological advancements and activities in today’s business world, contemporary business theories and their application to organisational practices. The second part of the module will provide information on the nature of business organisations, tools for strategic environmental analysis and organisational culture. The final aspect of the module examines consumerism, ethics, supply chain networks, marketing and innovation within organisations.

91%

of students who completed their Pre-Master’s programme at Cardiff International Study Centre were eligible to progress to a degree course at Cardiff University in 2024.

89%

of postgraduate taught students were in highly skilled employment 15 months after their graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023)

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Highly ranked

Ranked 25th for Economics in the Complete University Guide 2025.

The Guardian University Guide 2025 ranks Cardiff University within the Top 10 in the UK for Media and Film Studies.

Ranked 7th in the UK for Communication and Media Studies in teh QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.

Progress to your degree

After completing your Pre-Master's and achieving the necessary grades, you can transition to your chosen postgraduate degree.

Please note, for English Grades: WR stands for Writing.

Degree Programme NameAwardOverall GradeEnglish GradeGrade Module
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