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Postgraduate science study offers you the opportunity to extend your science knowledge and your skills beyond your undergraduate qualification. Studying towards a science qualification contributes to your intellectual development while also being structured to develop skills that will be useful to you in your career development. There are a number of pathways through the science postgraduate courses and whether you are interested in working directly in a scientific profession or would like to be able to draw on science knowledge and awareness in other areas of your life and work, there is likely to be a pathway that will suit you.  

The MSc in Professional Science is a qualification designed specifically with the workplace in mind and will develop both your scientific and your managerial skills and expertise.  Other postgraduate qualifications in Science offer an opportunity to pursue some of contemporary science’s most pressing issues, and all of our modules and qualifications use the innovative teaching methods pioneered by The Open University and develop a wide range of skills associated with masters-level study. 

With many areas of scientific research advancing at a rapid rate, the demand for skilled graduates is growing. With a science qualification at postgraduate level your opportunities will widen even further, with the potential to rise to the top of your profession and significantly increase your lifetime earnings.

Browse this website and discover the wide variety of postgraduate courses in science, designed to help you work towards the qualification of your choice.

Where to start in Science

If you are new to postgraduate level study we recommend that you take Developing research skills in science (S825) as your first course. Our postgraduate qualifications are modular and in general there is no set order in which to study the taught courses. However if you go on to take MSc project module (S810) as part of any of our postgraduate qualifications, please note that this should not be tackled until you have completed at least one of the taught courses to which it relates.

Taught Masters

  • Earth Science
    Explore current aspects of Earth science investigating how different feedback mechanisms and forces within the Earth’s core and mantle, lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere are dependent upon each other and interact at a variety of temporal and spatial scales.
  • Medicinal Chemistry
    Explore the links between disease, the mechanism of action of current drug therapy and how safe, effective commercial drugs are developed.
  • Professional Science
    This innovative masters degree is designed to enable you to pursue advanced training in science while also developing the business skills valued by employers.
  • Science
    Delve into some of the most pressing debates at the frontiers of contemporary science and medicine with this MSc, and tailor a study profile choosing from a wide range of specialist options.
  • Science and Society
    Pursue contemporary issues in science communication, science education and public engagement with science – while developing a wide range of skills associated with masters-level study.

Certificates

Courses in Science

See the list of all our individual courses in Science.

Research degrees

For information about postgraduate research degrees, visit the Research Degrees Prospectus.

Undergraduate options

See the list of undergraduate courses and qualifications in Science.

Postgraduate

International students

If you want to study for a qualification and you are living outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, visit our international prospectus.

 

Spotlight on Science

'An academic lifeline'

’The OU’s MSc Science programme has been an academic lifeline for me. Living in a number of European countries over the last few years, I wouldn’t have been able to continue my postgrad studies without the OU. Now, with a toddler, studying with the OU allows me to look after my daughter while studying for a masters degree.’ Louise Emsell, MSc student.

An academic writing career

‘Having completed the masters at the end of 2004, I am now an OU tutor myself, and I’m also self-employed as an academic writer, putting all I’ve done towards assignments and assessments into practice, but getting paid for it this time!!’ Isabella Brown.

 

Your questions

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Employers' questions

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