Military Operational Research MSc/PgCert/PgDip:
Course Description:
The course provides a detailed exposure to the context, issues and methods used to analyse the increasingly complex problems which are found in the defence environment and to support decision making. It exposes the types of analysis and allows practical experience of tools and methods which are used, ranging from judgemental analysis through mathematical techniques to models and simulations. The course includes judgemental elicitation and analysis techniques, mathematical analysis methods (including optimisation), war gaming and combat modelling, logistics modelling and simulation methods. The use and utility of all the methods are explored through practical exercises and studies.
Start Months:
Full-time: annually in September. Part-time: by arrangement
Full-time/Part-time: Full-time/Part-time
School:
CDS
Theme:
Defence and Security
Entry Requirements:
A first or second class UK Honours degree (or equivalent) ideally in a related subject. Other recognised professional qualifications or several years relevant industrial experience may be accepted as equivalent; subject to approval by the Course Director. For further and specific information please visit the course page.
English Language:
If you are an international student you will need to provide evidence that you have achieved a satisfactory test result in an English qualification. The minimum standard expected from a number of accepted courses are as follows:
IELTS - 6.5
TOEFL - 92
Pearson PTE Academic - 65
Cambridge English Scale - 180
Cambridge English: Advanced - C
Cambridge English: Proficiency - C
In addition to these minimum scores you are also expected to achieve a balanced score across all elements of the test. We reserve the right to reject any test score if any one element of the test score is too low. We can only accept tests taken within two years of your registration date (with the exception of Cambridge English tests which have no expiry date). Students requiring a Tier 4 (General) visa must ensure they can meet the English language requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and we recommend booking a IELTS for UKVI test.
Duration:
Full-time MSc - one year, Part-time MSc - up to three years, Full-time PgCert - one year, Part-time PgCert - two years, Full-time PgDip - one year, Part-time PgDip - two years
(For MOD status students the duration may vary, subject to annual review.)
Course format:
Overview:
The course provides a detailed exposure to the context, issues and methods used to analyse the increasingly complex problems which are found in the defence environment and to support decision making.
Who is it for?:
The course is suitable for both military and civilian personnel, including those from defence industry and government departments. 10 places are normally available for the full-time cohort.
Why this course?:
The course provides a detailed exposure to the context, issues and methods used to analyse the increasingly complex problems which are found in the defence environment and to support decision making. It exposes the types of analysis and allows practical experience of tools and methods which are used, ranging from judgemental analysis through mathematical techniques to models and simulations. The course includes judgemental elicitation and analysis techniques, mathematical analysis methods (including optimisation), war gaming and combat modelling, logistics modelling and simulation methods. The use and utility of all the methods are explored through practical exercises and studies.
On successful completion of the course you will:
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the methods, techniques and tools for modelling defence problems and systems
- Be able to critically assess a range of approaches and methods to help support defence analysis and decision-making.
Informed by Industry:
The aim of the Industrial Advisory Panel, which is common to all components of the AMOR Postgraduate Suite, is to offer advice and input to the Course Director and the teaching team in terms of curriculum content, acquisition skills and other attributes that the practitioner community may be seeking from graduates of the course. Currently the Industrial Advisory Panel for this program has members on it from both Defence Industry (including Cassidian, BAE Systems and AWE) and the MOD.
Your teaching team:
- Jonathan Searle (Course Director)
- Dr Shaun Forth
- John Hoggard
- Mark Lewis
- Dr Ken McNaught
- Dr Trevor Ringrose
- Dr Venkat Sastry
- Jeremy C Smith
- Jeremy D Smith
- Dr Emma Sparks
The team is joined by External Speakers from industry and defence (due to frequency of post changes it is not practical to include names).
Course details:
MSc students must complete a taught phase consisting of 12 standard modules, which includes two core modules (Introduction to Operational Research Techniques and Decision Analysis), plus four advanced modules, followed by an individual thesis in a relevant topic.
Thesis topics will be related to problems of specific interest to students and sponsors or local industry wherever possible. PgDip students are required to undertake the same taught phase as the MSc, but without the individual thesis. PgCert students must complete the core module (Introduction to Operational Research Techniques) together with five other modules; up to three of these may be advanced modules.
Individual project:
An individual research project on an agreed topic that allows you to demonstrate your technical expertise, independent learning abilities and critical appraisal skills.
Assessment:
Continuous assessment, written examinations, oral vivas and (MSc only) thesis.Proportions of different assessment types will vary according to programme and elective options chosen.
Core modules:
- Decision Analysis
- Introduction to Operational Research Techniques
- Discrete and Continuous Simulation
- War Gaming and Combat Modelling
- Logistics Modelling
- Statistical Analysis and Trials
- Weapon System Performance Assessment
- Intelligent Systems
- Advanced Module 1
- Advanced Module 2
- Advanced Module 3
- Advanced Module 4
Fees and funding:
Home EU Student Fees:
- MSc Full-time £17,250
- MSc Part-time £17,250 *
- PgDip Full-time £13,900
- PgDip Part-time £13,900 *
- PgCert Full-time £6,950
- PgCert Part-time £6,950 *
Oversees Fees:
- MSc Full-time £17,250
- MSc Part-time £17,250 *
- PgDip Full-time £13,900
- PgDip Part-time £13,900 *
- PgCert Full-time £6,950
- PgCert Part-time £6,950 *
* Students will be offered the option of paying the full fee up front, or to pay in four equal instalments at six month intervals (i.e. the full fee to be paid over the first two years of their registration).
Fee notes:
- The fees outlined apply to all students whose initial date of registration falls on or between 1 August 2017 and 31 July 2018.
- All students pay the tuition fee set by the University for the full duration of their registration period agreed at their initial registration.
- Additional fees for extensions to the agreed registration period may be charged and can be found below.
- Fee eligibility at the Home/EU rate is determined with reference to UK Government regulations. As a guiding principle, EU nationals (including UK) who are ordinarily resident in the EU pay Home/EU tuition fees, all other students (including those from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man) pay Overseas fees.
Security clearance for Shrivenham:
Some Cranfield University courses are delivered at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham which is a Ministry of Defence (MOD) site. All applicants to courses that are wholly or partially delivered at Shrivenham must complete the BPSS (HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard V4 April 2014) prior to registration on the course or must already hold a security clearance to this level or higher.
Your application and BPSS clearance application will be shared during the application process with the MOD who have ultimate discretion over whether to admit applicants to the Shrivenham site. This information will be returned by the MOD to Cranfield University after checks are completed and no copies will be retained by the MOD.
BPSS checks may involve confirmation of the following:
- Identity (e.g. Photo ID)
- Nationality and Immigration Status
- Employment/Academic History (covering the past 3 years)
- Criminal record (unspent convictions only)
Additionally, applicants are required to give a reasonable account of any significant periods (6 months or more in the past 3 years) of time spent abroad.
This may be revised from time to time dependent on national security requirements. For more details, please consult the BPSS Guidance.
It will take additional time to process your BPSS clearance application once you have completed your course application.
Inability to access the Shrivenham site as a result of failure to meet security clearance requirements will result in a withdrawal of offer, or, if already registered, a termination of registration.
Your career:
The course equips you for appointments within the armed forces or government, or in the defence related activities of commercial organisations, or further research leading to a PhD.