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

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 the 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 designated module for all Pre-Masters students on the Business, Social Science and Humanities pathway. 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 is a core module for all Pre-Masters students progressing onto Business, 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, 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).

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.

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.

Research and data analysis are vital tools in understanding the world and making informed decisions about it. On 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 an 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 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.