Programme summary for Graduate Certificate in Business (Pre-Masters)

Designed to prepare you to study for a Masters programme, this intensive one-semester programme improves your language, critical thinking and analytical skills and provides for non business students the opportunity to familiarise yourselves with the business subject.

This is the programme for you if you wish to move on to postgraduate study but don’t meet the entry criteria, because your English language skills are not at the entry requirement level; do not have a business studies background or because you have relevant qualifications or work experience but not a first degree.

About the programme

Why Graduate Certificate in Business?

The Graduate Certificate is a programme that prepares you for Masters level study at UEL or at other UK Universities. The Programme acts as a bridge to enable you to move on to higher level study by focusing on academic English within a business context, study skills for business and an introduction to business and management. It is a bespoke programme especially designed to offer the best possible foundation for postgraduate business studies-related programmes. We draw upon a wealth of expertise in (international) business management and linguistics from academic staff in the Royal Docks Business School and UEL’s Cass School of Education. Successful graduates who have achieved the required entry criteria can move on to a Masters or MBA programme.

Programme structure

The Programme structure, designed to maximise the learning experience, consists of three 20-credit taught modules namely: Business English; Study Skills to Business and Contemporary Business and Management. The Business English and Study Skills modules provide double the teaching hours of most standard programmes (a total of 144 hours). This intensively taught programme gives you the opportunity to improve your abilities and comfortably reach the levels required for Masters’ study. The teaching and learning is by means of a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and self-directed learning. Assessment is a combination of tests, group presentations, individual coursework, an assignment and examinations.

Added Value

Business English content enables you to reach 6.0 IELTS language proficiency level and also provides business vocabulary and awareness of cross-cultural issues.
Study Skills sessions, by integrating language and academic knowledge with subject-specific content, develops critical thinking and analysis.
Contemporary Business and Management gives relevant insight into business activity, providing a foundation from which to build in postgraduate business study.
The 15-week taught programme is flexible, with start dates in September and May with International students having the benefit of a comprehensive induction programme run by the International Office. All students are offered Pre-Masters programme induction.

Career opportunities

The programme provides skills and knowledge to progress on to postgraduate study, including many of the Masters programmes at the Business School. You will also be equipped with skills to support managerial and leadership roles and increase your confidence as a business professional.

For more information see the Graduate Certificate in Business (Pre Masters) Programme Specification.

Support

The programme aims to provide consistent and continuing support for you through staff involved in teaching, administration and programme management. A key contact point is the Business School Helpdesk, which can help with a range of enquiries. Academic support will be provided by module leaders and the programme leader

In general support is provided through,

a programme leader, who will normally be your personal tutor
accessible and supportive module tutors
student support centre with dedicated staff
UEL's Student Services team of experts
induction process that aims to develop key skills for UK study
an ongoing parallel support programme of English language and study skills
an on-line facility for learning skills
large learning resource facility with on-line databases
self-study areas

Admission

You can apply for this programme if you:

have a third class degree, or equivalent, in virtually any discipline
have a 3-year Diploma in a business related area from a recognised university or college with some relevant work experience for Master's level study, which could include experience gained from part-time work or from a placement/internship
students who have successfully completed a non-Hons degree overseas
meet the entry criteria for a Master's (see table below) but wish to take the Graduate Certificate (Pre-Masters) as a preparatory course for study in a UK university

Applicants will also require a recognised English language qualification with5.5 in IELTS overall with a minimum of 5.5 in writing and speaking or its equivalent level English language qualification.
If you have other qualifications, your application will be considered on its individual merits. Students with an IELTS score - or equivalent - lower than 5.5 may be able to attend a pre-sessional English course before beginning the programme.
All of your international qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.
Admission requirements for direct entry onto our Business Masters programmes are as follows:
(A good degree = UK Hons 2:2 or equivalent)

Programme	Standard Academic Requirements	IELTS
MBA General Management / International Business	A good degree plus at least 2 ears full-time managerial level work experience post graduation	6.5
MBA Public Services	A good degree plus at least 2 years full-time relevant work experience post graduation	6.5
MSc Financial Management	A good degree in Economics, Finance, Accounting or Business Studies	6
MSc International Business Management	A good degree in virtually any discipline, although preference will be given to those with a background in business, the social sciences, engineering or law	6
MA International Human Resource Management	A good degree in Business, Business Studies; Business Administration; Management	6
MSc International Marketing Management	A good degree in Business; Business Studies; Business Administration; Marketing; Management	6
MSc Project Management	A good degree in any subject, together with an effective personal statement	6
MSc Risk Management	A good degree in any subject, together with an effective personal statement	6

Please note that the entry requirements for the MBA programmes are significantly different from the other MA and MSc programmes. Candidates who follow the Graduate Certificate in Business (Pre-Masters) would not automatically qualify for entry onto the MBA programmes unless they fulfilled the entry requirements detailed in the above table. The English language entry requirement for the MBA is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If you wish to apply for the MBA, the English Language Centre will test your English, free of charge, following your Graduate Certificate (Pre-Masters) programme.