In this final module, you’ll design a research proposal by identifying and developing a research problem relevant to your MSc. Your research will involve a literature review, original data collection, data analysis and the drawing of conclusions. You’ll then communicate the outcome of your research through a dissertation. The module is online and support is available to you at every stage from the online study materials, your supervisor and online forums.
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| 01 Feb 2025 |
Apr 2026 |
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| 01 Oct 2025 |
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This module is expected to start for the last time in February 2027.
What you will study
The module provides an opportunity to pursue research in a topic of your choice based within the broad area of your MSc study. Undertaking the research will enable you to:
- investigate in depth an issue or problem of relevance to yourself and which may also be of relevance to an organisation such as an employer, institution or public body
- develop your knowledge of recent research in your chosen topic
- become competent in research methods appropriate to your research topic
- develop the capacity to plan, organise and carry out an extended independent study at masters level
- develop skills in the written communication of research work at masters level.
During your study of this module you will learn how to:
- develop a research proposal
- carry out a literature search and write a critical state-of-art review
- select suitable research methods and integrate them within a research methodology
- carry out research processes
- analyse results to form conclusions
- write-up your research in the form of reports (assignments) and a dissertation.
Your research topic will depend very much on your own knowledge and experience and on the modules you took in your diploma, and must be in an appropriate area relating to the subject of your MSc. Note for the MSc in Computing there are specific requirements for the research topic that you choose; guidance on this is available on the module website after you register.
A supervisor will be appointed to help you develop a formal proposal appropriate for MSc-level work and advise you throughout the research phase.
Entry
You must have completed the first 120 credits of your MSc.
You may register while studying your penultimate module, but you must have completed it before T802 starts.
If your penultimate module ends in October, you should wait until February to start T802. If your penultimate module ends in March, April or June, you should wait until October to start T802. There is preparatory work to do before T802 starts and the first part of the module is intense, so overlapping modules would be very demanding.
Preparatory work
You must prepare and submit a synopsis of your intended research project no later than the set synopsis submission deadline, which is approximately eight weeks before the module starts. To submit your synopsis, you must have registered for T802.
It’s essential you allow plenty of time to read the material on the Preparing for T802 Research website and prepare your synopsis; therefore, we recommend you start at least two months before the synopsis submission deadline.
The Preparing for T802 Research website will help you prepare your synopsis, including feedback from a specialist adviser to ensure its suitability. This preparation will help you make a good start on this research project module and understand how it’s different from the taught modules you’ve completed.
You might also need to talk to your employer or other organisations about accessing the data/people you need for your proposed research.
The Preparing for T802 Research website forums are a good place for questions about the module in general or your initial research ideas.
Qualifications
T802 is an option module in our:
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a module towards a qualification if you have already taken another module with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this module, visit our excluded combination finder or check with an adviser before registering.
If you have a disability
You need to consider if there are any constraints in obtaining the type of information you need for your research. Otherwise, there are no further constraints beyond those encountered in obtaining your diploma.
The core teaching material for this module will be delivered online via the module website, so you will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. If either your sight or manual dexterity is seriously impaired, you may find using the web challenging. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in using a computer or the internet and have concerns about accessing this type of material you are advised to contact us about support that can be given to meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.
Study materials
What's included
All the learning material provided is online. You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
- a study planner
- course-specific module materials
- assignment details
- access to online forums.
You will need
There are no set books but you may need books relevant to the research methodology you use. Note that useful material can be obtained without cost from semi-permanent online sources.
Computing requirements
You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.
Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.
To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).
Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.
Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.
It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll be assigned a supervisor with broad knowledge and skills relevant to the Research Project module. Your supervisor will advise you during the initial stage of developing a research proposal. You will submit an initial proposal three weeks after module start and then begin the process of refining this over the ensuing two months. You will be required to produce at least three iterations of the proposal prior to the deadline for final submission of proposals. This deadline is approximately three months after module start. Your supervisor will then continue to support you throughout the rest of your research.
You’ll also have access to our online forums. Communication with your supervisor will be mainly through email and telephone. Once your proposal is accepted, you’re encouraged to plan your communication with your supervisor to suit your research plan.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register
Assessment
The assessment details can be found in the facts box.
Your research proposal has to be approved before you can continue to the research phase. In the research phase you will submit three assignments (TMAs) at intervals of approximately three months.
The submission date for the dissertation will be during the final month of the 12-month period of the module.
Students also studied
Students who studied this module also studied at some time:
Future availability
Research project (T802) starts twice a year – in February and October.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2025 and February 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2027.
How to register
To register a place on this module return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our
Student Policies and Regulations website.