Skip to main content

Graduate Diploma Pre-Masters in Business Studies (Accelerated)

Key information

The Pre-Master Graduate Diploma in Business Studies is a four-month programme designed to prepare you for postgraduate taught study, in a learning environment that's been specifically created for you to thrive in.

Level
Postgraduate Taught
Delivery type
Full Time
Degree qualification
Graduate Diploma
Mode of delivery
On-Campus
Location
Edinburgh
Start date
September, January

The Graduate Diploma provides you with a blend of English language and academic skills set within a discipline context focused on your chosen specialism. Its primary aim is to ensure you are prepared for the demand of study at Masters level, by equipping you with the appropriate English competencies, personal effectiveness and study skills needed for postgraduate studies. You will also be provided with the necessary discipline-specific prior knowledge for your chosen Masters programme.

Upon completion, you will have the opportunity to advance your studies in a selection of business-related Masters programmes. Our Masters degrees are tailored to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to enter the workplace and perform at a high level right away. Most of our postgraduate degrees will give you the chance to work on live projects with global brands that will ensure your CV stands out once you've graduated.

Masters progression

Completion of this will get you onto the following postgraduate programmes:

The Heriot-Watt Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma is for you if:

  • You're an international student who does not have the appropriate English requirements
  • You do not meet the published entry requirements for your postgraduate degree
  • You're returning to education after some time away and need support
  • You're switching to a different subject from what you've previously studied

Benefits of our Pre-Masters Graduate Diploma

  • Prepares you for entry into your chosen postgraduate degree programme
  • A personalised study experience, tailored to meet your needs and optimise your experience
  • Become part of the global Heriot-Watt community
  • Our award-winning careers team will provide you with lifetime support throughout your career

Go Global

With Go Global, Heriot-Watt's global student programme, you can carry your studies to new places and experience new cultures, expanding your horizons on the way. You'll discover what it means to be a true global citizen and emerge prepared for wherever your career journey will take you.

Inter-Campus Transfer: Dubai

Discover new friends and places with an inter-campus transfer to Dubai.

Inter-Campus Transfer: Malaysia

Discover new friends and places with an inter-campus transfer to Malaysia.

Course content

September intake - Edinburgh

The programme consists of four 15-credit courses with two mandatory courses in English and Academic Skills for Postgraduate Study, and two other optional courses. Students should consider which courses are required to progress onto their intended postgraduate degree programme.

Mandatory September

  • English for Postgraduate Study 2

Optional September

  • Global Business Analysis 1: International Markets and Strategy
  • Strategic Management
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Research Preparation 2

January intake - Edinburgh

The programme consists of four 15-credit courses with two mandatory courses in English and Academic Skills for Postgraduate Study, and two other optional courses. Students should consider which courses are required to progress onto their intended postgraduate degree programme.

Mandatory January

  • English for Postgraduate Study 2

Optional January

  • Global Business Analysis 1: International Markets and Strategy
  • Research Preparation 2
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Strategic Management

Fees and funding

/ intake tuition fees
StatusFull Time
UK£10,984
International£10,984
  • Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
  • International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).

Additional information

Additional scholarship information - the 20% alumni offer is not available on this pre-masters programme.

Entry requirements

We have standard entry requirements for all of our courses that you will have to meet.

Academic entry requirements

  • Bangladesh - Undergraduate degree (4 Year) with a final mark of 55%
  • China - Bachelors degree 60%, 4 year undergraduate certificate 70%; 3 year full-time Higher Education Diploma average 80%
  • Ghana - Recognised bachelor degree with at least 2.2 (Hons)
  • Hong Kong - Recognised 4 year first degree
  • India - 4 year degree at 50% or above
  • Indonesia - Recognised first degree
  • Iran - Recognised first degree
  • Jordan - Recognised Bachelors degree with a GPA of 2.5/4 or 3.0/5.0
  • Kazakhstan - Recognised first degree
  • Kuwait - Recognised first degree
  • Libya - Recognised first degree
  • Malaysia - Recognised first degree
  • Oman - Recognised first degree with a GPA of 2.5/5
  • Nigeria - Recognised first degree
  • Pakistan - Recognised four-year Bachelors degree
  • Qatar - Recognised first degree, GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale
  • Saudi Arabia - Recognised first degree, GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale
  • Thailand - Recognised first degree with a GPA of 2.3/5
  • United Arab Emirates - Recognised first degree, GPA 2.5/4.0 scale or 3.0/5.0 scale
  • Ukraine - Recognised first degree

Why Heriot-Watt

We're the top university in Scotland for graduate outcomes which means that more of our graduates are employed or in postgraduate education than any other institution in the country and we ranked 5th in the UK.

We're also rated number one in the UK for CEO or MD roles, meaning more of our graduates go on to become CEOs or MDs than any other university in the whole of the UK. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education. Our Edinburgh Campus is home to Oriam, Scotland's National Sports Performance Centre combined with plenty of wellbeing resources, prioritising fitness and mental health for all students. Our Global Research Institutes look at solving real world issues such as climate change and saving our oceans as well as working on the next medical technological breakthrough and the future of AI and robots.

Student life

Explore facilities, and chat to staff and students

Contact our enquiries team

Contact us