Postgraduate

The Pre-Master’s course is Stage 1 of the postgraduate pathway, and is one semester in duration. It has been designed to prepare students who have not qualified for direct entry to ARU’s Master’s degrees, for postgraduate level studies.

Undertaking a Pre-Master’s course will provide you with the time to adjust to the rigorous research and independent study requirements of postgraduate studies and prepare you to get the most out of your postgraduate study at ARU.

All Pre-Master’s courses are taught at the Cambridge or Peterborough campuses. Depending on your chosen degree, you may need to change to the Chelmsford campus for the remainder of your studies.

Assessment for most modules is continuous, and includes tests, assignments and a dissertation. Most modules have a final two-hour examination.

The Master’s (Stage 2) offers students the chance to build on what they have learned during the Pre-Master’s and extend their professional understanding about their relevant area of study. A taught Master’s degree usually consists of a series of specialist modules in structured class, seminar or tutorial formats. A research thesis component may be included, but is much shorter than what is required for a Master’s degree by research. However, most taught masters’ degrees will have a final major project or dissertation component. The Master’s (Stage 2) is delivered by ARU.

Modules will be assessed via exams, assignments, essays, or seminar performance (group or individual presentations). Assessment may also include projects that can be completed either as part of a group or individually. For most masters’ degrees, preparing and submitting a major project or dissertation will form a large part of the assessment and final grade.