Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students

The Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students (PDIS) prepares international students for postgraduate study in the UK.

This programme is suitable for international students who already have the equivalent of a good undergraduate degree or good grades in a three year diploma, but who need to improve their English language and academic skills for postgraduate study.

Successful students are awarded the Royal Holloway Pre-Masters Diploma and can seek admission for a postgraduate course at Royal Holloway or another UK university.

PDIS students have full university status, participating in courses taught in academic departments, and have access to all facilities and social activities on campus

Programme structure

The nine-month Pre-Masters Diploma for International Students (PDIS) prepares international students   for postgraduate study at Royal Holloway and other UK universities. The programme curriculum focuses on the acquisition of academic English and graduate skills as well the development of knowledge and understanding of academic subjects to an appropriate standard for Masters level studies.

The programme comprises the following three components:

1. English language and academic skills (50% of the programme)

A main focus of the programme is to develop your English language and study skills in preparation for postgraduate study. You will learn how to: read academic texts efficiently and critically; follow lectures and note key points; structure essays into coherent arguments; write in a formal, academic style; take part in academic discussions and give presentations. In addition, attention is given to a range of essential skills in areas such as grammar, vocabulary development, pronunciation and, more broadly, understanding British academic culture.

2. Academic study in a Royal Holloway department (25% of the programme)

To prepare you for academic study at a postgraduate level, you will take an academic course unit (or two half-units) alongside British and other nationality undergraduates. Where possible, the academic course will be based in the department in which you wish to study your postgraduate degree. This immersion in an academic department offers an important first-hand experience of university study in a UK context which will give you a head-start when you commence your Masters course.

3. Independent Research Project (25% of the programme)

All UK postgraduate courses will require you to write a dissertation or research project. The PDIS helps prepare you for this through an 8,000-10,000 word Independent Research Project on a topic relevant to your chosen postgraduate programme. You will be introduced to research methods as well as other relevant skills through a special support course and regular one-to-one guidance provided by your Personal Tutor and a subject specialist supervisor in the chosen area.

Assessment and Progression

You are assessed through a combination of written coursework, oral presentations, written exams, and the Independent Research Project. Progression to many Masters courses at Royal Holloway is dependent on achieving satisfactory grades on the Pre-Masters programme. These grades will reflect the particular English language and academic entry requirements set by each department.

IELTS is not required to enable progression from the PDIS to Masters courses at Royal Holloway.

What you'll learn

  On successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

• communicate confidently in English for a range of academic purposes including written work, oral discussion and presentations;
• perform effectively  in  Masters level study in your chosen academic subject;
• apply independent study habits and a critical thinking approach to your work;
• research and structure a substantial piece of work such as a project or dissertation;
• engage more fully with the academic community of a British university.

Entry Requirements

Applicants should usually have completed a first degree and obtained good grades. Applicants holding a three year diploma from certain countries, or applicants over the age of 24 with substantial work experience, are also encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Required language

Following revisions to the regulations introduced by the UK Border Agency in January 2012, English language entry requirements are now as follows:

IELTS 5.5 with no sub-score below 5.5,

or

TOEFL scores of at least the following:

Listening - 21; Reading - 22; Speaking - 21; Writing - 21

or

Pearson Test of English (PTE) 46 with no sub-score below 46

or

equivalent

Flexibility

Applicants who have not reached the minimum entry requirement for English may wish to join the Pre-sessional English Language Programme (PELP) from mid-June in order to improve their English language skills before the PDIS begins. The minimum English language entry requirements for the PELP are:

12-week PELP
IELTS 4.5 with 4.5 in Writing and no other subscore lower than 4.0
TOEFL 64 with Reading 8, Listening 13, Speaking 17, Writing 18
PTE 38, with no sub-scores below 36

8-week PELP
IELTS 5.0 with 4.5 in Writing and no other subscore lower than 4.0
TEOFL 70 with Reading 8, Listening 13, Speaking 17, Writing 18
PTE 41 with Writing 38 and no other sub-score below 36

4-week PELP
IELTS 5.5 with 5.0 in Writing and no other subscore lower than 4.0
TOEFL 77 with Reading 8, Listening 13, Speaking 17, Writing 18
PTE 46 with Writing 41 and no other sub-score below 3