Business, Finance and Sport

This pathway offers you progression to a wide range of management and finance-related Master’s degrees at the University of Stirling.

This programme ensures that you meet the English language and academic entry requirements for entry to a Master's degree at the University of Stirling and other Scottish universities.

Why apply for the Graduate Diploma programme at INTO Stirling?

• a quality-assured university programme
• direct entry to year one of a Master's degree
• full university status
• a campus-based programme with access to university facilities
• a conditional offer of a place on a Master's degree at the University of Stirling
• guaranteed university placement for all successful students
• high contact hours and small class sizes
• the highest levels of pastoral care and support

98% of students who successfully passed their Graduate Diploma progressed to a Master’s degree at a UK university in 2011

Who should apply for the Graduate Diploma programme?

The Graduate Diploma is suitable for international students who need an introduction to the study of a subject in preparation to study it at postgraduate level, or to upgrade qualifications if you have studied a 3-year Diploma in a relevant subject. The Graduate Diploma is also suitable for those that want to increase or update their subject knowledge or those that need to improve their English language study skills within the context of their chosen subject.

All students complete a common core set of modules. During this programme you will study:

Core modules:

• English for Graduate Study (20 credits)

The four key skill areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking are covered. The module also develops overall academic skills including the ability to write effectively for academic purposes using a variety of tasks; and the ability to use and synthesise source materials efficiently.

• Academic Skills and ICT for Postgraduate Study (20 credits)

In this module students are supported in developing the skills necessary for studying at graduate level, and prepared for the demands of future pathway modules prior to postgraduate study.

• Empirical Enquiry and Critical Thought (20 credits)

This module helps students understand the relationship of theoretical models to empirical studies, the ways in which primary supporting data is collected and analysed, and the philosophical grounds of rationalism and empiricism.

• Extended Project and Research Skills (20 credits)

The project module will draw upon the research methods required at postgraduate level and will focus on the proposed subject area for study at postgraduate level, allowing for more in-depth knowledge using a problem-solving approach.

• Quantitative Methods in Business and Social Sciences (20 credits)

The module builds on core knowledge in Mathematics and pays particular attention to the solving of economic problems and relating these to applications in the real world. It covers mathematical techniques required to solve applied economic problems beginning with a revision of basic algebraic methods.

• Management and Organisation (20 credits)

This module provides an introduction to different organisational structures and designs, organisational cultures and the decision making process within an organisation. The module offers an overview of the main subdivisions of general management theory and practice, and helps students understand the development of theory in organisational behaviour and its relation to management in organisations.

Academic requirements: Pass in an undergraduate degree in any academic subject OR Diploma (3–5 years) with high grades in any academic subject. English requirements: IELTS 5.5 (with a minimum of 5.5 in any subskills) or equivalent.The Centre accepts other Secure English Language Tests (SELT) including Pearson PTE English Language Requirements IELTS band: 5.5 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.