✕
✕
Contact Us
✕
Contact Us

What Is a Pre-Master’s Course? A Simple Guide for International Students

“My grades are not high enough for the master's I want. Someone told me to do a pre-master's. What is it?”

If you want to study a master's degree in the UK but do not meet the entry requirements yet, a university may suggest a pre-master's course. You may also see it called a pre-masters pathway or a postgraduate pathway programme.

Students also take a pre-master's to improve their academic English, build study skills or change subject. This guide explains what a pre-master's is, who it is for, how long it takes, what you need to apply, and whether it guarantees your place on a master's.

Quick answer: A pre-master's is a preparation course for international students who want to study a UK master's but do not yet meet its entry requirements. It usually covers academic English, study skills and your subject. In the examples in this guide, courses last from 10 weeks to 18 months. Many lead to a guaranteed master's place if you pass with the required grades, but not all do, so always check before you apply.


What is a pre-master's course?

A pre-master's prepares you for postgraduate study in the UK. It is not a master's degree. It helps you reach the level you need to start one.

Most pre-master's courses cover three things:

  • academic English: reading, writing, listening and speaking at university level
  • study skills: such as research, critical thinking and academic writing
  • subject knowledge: in the area of your planned master's, such as business, law, engineering or computing

For example, UCL's International Pre-Master's includes English for Academic Purposes, research and critical thinking, and a choice of subject areas such as Law, Business, STEM, or Life and Medical Sciences.


Who is a pre-master's for?

Universities say a pre-master's may suit you if:

  • your bachelor's qualification does not meet the level needed for the master's
  • you want to study a master's in a different subject from your first degree
  • you need to improve your academic English or study skills
  • you have had a break from education and want to build your confidence first

Some courses also accept students who already meet the master's requirements but want extra preparation. UCL, for example, says its course suits students whose degree already meets their future master's requirements.

Others do not. The University of West London says that if you qualify for its regular master's, you will not be accepted on its Extended Masters.

A pre-master's is not the only option. Some master's courses may already accept your grades, so check first. Our guide to the UK university grading system explains how.


How long is a pre-master's course?

It depends on the course and your English level. Here are examples from universities' and providers' own pages:

University or provider

Course

Length

University of West London

Extended Masters (pre-master's stage)

10 or 12 weeks

University of Aberdeen International Study Centre

Pre-Masters Programme

12 weeks

Oxford Brookes University

Pre-Master's Diploma

24 weeks

UCL

International Pre-Master's

9 months

Goldsmiths, University of London

Pre-Masters Pathways

1 year

Kaplan International Pathways

Pre-Master's

4 to 18 months

After your pre-master's, you still need to complete the master's itself, which usually takes a full academic year.


What are the entry requirements for a pre-master's course?

You will usually need a bachelor's degree (some providers ask for at least three years of higher education) and an English language test score. The exact requirements vary a lot:

University or provider

Academic requirement

English requirement

UCL International Pre-Master's

Usually a UK 2:2 or overseas equivalent

IELTS Academic 5.5 overall and in each component

Kaplan International Pathways

At least three years of higher education or equivalent

UKVI IELTS 4.5 to 5.5 or equivalent

University of West London Extended Masters

A bachelor's degree

IELTS 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each component

If you do not have IELTS, you still need to prove your English, but some universities accept other tests or qualifications. Read our guide to studying in the UK without IELTS.


Will I definitely get a place on the master's?

Not always. This is the most important thing to check. Pre-master's courses work in one of two ways.

  1. Guaranteed progression. You get a master's place if you pass at the required level. For example:
  • At Goldsmiths, students who pass all modules with an overall score of 50% or more are guaranteed a place on a relevant Goldsmiths degree.
  • Kaplan says you are guaranteed a university place when you pass your course at the required level with good attendance.
  1. No automatic progression. You apply for the master's separately. UCL says its International Pre-Master's does not automatically lead to a UCL master's. It can meet UCL's English requirement, but not its academic requirement.

Guaranteed progression also does not mean you can choose any master's. It can be limited to courses linked to your pathway: Goldsmiths guarantees a place on a relevant degree, and Aberdeen lists which degrees each of its pre-master's routes leads to. Some master's courses also have extra requirements, such as work experience or a portfolio, which Oxford Brookes says are listed on individual course pages.


What types of pre-master's are there?

Type

How it works

Example

Separate pre-master's

You complete it first, then apply for and start the master's

Oxford Brookes says its Pre-Master's Certificate and Diploma need a separate application and individual visas for the pre-master's and the master's

Pre-master's combined with the master's

One course, with a preparation stage before the master's

Oxford Brookes' Two Year Master's is one programme with one application and one visa. At the University of West London, you progress directly on to the master's after the Extended Masters stage

Pathway at an international study centre

Run with a partner university, often on its campus, leading to that university's master's

The University of Aberdeen International Study Centre is on the university's campus, and it says you do not need to return home to apply for a new visa between its Pre-Masters and your Aberdeen degree

These examples describe each university's own arrangement, not a general rule. Visa rules are set by the Home Office, so always confirm with your university how many applications and visas your route needs. Our CAS guide explains the document universities issue for your visa application.


How much does a pre-master's cost?

Fees vary by university, subject and length. For example, UCL's International Pre-Master's for 2026/27 (starting September 2026) costs £21,075, with a £2,750 deposit. Check each course page for the fee for your intake.

Remember to budget for the full journey: the pre-master's, the master's and your living costs for both. See our guide to the cost of living in the UK for international students.


Pre-master's or pre-sessional English: what is the difference?

A pre-sessional English course only improves your English. At Oxford Brookes, for example, it lasts 12 or 6 weeks and helps you meet the English requirement of your chosen degree. You still need the right academic qualifications for the course you progress to.

So, as a simple rule:

  • Your grades meet the master's requirement, but your English does not: a pre-sessional English course may be enough.
  • You need help with grades, subject knowledge or study skills: a pre-master's is usually the better fit.


Questions to ask before you choose a pre-master's

  • Which master's courses can I progress to?
  • Is my place guaranteed, and what grade and attendance do I need?
  • Will I need another English test before the master's?
  • Is it one application and one visa, or two?
  • How long will the pre-master's and master's take in total, and what will they cost?

Not sure if you need a pre-master's? Speak to our team and we can check whether you meet direct entry for your chosen master's.


How Atava Can Help

Choosing between direct entry, a pre-master's or a combined course depends on your grades, English level and subject.

Since 2013, Atava Education & Training has helped international students apply to UK universities. We can help you:

  • check whether you meet direct entry for your chosen master's
  • compare separate, combined and international study centre pre-master's options
  • find courses that match your academic profile and budget
  • prepare and submit your applications

Not sure whether you qualify for direct master's entry? Share your qualifications with our team, and we will help you explore suitable universities, pre-master's options and postgraduate routes.

You can also explore UK postgraduate courses.


Frequently Asked Questions

Is a pre-master's a degree?

No. It is a preparation course that helps you meet the requirements for a master's. Some lead to their own award. At Goldsmiths, for example, successful students receive a Graduate Diploma or Pre-Masters Certificate.

How many weeks or months does a pre-master's take?

It varies. In the examples in this guide, pre-master's courses last from 10 weeks to 18 months, depending on the course and your English level.

Do I need IELTS for a pre-master's?

Usually you need an English test score. In the examples in this guide, requirements range from IELTS 4.5 to 6.5. Some universities accept other English tests, so check your course page.

Can I do a pre-master's with a third-class degree?

Some courses accept one. For example, the Pre-Master's at Edinburgh Napier University, run by Oxford International, lists a third-class bachelor's degree as an entry route. Requirements vary, so check each course.

Does a pre-master's guarantee a place on a master's?

Some do, if you pass at the required level. Others, such as UCL's International Pre-Master's, do not, and you must apply for the master's separately.

What is the difference between a pre-master's and a pathway programme?

“Pathway programme” is a wider term. It includes undergraduate pathways, such as foundation courses, and postgraduate pathways, such as pre-master's courses.


Official sources