Systems Thinking in Practice

MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice
This MSc has the development of skills in holistic thinking, and appreciation of multiple perspectives at its core. These skills are relevant to many different domains: e.g. health, business, local government, environment, development, engineering, organisation change and IT management. You'll gain insights into the range of ways in which other people think about particular situations and how to apply a wide range of concepts, tools and techniques developed by systems thinkers. You'll also learn to appreciate and develop your own ways of thinking in practice, becoming aware of how you can act to bring about improvements in messy situations.

Key features of the course
• Offers you the choice of a research route or a professional route.
• Both routes develop essential skills for addressing systems thinking issues systematically in your own context, and extend your knowledge of recent research and research methods.
• Concludes with either a substantial piece of independent study on a topic of professional interest to you, or a more academic in-depth research project.

Subjects taught

Modules
Before choosing your option modules, read the descriptions carefully – they may have additional entry requirements. The choice is extensive, from engineering to health and social care, reflecting the professional interests of our students.

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
60 credits from:
Module
• Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)
30 Next start: 01 May 2022
• Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)
30 Next start: 01 Nov 2022

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules TU811 and TU812.
60 credits from:
Module
• Manufacture materials design (T805) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Technology innovation management (TB801) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Managing for sustainability (T867) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022 FINAL
• Making environmental decisions (T891) 30
Next start: 01 Nov 2022
• Information security (M811) 30
Next start: 01 Nov 2022
• Digital forensics (M812) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Software development (M813) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Software engineering (M814) 30
Next start: 01 Nov 2022
• Project management (M815) 30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Data management (M816) 30
Next start: 01 Nov 2022
• Network security (T828) 30
Next start: 01 Nov 2022
• Advanced networking (CCNA Enterprise) (T829) 60
Next start: 01 Nov 2022
• Global development in practice (D890) 60
Next start: 03 Oct 2022
• Principles of social and psychological inquiry (DD801) 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022
• Understanding global development (DD870) 60
Next start: 01 Oct 2022
• Managing in a changing world (B870) 30
Next start: 07 May 2022
• Creating and sustaining value (B872) 30
Next start: 07 May 2022
• Financial markets and the financing of organisations (B815) NEW 30
Next start: 05 Nov 2022
• Sustainable creative management (BB842) 15
Next start: 07 May 2022
• Entrepreneurship in context (BB851) 15
Next start: 05 Nov 2022
• Leadership and management of public services (BB852) 15
Next start: 07 May 2022
• Contemporary issues in organisations (BB853) 15
Next start: 05 Nov 2022
• Continuing professional development in practice (U810)30
Next start: 01 May 2022
• Advance your independent learning (YXM830) 30
Next start: 01 Oct 2022

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules B716, B820, B821, B822, B823, B825, B856, B857, B858, BB835, BB844, BB845, BB846, BB847, BB848, BZA820, BZA821, BZA825, BZR820, BZR821, BZR823, BZR825, BZT820, BZT821, BZT822, BZT825, BZX820, BZX821, BZX822, BZX823, BZX825, H807, H808, S808, T826, T827, T835, T837, T839, T840, T846, T848, T850, T851, T852, T853, T860, T861, T862, T863, T877, T878, T879, T882, T883, T889, T890, T894, TD866, TM893, TU870, TU871, TU872, TU875, TUXX870, TUXX871, TUXX872, TUXX875, TXX863 and UYL810

Stage 2 (60 credits)
You will choose either:
• a research route
• a professional route

Research route
60 credits from:
Compulsory module
• Research project (T802) 60 Next start: 01 Oct 2022

Professional route
60 credits from:
Compulsory module
• The MSc professional project (T847) 30
Next start: 01 Nov 2022

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module T842

Plus another 30 credits from the Stage 1 modules 30

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

Entry requirements

To start Stage 1 of this degree, you should normally hold a UK bachelors degree, or equivalent. It may be possible to demonstrate your ability to study at postgraduate level by successfully completing a module and linking your studies to the programme at a later date.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.

Our badged open course, Succeeding in postgraduate study, will introduce you to the nature of Master's level study. It offers essential preparation for pursuing your learning at this level – and is free.

Gaining some prior awareness, knowledge and experience of systems thinking will help you benefit more from the course material – for example, by engaging with open educational resources on OpenLearn. A complete list of systems thinking resources is available on our School of Engineering and Innovation pages.

Credits

180 credits

Duration

Minimum - 3 years.

How long it takes
The minimum time to complete is 3 years. The maximum time to complete is 8 years.

Post Course Info

Career relevance
Those with both professional interests and responsibilities in managing complex situations will find this masters qualification useful to them in their work. It will also provide the opportunity for those wanting to progress to demonstrate their potential to develop new skills. The flexibility of the choice of module allows you to tailor the content to your needs and can be applicable in a wide range of sectors; including health, education, environment, international development, community engagement, manufacturing, IT and science. The study of systems thinking and practice provides knowledge and understanding that is equally applicable in the public and private sectors. If you are self-employed you may also find the knowledge developed by studying this combination of modules provides the opportunity to take a more objective and innovative view of the systems they have already created and how to change these for the future.