Postgraduate

Description

This postgraduate certificate course provides an introduction to postgraduate study and represents the first level of qualification within the environmental decision making (EDM) programme. The modules you study for this certificate course can also contribute to the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Decision Making (D38), and if you choose to continue your studies, to the MSc in Environmental Decision Making (F13).

From local planning issues to global challenges of climate change and energy conservation, environmental decision making is becoming increasingly important to everyone. The environmental decision making (EDM) postgraduate programme was established to meet the challenges of environmental decision making in the context of a changing world. It is designed to meet the needs of specialists, managers and the public for postgraduate-level environmental education.

Everyday concerns of environmental protection, natural resource management and rapidly changing environmental legislation and policy are considered in global and local contexts. The modules teach the skills you need to unpack the issues and participate creatively in the process of making environmental decisions, in all sectors of society.

The EDM programme is for people who are interested in designing, managing and participating in more effective environmental decision-making processes. Students on this programme are drawn from industry, commerce, local government, consultancies, non-governmental organisations and communities. They include people already involved in the decision-making process and those who wish to be - either personally or professionally. Whatever your background this programme will widen your knowledge of environmental decision making and develop your skills in making informed decisions about environmental issues, whether at work, in your community or at home.

This programme offers qualifications at postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma and MSc levels and includes an entry route for non-graduates.

Planning your studies

For entry to the EDM programme, you should normally hold a bachelors degree from a UK university, or the equivalent.

If you do not have a degree you need to be adequately prepared for postgraduate study. You can do this by successfully completing 60 credits of undergraduate study from a list of recommended undergraduate modules: for further details see the EDM website. These modules have been selected because they will provide relevant knowledge and skills that will help to prepare you for our EDM postgraduate modules. You may also find them useful preparation if you have a degree in an unrelated subject.

Detailed advice about entry and preparation for both undergraduate and postgraduate modules is given in the individual module descriptions. You may also want to speak to our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.

When making your choice of modules for this postgraduate certificate, you will probably find it helpful to read the advice given in the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Decision Making (D38). You can also find further advice on the Environmental Decision Making website.

There is no time limit for completing the qualifications in the environmental decision making programme but we cannot guarantee that the same selection of modules will continue to be available. You can take modules in any order.

You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 20 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

Career relevance and employability

The EDM programme is for people who are concerned with designing and managing more effective decision-making processes that affect the environment. For example, if you are involved in setting up or responding to environmental or integrated management systems, planning new development projects or are trying to understand or manage sustainability.

Students on the EDM programme are drawn from industry, commerce, local government, consultancies, non-governmental organisations and communities. They include people already involved in decision-making processes and those who wish to be – both personally and professionally.

You can select modules that are most relevant to your interests and career aspirations as your study builds from postgraduate certificate through diploma to MSc.

The course will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in this expanding sector.

There is more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.

Modules

For this 60-credit postgraduate certificate, you require:

30 credits from these optional modules:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T830, T860, T862, TXX860, TXX863

And another 30 credits chosen either from the postgraduate modules listed above or from the following optional postgraduate modules:

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules B882, B889, D830, D831, T834, T835, T861, TXX861, TUXX870.

Credit for previous study elsewhere

For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.

On completion

On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Decision Making entitling you to use the letters PG Cert EDM (Open) after your name.

The 60 credits gained through the postgraduate certificate can be used towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Decision Making (D38).

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Qualification Regulations and the Student Regulations.

Qualification Regulations

• Introduction to the Qualification Regulations
• General Qualification Regulations
• Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental Decision Making

Student Regulations

The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.

How to register

To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.

See a full list of modules available for this qualification

Study explained

Credits

- show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.

Costs

- find out how much you can expect to pay.

Financial support

- find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.

Study explained

- all you need to know about studying with the OU.

Your questions

We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.

Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35

Employers' questions

Contact Corporate Enquiries
Visit our website for employers or Email us

Browse the prospectus

• Undergraduate prospectus
• Postgraduate prospectus
• Research prospectus
• Professional skills
• The Open Programme
• A-Z of qualifications
• A-Z of courses

Get a prospectus

The University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.