Overview
Start your journey towards a master's degree
Our 1-semester Premaster’s Programme prepares international students for study at master’s level.
The programme is specially designed for international students who do not yet (in terms of academic background and/or language entry requirements) meet the University of Chichester’s master’s programme entry criteria.
It is particularly suitable for you if:
- You have not previously undertaken studies in English;
- Your certified English language competence is not yet at IELTS 6.5 (or recognised equivalent) across all language components;
- Your undergraduate degree does not contain a significant assessed element of independent research;
- You have underperformed in your degree studies and your performance does not meet the entry criteria of your selected programme.
Successful completion of the Premaster’s Programme (at 50% minimum) guarantees entry to all Chichester MA & MSc taught programmes. Applicants also need to apply to and be conditionally accepted by their selected master’s programme.
The programme focuses on:
- Development of academic English language skills
- Development of critical and independent research skills
- Familiarisation with Chichester postgraduate expectations and practices
You work in a group of no more than 20 students. There are many opportunities for tutor-student interaction as well as group work and regular individual tutorials.
This programme is delivered with both campus and online options. Please see the course dates section below for more information.
On successful completion of your programme, you will be able to:
- Communicate appropriately in speaking and writing in academic contexts at IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) 6.5 (CEF (Common European Framework) C1) level.
- Use a variety of appropriate communication techniques to present information, ideas, problems and solutions to a range of audiences including academic audiences.
- Be familiar with UK HE expectations and practices.
- Demonstrate an understanding of key aspects of intercultural communication some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of current knowledge and research.
- Critically evaluate arguments, data and abstract concepts to make judgements and frame appropriate questions.
- Select, apply and evaluate appropriate analytical skills to selected real-world issues.
- Show the ability to collaborate as part of team with minimum guidance, showing leadership skills as required.
- Demonstrate the confidence and learning ability required to undertake further education and training at postgraduate level.
- Take responsibility for own learning and apply an awareness of professional and ethical values to personal decisions and actions.
- Plan, carry out and evaluate independent research-based tasks.
The Course
What you will study
You study 3 modules (including 1 ‘double’ module) over one semester (12 weeks). To continue to one of our postgraduate programmes, you will need to pass all the modules (at 50% minimum). Each module has a total of 48 contact hours.
Academic English and Postgraduate Study Skills
The aim of this module is to prepare you for master’s level study by extending your English language skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) to best achieve your academic potential at postgraduate level (i.e., CEF level B2+ and beyond).
By the end of the module, you will have developed an ability to critically analyse, question and argue within the culture of UK academia while working autonomously and taking responsibility for your own learning.
A key focus is placed on the development of digital skills and a thorough appreciation of academic integrity.
The purpose of this module is to develop the skills, practices, conventions and expectations required for successful further study at postgraduate level.
Intercultural Communication
The module aims to prepare you to study university programmes in an English-medium culture and prepare you as a bilingual user of English in global and cross-cultural contexts.
The module is based on a series of practical ‘real-world’ tasks which include consideration of cultural aspects of:
- Decision making
- Working styles
- Views of time
- Email styles
- Teamwork
- Information giving (e.g., signs, notices)
- Translation
- Metaphors
- Making effective use of AI
Each task is explored from both language and cross-cultural perspectives.
Research Project (Double Module)
The module is an introduction to applied research methods. It aims to develop your awareness of challenges and issues faced when conducting research by developing an understanding of various research approaches and tools, constructing a conceptual framework, identifying key issues and debates, as well as selecting, applying and using qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
Throughout the module real research projects are used as practical examples.
By the end of the module, you will have sufficient general and practical knowledge to be ready to confidently study and evaluate research-based knowledge and to design, undertake and evaluate your own research in the medium of English at postgraduate level.
You are required to select (with tutor support) a topic for your final research project which relates directly to your future master’s programme.
Teaching and Assessment
How you will learn
The Pre-Master’s programme is delivered via small group teaching (maximum 20 students).
All our classes are workshop-based and include interactive and developmental activities. We expect you to ask questions, discuss information, give presentations and evaluate information. Group work and group projects form an important part of your studies.
Course Dates
Programmes normally begin in June and October (to permit entry to master’s programmes beginning in September and January).
Our next programme will run on campus from 09/06/25 to 29/08/25.
Successful completion of this programme enables you to take up a place on one of our master’s programmes from the end of September 2025.
We expect to run an online programme from 06/10/25 to permit entry to master’s programmes in early 2026.
Teaching takes place Monday-Friday, and you are expected to attend all timetabled sessions. You spend approximately 16 hours in class each week. Guided group study and individual tutorials are in addition to this time. Where programmes are delivered online, we do our best to accommodate time differences.
To complete the programme successfully you will need to devote approximately two additional hours of self-study for each hour you spend in class.
Here is a sample weekly timetable.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 – 12:00 | Intercultural Communication | Academic English and Postgraduate Study Skills | Individual tutorials: (online: 15 minutes per student every 2 weeks) | Academic English and Postgraduate Study Skills | Intercultural communication |
| Lunch break | Lunch break | ||||
| 13:00 – 15:00 | Research Project | Research Project | Research Project | Research Project | |
Please note that where teaching falls on a public holiday, classes will be re-scheduled.
Facilities
Discover dedicated teaching facilities
International Academic & Language Support
If English is not your first language, we offer language support to help you with your spoken and written English.
Learning Resource Centre
The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) contains the library, a café, IT/teaching rooms and the Support and Information Zone (SIZ).
Library
Our campus library holds more than 200,000 books and over 500,000 eBooks.
Careers
After your degree
This course helps you develop the academic and communication skills you need to succeed at postgraduate level. You will be able to begin your postgraduate studies with confidence.
When you graduate from your chosen master’s programme you will have a strong grounding in your field and be well placed to pursue an international career. You will also have the cultural awareness and English language skills you need to make an impact in a global environment.
Course Costs
Course fees 2025/26 entry
Course fee
For further details about fees, please see our Tuition Fees page.
For further details about international scholarships, please see our Scholarships page.
To find out about any additional costs on this course, please see our Additional Costs page.
Entry Requirements
This programme is likely to suit you if you have completed your undergraduate studies outside UK academic culture and/or if English is not your first language and you have not previously studied fully in the medium of English.
It is also suitable for those whose academic attainment does not yet meet the entry criteria for their intended master’s programme.
Applicants will, normally, hold offers for a University of Chichester Level 7 programme, which they do not yet meet because of the classification (or origin) of their degree and/or their certified English language competence.
Applicants must satisfy BOTH conditions A and B
- A: A degree award in a field accepted by their selected master’s programme.
- B: IELTS 5.5 minimum (or recognised equivalent) in English language with no element lower than 5.5. Visit our English Language Requirements page for more information.
Pre-sessional programmes
Applicants whose language does not meet requirement B are eligible for entry via successful completion of the University’s Pre-sessional programmes.
