Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 360 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
Mathematics and statistics play an important role in almost every area of life, and are at the heart of advances in science and technology. They’re also indispensable problem-solving and decision-making tools in many areas of life. The BA/BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Statistics will equip you for a wide range of careers, from engineering to accountancy. You’ll gain a good knowledge of probability and statistics alongside choices in modern pure mathematics or mathematical methods and modelling, together with experience of using relevant software packages. This degree course will also help you:
- develop your understanding of time series analysis, multivariate data analysis, regression analysis, and hypothesis testing
- appreciate both classical and Bayesian approaches to statistics
- familiarise yourself with statistical software packages
- gain experience in conducting and communicating statistical investigations.
In addition, depending on your choice of modules, you’ll gain a broad understanding of either modern pure or applied mathematics. Some of the modules in this degree give exemption from specific Royal Statistical Society examinations.
Planning your studies
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 120 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you (with the exception of an undergraduate-level qualification of less than 120 credits). If you have graduated with an OU BA/BSc degree without honours and are continuing your studies on to honours, this minimum requirement is reduced to 60 credits. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications on the way to your OU honours degree, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your degree.
Career relevance and employability
You'll be equipped with skills and knowledge required for jobs in a wide range of fields, including education, engineering, the pharmaceutical industry, business, finance and accountancy. There are some careers for which a degree in mathematics and/or statistics is specified – for example teaching, statistical work (including actuarial work), some types of research and development, and some areas of computing.
It is widely accepted that a degree in statistics and the mathematical sciences particularly enhances the following transferable and much sought-after skills:
- Communicating mathematical ideas clearly and succinctly
- Explaining mathematical ideas to others
- Understanding complex mathematical texts
- Working with abstract concepts
- Thinking logically
- Expressing problems in mathematical language
- Constructing logical arguments
- Working on open-ended problems
- Finding solutions to problems
- Interpreting mathematical results in real-world terms
- Analysing / interpreting data
- Conducting statistical investigations
- Using professional and relevant software.
Graduates achieving a 2.2 or better for this qualification are eligible for the professional award of Graduate Statistician conferred by The Royal Statistical Society (RSS). Five years of professional statistical training and experience following graduation, would normally qualify you for the top professional grade of Chartered Statistician.
This qualification will also contribute to you gaining Chartered Mathematician status, which is awarded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. You can view or download our Recognition leaflet 3.6 for further information.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 360-credit honours degree you require:
120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
| Level 1 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued 30-credit module MST121
-
|
| Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
| The discontinued 30-credit module MS221 |
30 |
|
- Analysing data (M248)
|
30 |
|
- Practical modern statistics (M249)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules BM240, M246
And 60 credits from the following optional modules:
| Level 2 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Mathematical methods, models and modelling (MST210)
|
60 |
|
- Pure mathematics (M208)
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules M203, M211, M212, MST204, MST207, MST209
The discontinued module M101 may be substituted for MST121 and MS221, though it will count as 60 Level 1 credits (rather than 30 at Level 1 and 30 at Level 2)
And 90 credits from the following compulsory modules:
| Level 3 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Applications of probability (M343)
|
30 |
|
- Linear statistical modelling (M346)
|
30 |
|
- Mathematical statistics (M347)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules M341, M345
And 30 credits from the following optional modules:
| Level 3 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Complex analysis (M337)
|
30 |
|
- Deterministic and stochastic dynamics (MS327)
|
30 |
|
- Further pure mathematics (M303)*
|
60 |
|
- Graphs, networks and design (MT365)
|
30 |
|
- Mathematical methods and fluid mechanics (MST326)
|
30 |
|
- Optimization (M37)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules M321, M331, M332, M333, M334, M335, M336, M338, M371, M372, M381, M382, M383, M384, M385, M386, M431, M434, M435, MS324, MS325, MST322, TM361
* You can count 30 credits from this 60-credit module towards your free choice
And a maximum of 60 credits of free choice from any OU Level 1, 2 or 3 modules to bring your total number of credits to 360. Within the total, you must ensure that you have at least the required minimum number of credits at each level and no more than 30 from Openings modules or the discontinued Short module Science starts here (S154).
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Classification of your degree
On successful completion of the required number and type of modules you will be awarded a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Mathematics and Statistics degree.
Your honours degree will be classified either as first-class honours, upper second-class honours, lower second-class honours or third-class honours. The class of degree is determined by the best grades you achieve in a minimum of 240 credits from modules above Level 1 listed above. At least 120 of those credits must come from modules at Level 3, and at least 90 must come from the above list of Level 3 compulsory modules.
You will have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study 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.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification