Online Pre-masters in Business Management
Boost your career prospects with a master's degree from a top university
Our Online Pre-Masters Programme will prepare you for postgraduate study in a variety of business management fields, enabling you to move into more senior management and strategic leadership roles.
Discover more about your wide choice of university options.
English language entry requirements:
- IELTS 5.0 (with minimum 5.0 in all skills) or equivalent
Note: to achieve progression to universities such as Lancaster University and Royal Holloway University of London, that have a higher English language entry requirement of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, it is recommended that students start their Online Pre-Masters Programme with IELTS 5.5 with no less than 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. Progression to Lancaster University and Royal Holloway, University of London will require students to achieve 60% overall in AES (equivalent to IELTS 6.5) with no skill less than 50% (equivalent to IELTS 6.0).
Academic entry requirements:
- Recognised first degree
Country-specific entry requirements
- Additional entry requirements vary by country. Find out more
Two semesters (24 weeks plus 2 assessment weeks)
Visit our fees page for more information on programme costs.
- January, October
Visit Semester dates for more information
Why study the Online Pre-Masters Programme?
Our two-semester postgraduate preparation programme prepares you to study a masters degree at one of many universities. You will explore a range of topics and develop study skills relevant to your degree subject of choice, giving you the best start possible to the next stage of your academic journey.
With our Online Pre-Masters Programme, you can:
- Benefit from letters of guaranteed conditional progression* from Royal Holloway University of London, University of Strathclyde, Aberystwyth University and Bangor University.
- Receive support in choosing the right university to study your Masters degree with our University Ready Programme.
- Bridge the gap between your academic subject knowledge, English language and study skills.
For students with a higher level of English, you can complete your Pre-Masters Programme in Business
Management in one-semester.
University progression
Students on the Online Pre-Masters programme have a wide choice of university progression options. These include universities that have provided letters of guaranteed conditional progression, as well as a range of universities which recognise and accept applications from our postgraduate pathway programme.
Guaranteed conditional progression universities*
Students who choose our Online Pre-Masters Programme will benefit from letters of guaranteed conditional progression* from the following universities:
Progression degrees for guaranteed conditional progression universities
Students who successfully complete the Online Pre-Masters Programme and meet the progression requirements can progress to the postgraduate degrees listed below.
| Degree programme name | Award | Overall grade | English grade | Minimum age |
| International Business Management | MSc | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 |
| International Business and Marketing | MSc | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 |
| International Finance and Banking | MSc | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 |
| Management and Finance | MSc | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 |
| Finance | MSc | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 |
| International Finance | MSc | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 |
| Master of Business Administration | MBA | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 |
| Corporate Social Responsibility | MBA | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 / 24 months work experience essential |
| Engineering Management | MBA | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 / 24 months work experience essential |
| Global Supply Chain Management | MBA | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 / 24 months work experience essential |
| International Marketing | MBA | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 / 24 months work experience essential |
| Project Management | MBA | 55% and 50% in each module | AES 55%+ overall (50% in each skill) | 19 / 24 months work experience essential |
| Degree programme name | Award | Overall grade | English grade | Minimum Age/Additional Requirements |
| Business and Marketing | MA | 50% | AES: 50% overall (40% in each skill) | 19 |
| Environmental Management | MBA | 50% | AES: 50% overall (40% in each skill) | 19 / Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, e.g. Environmental Science or Business Studies from a university, or a similar qualification from any other institution. Work experience is desirable, but not essential. |
| Information Management | MBA | 50% | AES: 50% overall (40% in each skill) | 19 / Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, e.g. Business or Science from a university, or a similar qualification from any other institution. Computer Sciences/IT background is not suitable to this course. Work experience is desirable, but not essential. |
| International Business | MBA | 50% | AES: 50% overall (40% in each skill) | 19 / Good first degree or equivalent from a university or another approved degree-awarding body. Work experience is desirable. |
| International Marketing | MBA | 50% | AES: 50% overall (40% in each skill) | 19 / Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, e.g. Business, Management, Finance from a university, or a similar qualification from any other institution. Work experience is desirable, but not essential. |
| Law and Management | MBA | 50% | AES: 50% overall (40% in each skill) | 19 / Undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, e.g. law, management, economics, finance, business, from a university, or a similar qualification from any other institution. |
| Management | MBA | 50% | AES: 50% overall (40% in each skill) | 19 / Graduates in relevant disciplines and from those with equivalent professional qualification and work experience. |
| Degree Programme Name | Award | Overall grade | English grade | Additional Requirements |
| Accounting and Financial Management | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| Business Information Systems | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| Consumption, Culture & Marketing | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| Digital Innovation & Analytics | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| Digital Marketing (Taught on Central London Campus) | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| Engineering Management | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| Entrepreneurship and Innovation | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| Human Resource Management | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| Information Security | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
International Management | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| International Management (Marketing) | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| Marketing | MA | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills | |
| Project Management | MSc | 60% | 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Degree programme name | Award | Overall grade | English grade |
| Business and Management | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Digital Marketing Management | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Economics and Finance | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Economics and Policy of Energy and Climate Change | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Economics, Applied | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Entrepreneurial Management and Leadership | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Health Analysis, Policy, and Management | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Human Resource Management | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Human Resources and International Management | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Innovation and Marketing Management | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| International Human Resource Management | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| International Management | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| International Marketing | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Marketing | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Project Management and Innovation | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Tourism Marketing Management | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
Finance | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
Sustainable Finance | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
Finance Technology | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
International Banking and Finance | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
Investment and Finance | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Economics and Finance | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Finance and Management | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Quantitative Finance | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Data Analytics | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
| Business Analysis and Consulting | MSc | 60% | AES 60% with no less than 50% in all skills |
Other Progression Universities
We also work with a range of additional universities that will consider applications from students who take our Online Pre-Masters Programme. You’ll be able to apply to these universities and can receive offers.
Universities include:
Swansea University will also accept applications on a case by case basis.
Progression degrees for recognising universities
| Degree programme name | Award | Overall grade | English grade | Minimum age |
| International Business | MSc | 60% | AES: 50% overall (40% in each skill) | 19 |
| International Business and Finance | MSc | 60% | AES: 50% overall (40% in each skill) | 19 |
| Data Science and Analytics | MSc | 60% | AES: 50% overall (40% in each skill) | 19 |
| Digital Marketing | MSc | 60% | AES: 50% overall (40% in each skill) | 19 |
| Degree programme | Award | Overall grade | English grade |
| Accounting and Finance | MSc | 60% overall with no less than 50% in any module | IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 5.5 in all bands |
| Advertising and Marketing | MSc | 60% overall with no less than 50% in any module | IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 5.5 in all bands |
| Financial Management | MSc | 60% overall with no less than 50% in any module | IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 5.5 in all bands |
| Human Resource Management (Part-Time) | MSc | 60% overall with no less than 50% in any module | IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 5.5 in all bands |
| Human Resource Management (Full-Time) | MSc | 60% overall with no less than 50% in any module | IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 5.5 in all bands |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | MSc | 60% overall with no less than 50% in any module | IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 5.5 in all bands |
| Marketing Management | MSc | 60% overall with no less than 50% in any module | IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 5.5 in all bands |
| MSc Business Management (currently closed for new applications in 2023/24) | MSc | 60% overall with no less than 50% in any module | IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in all bands |
Please note that in order to be eligible for progression to Lancaster University, applicants from China and Taiwan must hold a Bachelor's degree with an overall grade of 60%+ and meet the entry requirements listed below.
| Degree programme name | Award | Overall grade | English grade | Additional requirements |
| Accounting and Financial Management | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification in Finance, Accounting or Economics |
| Investment Management & Financial Analysis | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification in Finance or Accounting with a significant number of Finance and/or Quantitative module studies |
| Advanced Marketing Management | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 70% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification in Marketing or a related Business Management degree with Marketing components |
| Business Analytics | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification in a quantitative discipline such as Mathematics and/or Statistics, including Science and Engineering. Business and Management degrees with a strong quantitative component would also be considered |
| Digital Business, Innovation & Management | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification |
| Economics | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification in Economics or a related subject with at least 50% Economics modules |
| Finance | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification in Finance, Accounting or Economics or other business-related subject |
| Human Resource Management | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification in Management, Business, Social Sciences, History, Philosophy, English, Languages, Arts or other Humanities |
| Human Resource & Consulting | MA | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification |
| Innovation & Entrepreneurship | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification |
| International Business & Strategy | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification |
| Logistics & Supply Chain Management | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification in Business, Management, Economics, Engineering or other Social Science |
| Management | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification |
| Marketing | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an undergraduate qualification in any discipline except Marketing |
| Money, Banking & Finance | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification in Economics, Finance or a related subject. You will have successfully completed modules in Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Mathematics including Calculus, Statistics and Probability |
| Politics, Philosophy and Management | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification in Management, Business, Social Sciences, History, Philosophy, English, Languages, Arts or other Humanities |
| Project Management | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification |
| Strategy | MSc | 60% overall and 60% in each module | AES: 60% overall and 50% in each skill | Successful completion of an acceptable Undergraduate Qualification |
| Degree programme name | Award | Overall grade | English grade | Minimum age |
| Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability | MSc | 55% | IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any sub-skill | 19 |
| International Finance & Banking | MSc | 55% | IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any sub-skill | 19 |
| International Trade & Finance | MSc | 55% | IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any sub-skill | 19 |
| International Business Management | MSc | 55% | IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any sub-skill | 19 |
| Master of Business Administration | MBA | 55% Must have professional experience | IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any sub-skill | 19 |
| Degree programme name | Award | Overall grade | English grade | Minimum age |
| International Business and Management | MSc | 50% | AES: 60% overall (40% in all components) | 19 |
| Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | MSc | 50% | AES: 60% overall (40% in all components) | 19 |
| Degree programme name | Award | Overall grade | English grade | Minimum age |
| Global Master of Business | MBA | 60% No failed units | AES: 60% overall (50% in each skill) | 19 |
| Degree programme name | Award | Overall grade | English grade | Minimum age |
| Accounting and Finance | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| International Business | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| International Financial Management | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| Public Policy, Finance and Management | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| Finance (Banking) | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| Finance (Economic Policy) | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| Finance (Financial Sector Management) | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| Finance (Quantitative Finance) | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| Finance and Financial Law | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| International Business Administration | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| Public Financial Management | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| Public Policy and Management | MSc | 70% | IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in all elements) | 19 /Minimum lower second-class honours degree or overseas equivalent |
| Degree Programme | Award | Overall Grade | English Grade | Minimum Age |
| Business Management | MSc | 50% | AES: 60% with no element below 40% | 19 |
| International Management | MSc | 50% | AES: 60% with no element below 40% | 19 |
| Finance and Investment | MSc | 50% | AES: 60% with no element below 40% | 19 |
| Degree programme name | Award | Overall grade | English grade | Additional requirements |
| Business and Organisational Psychology | MSc | 55% | AES: 60% overall (60% in Writing and 50% in all other skills) | Undergraduate degree in Psychology, Business, Social Science or Science. |
| Sustainability Management and Innovation | MSc | 55% | AES: 60% overall (60% in Writing and 50% in all other skills) | |
| International Development Management | MSc | 55% | AES: 60% overall (60% in Writing and 50% in all other skills) | Undergraduate degree in business studies, economics, geography, management, operations research, engineering, environmental sciences, the humanities or languages. |
| Economic Policy and Analysis | MSc | 55% | AES: 60% overall (60% in Writing and 50% in all other skills) | Undergraduate degree in Economics, or a quantitative discipline with a minor in Economics. |
Learn more about how our university progression routes work on our University Progression page.
Your study modules
On our Online Pre-Masters Programme, you will study a range of business modules designed to help you succeed on your chosen postgraduate degree.
Designed to support students who intend to study at postgraduate level at a UK university, but need to improve their level of English, this module focuses on developing the written and spoken language required to communicate effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context. You will also develop awareness and competency in the language-related academic skills you need to achieve your academic potential at your chosen university, 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. 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.
The central aim of this module is to introduce students to the broad concepts of organisational structure, leadership, culture, professional development, recruitment and selection in organisations with a strong focus on the underlying theoretical underpinnings of the same. Students will examine different organisational contexts in order to recommend appropriate organisational management strategies to key stakeholders. Students will collect, analyse and interpret information or data to conduct environmental and organisational analysis to support recommendations for change.
This module introduces a variety of mathematical concepts embedded within the business contexts commonly used in postgraduate programmes. As well as developing your mathematical skills, this module will focus on improving your ability to critically evaluate mathematical findings from a variety of publications, including the business and press reports.
The economics module will provide students with a sound understanding of theories, models and concepts in economics and the relationship between microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students will be introduced to a variety of contemporary business scenarios. They will be supported in their exploration of the role and purpose of microeconomic and macroeconomic policy and its impact on the behaviour and performance of the business activity and economic systems.
Specifically designed for students coming from diverse educational backgrounds, this module aims to build the reading and research skills you’ll need to successfully study a Masters degree. Additionally, this module will allow you to develop the necessary presentation, communication, and group work skills to confidently progress to the degree of your choice.
The central aim of this module is to introduce students to the broad concepts of organisational structure, leadership, culture, professional development, recruitment, and selection in organisations – with a strong focus on the underlying theoretical underpinnings of the same. Students will develop a strong engagement with contemporary case studies, enabling application of strategic management theories to practice and apply a range of tools and techniques to support strategic decision making of organisations to respond to the rapidly changing macro and microenvironments.
This module prepares students for Masters level study with a significant knowledge and skills focus, such as the broad range of concepts, tools, instruments and reports adopted by key players in financial management. Introduce students to the basic theories and practices of financial management. Develop students with a thorough grounding in a wide spectrum of finance knowledge and skills applicable to real-life problem solving associated with the finance profession.
View a sample timetable to see how your week might be structured.
Useful links
University progression
Its all about choice. Our programmes offer a wide range of university progression options. With our University Ready Programme we’ll help you choose the right university for you.
Study options
Our programmes are available to study digitally from anywhere in the world using our innovative insendi platform. Discover the benefits of online study with us.
How to apply
Find out how to apply and learn more about how we support you during your application.
*Progression to Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, Royal Holloway University of London and University of Strathclyde is subject to successfully completing the programme and meeting the progression requirements. Only for degree programmes listed and conditions stated on the conditional progression letters.
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