Graduate Diploma
INTO Manchester offers the world renowned Graduate Diploma programme; all students who successfully pass this programme are guaranteed a place on a taught Master’s at an NCUK owner university.
What is the Graduate Diploma programme?
This programme is designed to develop the study methods and academic English language skills of international students who are preparing for Masters degree study in the UK. If you pass this course you will be guaranteed a place on a taught Masters degree at an NCUK university. The Graduate Diploma also aims to equip students with the skills needed to cope with the demands of studying at postgraduate level in order to increase their chances of successfully finishing a Master’s degree.
If you have successfully completed a three-year university diploma in a relevant subject, you can use this course as a conversion programme to qualify for a Master’s course in that subject.
Many Master’s degrees such as science, engineering, finance or accounting require students to have a degree or diploma in a related field. However, if you plan to study business or management, but have not previously studied these subjects, you can use the Graduate Diploma as a way of adapting your skills for entry onto these Master’s degrees.
Why choose the Graduate Diploma programme?
Studying a Master’s degree at a British university can be a stressful experience for students who are new to the UK. The different study methods, language, culture, friends and new accommodation can place a lot of pressure on students in their first few months.
This programme provides the skills and study methods that you will need to integrate fully into the academic environment and into your chosen Master’s course.
International students from different disciplines can also use the nine-month and the six-month Graduate Diploma programme as a conversion course, allowing entrance into UK postgraduate study in the areas of business and management, in addition to those relating to their first degree or diploma study.
What makes the Graduate Diploma programme stand out?
This programme has a strong focus on EAP, independent learning skills and study skills in the relevant academic areas. It includes a major component (50 per cent) on research methods, management and study skills, plus the requirement to define, complete and write up a research project using those skills. Candidates applying for a degree with a strong research focus will find universities particularly welcome the major research component of the programme.
The Graduate Diploma programme:
- supported by a group of leading UK universities
- taught at world-class facilities
- guarantees progression to postgraduate courses
- flexible entry dates
- highly supportive study environment
- highest levels of personal care and support.
Because the Graduate Diploma is an NCUK programme, it offers guaranteed entry to one of NCUK’s 11 partner universities in the UK, as well as being widely recognised across the UK university sector.
Is the Graduate Diploma programme validated or recognised?
It is validated and quality-assured by NCUK and recognised by universities across the country for direct entry to taught Master’s programmes. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma leads to the award of the NCUK certificate, issued on behalf of NCUK universities. The course is therefore a first step towards obtaining a postgraduate qualification.
NCUK (The Northern Consortium of UK Universities)
The INTO Graduate Diploma programme at INTO Manchester has been developed by The Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK). NCUK’s world-renowned study programmes and rigorous academic quality standards ensure that the qualifications are widely welcomed across the UK and elsewhere in the world.
NCUK was formed in 1987 and is owned by 11 universities. As a result we can offer an important guarantee: all students who pass the INTO Graduate Diploma programme are guaranteed a place on an appropriate degree course at an NCUK university, and of course, can apply to many other universities on a case-by-case basis.
Key features
Flexible entry
Graduate Diploma Route A (preparatory, core and final term)
Graduate Diploma Route B (core and final term)
Students choose one of these routes depending upon their qualifications, English language level and work experience.
Programme structure
The Graduate Diploma is a modular course comprising a core element and a subject theme. Within the core element are modules in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) – which includes study skills, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT); and Research Methods – which includes project planning. Routes A and B include the completion of an individual research project. In addition, students take undergraduate level modules in management to complete the Graduate Diploma, which is recognised for guaranteed progression to Master’s degree programmes at NCUK universities.
Academic English language support
Academic English is at the core of the programme and takes up a large part of the study time. The four skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking are covered as well as grammar review, vocabulary development, and learner training.
There is a focus on the academic skills you will need to complete the Graduate Diploma successfully. This includes note-taking, essay planning and organisation, editing, avoiding plagiarism, referencing and bibliographies, summarising, paraphrasing, synthesising ideas, giving presentations and taking part in seminar discussions. You will also receive guidance on assignment writing and dissertation planning as Graduate Diploma students will research and write a 5,000-word, fully-referenced dissertation.
The English language component is assessed by the NCUK’s widely-accepted EAP test and students will need to achieve a score equivalent to IELTS 6.5 to progress to a Master’s degree.
Research Methods
These classes will help students to plan a research project, conduct research and write up a dissertation. Students will be encouraged to become familiar with different strategies for undertaking research projects within their chosen field and they will have the opportunity to discuss appropriate methods and analysis approaches.
Management
In the preparatory term, the Management Syllabus is delivered over six timetabled hours per week for Route A students; in the core and final terms the syllabus is delivered over three timetabled hours per week to Route A and B students.
ICT
Skills covered here include: internet use for business management, search engines, on-line journals and library resources, use of spreadsheets and databases, using powerpoint and statistical analysis software.
Assured university placement
All students who successfully pass the Graduate Diploma programme offered by INTO Manchester are guaranteed a place on a taught Master’s degree at an NCUK university.
Note: Students who progress on to an NCUK university receive a £500 bursary towards their university tuition fees.
The NCUK owner universities are:
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University of Bradford
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University of Huddersfield
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University of Leeds
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Leeds Metropolitan University
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University of Liverpool
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Liverpool John Moore’s University
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The University of Manchester
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Manchester Metropolitan University
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The University of Salford
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University of Sheffield
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Sheffield Hallam University
Many other UK universities welcome the Graduate Diploma qualification, including:
University of Bristol
University of Kent
Kingston University, London
Queen Mary, University of London.
Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma programme are also encouraged to apply to our growing network of INTO partner universities:
University of East Anglia
University of Exeter
Newcastle University
The University of Manchester
Glasgow Caledonian University
Queen’s University Belfast
University of East Anglia, London
City University London
Counselling and support
As part of the programme, you will be offered independent advice and guidance on university selection and the process of applying for a postgraduate programme at other institutions in the UK. Work in Postgraduate Study Skills also provides specific guidance relating to proposed postgraduate degree programmes. You will be introduced to the structure of postgraduate qualifications in the UK and what will be expected of you, receive guidance on reference procedures within your academic school, as well as training in research methods and skills.
Assessment
Assessment is both formal and informal, designed to help you build on your successes and meet requirements for entry to postgraduate study. Marks do not count towards the Master’s qualification, but they help the university assess your abilities in your chosen field of study.
Using NCUK’s EAP criteria, assessment of English language and communication skills will be based on written assignments, oral presentations, interview and written examinations.
Assessment of subject content will be based on written assignments, group project work, oral presentations and written examinations.
Assessment of the research dissertation will be based on the final written version of the project.
Progress is monitored by continuous assessment of course work and class tests. The final grade is based on a mixture of course work and examinations. Successful students will achieve a pass, a credit or a distinction for their dissertation or project proposal.
A typical week in the Graduate Diploma programme
A typical week in terms 1 and 2 will have up to 22 timetabled hours. These contact hours will include up to 12 hours of English for Academic Purposes and general language improvement, including tutorial support, and between six and ten hours of academic focus. Term 3 is exclusively devoted to the dissertation in which students will be timetabled for language support and regular meetings with their supervisor.