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

Explore the wide-reaching impact of business or gain fascinating insights into human society and culture.

Key facts

Entry requirements

Check our academic and English language entry requirements

Fees

Visit the Fees page for full details.

Explore the world around you

Business is vital to everyday life, from shopping online to multinational banking. It is an exciting and constantly evolving subject with excellent job prospects. Social sciences studies individuals, societies, and the interactions between both. Humanities centres on the the successes and failures of the human race: our language, literature, the arts, history and more.

The Pre-Master's programme is an opportunity for you to gain more knowledge of your subject as well as practising your English and study skills. After this, you will be ready to make a confident start to your Master's programme 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 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).

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.

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.

Human Geography and Planning modules

This is a core module for students progressing to a Master’s degree programme in Human Geography and Planning at Cardiff University. The module will provide students with extensive knowledge of urbanisation and recent trends in urban transformation globally. The first part of the module will introduce students to the history and theories of urbanisation; the second part provides students with the opportunity to examine the impact of urbanisation and the third part of the module considers the ethical issues in urbanisation.

Statistics modules

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.

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.

100%

of students who completed their Pre-Masters Programme and achieved the required grades were offered a place at Cardiff University in 2022.

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Highly ranked

The Guardian Good University Guide 2024 ranks Cardiff University 13th in the UK for Media and Film Studies.

Ranked 22nd in the world for Communication and Media Studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

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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