The Pre-Master's Program Extended at Kaplan International College Adelaide (KICA) is a postgraduate pathway programme for students who have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent but do not meet the direct-entry requirements for their chosen master's degree at Adelaide University. Successful completion provides guaranteed entry into the student's packaged postgraduate degree, subject to the applicable conditions. The programme is classified as a pathway/non-AQF award rather than the master's degree itself.

Why Study / Key Benefits

• Provides a structured pathway from a completed bachelor's degree to a packaged master's degree at Adelaide University.
• Successful completion provides guaranteed entry into the student's packaged postgraduate degree at Adelaide University, subject to the applicable conditions.
• Develops academic knowledge and skills needed for postgraduate study.
• Strengthens academic English, communication, mathematics, statistics and critical-thinking skills.
• Provides preparation for studying in an Australian postgraduate academic environment.
• Suitable for students who have completed a bachelor's degree or equivalent but missed direct entry to Adelaide University.
• The third semester includes four master's-level courses specific to the student's chosen master's degree.
• KICA's pathway model allows students to study the preparation programme at KICA before progressing to the master's degree at Adelaide University.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The current Pre-Master's Program Extended contains compulsory preparation subjects followed by additional compulsory and master's-level study.

Compulsory subjects include:

Academic English Fundamentals – PM401EAP

This develops academic English skills for postgraduate study, including:

• academic reading and listening;
• note-taking;
• participation in academic discussions;
• summary writing;
• academic grammar and vocabulary;
• accurate paraphrasing;
• spoken communication;
• collaborative group work;
• reflection and self-directed learning.

Academic Communication – PM402ACS

Topics include:

• critical analysis of texts;
• evaluating ideas;
• distinguishing evidence from opinion;
• academic discussion;
• communicating personal viewpoints;
• collaborative communication;
• group projects;
• communicating new knowledge in different formats.

Foundation Mathematics – PM403MAT

Topics include:

• linear models;
• exponential models;
• consumer arithmetic;
• financial arithmetic;
• regression analysis;
• application of mathematics to real-world problems;
• mathematical reasoning;
• analysis of mathematical and scientific information.

Foundation Statistics – PM404MAT

Topics include:

• data collection;
• sampling methods;
• data representation;
• measures of central tendency;
• measures of dispersion;
• probability distributions;
• correlation;
• regression;
• practical interpretation of data.

Society and Culture – PM405SOC

Topics include:

• changes in modern society;
• business and technological development;
• government and communication;
• increasing global interconnectedness;
• environmental awareness;
• life expectancy;
• literacy;
• gender equality;
• cultural harmony;
• ethics;
• sustainability;
• employability-related awareness.

Disciplines / Specialisations

The Pre-Master's Program Extended is not restricted to one academic discipline. KICA describes it as a pathway to a range of master's degrees at Adelaide University.

The current programme page groups potential pathways under areas including:

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

Programme Highlights

• Postgraduate pathway to Adelaide University.
• Designed for students with a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Successful completion guarantees entry into the student's packaged postgraduate degree, subject to applicable conditions.
• 3 trimesters / 12 months.
• March and July intakes.
• International tuition fee of AUD 51,495.
• Domestic tuition fee of AUD 35,850.
• CRICOS code 116801C.
• Academic English and communication preparation.
• Foundation Mathematics and Statistics.
• Society and Culture.
• Four master's-level courses in the third semester specific to the chosen master's degree.
• Study takes place at KICA before progression to Adelaide University.

Career Outcomes

The Pre-Master's Program Extended itself is a pathway programme and is not the final professional qualification.

Its immediate 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, a student progressing into a business, IT, computer science, health or biomedical master's may pursue careers related to that particular postgraduate qualification.

KICA does not publish a single set of career outcomes applicable to all students because the programme leads to different master's degrees.

Before accepting an offer, an applicant should confirm:

• exact Adelaide University master's degree;
• master's specialisation;
• academic entry requirement;
• English-language requirement;
• master's-level subjects taken in trimester 3;
• any progression conditions;
• credit, if any, toward the master's degree;
• total packaged tuition cost;
• exact commencement date;
• CoE details; and
• any conditions stated in the individual offer.

International Student Visa Requirements

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

KICA's application process states that after the offer is accepted and the required payment is made, KICA issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). The CoE contains information required for the visa application, including programme dates, duration and fees paid. Students then lodge their Student visa application through the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

For the Student visa, Home Affairs currently requires applicants to meet the applicable requirements, which can include:

• enrolment in an eligible registered course;
• a valid CoE;
• Genuine Student requirement;
• appropriate OSHC;
• financial capacity where required;
• health requirements;
• character requirements; and
• English-language evidence where required or an applicable exemption.