Pre-Masters Programme in
Business, Media and Social Sciences

Studying Business, Media and Social Sciences

The Pre-Masters Programme in Business, Media and Social Sciences provides a route to a variety of postgraduate degrees at the University of Sussex.

You can choose one of four pathways, based on your intended progression degree:

Business, Management and Finance
Law, International Relations and Social Sciences
Film and Media
Fintech (two semesters only)

On all pathways you will study a combination of general and specialist modules to improve your knowledge and skills to prepare you for postgraduate study. You will also study our CareerAhead module to provide you with the employability skills needed to succeed in your career.

There are two lengths of study available:

You should choose the length of study based on your entry requirements.

Changing your progression degree

During the Pre-Masters programme you have the option to change your progression degree. This makes the programme a great choice for students who have decided on their area of further study and who are looking for a flexible route to university.

Why study the Pre-Masters Programme in Business, Media and Social Sciences with us?

There are many reasons to study this preparational programme and progress to one of over 60 acclaimed postgraduate degrees. These include:

The University of Sussex is ranked joint 1st in the UK for Graduate Prospects On Track for Accounting and Finance (The Complete University Guide 2022).
Sussex is ranked 10th in the UK for Business and Economics (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by subject 2021).
The University’s Business School is ranked 77th in the world, out of over 700 business schools.
Sussex is ranked 27th for Law in the UK (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2021).
The Freeman Centre, home to Sussex Law School, is a well-equipped space offering six seminar rooms, and a PC cluster room as well as additional study and social spaces.

Discover more about Business and Law

If you're interested in studying business or law at university, read more about your degree options and related career opportunities on our dedicated Business and Management and Law subject pages.

What you’ll study

The one-semester programme

On the one-semester programme, you will study five modules (worth 75 credits): one academic module based on your chosen pathway, Academic English Skills, CareerAhead, Critical Reading, and Research Skills.

The two-semester programme

On the two-semester programme you will study six modules (worth 120 credits). Please note that the Fintech route is only available as a two-semester course.

Module descriptions

View the module descriptions for the one-semester programme and the two-semester programme.

Your degree at Sussex

The module options on this programme allow you to focus on areas relevant to your chosen Masters degree. This course can lead to one of the postgraduate degrees listed below (subject to meeting the grades outlined). The degrees and grades listed are valid for 2021/22 intakes only and are subject to change.

Degree Programmes	Award	Overall Grade	English Grade	Additional Grade
Accounting and Finance	MSc	60%	60% (60% writing, 50% other skills)	Min. 40% in all academic modules
Anthropology of Development and Social Transformation	MA	60%	60% (60% writing, 50% other skills)	Min. 40% in all academic modules
Art History	MA	60%	60% (60% writing, 50% other skills)	Min. 40% in all academic modules
Banking and Finance	MSc	60%	60% (60% writing, 50% other skills)	Min. 40% in all academic modules
Childhood and Youth Studies	MA	60%	70% overall with min.60% in each skill	Min. 40% in all academic modules
Climate Change, Development and Policy	MSc	60%	60% (60% writing, 50% other skills)	Min. 40% in all academic modules
Conflict, Security and Development	MA	60%	60% (60% writing, 50% other skills)	Min. 40% in all academic modules
Contemporary History	MA	60%	60% (60% writing, 50% other skills)	Min. 40% in all academic modules
Corporate and Financial Risk Management	MSc	60%	60% (60% writing, 50% other skills)	Min. 40% in all academic modules
Corruption and Governance	MA	60%	60% (60% writing, 50% other skills)	Min. 40% in all academic modules

Please note:

The degrees listed below have additional conditions

Available for progression from September 2021 ISC intake onwards:

MSc FRIA
Progression to study for this Masters can only be gained for students who have studied and completed the FRIA pathway (e.g. specific modules of Data Analysis and Modelling, Statistics for Life Sciences and Finance and Investment).