Science
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The more you look into science, the more fascinating it becomes. Science is all around us, continuously unfolding and giving us the chance to improve our world’s social and economic future. Advances in areas such as communications, food production, health care and transport all depend on fresh knowledge emerging from science’s many disciplines.
Studying undergraduate science courses at the OU will enhance your understanding of the world, and contribute to your intellectual and personal development. You may want simply to take a short course in science to explore a subject that really interests you, or you may be looking to change or progress your career through completing a qualification. You may have a fascination for one particular field of science or you might have an interest in more than one area: the wide range of courses and qualifications we offer gives the flexibility to choose.
The depth and breadth of our curriculum attracts over 20,000 students a year so, whatever your motivation, there’s sure to be a course to challenge and reward you.
Degrees
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More about DegreesMore about Degreesundergraduate.qualification.science,qualification,,degree,1Undergraduate or bachelors degrees are nationally recognised qualifications consisting of academic study designed to that help you gain a thorough understanding of a subject.
For a degree in a named subject, such as business studies or humanities, you'll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you may be able to include some modules from other subjects.
With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.
You can use a degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in,
- gain professional recognition,
- go onto postgraduate study, such as a diploma or masters degree.
)
Undergraduate or bachelors degrees are nationally recognised qualifications consisting of academic study designed to that help you gain a thorough understanding of a subject.
For a degree in a named subject, such as business studies or humanities, you'll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you may be able to include some modules from other subjects.
With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.
You can use a degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in,
- gain professional recognition,
- go onto postgraduate study, such as a diploma or masters degree.
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Environmental Science
Develop the knowledge and techniques for understanding fundamental environmental patterns and processes and understand how the technology of environmental science relates to society. -
Environmental Studies
Integrating science, technology and social sciences, this degree will help you get to the heart of environmental issues. -
Health Sciences
A broad degree exploring a variety of topics including human biology; long term conditions; infectious disease; cellular and analytical biology; neurobiology; cognitive psychology; and mental health. -
Mathematics and Physics
You'll gain an understanding of the concepts in modern physics together with the mathematics that underlies them. -
Natural Sciences
Study a broad range of science subjects or specialise in astronomy, planetary science, biology, health sciences, chemistry, analytical science, environmental science, Earth sciences, or physics. -
Open degree
The BA/BSc Open Degree is a qualification that gives you a huge choice in terms of subjects and modules that you study to make up your degree.
Foundation Degrees
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More about Foundation degrees
More about Foundation degrees
undergraduate.qualification.science,qualification,,foundation-degree,1Foundation degrees are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession; they combine work place learning with academic study. Designed and developed with external partners, you must be working either as a paid employee or as a volunteer in a related work setting.
A foundation degree is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They aim to enhance the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or those intending to go into that profession.
You can use a foundation degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain technical and professional skills,
- gain professional recognition,
- achieve a full honours degree through further study.
Most of our foundation degrees are also offered as diplomas of higher education for those living and working in Scotland.
)
Foundation degrees are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession; they combine work place learning with academic study. Designed and developed with external partners, you must be working either as a paid employee or as a volunteer in a related work setting.
A foundation degree is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They aim to enhance the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or those intending to go into that profession.
You can use a foundation degree to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain technical and professional skills,
- gain professional recognition,
- achieve a full honours degree through further study.
Most of our foundation degrees are also offered as diplomas of higher education for those living and working in Scotland.
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Paramedic Sciences
Develop the knowledge, skills and competencies which underpin paramedic practice in emergency care settings. You must be supported by your employer for the work-based modules.
Diplomas of Higher Education
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More about Diplomas of Higher Education
More about Diplomas of Higher Education
undergraduate.qualification.science,qualification,,diploma-he,1A Diploma of Higher Education (Dip HE) is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study.
Dip HEs are designed to increase the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or extend your knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. A Dip HE shows that you are capable of extended study at university level.
You can use a DipHE to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain technical and professional skills,
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in,
- gain professional recognition,
- achieve a full honours degree through additional study.
The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
)
A Diploma of Higher Education (Dip HE) is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study.
Dip HEs are designed to increase the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or extend your knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. A Dip HE shows that you are capable of extended study at university level.
You can use a DipHE to:
- change careers or progress your current career,
- gain technical and professional skills,
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in,
- gain professional recognition,
- achieve a full honours degree through additional study.
The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
OU Diplomas
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More about OU Diplomas
More about OU Diplomas
undergraduate.qualification.science,qualification,,diploma,1OU Diplomas are specially designed Open University qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study. For example The Open University's Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is the most popular route into a career in teaching at secondary level in Scotland.
You can use an OU Diploma to:
- enhance or progress your current career,
- to gain professional recognition
)
OU Diplomas are specially designed Open University qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study. For example The Open University's Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is the most popular route into a career in teaching at secondary level in Scotland.
You can use an OU Diploma to:
- enhance or progress your current career,
- to gain professional recognition
Certificates of Higher Education
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More about Certificates of Higher Education
More about Certificates of Higher Education
undergraduate.qualification.science,qualification,,certificate-he,1A Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) is a nationally recognised qualification focusing on either a particular job or profession, or academic study. Equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree, they are the most basic level of qualification that can be gained in higher education and show that you are capable of studying successfully at university level.
You can use a CertHE to:
- gain confidence to study successfully at university level,
- change careers or progress your current career,
- build on your existing experience and gain new skills,
- gain a broad introduction to a subject you are interested in,
- achieve a foundation degree, DipHE or full honours degree through additional study.
)
A Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) is a nationally recognised qualification focusing on either a particular job or profession, or academic study. Equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree, they are the most basic level of qualification that can be gained in higher education and show that you are capable of studying successfully at university level.
You can use a CertHE to:
- gain confidence to study successfully at university level,
- change careers or progress your current career,
- build on your existing experience and gain new skills,
- gain a broad introduction to a subject you are interested in,
- achieve a foundation degree, DipHE or full honours degree through additional study.
OU Certificates
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More about OU Certificates
More about OU Certificates
undergraduate.qualification.science,qualification,,certificate,1OU Certificates are specially designed Open University qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study. For example The Open University's Certificate in Supporting Learning in Primary Schools is designed for teaching assistants and other kinds of classroom support staff, including volunteers. Not all OU Certificates are entry level qualifications.
You can use an OU Certificate to:
- enhance or progress your current career,
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in.
)
OU Certificates are specially designed Open University qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study. For example The Open University's Certificate in Supporting Learning in Primary Schools is designed for teaching assistants and other kinds of classroom support staff, including volunteers. Not all OU Certificates are entry level qualifications.
You can use an OU Certificate to:
- enhance or progress your current career,
- gain a greater knowledge and understanding of a subject you are interested in.
Getting started with an Access module
There are two ways to start a qualification. If you haven’t studied for a long time or need to build your confidence, beginning your studies with an Access module may be the right choice for you.
Choose a qualification to find out more.
Study a module as a standalone course
You can study a single module on its own for personal interest or to improve your career prospects. See the list of all our individual courses in Science.
Postgraduate options
If you already have a degree, you may want to see postgraduate courses and qualifications in Science
Undergraduate
International students
If you want to study for an undergraduate qualification and you are living outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, visit our international prospectus.
Your questions
Try our frequently asked questions.
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