Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 120 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.
Are you fascinated by life’s big questions? Are you thinking about studying for a degree? The Certificate of Higher Education in Natural Sciences is the ideal way to start. It offers a broad introduction to a wide range of science subjects and is the first step on the way to an honours degree. You’ll explore biological and health sciences; chemistry and analytical sciences; Earth sciences; environmental science; physics; and astronomy and planetary science. Flexible, accessible study arrangements mean you can do all the practical work near where you live, or online in your own home. By the end of the certificate course, you’ll have the core subject knowledge and study skills needed for further study – and in addition to enriching your appreciation of life, you’ll have completed the first year of an honours degree in natural sciences.
As well as leading to the #Diploma of Higher Education in Natural Sciences [E69]#, this certificate also provides a pathway to the #BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences [B64]#.
Planning your studies
We recommend that you start with our key introductory Level 1 module Exploring science (S104) which, together with either of the discontinued modules S155 or SXR103 will provide you with an appropriate background in scientific thinking, knowledge, methods and skills for you to tackle any of the other modules that can be counted towards the certificate.
We expect most students to complete this certificate in two years of part-time study. If you wish to complete the certificate in one year, you should note that this is equivalent to studying as a full-time student and you should make sure you have sufficient time to devote to your studies before embarking on more than 60 credits in one year.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 40 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your certificate.
Career relevance and employability
This certificate course develops a variety of skills that are highly valued in the labour market, such as analytical, numerical, IT and communication skills, teamwork, and problem solving. Many of these translate very smoothly into the modern workplace, which is increasingly concerned with knowledge management and the effective communication and presentation of ideas and arguments. The logical, reasoned approach needed for science study is relevant to many roles in the financial, business and public sectors – and employers in all fields put a high value on anyone who can deal competently with a large amount of complex information and turn it to good use. The ability to select and analyse relevant data and to present conclusions concisely and logically is essential in most lines of work, as is the ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
The Certificate of Higher Education in Natural Sciences will also help you develop critical thinking and independent research skills, and the ability to take the initiative – all valuable assets in today’s competitive environment.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 120-credit certificate you require:
60 credits from the following compulsory module:
Level 1 compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued module S104
|
60 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules S102, S103.
And 10 credits from the following optional modules*:
Level 1 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued module S141
|
30 |
|
The discontinued module S155 |
10 |
|
The discontinued module SXR103 |
10 |
|
*Or 30 credits from either the discontinued module S130 and only 30 credits from the list below
And 50 credits from:
either any current Level 1 science modules (with codes beginning with S) or from the following optional modules or from a combination of both:
Level 1 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Discovering mathematics (MU123)
|
30 |
|
- Engineering: an active introduction (TXR120)
|
10 |
|
- Essential mathematics 1 (MST124)
|
30 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules MST121, MU120, S180, S190, S191, S193, S195, S198, S199, T172, T173, T174, Y158, Y161, Y162, Y178, Y181, Y182
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Natural Sciences and will be entitled to use the letters CertHE (Open) after your name.
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