International Study Centre

Business, Media and Social Sciences one-semester programme

What you’ll study

During the one-semester Pre-Masters Programme in Business, Media and Social Sciences you will study a combination of academic modules, specific to your pathway, and compulsory modules.

You will study a total of four modules and achieve 60 credits required in your chosen pathway to progress.

Business, Management and Finance Pathway

Academic English Skills (15 credits) 

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide. 

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context. 

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning. 

Research Skills 2 (15 credits) 

This module facilitates your learning about your post-Master's vocation or studies.  Through targeted and focused supervision, you will undertake individual research projects into your prospective future work or studies and what skills will be required for you to succeed. 

International Business and Leadership (15 credits)  

This module will provide you with a deeper understanding of the role of leaders and managers within international business. The module will provide the knowledge and skills to understand the complex nature of leadership within a geo and socio-cultural context and explore how global businesses maintain or lose their competitive advantage.  

Marketing (15 credits)  

This module will provide you with a deeper knowledge of marketing from both an academic and practitioner's perspective. It will enable you to address marketing challenges in critical and creative ways. You will develop skills to think innovatively and strategically in the creation of successful products and services. 

Accounting for Managers (15 credits)  

The main purpose of this module is to introduce you to concepts relating to the creation of financial and management accounting information and the use of such information in decision making in business and to equip you with a range of models for managerial decision-making. The module also introduces you to theories relating to financial and management accounting for planning and decision making and deals with how these theories might differ from what might happen in practice.   

Finance and Investment (15 credits)  

This module will introduce you to concepts relating to financing and investment decision-making in business. You will explore a range of models for managerial decision-making and learn about the importance of financial management and investment models in the decision-making processes for financial managers. 

Law, International Relations and Social Sciences Pathway

Academic English Skills (15 credits) 

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide. 

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context. 

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning. 

Research Skills 2 (15 credits) 

This module facilitates your learning about your post-Master's vocation or studies.  Through targeted and focused supervision, you will undertake individual research projects into your prospective future work or studies and what skills will be required for you to succeed.  

Legal Approaches to Global Studies (15 credits)  

This module is designed to provide a challenging and stimulating programme of study which considers law in its international social, economic, and political contexts. This module explores selected global problems in their historical, social, political, and economic contexts considering international legal frameworks.  

International Relations (15 credits)  

This module generates a lively and inquisitive interest in the study of International Relations. This module will introduce you to topics, themes, concepts, and perspectives in the academic discipline of International Relations (IR), with the purpose of developing specific subject knowledge of the discipline, and practicing and developing key, relevant intellectual and transferable skills to an FHEQ Level 6.  

Politics (15 credits)  

This module provides you with a grounding in political ideas, exploring key issues and debates in politics from a variety of global perspectives. It will be focused on developing the skills required for university courses at this level, including researching and referencing skills and encouraging you to engage in informed discussion and critical evaluation of academic evidence. Topics will include political ideologies, comparative analysis of political institutions and contemporary political issues. We will also consider how international politics is informed by questions of empire, colonialism, race, gender and class.  

Conflict and Development (15 credits)  

This module introduces you to conflict and development studies. Through targeted reading, lectures and collaborative seminars, you will work towards an assessed essay in which you will use key argumentative skills based on academic research. 

Film and Media Pathway

Academic English Skills (15 credits) 

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide. 

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context. 

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning. 

Research Skills 2 (15 credits) 

This module facilitates your learning about your post-Master's vocation or studies.  Through targeted and focused supervision, you will undertake individual research projects into your prospective future work or studies and what skills will be required for you to succeed.  

Global Film Movements (15 credits)  

Global Film Movements aims to enable you to study film in a global context, introducing concepts that will enable you to prepare for study at Master's level. You will engage with a range of important and influential cinema, from the French New Wave and Italian Neorealism to Bollywood and contemporary American independent film. 

Approaches to Media and Communication (15 credits)  

The module examines the impacts of new media technologies as well as the effects of power structures and ideology in different media contexts. You will develop an understanding of relationships that exist between the production of media texts, representation theories and consumption. The module aims to cultivate critical thinking and promote independent study and research.  

Media Critical Production: Photography (15 credits)  

This module will introduce you to the skills of photography and develop your appreciation of the intended meaning within the still image and a regard for its cultural and social implications through the production of a creative photographic project. You will be versed in the technical and theoretical aspects of photography, and the importance of researching for your own practical project through the study of historical and critical aspects of media production. 

Media Critical Production: Digital Video (15 credits)  

This module will introduce you to the production skills and theory of digital video as a medium and develop creative storytelling skills through different contexts and modes of practice. You will experience the creative potential of digital video through the contemporary and critical aspects of filmmaking practice, and the importance of researching for your own practical project through the study of historical and critical aspects of media production.

Finance and Technology (FinTech) Pathway

Academic English Skills (15 credits) 

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide. 

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context. 

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning. 

Research Skills 2 (15 credits) 

This module facilitates your learning about your post-Master's vocation or studies.  Through targeted and focused supervision, you will undertake individual research projects into your prospective future work or studies and what skills will be required for you to succeed. 

Accounting for Managers (15 credits)  

The main purpose of this module is to introduce you to concepts relating to the creation of financial and management accounting information and the use of such information in decision making in business and to equip you with a range of models for managerial decision-making. The module also introduces you to theories relating to financial and management accounting for planning and decision making and deals with how these theories might differ from what might happen in practice.   

Finance and Investment (15 credits)  

This module will introduce you to concepts relating to financing and investment decision-making in business. You will explore a range of models for managerial decision-making and learn about the importance of financial management and investment models in the decision-making processes for financial managers.  

Maths for Pre-Masters (15 credits)  

This module aims to provide the relevant knowledge and skills for students progressing onto postgraduate courses at the University of Sussex. The module concentrates on four key areas, algebra, calculus, statistics and discrete maths. You will represent real-word problems with mathematical models and learn how to effectively communicate your conclusions.  

Data Analysis and Modelling (15 credits)  

This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to enhance your skills in preparing, analysing, and visualizing large datasets, as well as creating models and simulations using industry-standard tools. The module will familiarise you with industry-standard tools and techniques used for data analysis and modelling and provide hands-on experience with real-world datasets to strengthen your practical skills.

English Courses

Need to improve your English? You can study a range of our Online English language courses.

See our English courses

Two-semester programme

We also offer a two-semester version of the Pre-Masters in Business, Media and Social Sciences.

Explore the course
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How to apply

Ready to apply? Discover how to submit an application and learn more about fees, semester dates and entry requirements.

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University of Sussex International Study Centre

Develop skills to change the world at the University of Sussex International Study Centre. Improve your English, develop your academic skills, and grow the confidence you need to succeed in your degree.

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English language courses

Improve your English skills with one of our Online English language courses designed to support international students studying a pathway programme at the International Study Centre.

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Our Student Enrolment Advisors are available to answer any questions you may have and help you with your application. We can't wait to meet you!