Avalon Pre-Masters Foundation

Avalon Pre-Masters Foundation Degree Programme

The course contains academic, theoretical and practical elements of study.
What will it qualify me to study at university?

By completing Avalon’s Pre-Masters Foundation Degree Programme you are eligible to apply to any university, on any course except Medicine. This course teaches transferable skills, qualities that are essential for any course. If you are successful in the Pre-Masters Exam, you will automatically be accepted at 3 Universities:

Coventry University

University of Bedfordshire

University of Derby

What will I study on the Pre-Masters Foundation Year?

Studying for a Masters degree is challenging. Avalon promises to:

• Equip you with a level of language required for this level of study
• Teach you the study and life skills essential to studying for a Masters degree
• Provide you with academic training to complete your Masters degree

The pre-masters foundation course has 4 elements:

1. I.E.L.T.S

In this module, students follow the I.E.L.T.S exam syllabus. They bring their English skills up to the correct level, and concentrate on the language needed in university study.

Including:

• Reading and analysing texts & graphs
• Writing essays
• Speaking & Listening

All universities have a minimum IELTS score as an entry requirement. Avalon will advise students where to take the exam.

Avalon will give further I.E.L.T.S training beyond this module if need be. The school is committed to giving its students the best possible chance of success. Students must have a level of English high enough to complete a Masters degree. This is very important.

2. Transferable Academic Study Skills

This part of the course focuses on the skills you need to study in university. They include:

• Listening to lectures & Taking Notes
• Research & Referencing
• Participating in Seminars & Tutorials
• Essays & Scientific Writing
• Presentations
• Exam Technique
• Team-Working
• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

We use books prepared by the University of Reading.

Intended learning outcomes from Academic Study Skills Assessable outcomes

This module should enable students to:

• produce well-organised and relevant written work, which makes use of appropriate use of language and academic style
• demonstrate effective communication skills - written and oral
• problem solve academic questions
• interpret and analyse a range of information
• use IT as required (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, email and the internet)
• work with others in a team. You will learn skills in negotiating, listening to others in the group, sharing responsibilities/tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Analyse texts, publications and commentaries used to study for a Masters.

Weekly Schedule for Study Skill

Every week the students will:

• Listen to a mini-lecture from their tutor – on a variety of topics.
• Take notes
• Reconstruct the main points in teams
• Clarify their understanding by questioning the tutor
• Receive research tasks from the tutor
• Clarify the task with peers and tutor
• Research the topic either individually in pairs, using library and internet
• Write a short essay on the topic
• Give a presentation to the class and get feedback from peers and tutor
• Participate in a discussion seminar.

Our Philosophy
The fundamental principles behind Avalon’s Pre-Masters foundation course are preparation for academic excellence in studying for a UK Masters and student support. You will be guided through this course with care and consideration. You will be equipped with the tools to succeed, academically and socially

Avalon says that:

…your tutor will show you how to research and prepare work…
…Art & Design is our speciality…
…you will be given a computer to write and research in class…
…you will have a tutorial every 6 weeks…

Avalon wants to support you

3. Professional Subject

In this part of the course you study a professional business subject:

• Introduction to Quantitative Methods
• Introduction to Business Communication
• Introduction to IT Skills

(These courses are subject to availability)

International students need to know what studying at university in the UK feels like. This module allows you to gain an insight into how your degree programme will be taught – lectures, seminars, assignments.

4. English for Academic Purposes – specific course content

This module prepares students with the language and vocabulary specific to their Masters Degree. On arrival, students will be given a private seminar with a senior teacher to establish the structure of this module. This module will come later in the course.

How will I be taught?

This course is taught over 20 hours per week. Class sizes never exceed 20 students and are normally 10-15. You will have a lot of personal support from your teachers. Lessons will be given as lectures or seminars.

How will I be assessed?

This programme will be assessed by a combination of exams, assessments and essays. At the end of the academic year, you will be assessed at a standard equivalent to Advanced level. Assessments will be carried out through a combination of exams, assessments and essays.

When can I join the course?

You can begin the course at ANY TIME. You will join an IELTS class immediately and then transfer to Study Skills when your teachers see that you are ready. Be advised that most universities only enrol students on courses in September and January. This may have an influence as to when you join Avalon’s foundation course