Bournemouth Business School International (BBSI), our highly-accredited business college and English language school in England, offers international students the opportunity to undertake a pre-Masters course in England while also studying finance and business concepts, and acquiring the advanced study skills required for postgraduate entry to Masters degree course. Our Pre-Masters Course in Finance & Financial Services comprises 30 lessons weekly, is extremely flexible and is carefully designed for international graduates with either a first degree or equivalent, or a higher diploma and relevant work experience, who are seeking to enhance their career prospects by undertaking a postgraduate degree course at an English university.
The course is available in 12, 24 or 36-week study options, depending on individual requirements and your current level in English. Successful participants gain business and finance qualifications awarded by BBSI and the NCFE national awarding body, and also the University of Cambridge ESOL International Certificate in Financial English. The course syllabus includes extensive preparation for the IELTS† Examination and Advanced Study Skills‡. Courses are conducted around a busy social and activity programme, and the maximum class size is 12, which can extend to 15 during the summer months, July-September.
UK University Placement. While undertaking their pre-Masters course at BBSI and acquiring the qualifications and advanced study skills necessary for postgraduate study, students are provided with extensive counselling and guidance in all aspects of study at universities in England, and are given full assistance with the university application process. All students who successfully complete their course and achieve the required IELTS level for entry are assured of a university place prior to graduation from BBSI.
University Entry Requirements. Students seeking to enter a Masters degree course at a university in England must be a minimum of 20 years of age and have achieved an equivalent of IELTS 6.0 (Academic) in English. Moreover, applicants must have full records of their High-School education and their diploma or first degree education. Copies of these academic records, as well as evidence of work experience, should be submitted to BBSI at the time of enrolment.
Cambridge ESOL International Certificate in Financial English. Students will develop competent business English skills and acquire the University of Cambridge ESOL International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE). BBSI is an accredited ICFE Examination Centre. The ICFE examination is prepared in conjunction with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to meet the demand in helping students of finance and finance professionals to demonstrate that they have the financial English skills needed to communicate and converse with other accounting and finance professionals within the international business community. With the development of globally-recognised International Accounting Standards (IAS) and greater globalisation within the world of finance, successful candidates will have the opportunity to prove their linguistic ability, and to pursue international career opportunities.
Study Options. There are 3 study options for this Pre-Masters course:
12-Week Certificate Course. For those students with excellent high-school grades, a diploma or first-degree qualification, and a sound Upper-Intermediate to Advanced level in English, and who already have a firm offer of a place on a Masters course at a university in England, we offer a 12-week study programme that leads to Certificate awards from BBSI and NCFE, and provides the opportunity to acquire the University of Cambridge ICFE.
24-Week Higher-Certificate Course. For those students with excellent High-School grades, a diploma or first-degree qualification, and a sound Upper-Intermediate Level in English or above, we offer a 24-week study programme that leads to a Higher-Certificate award from BBSI, a Certificate award from NCFE, and also provides the opportunity to acquire the University of Cambridge ICFE.
36-Week Diploma Course. For those students with a lower, Intermediate Level in English, who require more emphasis initially on developing their academic English to Upper-Intermediate level prior to the introduction of more advanced marketing and business studies, we offer a longer, 36-week Diploma programme that builds more gradually in intensity and specialisation. This study option leads to a BBSI Diploma and a Certificate award from NCFE, and also provides the opportunity to acquire the University of Cambridge ICFE.
Certificate Study Option
Minimum English Entry Level: IELTS 5.5 (Upper-Intermediate)
Course Duration: 12 weeks (1 term)
Course Designation: PFS 12
Main Course Entry Dates: October, January, April or July (term dates 2008)
Lessons Weekly: 30 (each of 45 minutes' duration)
Minimum Age: 20 years
Course Structure & Content:
20 lessons weekly in Finance & Financial Services
(includes the full ICFE syllabus)
10 lessons weekly in Advanced Study Skills & IELTS Examination Preparation
Awards:
BBSI Certificate in Finance & Financial Services
(continuous assessment)
NCFE Certificate in Finance & Financial Services
(continuous assessment)
Optional Examinations+:
University of Cambridge ESOL ICFE
(examination dates)
IELTS [Academic] (examinations monthly)
Course Objectives. The course objectives are to:
- fully prepare students academically for entry to a Masters degree course related to finance and financial services at a university in England
- have completed the university-application process so that students secure a placement on the postgraduate degree course of their choice at a university in England
- acquire the necessary academic study skills for postgraduate study at an English university
- develop an understanding of current theory and practice in international finance
- acquire a sound, professional understanding and knowledge of international finance and business concepts
- develop effective business English communication and presentation skills
- build appropriate vocabulary related to finance and business
- develop confidence and fluency in the English language beyond Upper-Intermediate Level
- prepare participants for the IELTS (Academic) examination
- acquire business and finance qualifications
Course Elements. In addition to providing students with a thorough and comprehensive grounding in academic English and advanced study skills, the Certificate syllabus incorporates selected specialised topics selected from the following:
- measuring & reporting the financial position
- balance sheets
- profit & loss accounts
- cash flow forecasting
- financial ratios
- sources of finance
- managing working capital
- budgeting
- types of costing methods
- the economic & political environment
- business & economic cycles
- types of investment
- portfolio selection & fund management
- basis of financial planning
- investment banking
- mergers & acquisitions
- exchange rates
- incoterms
- preparation for the ICFE examination
Higher-Certificate Study Option
Minimum English Entry Level: IELTS 5.5 (Upper-Intermediate)
Course Duration: 24 weeks (2 terms)
Course Designation: PFS 24
Main Course Entry Dates: October, January, April or July (term dates 2008)
Lessons Weekly: 30 (each of 45 minutes' duration)
Minimum Age: 20 years
Course Structure & Content:
20 lessons weekly in Finance & Financial Services
(includes the full ICFE syllabus)
10 lessons weekly in Advanced Study Skills & IELTS Examination Preparation
Awards:
BBSI Higher-Certificate in Finance & Financial Services (continuous assessment)
NCFE Certificate in Finance & Financial Services (continuous assessment)
Optional Examinations+:
University of Cambridge ESOL ICFE
(examination dates)
IELTS [Academic] (examinations monthly)
Course Objectives. The course objectives are to:
- fully prepare students academically for entry to a Masters degree course related to finance and financial services at a university in England
- have completed the university-application process so that students secure a placement on the postgraduate degree course of their choice at a university in England
- acquire the necessary academic study skills for postgraduate study at an English university
- develop an understanding of current theory and practice in international finance
- acquire a sound, professional understanding and knowledge of international finance and business concepts
- develop effective business English communication and presentation skills
- build appropriate vocabulary related to finance and business
- develop confidence and fluency in the English language towards Advanced Level
- prepare participants for the IELTS (Academic) examination
- acquire business and finance qualifications
Course Elements. In addition to providing students with a thorough and comprehensive grounding in academic English and advanced study skills, the Higher-Certificate syllabus incorporates all of the following specialised topics:
- measuring & reporting the financial position
- balance sheets
- profit & loss accounts
- cash flow forecasting
- financial ratios
- sources of finance
- managing working capital
- budgeting
- types of costing methods
- the economic & political environment
- business & economic cycles
- types of investment
- portfolio selection & fund management
- basis of financial planning
- investment banking
- mergers & acquisitions
- exchange rates
- incoterms
- preparation for the ICFE examination
Diploma Study Option
Minimum English Entry Level: IELTS 5.0 (Intermediate)
Course Duration: 36 weeks (3 terms)
Course Designation: PFS 36
Main Course Entry Dates: October; January; April or July (term dates 2008)
Lessons Weekly: 30 (each of 45 minutes' duration)
Minimum Age: 20 years
Course Structure & Content:
Term 1
20 lessons weekly in Communication & Business Skills
10 lessons weekly in Advanced Study Skills & IELTS Examination Preparation
Terms 2 & 3
20 lessons weekly in Finance & Financial Service
(includes the full ICFE syllabus)
10 lessons weekly in Advanced Study Skills & IELTS Examination Preparation
Awards:
BBSI Diploma in Finance & Financial Services
(continuous assessment)
NCFE Certificate in Finance & Financial Services
(continuous assessment)
Optional Examinations+:
University of Cambridge ESOL ICFE
(examination dates)
IELTS [Academic] (examinations monthly)
Course Objectives. The course objectives are to:
- fully prepare students academically for entry to a Masters degree course related to finance and financial services at a university in England
- have completed the university-application process so that students secure a placement on the postgraduate degree course of their choice at a university in England
- acquire the necessary academic study skills for postgraduate study at an English university
- develop an understanding of current theory and practice in international finance
- acquire a sound, professional understanding and knowledge of international finance and business concepts
- develop effective business English communication and presentation skills
- build appropriate vocabulary related to finance and business
- develop confidence and fluency in the English language towards Advanced Level
- prepare participants for the IELTS (Academic) examination
- acquire business and finance qualifications
Course Elements. In addition to providing students with a thorough and comprehensive grounding in academic English and advanced study skills, the Diploma syllabus incorporates all of the following specialised topics:
- measuring & reporting the financial position
- balance sheets
- profit & loss accounts
- cash flow forecasting
- financial ratios
- sources of finance
- managing working capital
- budgeting
- types of costing methods
- the economic & political environment
- business & economic cycles
- types of investment
- portfolio selection & fund management
- basis of financial planning
- investment banking
- mergers & acquisitions
- exchange rates
- incoterms
- preparation for the ICFE examination
Certificate, Higher-Certificate, Diploma and
University Foundation versions of the above course are also available.
† IELTS
IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all 4 language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is the preferred English language assessment for universities in English-speaking countries worldwide. Examinations take place monthly in Bournemouth and a place can be secured at the time of booking your course with BBSI. Candidates must book for the examination at least 6 weeks before each examination sitting.
‡ Advanced Study Skills
plagiarism
research skills
internet-based study
bibliography & referencing
extended writing assignment
critical thinking & independent thought
compilation & statistical analysis
independent learning
presentations
seminar skills
Book this course on-Line.The following Pre-Masters courses are also available at BBSI:
+ Examination fees for those seeking to undertake external examinations are not included in the BBSI course fees.
BBSI courses are carefully designed and structured at different language levels to enable international students to develop all 4 English language skills simultaneously, while developing their professional communication skills and professional knowledge in academic, vocational or professional context, in the specialised subject of their choice. Students therefore have the flexibility to focus on either academic or vocational progression, depending on their personal training needs and particular learning objectives.
Download a PDF of the BBSI Pre-Masters Course in Finance & Financial Services.