Strathclyde science student looking through microscope

Pre-Masters Programme in Engineering and Sciences

Course overview

This two-term pathway will prepare you for your chosen postgraduate degree at the Faculty of Engineering or Faculty of Science.

You will study core modules, focusing on general skills and academic areas most useful to your chosen progression degree. Upon achieving the required grades at the International Study Centre, you can progress to Strathclyde in September. 

Who is this course for?

If you’re passionate about continuing your higher education journey in the UK, and don't yet meet the entry requirements, then our Pre-Masters Programme can help equip you with the skills to succeed in just two terms. You can prepare for postgraduate study in the UK at the International Study Centre before beginning your Masters degree at the University.

Why study this programme?

Our programme includes specialist core modules designed to prepare you for a Masters degree in engineering or science. You’ll learn everything from research skills to mathematics in order to enjoy postgraduate study at Strathclyde. We include an Academic English Skills module to ensure you have the language skills necessary for a postgraduate student at a UK university. You’ll also be able to choose a route module based on your chosen progression degree.

What you will study

Core modules

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

The Critical Reading and Applied Academic Writing Skills module aims to develop Pre-Master’s students’ critical reading skills and allow them to identify and comply with the norms of academic writing in their own written work. It complements the Academic English Skills module and supports elements taught as part of Research Methods.

This course aims at introducing essential mathematical techniques for the Engineering and Science students aiming to start their Masters degrees at the University of Strathclyde. It is specifically designed towards students not familiar with mathematical thinking and oriented mostly on hands-on manipulations and calculus. The class covers basic mathematical methods for engineers and scientist including: linear algebra, differentiation and integration, ordinary and partial differential equations, Laplace and Fourier transforms.

Personal awareness, communication and employability skills is a module which seeks to familiarise students with the importance of reflection to develop awareness of the student’s own skills and abilities, increase recognition of strengths and weaknesses, and build on communication and ultimately enhance employability with an additional focus on management and transferable skills.

This course is specifically designed to provide an opportunity for our Pre-Masters students to establish and advance their understanding of research through critical exploration of research language, ethics, and approaches. This course will not only prepare our students for their Masters degrees at the University of Strathclyde, but will also teach them life-long skills that they can tap on rest of their professional life. The course introduces the language of research, ethical principles and challenges, and the elements of the research process within quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Students will use these theoretical underpinnings to begin to critically review literature relevant to their field or interests and determine how research findings are useful in forming their understanding of their work.

This course is continuation of the course titled ‘research methods’ and the students will apply the techniques that they have learned. The aim of this module is to further develop skills in the methods and techniques of research and the ability to write a substantive piece of academic work. Students will be introduced to a variety of sources relevant to their specialist subject area and will consider the application and limitation of techniques for understanding and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data. Although students will be introduced to the methods and techniques of empirical research, their project is likely to be based on secondary data sources.

Route modules

The module you will study depends on what subject you are planning to study at Strathclyde.

The main aim of this course is to equip the students with essential programming skills for their chosen Masters degree in science and engineering at the University of Strathclyde. It uses the programming system and language called MATLAB. It is designed to give students a basic understanding of MATLAB, including popular toolboxes. MATLAB is a powerful language used by Computer Scientists, Engineers, and Mathematicians for applications such as image processing and signal analysis. These skills are useful in sciences like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. This module also introduces students to appropriate mathematical methods for scientists and engineers and explores their application using MATLAB.

This is a core module for all students studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or any combination of the above. The main aim of this module is to strengthen provision relating to practical and communication skills necessary for undergraduate study. Acquisition of these skills will form the building blocks of students’ ability to demonstrate their knowledge and skills as they progress through the programme and onto the next level of postgraduate study.

Degree progression

Once you have completed the Pre-Masters Programme, and subject to satisfying the progression criteria, you can proceed to your postgraduate degree at the University. (Please see the accordion below for additional information on entry and progression conditions.)

Degree Programme NameAwardOverall GradeEnglish Grade
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Please note

Pre-approval required before you can receive an offer

  • 5G Advanced Communications MSc
  • Advanced Construction Technology & Building Information Management MSc
  • Advanced Electrical Power and Energy Systems MSc
  • Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc
  • Advanced Mechanical Engineering with Aerospace MSc
  • Advanced Mechanical Engineering with Energy Systems MSc
  • Advanced Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Placement MSc
  • Advanced Mechanical Engineering with Materials MSc
  • Advanced Mechanical Engineering with Power Place Technologies MSc
  • Applied Statistics in Health Sciences MSc
  • Artificial Intelligence & Applications MSc
  • Autonomous Robotic Intelligent Systems MSc
  • Biofluid Mechanics MSc
  • Civil Engineering with Industrial Placement MSc
  • Electrical Power and Energy Systems MSc
  • Machine learning and Deep Learning MSc
  • Prosthetics & Orthotics MSc
  • Satellite Applications (with Data Science) MSc
  • Ship & Offshore Structures MSc
  • Ship & Offshore Technology MSc
  • Sustainable Engineering: Architecture and Ecology MSc
  • Urban Design MSc
  • Wind Energy Systems MSc

Portfolio and/or pre-approval required before you can receive an offer

  • Architectural Design for the Conservation of Built Heritage MSc
  • Architectural Design, International MArch

Applicants must have a degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics

  • Prosthetics & Orthotics MSc

24 Month Programme

  • Advanced Electrical Power and Energy Systems MSc
  • Ship & Offshore Technology MSc

January start only

  • Satellite Data for Sustainable Development MSc