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.
The modules you can choose from will vary according to your start date.
Compulsory modules
You will study these for courses starting in both January and May
Studied by all students (15 credits) | Academic English Skills |
Skills for Success (10 credits) | |
Critical Reading | |
Research Skills |
Academic modules (choose one)
January start | May start | |
Business, Management and Finance (20 credits) | Management and Leadership | Management and Leadership |
Marketing and Human Resources Management | Marketing and Human Resources Management | |
Finance and Investment | Finance and Investment | |
Business Environment | ||
Film and Media (20 credits) | Approaches to Film and Media | Approaches to Film and Media |
Media Critical Practice | ||
Law, International Relations and Social Sciences (20 credits) | Key Concepts in Law and Criminology | Key Concepts in Law and Criminology |
International Relations and International Development | International Relations and International Development | |
Global Issues | ||
Key Concepts in Law and Politics |
Please note that the Fintech route is only available as a two-semester course.
In this module you will be introduced to concepts relating to financing, investment decision-making, and a range of models for managerial decision-making. You will learn theories relating to financing and investment decision-making and discover how these theories might differ from what might happen in practice. You will be taught about the importance of financial management and investment models in the decision-making processes for financial managers.
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the principles, concepts and models of management and leadership. This will provide a framework on which further insight into the roles and functions of managers and leaders can be developed. Through seminars, workshops and tutorials, you will explore a range of theories, concepts and models which will develop core skills and knowledge essential for studying management and leadership.
You will be introduced to key ideas and issues associated with management and leadership, develop an understanding of the similarities and differences between the roles and functions of managers and leaders and apply these to current business issues.
This module will provide you with an insight into the fundamental concepts of marketing and human resources. This will equip you with an understanding of marketing and human resourcing and what they encompass within the commercial business environment.
You will explore the fundamental concepts of marketing, including the business market place; customers and consumers; market research; market segmentation and positioning; and branding, pricing strategies and supply chain.
You will also explore fundamental concepts of human resources, such as employee performance and motivation; management theories and strategies associated with employee performance and motivation; employee recruitment selection and induction; and employee relations.
The aim of this module is to provide you with knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts of business research. You will learn how to submit research proposals and projects at Masters level. This module teaches the importance of an overarching research question.
You will gain an awareness of the main research paradigms and the type of methodologies for consideration. You will also explore the essential concepts of the types of research and research methods. You will learn about quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research, research ethics, and research analysis.
Film and Media
There are two elements to this module: Media Studies and Film Studies. For Film, you will develop an ability to analyse film composition and structure. You will look at a range of film movements and the contexts in which films were made.
For Media, you will develop a sound understanding of the key areas of theory. The module examines the impacts of new technologies and the effects of power and ideology in different media contexts. You will examine an awareness of relationships that exist between the production of media texts representations and consumption. Both elements aim to cultivate critical thinking and promote independent study and research.
In this module you will be introduced to new media forms - photography, sound, video and digital media - and the basic techniques of media production. You will learn about concepts such as expanded cinema, interactivity, collaborative practice and experimentation through discussion and practical work. You will showcase your experimental work by working in groups on creative projects and developing the skills of reflection and group critique as a creative process. This module will focus on the importance of researching and discussion of media practice, and you will develop a practical project through the experimentation and practice of media forms.
Available for the January start date only.
The aim of this module is to familiarise you with the key research skills necessary for Masters-level study. You will develop an understanding of the issues involved in designing a research-based project. You will also learn about comparative methodologies as well as a variety of sources of primary and secondary sources which are most relevant to research in media and film. You will gain an understanding of the critical use of primary and secondary sources in these fields, and will develop an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of research methods.
Law, International Relations and Social Sciences
This module will introduce you to the disciplines of International Relations and International Development. You will explore key actors, institutions, thinkers and perspectives. You will learn through tutorials, workshops, seminars and lectures.
Research and independent learning skills related to the subjects will be incorporated. You will have the opportunity to engage with formative activities. The module provides written and/or verbal feedback on your progress.
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the academic subjects of Law and Criminology. It will provide you with opportunities to acquire an appropriate knowledge base across the subject.
You will develop an intellectual appreciation of issues relevant to related fields of study chosen at Masters level. You will acquire skills in the collection, analysis, interpretations and understanding of data.
This module will familiarise you with the key research skills necessary for a Masters programme. You will gain appropriate research and critical reading skills relevant to your chosen degree.
You will have the opportunity to engage with formative activities. Written or verbal feedback on your progress will be provided by your tutors and peers. You will engage in the module through tutorials, workshops and seminars.
Modules for all pathways
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.
This module will help you develop the critical employability skills needed for study at university and the world of work. You will begin to think about your self-development through skills needed for your future study and careers, in the context of your chosen subject area. You will participate in skills-based seminars, with a specific focus on reflecting on your personal strengths and weaknesses and how these skills can be developed to achieve your academic and career goals.
In this module you will familiarise yourself with a range of academic texts relevant to your module choices. You will learn how to critically evaluate sources, use existing knowledge to understand context and references.
You will learn to relate information to lectures, other texts and seminar content, and will research unknown textual references including authors, places, theories and historic references. You will also analyse language to understand the purpose and bias in a text and discriminate between fact and opinion. You will take on different roles each week to analyse the texts, then write a critical analysis and evaluation of each text.
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We also offer a two-semester version of the Pre-Masters in Business, Media and Social Sciences.
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