International Study Centre

Pre-Masters Programme

Key facts

April 2020 start

  • Term 1: 30 March 2020 to 05 June 2020
  • Term 2: 08 June 2020 to 21 August 2020

January 2021 start

  • Term 1: 06 January 2021 to 19 March 2021
  • Term 2: 29 March 2021 to 18 June 2021

A pathway to postgraduate study

The Pre-Masters Programme provides two terms of academic and English language study modules to prepare you for a postgraduate degree at the University of Strathclyde. 

Choose from two subject routes, depending on the degree you want to study. Once you successfully complete this programme and achieve the required grades, you can start your chosen Masters degree.

Why study a Pre-Masters Programme?

Benefits of studying a pre-masters include:

  • Gaining the academic and English language skills needed for postgraduate study
  • Wider career opportunities and higher salary potential
  • Opportunity to specialise in a different field to your undergraduate degree.

Choose your subject route

Study plan options

Your start date will depend on your IELTS score and whether you choose to take a break between completing your Pre-Masters Programme and starting your postgraduate degree. Use this table to find out when you can start at the International Study Centre and if you will take the English for Pre-Masters programme first.

Academic IELTS for UKVI Terms Sep-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul - Aug September
4.5 overall (with minimum 4.5 in all areas) 4     Start your postgraduate degree at the University of Strathclyde
5.0 overall (with minimum 5.0 in all areas) 3^      
5.0 overall (with minimum 5.0 in all areas) 3^      
5.5 overall (with minimum 5.5 in all areas) 2*      
5.5 overall (with minimum 5.5 in all areas) 2*      
  • English for Pre-Masters
  • Pre-Masters
  • Vacation

* For direct entry to our Pre-Masters Programme, we now accept the following qualifications as part of the English assessment: Pearson, TOEFL, Cambridge Business and Cambridge Main Suite.
^ You can study English for Pre-Masters (1 term only) and the Pre-Masters Programme with one visa.
Please note: English for Pre-Masters students do not need to take an additional IELTS test at the end of their course to progress on to their Pre-Masters Programme. You will be assessed on your Academic English Skills (AES) grade at the International Study Centre (you will be required to achieve a minimum of 40% in all areas).

Need to improve your IELTS score?

We offer additional English language programmes which are designed to raise your IELTS to the required level.

Entry dates

  • 1 term: January or September
  • 2 term: September
  • 20 week: July

Find out more on the programme page

Learn about preparing for your Masters degree

We’ll get you to where you want to be – Read our latest guidance for current students, or find out more about online learning.