Operational Research (MSc/PgDip)

Programme description

This programme will show you how to use mathematical techniques to tackle real-life problems ranging from scheduling flights and routing mobile phone calls to managing investments and minimising risks. Operational Research (OR) is an important skill that is in high demand.

Our intensive programme allows you to specialise in an area that best suits your career goals. In addition to this general MSc in Operational Research, the following degrees are offered:

• Operational Research with Risk
• Operational Research with Computational Optimization
• Operational Research with Data Science

Programme structure

This programme involves two taught semesters of compulsory and option courses followed by your dissertation project.

Courses previously offered include:

Compulsory courses:

• Fundamentals of Optimization
• Fundamentals of Operational Research
• Methodology, Modelling and Consulting Skills
• Simulation
• Stochastic Modelling

Plus two courses from:

• Statistical Methodology
• Probability and Statistics
• Object-Oriented Programming with Applications
• Statistical Programming
• Scientific Computing
• Python Programming

Optional courses are generally grouped into the following areas:

• Finance
• Industry
• Optimization
• Statistics

Career opportunities

The skills you will learn are in demand by a vast range of high-profile organisations including consultancy firms, companies with operational research departments such as airlines or telecommunications providers, financial firms and the public sector.

Recent graduates have joined British Airways, the Government OR Service, Barclays, Deloitte, Capgemini and smaller specialised OR, finance and energy companies.

Industry-based dissertation projects

The dissertation projects of approximately half the students on this programme take place in public and private sector organisations. Other students choose a University-based project.

Visit the Operational Research (MSc/PgDip) page on the University of Edinburgh website for more details!