The Pre-Master's Program Accelerated at Kaplan International College Adelaide (KICA) is a postgraduate pathway for international students who have completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent but do not meet the direct-entry requirements for their intended master's degree at Adelaide University. It is designed as a one-semester pathway before progression to the student's packaged master's degree. KICA states that successful completion guarantees entry into the packaged postgraduate degree at Adelaide University, subject to the applicable progression conditions.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Provides a fast postgraduate pathway to Adelaide University.
• Designed for students who have completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent but missed direct entry to Adelaide University.
• Takes only one semester, allowing students to progress to the master's degree more quickly than the Extended or standard Pre-Master's pathways.
• Successful completion provides guaranteed entry into the student's packaged postgraduate degree at Adelaide University, subject to applicable conditions.
• Develops advanced academic English, critical-thinking, academic-writing and independent-research skills.
• Students complete four master's-level courses specific to their chosen master's degree during the pathway.
• Provides preparation for studying successfully in an English-speaking postgraduate academic environment.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The Accelerated programme has a compact structure.

Compulsory course:

Academic English B – PM601EAP

This course builds on Academic English A and develops the advanced academic English skills required for postgraduate study.

The published content includes:

• advanced academic language;
• critical thinking;
• advanced academic writing;
• complex academic discussions;
• production of well-structured and coherent academic texts;
• independent research;
• collaborative academic tasks;
• individual academic tasks;
• communication in an English-speaking academic environment. 

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Accelerated Pre-Master's is designed as a pathway to a range of master's degrees at Adelaide University rather than being limited to one subject area. The current KICA page displays pathway areas including:

• Business and Economics
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Health and Biomedical Sciences.

Programme Highlights

• One-semester postgraduate pathway.
• Duration of 5 months.
• March and October intakes.
• International tuition fee: AUD 24,000.
• Domestic tuition fee: AUD 16,500.
• Current CRICOS code: 117718A.
• Guaranteed entry into the packaged postgraduate degree at Adelaide University after successful completion, subject to applicable conditions.
• One compulsory advanced academic English course.
• Four master's-level courses specific to the chosen master's degree.
• Designed for students who have already completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Delivered through Kaplan International College Adelaide before progression to Adelaide University.

Career Outcomes

The Accelerated Pre-Master's Program itself is a pathway qualification rather than the final professional qualification.

Its immediate academic outcome is progression into the student's packaged master's degree at Adelaide University after successful completion.

Long-term career outcomes depend on the master's degree subsequently completed. For example, students progressing into business, computer science/IT, health or biomedical master's programmes may pursue careers relevant to those postgraduate disciplines.

KICA does not publish one universal list of careers for the Accelerated Pre-Master's because students progress into different master's degrees.

Before accepting an offer, students should confirm:

• exact Adelaide University master's degree;
• master's specialisation;
• exact four master's-level courses;
• progression requirements;
• credit granted toward the master's;
• master's English requirement;
• total packaged tuition fees;
• exact intake and commencement date;
• CoE details; and
• any additional admission requirements attached to the destination master's.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students normally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs currently states that Student visa applicants must, among other requirements:

• apply online;
• be enrolled in an eligible course and hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided;
• hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies;
• satisfy the Genuine Student requirement;
• meet applicable health and character requirements; and
• provide English-language evidence where required or qualify for an exemption.