Masters Degrees (Operations Research)

Operations Research

The Research Master’s specialization in Operations Research prepares students for the PhD programs in fields such as operations management or optimization techniques. This Research Master’s specialization in Operations Research is an in-depth study program focused on cutting edge research in Operations Research. A graduated student from this program gains knowledge of and insight in the tools and methodologies of operations research, including optimization, stochastic modeling, simulation, combinatorics, and game theory. Teaching is led by academics that are at the forefront of their fields.

A Research Master student is a part of a select group of finest students from all over the world. It is aimed at ambitious students that want to distinguish themselves. Students follow classes in small groups. This allows intensive interaction with professors who are top-notch researchers, both during as well as outside of classes. This program offers many different courses and students are free to choose most of the offered courses.

Students enrolled in the Research Master program qualify for research positions anywhere in the world.

Several of our Research Master students embark on a 3-year Ph.D. program and later become professors themselves. With their research, discoveries, and insights – expressed through writing, speaking, and teaching – they help shape academic world. Others opt for business practice with international companies and consulting firms.

Career Perspective MSc specialization in Operations Research

If you follow the Research Master's program in Business - be it accounting, finance, information management, marketing, operations research, or organization and strategy - you are prepared to continue in a PhD program. More than 75% of the graduates continue at a PhD position at either Tilburg University or another university. 25% of the graduates start a professional career, mostly in the consultancy or financial sector.

The Research Master's program in Business in combination with the subsequent PhD studies enable our students to find jobs at universities around the world, at research institutes or in the banking and consultancy sectors.

In the PhD phase, most accepted PhD students become university employees earning a gross salary over more than Euro 85000 over three years and are granted pension rights.

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Course details

Specialize in optimizing company decisions by using data and mathematical models and algorithms
Do you like working with data and mathematics? Do you want to specialize in solving the most complex decision problems, from supply chain management to vehicle routing and from donor kidney allocation to train scheduling? Then Business Analytics and Operations Research is the right program for you.

Apply the theory in practice, and learn to communicate efficiently with decision makers
This program teaches generic Data Science and Optimization methods that allow you to solve decision problems in a wide variety of applications. Examples from logistics include vehicle routing, supply chain optimization, and inventory management. But there are many other applications, such as donor kidney allocation and optimizing tumor treatment plans in the medical field, or dike height optimization and train scheduling in the public sector.

Because Business Analytics and Operations Research are predominantly applied fields, you will also develop the skills to successfully apply the theory in practice, and to communicate efficiently with the decision makers.

The program offers you:

- a degree qualification held in high regard by international organizations that increasingly depend on quantitative methods to support their operations, logistics and supply chain management decision-making.

- a program that is comparable to top Business Analytics and Operations Research programs in the world, both in terms of the contents of the courses and the quality of the teachers and supervisors.

- excellent career perspectives: The Master's program in Business Analytics and Operations Research is one of the programs with the best career prospects. Business Analytics and Operations Research professionals are currently in very high demand, and the demand is predicted to increase even further.

- relevant, real-world learning where the emphasis is on solving actual business problems and turning data into managerial insights, whether it is during in-class exercises or while on an internship in a company.

- BAOR Mastermind, your ideal opportunity to explore the labor market and meet your future employer! We invite companies that give you insight in real business cases. You will also get the opportunity to discuss new trends in Business Analytics and Operations Research with academics and practitioners.

- lectures by teachers and supervisors that are leading experts in this field, with strong links with practice.

- small class-sizes giving you more quality time with approachable and supportive professors and closer interaction with your classmates

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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.

Programme structure

This is a 120 point taught programme that requires the following:

• At least 75 points – or five selections – from the list of courses in Engineering Science and Statistics.
• Up to 45 points in electives. These have to be postgraduate courses that are approved by the Programme Convenor.

Where could this programme take you?

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.

Further study options

• Master of Operations Research

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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.

Programme structure

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:

• Commencing in Semester One: 28 February of the following year
• Commencing in Semester Two: 14 July of the following year

It is recommended that you consult a member of our academic staff about your proposed thesis topic beforehand.

Subjects available in this programme

• Operations Research

Where could this programme take you?

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

• Business analyst
• Energy modelling analyst
• Project engineer
• Senior consultant
• Software developer

Further study options

• Doctor of Philosophy

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The programme in Econometrics, Operations Research and Actuarial Studies aims at the description and analysis of problems in economics, management and related areas using mathematical models.

In this degree, you will acquire research skills and knowledge of the most important models used. In addition, you will gain the ability to transform the outcome of these models in relevant proposals for application. You can choose from three profiles:

1) Econometrics is particularly concerned with the interpretation of data. Econometrics has applications in fields like Financial Economics, Consumer Behaviour and Macroeconomics.

2) Operations Research deals with the design, analysis and implementation of mathematical models for a wide range of logistic and financial decision-making problems. Fields of study are time schedules for railway systems, the management of supply chains and asset-liability.

3) Actuarial Studies focuses on managing and pricing uncertainty, mainly in the context of insurance. The skills and knowledge you develop are valuable when dealing with subjects like investment strategy, social security and pensions.

Why in Groningen?

The programme has three profiles to choose from and is attractive for research-oriented students. The emphasis is on the application of modeling to practical problems and how to extract useful information from available economic data. Besides, it is an internationally accredited programme, ensuring a high quality education that meets both the AACSB and EQUIS standards, which only one percent of universities reach worldwide.

Job perspectives

As a graduate, you can find work in finance, insurance, marketing or market research. You will be involved in market development, fund management, risk analysis or assessing the impact of advertising. The jobs offered to graduates by non-profit organizations involve the same type of work as those offered by commercial organizations. You can also find work with employer organizations, trade unions, consumer organizations and consultancy firms.

Because all our programmes are EQUIS and AACSB accredited, a standard which only one percent of universities reach worldwide, your degree will be highly valued on the labour market.

Linking education to research and career preparation

Our education is strongly rooted in business practice and society. Also right from the start of your degree programme attention is paid to academic research and preprofessional development. Since an analytical and critical mind and problem-solving capabilities are important qualities in any career our students aspire.

In collaboration with external partners we conduct research projects on e.g banking, local government, customer insights, leadership, energy, healthy ageing and lean operations.

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About the MSc programme

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. 

Graduate Destinations

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

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Advanced quantitative training squared

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.

Taking decision making further, in logistic epicentre Rotterdam

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.

Careers

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:

• Air France-KLM, Schiphol Airport, Europe Combined Container Terminal (ECT)
• Shell, Siemens, Netherlands Railways, KPN Telecom, TNT
• consultancy firms like CapGemini, Deloitte and Ortec Consultants
• NASA, Quintiq USA, TNT Post UK

"During my internship at an express carrier, I was sent to South Korea to do a complete network redesign"

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.

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Program characteristics

The CentER Research Master's program in Business consists of the doctoral course work which precedes the research years of the PhD. It enables students to accumulate theoretical and technical knowledge of research methodology courses and develops the skills required for cutting-edge research in their field. The Research Master's program in Business ensures that students get acquainted with analytical and empirical tools that are frequently used in business research. In addition, the students gain a deep knowledge of their chosen field of specialization (accounting, finance, information management, marketing, operations research, and organization and strategy).

The courses of the Research Master's program in Business are taught by internationally renowned researchers belonging to the faculty of CentER, and some excellent scholars invited from abroad.

This program offers six different specializations:
•Finance (corporate finance, asset pricing, banking)
•Accounting (managerial, financial accounting)
•Information Management
•Marketing (marketing research, consumer psychology)
•Operations research (operations management, optimization techniques)
•Organization and strategy (international business, innovation management, organization theory)

Career Prospects Research Master in Business

If you follow the Research Master's program in Business - be it accounting, finance, information management, marketing, operations research, or organization and strategy - you are prepared to continue in a PhD program. More than 75% of the graduates continue at a PhD position at either Tilburg University or another university. 25% of the graduates start a professional career, mostly in the consultancy or financial sector.

The Research Master's program in Business in combination with the subsequent PhD studies enable our students to find jobs at universities around the world, at research institutes or in the banking and consultancy sectors.

In the PhD phase, most accepted PhD students become university employees earning a gross salary over more than Euro 85000 over three years and are granted pension rights.

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The Transport Planning and the Environment MSc is designed for those who wish to work in the transport profession and have an understanding of transport, environmental intrusion, its measurement and mitigation.

The course draws on the latest research in the area of transport and the environment, some of which is being carried out by Newcastle's Transport Operations Research Group. It will provide you with a sound overview of the transport profession, with specific teaching about air pollution and the modelling of emissions.

Transport Operations Research Group

As one of the leading centres of transport technology in Europe, the Transport Operations Research Group (TORG) is central to key research areas including road user charging and smartcards, developing both the policy ideas and the underlying technologies. We have two central research themes:
-Technologies for transport monitoring and systems management
-Travel behaviour and transport planning

TORG is currently running a world-leading trial in electric vehicles and public charging infrastructure in the north east of England. This research is informing policy, international standards development and its impact on energy demand and environmental emissions. Recently TORG have also developed a low-cost wireless sensing technology called Motes, which is being deployed commercially by several local authorities to monitor traffic pollution and help develop strategies to manage traffic demand and reduce emissions. This world leading technology is being assessed for deployment in a number of high profile international cities.

Delivery

You will take 10 taught modules, which will mostly be transport related but you can choose modules from other subject areas with approval of the Degree Programme Director. You will undertake a research project written up as a dissertation.

You can also go on a study tour to Europe to examine the different approaches to transport management in other countries. You will see the operation of various public transport systems and study the principles behind advanced transport planning software.

Accreditation

The course is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) (comprising ICE, IStructE, CIHT and IHIE), as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for students with an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng Honours degree or Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc Honours degree.

It is also accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) and it meets the academic requirements for the Transport Planning Professional qualification.

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Why this course?

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.

You’ll study

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:

1. Foundations of Operational Research & Business Analysis
2. Quantitative Business Analysis
3. Managing Business Operations
4. Spreadsheet Modelling & Demand Forecasting
5. Operational Research Methods

Elective classes:

One optional class chosen from:

1. Business Simulation Methods
2. Risk Analysis & Management
3. Decision Analysis
4. Advanced Operations Research Modelling using specialist software tools

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:

1. Becoming an effective operational research modeller

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:

• solving problems owned by someone else
• ill-defined problems
• working in teams
• the opportunity to use a variety of Business Analysis techniques
• your work has an influence on the operation of your organisations

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.

Technical requirements

To undertake this course you need to have:

• Modern PC running Windows Vista or higher, web cam, headset with microphone
• Minimum 2Mb/sec broadband connection
• Microsoft Excel 2010 or higher

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.

Start dates

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.

Learning & teaching

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.

Assessment

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.

Careers

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.

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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

Introducing your course

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.

Overview

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

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Our Transport and Operations Research Group is a leading centre of transport technology in Europe. We conduct world leading research that has commercial impact. You will be able to develop your work into ground breaking research through working with our experts.

By pursuing research in the School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences you will join an extremely successful research group focussing on transport and civil engineering. Our mission is to foster, promote and conduct research of international quality. This means that we attract high quality graduates and researchers and train them to international standards.

Research into transport and civil engineering is conducted by our Transport Operations Research Group (TORG), one of the leading centres of transport technology in Europe. We are central to key research in areas such as road user charging and smartcards, developing both the policy ideas and the underlying technologies.

We are currently running a world-leading trial in electric vehicles and public charging infrastructure in the north east of England. This research is informing policy, international standards development and its impact on energy demand and environmental emissions. We have also developed a low-cost wireless sensing technology, Motes, which is being used to monitor traffic pollution, help develop strategies to manage traffic demand and reduce emissions. This world-leading technology is being used commercially by several local authorities and it is being assessed for deployment in a number of high profile international cities.

Our main research areas are:
-Land use and network models
-Passenger transport and policy
-Transport and the environment
-Infrastructure design and telematics

We supervise MPhil and PhD students in the following areas:
-Freight and traffic loading
-Public transport management and operations
-Traffic management and control
-Road traffic safety and accident analysis
-Transport emissions and the environment
-Transport telematics and image processing
-Intelligent transport systems (ITS)
-Travel behaviour
-Highway design and engineering
-Operating speed models
-Environmental impact and monitoring of transport activities

Delivery

During term time, TORG has weekly seminars where staff, current PhD students and invited speakers make presentations. The current research themes deal with:
-Transport telematics
-Public transport
-Transport and the environment
-Pollution and congestion
-Road-user charging and infrastructure

You have the opportunity to attend and make presentations at conferences, including the Universities' Transport Study Group Annual Conference.

Placements

We have extensive UK and international contacts so that research can be carried out in collaboration with industry and government agencies. Research projects are supervised by staff with a wide range of industrial and academic experience.

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Our MSc in Social Science Research Methods aims to provide advanced training in research methods across the full range of the social sciences.

You will be provided with a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of how to construct effective research studies, of the variety of data collection methods available to the social scientist and of the principal methods of analysing social scientific data. You will also be introduced to the political and ethical frameworks within which social science research is conducted, and to some of the ways in which the results of social science research are disseminated.

The course pathways have ESRC recognition and they each provide the appropriate training basis for proceeding to a PhD. These programmes provide extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary study, the application of social research expertise for occupational career development, and the pursuit of substantive areas of interest at postgraduate level.

The Management and Business Studies pathway

This pathway is suitable for two groups of people:

• Those people, especially business practitioners, who want to develop their understanding of and skills in applied research work.
• Those planning to undertake a PhD on a topic pertaining to management disciplines such as human resource management, organisational behaviour, strategic management, public sector management, marketing, accounting, finance, logistics and operations management.

Research training in Management and Business Studies builds on the internationally recognised research carried out by academic staff within Cardiff Business School. You will benefit from specialist expertise in management research as well as from the broad research profile of the School and links with wider Cardiff University research.

Sub-pathways within Management and Business Studies are:

• Banking, Accounting and Finance
• Logistics and Operations Management
• Human Resource Management
• Marketing and Strategy.

The course can be taken as a PGDip or MSc and is available for full-time study or part-time study.

Full-time PGDip

For the one-year full-time programme you will be required to complete six 20-credit modules - five core research modules and one specialist pathway module. In all modules you will have the opportunity to engage with literature and research relevant to your pathway.

On successful completion of the taught component, you will prepare a dissertation of a maximum 20,000 words. The 60-credit dissertation component requires independent study. Dissertation topics are chosen by the students in agreement with their supervisors.

Core modules:

Qualitative Research Methods
Quantitative Research Methods
Developing Core Research Skills
Foundations of Social Science Research
Research Applications

Full-time MSc

For the one-year full-time programme you will be required to complete six 20-credit modules - five core research modules and one specialist pathway module.

In all modules, you will have the opportunity to engage with literature and research relevant to your pathway.

Core modules:

All the core modules of PGDip PLUS a dissertation of a maximum 20,000 words. The 60-credit dissertation component requires independent study. Dissertation topics are chosen by the students in agreement with their supervisors.

Part-time PGDip

Two year part time programme.

For the taught component, you will be required to complete six 20-credit modules (5 core research modules and 1 pathway module). In all modules you will have the opportunity to engage with literature and research relevant to your pathway.

Please visit the website to see a full list of the modules available for this pathway

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/social-science-research-methods-business-and-management-studies-pgdip-part-time

Part-time MSc

For the three-year part-time programme you will be required to complete six 20-credit modules - five core research modules and one specialist pathway module. In all modules you will have the opportunity to engage with literature and research relevant to your pathway.

On successful completion of the taught component, you will prepare a dissertation of a maximum 20,000 words. The 60-credit dissertation component requires independent study. Dissertation topics are chosen by the students in agreement with their supervisors.

Please visit the website to see a full list of the modules available for this pathway:

http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/social-science-research-methods-business-and-management-studies-msc-part-time

Teaching

Your programme will be made up of scheduled learning activities (including lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical sessions) and guided independent study.

You will be expected to actively engage in all the educational activities on your programme of study, to prepare for and attend all scheduled teaching activities, and continue your development as an independent and self-directed learner.

Support

All modules within the programme make use of our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Learning Central, on which you will find course materials, links to related materials and information on assessment. You will be allocated a personal tutor.

Assessment

You will have to successfully complete the taught component which comprises of 120 credits.

On successful completion of the taught component, you will prepare a dissertation of a maximum 20,000 words (MSc only)

Career prospects

This programme provides knowledge and expertise suitable for careers in research and development, business, market studies, public agencies at international, national and local levels, education, teaching and other public services work, and voluntary organisations.

It also provides appropriate training for proceeding to a PhD.

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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.

Aims

The programme aims to:

• provide students with a rigorous training in research methods, including epistemological and theoretical issues as well as quantitative and qualitative methods, appropriate for their doctoral studies;
• give students the flexibility to chose from a range of course options in the area of management research within a structured programme of courses;
• offer a range of qualitative and quantitative methods course units so that students could chose the level and specialism that is appropriate to their background and current research training needs;
• provide systematic and critical knowledge of one specific subject area of management research (such as accounting or marketing) so they appreciate current debates and issues;
• introduce students to different paradigms to management research/studies thus equipping them with the general background to become professional researchers in management;
• produce students who have the knowledge and skills to appreciate the growing importance of interdisciplinary research in management;
• foster students' skills in analysis, argument, independent thinking, and effective oral and written self-expression and presentation skills;
• build transferable employment related skills, so that students can become life-long learners able to apply their knowledge and skills in variety of contexts;
• encourage initiative, independent learning and commitment to scholarship; and
• develop core skills IT in computer literacy, numeracy, and use of databases.

Special features

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.

Teaching and learning

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:

• Accounting and Finance
• Corporate Strategy
• Decision Sciences and Operational Research
• Finance
• Healthcare Management
• Human Resource Management
• Information Systems
• International Business and Management
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Organisational Psychology
• Public Sector Management
• Science, Technology and Innovation

Coursework and assessment

Students are assessed on their selected course units throughout the year. The method of assessment varies depending on the course unit requirements.

Course content for year 1

Candidates for the MRes must complete the following:

Compulsory course units:

• Research Process
• 2x Research Methods modules (one qualitative and one quantitative) related to your research discipline. These modules exist in the AMBS MSc programmes.

Research Methods Electives:

Candidates must take 3 modules from the Research Methods Electives below -

• BMAN80181 Advanced Survey Design
• BMAN80411 Critical Thinking for Scientific Research
• BMAN80020 Case Study Research: Method and Methodology
• BMAN80062 Comparative Cast Study Analysis
• BMAN80352 Mixed Methods Approaches in Management and Organization Studies
• BMAN80502 Structural Equation Modelling
• BMAN80802 Longitudinal Data Analysis
• BMAN80602 Meta Analysis
• BMAN80702 Multilevel Modelling in Mplus
• BMAN80542 Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis with NVivo

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

• (a) a 15-credits Research Methods module from (1), or
• (b) a 15-credit Subject Specific Electives from (3).

Subject-Specific Electives:

Candidates choose two modules from MSc programmes offered in AMBS/Faculty.

• Dissertation (25,000 - 30,000 words)
• Skills Training and Personal Development Planning

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.

Course unit details

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:

• Accounting and Finance
• Corporate Strategy
• Decision Sciences and Operational Research
• Finance
• Healthcare Management
• Human Resource Management
• Information Systems
• International Business and Management
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Organisational Psychology
• Public Sector Management
• Science, Technology and Innovation

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.

Career opportunities

The MRes programme can be awarded in its own right, but is designed to lead onto future PhD study. 

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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

Introducing your course

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.

Overview

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

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