This module is the capstone of multiple masters qualifications, during which you’ll complete a small research project, arriving at results and reporting them appropriately to a relevant audience. While it will ground your journey in your experience and align with your enthusiasms, you’ll appreciate the breadth of research in diverse contexts (e.g. academic, professional or for public policy). It also provides a social and ethical context to enquiry.
What you will study
Block 1 emphasis includes an appreciation of hands-on issues in research and an introduction to the history and range of research techniques. You’ll learn from theory, case studies and examples at this stage.
By Block 2, the tuition will focus on targeted research design and delivery. A narrower, more goal-oriented focus is expected at this point. The learning here is all focused on improving your research project.
Block 3 is dedicated to finalising the report: the end-of-module assignment (EMA). Your EMA will usually represent the end of your MSc journey; we expect it will be something you can be proud of.
Entry
T803 is the final module of multiple STEM masters degrees. You must have completed the first 120 credits (Stage 1) of your MSc to study T803; however, you may register on T803 while awaiting your final Stage 1 module result.
Preparatory work
Our open course, Succeeding in postgraduate study, introduces the nature of masters-level study. It offers essential preparation for pursuing your learning at this level – and it’s free.
If you have a disability
The core study material is on the module website, so you must spend considerable time online using a computer. In addition, some material might not be fully accessible using a screen reader (mathematical and scientific materials could be particularly difficult to read).
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
The study material is wholly online. Online databases for literature searching are accessible via the OU Library website. Further resources (such as examples of research of relevance to your discipline) are also available via the module website. In addition, you’ll use online forums and have access to special video materials during your study.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
Throughout your module studies, you’ll get help and support from your assigned module tutor. They’ll help you by:
- Marking your assignments (TMAs) and providing detailed feedback for you to improve.
- Guiding you to additional learning resources.
- Providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content.
- Facilitating online discussions between your fellow students, in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.
Module tutors also run online tutorials throughout the module. Where possible, recordings of online tutorials will be made available to students.
Future availability
MSc project: researching in context (T803) starts once a year – in November.
This page describes the module that will start in November 2025.
We expect it to start for the last time in November 2030.