studentstudents, parents, grandparentsgb, united kingdomoperational research

Operational research courses

Operational research is concerned with making crucial decisions through in-depth analysis utilising complex mathematical calculations. Sometimes it goes under other names like “management science” or “industrial engineering”. Where businesses are keen to make every penny count, those in operational research are called on to study their practices and customers to see where they can be more efficient and focused, in order to get the absolute most out of budget, time and resources.

Search for all courses

Jump to Section

Introduction Entry Requirements Career Prospects Recommended Courses

Example course modules

Introduction to probability and operational research
Vector algebra and dynamics
Waves and vector fields
Statistical methods
Linear models
Numerical analysis
Fluid mechanics
Statistical inference
Methods of operational research

Who studies this subject

Female : 42%

Male : 58%
Mature : 3%

School leaver : 97%
Full-time : 100%

Part-time : 0%

Subjects you need

A-levels (or equivalent) usually required

Maths

Useful to have

No Specific Requirements

More advice on A-level requirements

Application checklist

Here's a guide to what to expect from the application process - also check individual university entry requirements, as these may differ.

January application
October application
Personal statement
Portfolio
Interview
Entry test
Work experience
Audition

More advice on applying to uni

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement is a core part of your university application, and getting it just right takes time. Before you start work on yours, take a look at our five quick tips on writing a personal statement. We'll help you past that writer's block!

Personal statement tips and advice

With an expert understanding of information systems, you’ll find that you have a large number of graduate opportunities available to you. A large part of information systems is taking huge amounts of data, and creating and managing software and hardware which interacts with this e.g. gathering, storing, filtering and distributing this. So in the era of “Big Data” where information about individuals is being recorded on a grand level, there is a high demand for individuals who can create systems to manage this. That said the field can be competitive. That’s why it’s important to gain as much additional work experience on top of any you undertake as part of your degree; especially that where you get to interact with individuals in a corporate setting, so you can sharpen your commercial awareness and ability to interpret business needs from those without a technical background, and advise them onwards.

Professional and accrediting bodies:

Six months after graduating

Typical graduate job areas

Business, research and administrative professionals

Sources: DLHE & Graduate prospects

Longer term career paths

Jobs where this degree is useful

Economist
Ergonomist
Financial risk analyst

Other real-life job examples

Management consultant
Market researcher
Risk manager

Operational research graduates bring to problem-solving a thoroughly-analytical nature, combining sound logic and reasoning with advanced mathematical, organisation and planning skills. These are all qualities which employers look on favourably, no matter field or role so operational research graduates shouldn’t have too much trouble moving across areas. And by showing that your decisions have positively impacted a business in some form of measurable way, you’ll progress quickly.