Pre-Masters Courses: Science, Mathematics & IT

Bournemouth Business School International (BBSI), one of the most highly-accredited business schools and UK English language colleges, offers international students the opportunity to undertake a pre-Masters course in the UK related to science and technology, while acquiring the advanced study skills necessary for postgraduate entry to a university in the UK. Our Pre-Masters Course in Science, Technology, Computers & IT 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 a UK 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 technical and English language awards from BBSI and the NCFE national awarding body, and also have the option to acquire their International Computer Driving Licence® (ICDL) . The course syllabus includes extensive preparation for the IELTS Examination Advanced Study Skills . Courses are conducted around a busy social and activity programme, and the maximum class size is 12, which can be extended to 15 during peak periods.

UK University Placement. While undertaking your pre-Masters course at BBSI and acquiring the qualifications and advanced study skills necessary for postgraduate study at a UK university, students are provided with extensive counselling and guidance in all aspects of study at UK universities, and are also 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 UK university must be a minimum of 20 years of age and have achieved an equivalent of IELTS 6.0 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. The majority of UK universities require that postgraduates students seeking entry to a masters course must be a minimum of 21 years of age on entry and have a minimum English-language level of IELTS 6.5 - IELTS 7.0, depending on the course and university of choice.

Study Options. There are 3 study options for our 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 or above, and who already have a firm offer of a place on a Masters course at a university in the UK, we offer a 12-week study programme that leads to Certificate awards from BBSI and NCFE.

 

24-Week Higher-Certificate Course. For those students with excellent High-School grades, a diploma or first-degree qualification, and a sound Intermediate level in English or above, we offer a 24-week study programme that leads to a Higher-Certificate award from BBSI and a Certificate award from NCFE.

 

36-Week Diploma Course. For those students with a low Intermediate level in English, who require more emphasis initially on developing their academic English and technical English to Upper-Intermediate level prior to the introduction of more advanced specialised training, we offer a longer, 36-week Diploma programme that builds more gradually in intensity and specialisation. This study option leads to a BBSI Diploma, a Certificate award from NCFE and the option of acquiring the ICDL qualification.

Certificate Study Option

Minimum English Entry Level: IELTS 5.5 (Upper-Intermediate)

 

Course Duration: 12 weeks (1 term)

 

Course Designation: PST 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 weekly lessons in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
10 lessons Advanced Study Skills & IELTS Examination Preparation 

Awards:

BBSI Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
      (continuous assessment)
NCFE Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
       (continuous assessment)

Optional Examination*  : IELTS [Academic] (examinations monthly)

Course Objectives. The course objectives are to:

*  fully prepare students academically for entry to a Masters degree course related to science, technology, computers, IT, or engineering at a university in the UK
*  have completed the university-application process so that students secure a UK university placement on the postgraduate degree course of their choice
*  acquire the necessary study skills for postgraduate study at a university in the UK
*  develop an understanding of current theory and practice in science, technology and engineering
*  acquire a sound, professional understanding and knowledge of science, technology, computers, computer software, IT and engineering concepts
*  develop effective technical English and professional communication skills
*  build appropriate technical vocabulary
*  acquire the necessary communication skills for a career related to science, technology or engineering
*  develop confidence and fluency in the English language beyond Upper-Intermediate Level
*  prepare participants for the IELTS (Academic) examination

Course Elements. In addition to providing students with a thorough and comprehensive grounding in technical English and professional communication skills, the Certificate syllabus incorporates specialised elements selected from the following:

Applied Mathematics

*  statistics  
*  number
*  space & trigonometry   
*  probability theory
*  algebra & equations  
*  scale & ratio

Applied Physics & Engineering

*  materials & stresses  
*  force & effect
*  light & radio waves  
*  nuclear physics
*  engineering  
*  electrics, electromagnetism & electronics       

Technology

*  materials & systems   
*  applications
*  security  
*  human factor/needs/values/aesthetics

General Science

*  research methods   
*  reading & interpreting scientific information
*  writing scientific reports   
*  problem solving

Computers & IT

*  word processing  
*  spreadsheets
*  database   
*  presentation   
*  Microsoft AccessTM   
*  database design
*  forms & reports   
*  queries & SQL
*  commands & macros   
*  business modelling
*  computer configuration 
*  types of computers
*  operating systems  
*  binary system
*  programming & languages 
*  computer networks
*  computer viruses  
*  internet viruses
*  electronic communications  
*  using a computer effectively & managing files
*  web-design theory  
*  website-building (Microsoft FrontpageTM)
*  introduction to PhotoshopTM   
*  concepts of information & computing technology
*  publishing in HTML  
*  information & effective communication

Higher-Certificate Study Option

Minimum English Entry Level: IELTS 5.0 (Intermediate)

Course Duration: 24 weeks (2 terms)

Course Designation: PST 24

Main Course Entry Dates: October, January, April or July (term dates 2010)

Lessons Weekly: 30 (each of 45 minutes´ duration)

Minimum Age: 20 years

Course Structure & Content:

20 lessons weekly in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
10 lessons weekly in Advanced Study Skills & IELTS Examination Preparation 

Awards:

BBSI Higher-Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT 
       (continuous assessment)
NCFE Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
       (continuous assessment)

Optional Examination*  : IELTS [Academic] (examinations monthly)

Course Objectives. The course objectives are to:

*  fully prepare students academically for entry to a Masters degree course related to science, technology, computers, IT, or engineering at a university in the UK
*  have completed the university-application process so that students secure a UK university placement on the postgraduate degree course of their choice
*  acquire the necessary study skills for postgraduate study at a university in the UK
*  develop an understanding of current theory and practice in science, technology and engineering
*  acquire a sound, professional understanding and knowledge of science, technology, computers, computer software, IT and engineering concepts
*  develop effective technical English and professional communication skills
*  build appropriate technical vocabulary
*  acquire the necessary communication skills for a career related to science, technology or engineering
*  develop confidence and fluency in the English language beyond Upper-Intermediate Level
*  prepare participants for the IELTS (Academic) examination

Course Elements. In addition to providing students with a thorough and comprehensive grounding in technical English and professional communication skills, the Higher-Certificate syllabus incorporates all the following specialised elements:

 

Applied Mathematics

*  statistics  
*  number
*  space & trigonometry   
*  probability theory
*  algebra & equations  
*  scale & ratio

Applied Physics & Engineering

*  materials & stresses  
*  force & effect
*  light & radio waves  
*  nuclear physics
*  engineering  
*  electrics, electromagnetism & electronics

Technology

*  materials & systems   
*  applications
*  security  
*  human factor/needs/values/aesthetics

General Science

*  research methods   
*  reading & interpreting scientific information
*  writing scientific reports   
*  problem solving

Computers & IT

*  word processing  

*  spreadsheets
*  database   
*  presentation   
*  microsoft AccessTM   
*  database design
*  forms & reports   
*  queries & SQL
*  commands & macros   
*  business modelling
*  computer configuration 
*  types of computers
*  operating systems  
*  binary system
*  programming & languages 
*  computer networks
*  computer viruses  
*  internet viruses
*  electronic communications  
*  using a computer effectively & managing files
*  web-design theory  
*  website-building (Microsoft FrontpageTM)
*  introduction to PhotoshopTM   
*  concepts of information & computing technology
*  publishing in HTML  
*  information & effective communication

Diploma Study Option

Minimum English Entry Level: IELTS 4.5 (Intermediate)

Course Duration: 36 weeks (3 terms)

Course Designation: PST 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

10 weekly lessons in Computers, Computing & IT Skills (includes the complete ICDL syllabus)
20 weekly lessons in General English

Terms 2 & 3

20 lessons weekly in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
10 lessons weekly in Advanced Study Skills & IELTS Examination Preparation 

Awards:

BBSI Higher-Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
      (continuous assessment)
NCFE Certificate in Science, Technology, Computers & IT
      (continuous assessment)

Optional Examinations*  :

International Computer Driving Licence® 

      (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 science, technology, computers, IT, or engineering at a university in the UK
*  have completed the university-application process so that students secure a UK university placement on the postgraduate degree course of their choice
*  acquire the necessary study skills for postgraduate study at a university in the UK
*  develop an understanding of current theory and practice in science, technology and engineering
*  acquire a sound, professional understanding and knowledge of science, technology, computers, computer software, IT and engineering concepts
*  develop effective technical English and professional communication skills
*  build appropriate technical vocabulary
*  acquire the necessary communication skills for a career related to science, technology or engineering
*  develop confidence and fluency in the English language beyond Upper-Intermediate Level
*  prepare participants for the IELTS (Academic) examination
*  prepare participants for the International Computer Driving Licence® award (optional)

Course Elements. In addition to providing students with a thorough and comprehensive grounding in technical English and professional communication skills, the Diploma syllabus incorporates all the following topics:

Applied Mathematics

*  statistics  
*  number
*  space & trigonometry   
*  probability theory
*  algebra & equations  
*  scale & ratio

Applied Physics & Engineering

*  materials & stresses  
*  force & effect
*  light & radio waves  
*  nuclear physics
*  engineering  
*  electrics, electromagnetism & electronics

Technology

*  materials & systems   
*  applications
*  security  
*  human factor/needs/values/aesthetics

General Science

*  research methods   
*  reading & interpreting scientific information
*  writing scientific reports   
*  problem solving

Computers & IT

*  word processing  
*  spreadsheets
*  database   
*  presentation   
*  Microsoft AccessTM   
*  database design
*  forms & reports   
*  queries & SQL
*  commands & macros   
*  business modelling
*  computer configuration 
*  types of computers
*  operating systems  
*  binary system
*  programming & languages 
*  computer networks
*  computer viruses  
*  internet viruses
*  electronic communications  
*  using a computer effectively & managing files
*  web-design theory  
*  website-building (Microsoft FrontpageTM)
*  introduction to PhotoshopTM   
*  concepts of information & computing technology
*  publishing in HTML  
*  information & effective communication

Certificate, Higher-Certificate, Diploma and University Foundation versions of the above course are also available.

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 Science, Technology, Computers & IT.