Rapid technological change has created an increasing range of applications for Operations Research. This programme meets industry needs by enabling students from a range of undergraduate backgrounds to gain the fundamental skills needed to become versatile practitioners.
Core topics such as optimisation under uncertainty, searching techniques, financial statistics and computational algorithms are covered, showing the direct influence of the field. The PGDipOR additionally provides the foundations to pursue further study in the research-based Master of Operations Research.
This is a 120 point taught programme that requires the following:
The PGDipOR is largely seen as a pathway for future study. While it can boost your quantitative skills to work in this field, it ultimately supplements your undergraduate degree with the essential foundations needed to pursue a Masters degree in Operations Research.
In an age of rapid technological development, Operations Research is an essential field. Offered with the Faculty of Science, this interdisciplinary programme is open to students with undergraduate backgrounds in arts, commerce, engineering or science.
Our graduates are in return, versatile. This research qualification develops your ability to solve problems, think critically, and adopt the fundamentals of the field: minimise risk, make organisations more effective, and ultimately, respond to ongoing demand in both public and private sectors.
The MOR is a research masters programme. You will have to complete a 120 point thesis, as carried out under the guidance of a supervisor, within the allocated timeframe.
Thesis submission dates for full-time students:
It is recommended that you consult a member of our academic staff about your proposed thesis topic beforehand.
Operations Research is an extensive, multidisciplinary field, allowing you to work in a variety of industries, particularly where big data is prominent – future career possibilities may even be tailored to your personal interests. Your advanced skills in self-directed research will additionally provide confidence to adapt to any new applications that may arise.
Jobs related to this programme
Further study options
The MSc Operations Research & Analytics provides you with the skills needed to apply mathematical methods to real-world analytics problems faced by companies, governments, and other institutions.
With study in practice and theory, you will gain deep insight into analytics problems. On the practical side, you will learn how to model a range of real-world problems using optimisation, simulation, and statistics, with specialist software taught with accompanying computer lab sessions. On the theoretical side, you will learn to recognise canonical underlying mathematical problems, and how to solve them with state-of-the-art methods.
You will also have the opportunity to undertake a Project in Operations Research & Analytics, working in a consultancy role in a host organisation, where you will turn a real problem faced by the organisation into a mathematical model whose solution provides tangible benefit. Alternatively, you may choose to write a dissertation, supervised by a faculty member.
The programme is designed for students with strong quantitative backgrounds wishing to deepen and broaden their mathematical knowledge while gaining applicable skills in high demand in the marketplace.
This programme is ideal preparation for a range of careers in quantitative positions in consultancy, management, finance, government and business, anywhere in the world.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Do you want your work to involve revenue management, transport planning and scheduling in railways, shipping lines and airlines or supply chain design? Or would you rather excel in science? Do you have sound academic training in econometrics, mathematics, physics, industrial, mechanical or systems engineering? Then you should seriously consider the Operations Research and Quantitative Logistics programme.
Operations Research is a broadly applicable discipline in which advanced quantitative methods are used to help make better decisions. Quantitative Logistics studies the application of quantitative techniques to design, plan and control logistics systems. This programme trains you in both fields, while addressing real-world problems.
This specialisation focuses on areas in transport and logistics requiring strong quantitative skills. It differs from other standard logistics or supply chain management programmes in the sense that you also learn all about the methodology underlying advanced decision support systems. Giving you the edge.
With this specialisation, you can easily secure employment in sectors that are in increasing need of quantitative skills, like logistics / transport, healthcare and utilities. Records show that the analytical skills acquired in this programme will give you distinctive hiring and starting salary advantages over many other graduate programmes. Today’s need for data-driven management is fulfilled by our graduates. Examples of companies include:
Do you share our students’ sound academic training in a quantitative domain? Does the transport/logistics sector appeal to you, too? Are you ambitious and analytical just like they are? They will gladly share their thoughts on the programme with you.
Download the brochure here.
Operational Research (called "Operations Research" in some parts of the world) has been briefly described as the "scientific analysis of decisions". It's concerned with assisting and advising decision-makers in a wide variety of settings.
The MSc in Operational Research aims to realise the potential of graduates, so that you immediately can play an effective role in providing model-based support to managers helping them to make better decisions at an operational/technical level.
You’ll develop a rigorous academic understanding of advanced analytical methods that are used to provide structured and analytical approaches to decision-making. You’ll also develop practical skills in using operational research models to support decision-makers.
All classes are taught using material presented via the internet. Classes are supported by faculty members who also teach on the full-time course. They will guide and support discussion via discussion forums.
The programme contains three stages. In progressing towards completion of the MSc students will undertake the following:
Postgraduate Certificate in Operational Research
This includes five compulsory classes and one elective class all of which can be completed fully online.
Compulsory classes:
Elective classes:
One optional class chosen from:
Postgraduate Diploma in Operational Research
After completion of the Postgraduate certificate two further elective classes and one compulsory class are required to be undertaken.
Compulsory class:
Elective classes:
Two elective classes chosen from same list as for the Postgraduate Certificate.
If you wish to proceed to the Postgraduate Diploma you need to be in appropriate employment. The final decision as to what is "appropriate employment" remains with the University of Strathclyde. However, if your employment covers all of the following, you're likely to be in the correct type of post:
Your employment should require some analysis of business situations, in the private or public sector. Samples of your work will form the basis of reflection and learning projects, guided by a personal mentor.
MSc in Operational Research
Students who complete the Diploma and gain sufficient marks to proceed to the MSc will be expected to undertake a project. The project will be integrated with your employment. You'll have individual personal mentoring to guide you in reflection and learning.
To undertake this course you need to have:
NB: Some of the course software is Windows-only and will not run under Linux or on Macintosh computers so use of a PC or PC-emulation software is essential if these operating systems are used.
You can start the Certificate programme in October or April. The Diploma course usually runs between September and May, though there is some flexibility with this. It's followed by the project which has a flexible timetable.
Normally, a student should be able to complete the MSc programme in around two and a half years. Please contact us if you need advice about the best start date for you.
All classes are taught using material presented via the internet. Classes are supported by faculty members who also teach on the full-time course. They'll guide and support discussion via forums.
Each module includes two pieces of assessment. Around half of these will be assignments and the other half will be by examination at local centres.
In the department, we have very good links with business and have hosted recruitment events for many companies including Barclay’s Wealth, British Airways, Deloitte, Morgan Stanley, Rolls Royce, Sopra and SIMUL8, to name a few.
The skills you learn in the MSc make you very marketable to potential employers. Other employers where our graduates have found work include Clydesdale Bank, HSBC, PWC, RBS, Roland Berger and the Scottish Government.
This programme is an ideal opportunity to provide yourself with the analytic skill set necessary for success in finance and business. From day one you will find yourself working with multinational organisations on case studies to develop your abilities in applied analytics and finance. Opportunities for summer projects in a wide range of industries are an integral part of the programme.
Full time study: This one year masters programme is suitable for numerate graduates. The MSc programme lasts for twelve months.
Part-time study: This scheme is suitable for numerate students who are qualified to enter the one year full time scheme but wish to study on a part time basis. Project work takes the special circumstances of a particular student into account.
The aim of the programme is to provide you with all the data analytics and optimisation skills required for a successful career in finance and other business organisations, therefore a wide spectrum of techniques and approaches are covered. For this reason staff from both the Mathematical Sciences and the Southampton Management School are involved with teaching on the MSc programme.
Programme objectives are:
-to give you a thorough knowledge of the mathematical, financial, computational and communication skills needed for the practical application of Operational Research and finance
-to give you a broad appreciation of related disciplines important in Operational Research
-to illustrate the use of Operational Research and finance tools in a wide range of applications. This part of the programme is not just descriptive since much of the application of Operational Research is best learned by active involvement. The 3-month summer project and computer workshops are designed with this in mind. In addition, seminars provide a forum for the discussion of practical Operational Research issues
-to introduce you to research methods and current issues in Operational Research and finance
The MSc in Operational Research and Finance at the University of Southampton will equip you with skills in revenue management, credit scoring, and financial risk management that are highly sought by employers, and this degree will give you a deep understanding of applied analytics and financial modelling that is applicable across the financial institutions.
The summer dissertation gives you an opportunity to develop your research skills, often in a commercial setting, and our industrial liaison team will work with you to find a project that suits your skills and ambitions.
What is Operational Research and Finance?
Operational Research is the application of scientific methods to the study of complex organisational problems. In this degree course, there is an emphasis on complementary financial studies. Even within the same organisation Operational Research and Finance tends to be highly varied because of its project-driven nature. This breadth of experience offers an exciting and rewarding career in many financial organisations, enabling many Operational Research workers to progress to a career in general management. Moreover the nature of the work brings an Operations Research and Finance graduate into early contact with senior management, and career advancement is typically rapid.
Why do an MSc?
An MSc is generally accepted as being highly desirable for starting and developing a career in OR and financial modelling. The MSc is also a good preparation for research work.
A highlight of the programme is the 3-month summer project. The student is usually placed with a nearby company and works on a real problem of practical importance to that company.
Environment
The Operational Research Group in Mathematics is a strong committed team of 11 lecturing staff and a number of research staff. The Group teaches a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as undertaking consultancy work for outside organisations. Many of the staff are internationally known in their fields of research.
CORMSIS Business Advisory Board
This Committee is a good indicator of the high regard in which the Southampton MSc programmes involving Operational Research are held by outside organisations. Its purpose is to ensure that the MSc programmes produce graduates with the requisite skills for the needs of industry. It also provides a focal point for liaison between the Operational Research Group and industry. You have the chance to meet the Committee several times during the year. Major companies including Shell, British Airways, BAA, BT, The AA, Dstl and HM Revenue & Customs are represented on the Committee.
View the programme specification document for this course
The Master of Research in Management is awarded in recognition of the successful completion of an approved programme of training and research. Students will pursue a programme of training and research which combines advanced study, research methodology and a substantial research project, or series of research projects.
It is a one year Master's degree which is designed to give students the opportunity to both develop their knowledge of specialist areas of business and management and develop the research skills essential for doctoral research. Many students who complete an MRes go on to apply to study a PhD.
The programme aims to:
The MRes programme is designed to meet the research training needs of students who intend to continue their postgraduate studies and complete a PhD but either do not have any postgraduate experience or have postgraduate degrees that are deemed to provide insufficient research training. We can envisage however that other types of students (students who wish to pursue a career as researchers in B&M consultancies, for example) might be interested in completing the MRes. Apart from providing an orientation to Doctoral research the MRes programme equips students with a range of generic and subject specific research skills and knowledge. It also develops students personal and career development skills and a number of transferable skills.
The MRes programme is organised into 13 subject-specific pathways, the choice of which will depend on the Subject Academic Group of the supervisor, the nature of the research topic, and your prior experience. Available pathways are:
Students are assessed on their selected course units throughout the year. The method of assessment varies depending on the course unit requirements.
Candidates for the MRes must complete the following:
Compulsory course units:
Research Methods Electives:
Candidates must take 3 modules from the Research Methods Electives below -
In consultation with the supervisor and subject to agreement with the module convenor and approval by MRes/RTP Director, instead of 3 5-credits modules, candidates can choose
Subject-Specific Electives:
Candidates choose two modules from MSc programmes offered in AMBS/Faculty.
Candidates are also required to undertake 10 days training in academic, research, transferable or IT skills. This training is usually provided by Faculty of Humanities and is not assessed.
The programme provides a robust yet flexible research training across 13 subject-specific pathways, the choice of which will depend on the Subject Academic Group of the supervisor, the nature of the research topic, and your prior experience. Available pathways are:
All course units - foundation, research methods and subject specific - are delivered by experienced academics and researchers with international reputation in their respective areas of expertise. Students are also expected to conduct research for and write up a Masters dissertation by the end of the programme.
The MRes programme can be awarded in its own right, but is designed to lead onto future PhD study.
This programme is an ideal opportunity to provide yourself with the analytic skill set necessary for success in business and industry. From day one you will find yourself working with multinational organisations on case studies to develop your abilities in applied analytics. Opportunities for summer projects in a wide range of industries are an integral part of the programme.
Full time study: This one year masters programme is suitable for numerate graduates. The MSc programme lasts for twelve months.
Part-time study: This scheme is suitable for numerate students who are qualified to enter the one year full time scheme but wish to study on a part time basis. Project work takes the special circumstances of a particular student into account.
The aim of the programme is to provide you with all the data analytics and optimisation skills required for a successful career, therefore a wide spectrum of techniques and approaches are covered. For this reason staff from several other Schools in the University are involved with teaching on the MSc programme.
Programme objectives are:
-to give you a thorough knowledge of the mathematical, computational and communication skills needed for the practical application of Operational Research
-to give you a broad appreciation of related disciplines important in Operational Research
-to illustrate the use of Operational Research tools in a wide range of applications. This part of the programme is not just descriptive since much of the application of Operational Research is best learned by active involvement. The 3-month summer project and computer workshops are designed with this in mind. In addition, seminars provide a forum for the discussion of practical Operational Research issues
-to introduce you to research methods and current issues in Operational Research
Operational researchers play a fundamental role in the modern world, providing analytics and guidance to management teams. This MSc will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide effective solutions to complex organizational challenges in a business environment. You will study modules such as revenue management and forecasting and you will learn to use optimization techniques to enhance productivity.
The summer dissertation gives you an opportunity to develop your research skills, often in a commercial setting, and our industrial liaison team will work with you to find a project that suits your skills and ambitions.
What is Operational Research?
Operational Research is the application of scientific methods to the study of complex organisational problems. Even within the same organisation Operational Research tends to be highly varied because of its project-driven nature. This breadth of experience offers an exciting and rewarding career in many organisations and in general management. Moreover the nature of the work brings an Operations Research graduate into early contact with senior management, and career advancement is typically rapid.
Why do an MSc?
An MSc is generally accepted as being highly desirable for starting and developing a career in OR. The MSc is also a good preparation for research work.
A highlight of the programme is the 3-month summer project. The student is usually placed with a nearby company and works on a real problem of practical importance to that company.
Environment
The Operational Research Group in Mathematics is a strong committed team of 11 lecturing staff and a number of research staff. The Group teaches a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as undertaking consultancy work for outside organisations. Many of the staff are internationally known in their fields of research.
CORMSIS Business Advisory Board
This Committee is a good indicator of the high regard in which the Southampton MSc programmes involving Operational Research are held by outside organisations. Its purpose is to ensure that the MSc programmes produce graduates with the requisite skills for the needs of industry. It also provides a focal point for liaison between the Operational Research Group and industry. You have the chance to meet the Committee several times during the year. Major companies including Shell, British Airways, BAA, BT, The AA, Dstl and HM Revenue & Customs are represented on the Committee.
View the programme specification document for this course
Railway businesses rely on advanced technical and operational systems to carry vast numbers of passengers in densely populated areas and large quantities of goods over long distances. The Master of Research (MRes) programme in Railway Systems Integration prepares postgraduates for careers in research and development (R&D) in railway businesses and companies supplying railways with advanced technical and operational systems. The programme can also serve as a stepping stone to doctoral studies by developing candidates’ analytical skills and research know-how.
The MRes offers a unique opportunity for students to undertake a research-based Masters degree together with technical study in a relevant railway systems or engineering subject. Students benefit from participating in both the fundamental and applied research carried out within the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education, and from the world-leading educational programmes offered by the Centre. The programme comprises 3 classroom taught technology oriented modules and a research skills module that consists of three main elements, namely, reviewing literature, analysing data and modelling the behaviour of technical systems. Two thirds of the period of study are devoted to independent research that is documented in a substantial thesis. Part-time students follow the same syllabus as full-time students but complete the taught modules and the thesis in a sequence that best suits their work commitments. Part-time study allows for work and research to take place alongside each other, contextualising research research activities directly into the employer's organisation.
This is an interdisciplinary programme that combines a major research project with technical studies that build on prior academic study or industrial experience in a relevant subject area. It gives students the opportunity to benefit from the fundamental and applied research being conducted in the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education. The programme allows students to research a technical, social or economic problem associated with the railway industry. Projects are usually undertaken in collaboration with industry, making them highly attractive for applied R&D projects. At the same time, students learn more about specific technical and management issues relevant to the railway industry. Key benefits include the broad range of research topics available, from highly-technical projects to those focusing on business/policy issues.
As a result, students will gain an understanding of the most recent developments in railway research; the industry’s needs for new and emerging technologies; and techniques in which to apply these developments.
Related Links
The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education is a cross-disciplinary centre, mainly involving staff from the Schools of Civil, Electrical and Materials Engineering, and also staff from a number of other Schools across the University. Its purpose is to carry out fundamental and applied research in railway science and technology and to provide high level educational opportunities in these fields.
The centre’s research activities include high speed railways, traffic management and operations simulation, power and energy, railway data integration, climate change resilience and extreme weather response, smart conditioning monitoring and railway aerodynamics. It also offers MSc programmes in Railway Systems Engineering and Integration, and in Railway Risk and Safety Management, and provides high level CPD programmes for the railway industry.
The MRes in Railway Systems Integration is an exciting programme that combines technical study with training in research methodology and a major research project. The aims of the programme are:
to develop students' understanding of the specific requirements of complex technologies and concepts that are applied in the context of the railway industry;
Graduates of this programme are in demand to implement new technologies and policies within the railway or related industries. They are also sought-after by academic and commercial institutions for further research and development.
University Careers Network
Preparation for your career should be one of the first things you think about as you start university. Whether you have a clear idea of where your future aspirations lie or want to consider the broad range of opportunities available once you have a Birmingham degree, our Careers Network can help you achieve your goal.
Our unique careers guidance service is tailored to your academic subject area, offering a specialised team (in each of the five academic colleges) who can give you expert advice. Our team source exclusive work experience opportunities to help you stand out amongst the competition, with mentoring, global internships and placements available to you. Once you have a career in your sights, one-to-one support with CVs and job applications will help give you the edge.
If you make the most of the wide range of services you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.
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