{"id":21,"date":"2026-06-23T11:06:33","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T10:06:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/?page_id=21"},"modified":"2026-08-03T12:04:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T11:04:37","slug":"study","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/study\/","title":{"rendered":"Study"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Computing and Information Technology is the foundation to modern society and business. In this subject area we include specialism in computer science, data science, digital forensics, digital technologies, networking, software development and web development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our range of Computing and IT qualifications can be found&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in our online prospectus<\/a>. For more information about studying Computing and Communications at the Open University, click on the links below. Our modules are supported by module team staff and by a large group of part-time associate lecturer staff based around the UK and Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Undergraduate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At undergraduate level, we offer several routes leading to a BSc honours degree:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/degrees\/bsc-computing-it-q62\">BSc Computing and IT<\/a>&nbsp;degree can be studied as a broad-based option, or you can specialise to concentrate on&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/degrees\/bsc-computing-it-communications-networking-q62-cnet\">communications and networking<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/degrees\/bsc-computing-it-communications-software-q62-csoft\">communications and software<\/a>, or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/degrees\/bsc-computing-it-software-q62-soft\">software<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/statistics\/degrees\/bsc-data-science-r38\">BSc Data Science<\/a>&nbsp;will equip you with the skills to explore and analyse complex data sets using applied mathematics, statistics and computing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/degrees\/bsc-cyber-security-r60\">BSc Cybersecurity<\/a>&nbsp;combines three sought-after streams of computing: networking, cyber security and digital forensics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The foundation degree&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/diplomas\/foundation-degree-computing-it-practice-x15\">in Computing and IT practice<\/a>&nbsp;can be followed by a top-up degree in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/degrees\/top-up-bsc-computing-it-practice-q68\">Computing and IT Practice<\/a>. The foundation degree is about acquiring skills and learning how to deploy them at work. The top-up degree will add skills and knowledge required to convert the foundation degree into a full BSc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/degrees\/bsc-computing-and-electronic-engineering-r62\">BSc Computing with Electronic Engineering<\/a>&nbsp;is a combined degree which will enable you to develop skills and understanding in computing and electronics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/degrees\/bsc-computing-it-second-subject-q67\">BSc Computing and IT with a second subject<\/a>&nbsp;combines computing\/IT&nbsp;modules with modules from one of the following subjects: business, design, mathematics, psychology or statistics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also incorporate Computing modules into an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/combined-studies\/degrees\/bsc-combined-science-maths-technology-engineering-r28\">Combined STEM<\/a>&nbsp;degree or an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/combined-studies\/degrees\/open-degree-qd\">Open<\/a>&nbsp;degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also offer a range of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/diplomas\">Diplomas<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/certificates\">Certificates<\/a>&nbsp;of Higher Education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Higher Technical Qualifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We offer&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/higher-technical-qualifications\">Higher Technical Qualifications<\/a>&nbsp;(HTQs) in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/diplomas\/diploma-in-network-engineering-w19\">Network Engineering<\/a>&nbsp;and in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/courses\/computing-it\/diplomas\/diploma-in-software-development-w20\">Software Development<\/a>. These qualifications are approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. They are based on the same employer-developed occupational standards as apprenticeships, but do not require employment as an apprentice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Postgraduate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We offer one taught postgraduate degree:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/postgraduate\/qualifications\/f66\">MSc Computing<\/a>&nbsp;is an industry-relevant qualification that provides a rigorous approach to the study and application of computing, covering a range of topics and incorporating transferable skills applicable to professional development. You can choose between the flexible route (offering a wide choice of modules to suit your needs) and the more focused software engineering route or information security and forensics route, (which enable you to develop in-depth specialist knowledge). All three routes finish with a substantial independent project that will either have a professional or research orientation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also incorporate Computing modules into an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/postgraduate\/qualifications\/f81\">Open MA or MSc<\/a>&nbsp;degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research degrees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We offer both full-time and part-time PhD and MPhil degrees on research projects related to our main thematic research areas. Browse our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/university.open.ac.uk\/stem\/computing-and-communications\/research\">research pages<\/a>&nbsp;to discover some of the things we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Teaching underpinned by research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Open University doesn\u2019t just teach: it\u2019s a global leader in research and innovation too, with OU research and development ranking in the top third of UK universities. The Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics has a long and distinguished record of conducting high quality, internationally leading research. These researchers contribute to our state of the art curriculum material ensuring our teaching is up to date, informed by scientific research.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"unity-stem-block unity-stem-staff-card unity-stem-staff-card--no-image\">\n            <a class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/staff\/miriam-fernandez\/\">\n                                <div class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__body\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right post-title-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <h3 class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__name\">Miriam Fernandez<\/h3>\n                                            <p class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__job-title\">Professor Of Responsible Artificial Intelligence<\/p>\n                                                                <span class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__unit-wrap\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__unit unity-stem-staff-card__unit--light\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/cdn\/img\/icons\/knowledge-media-institute-white.png\" alt=\"Knowledge Media Institute\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__unit unity-stem-staff-card__unit--dark\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/cdn\/img\/icons\/knowledge-media-institute-black.png\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n<div class=\"unity-stem-block unity-news unity-news--highlights\">\n       <div class=\"col-12 unity-news__card-wrap--block unity-news__card-wrap\">\n            <div class=\"card unity-news__card unity-news-snippet\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.stem.open.ac.uk\/open-university-researchers-awarded-450000-for-unlearning-ai\/\" class=\"unity-news__link noborder\">\n                                        <div class=\"unity-news__body card-body\">\n                        <div class=\"unity-news__content\">\n                            <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right post-title-icon\"><\/i>\n                            <h3 class=\"unity-news__title\">\n                                Open University Researchers\u00a0awarded \u00a3450,000\u00a0for \u201cUnlearning AI\u201d\u00a0                            <\/h3>\n                                                            <div class=\"unity-news__meta\">\n                                    01 Apr 2026                                <\/div>\n                                                                                        <p class=\"unity-news__excerpt\">\n                                    KMi is proud to announce&nbsp;that&nbsp;Dr. Tracie Farrell&nbsp;and co-investigator&nbsp;Dr. R.&nbsp;Justin Hunt&nbsp;have&nbsp;been&hellip;                                <\/p>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unity-stem-block unity-project-cards unity-project-cards--block\"><div class=\"col-12 unity-card-container unity-project-cards__card\"><div class=\"card unity-card\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/cdn\/img\/banners\/research-banner-5.png\" alt=\"OU Analyse\" class=\"unity-project-cards__logo\"><a href=\"https:\/\/research.stem.open.ac.uk\/ouanalyse\/\" class=\"unity-project-cards__logo-link\"><div class=\"unity-project-cards__body card-body\"><i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right post-title-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><h3 class=\"card-title unity-project-cards__title\">OU Analyse<\/h3><p class=\"card-text unity-project-cards__blurb\">OU Analyse is a system powered by machine learning methods for early identification of students at risk of failing. All students with their risk of failure in their next assignment are updated weekly and made available to the course tutors&#8230;<\/p><\/div><\/a><div class=\"unity-project-cards__meta\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/cdn\/img\/icons\/knowledge-media-institute-white.png\" alt=\"knowledge-media-institute\" class=\"unity-project-cards__icon\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unity-stem-block unity-stem-publication\"><span class=\"unity-pub-authors\">Marschall, G., Watson, S., Kimber, E. and Major, L.<\/span>, <span class=\"unity-pub-year\">2025<\/span>, &#8216;<span class=\"unity-pub-title\">A transdisciplinary study of a novice mathematics teacher\u2019s instructional decision-making<\/span>&#8217;, <span class=\"unity-pub-container\">Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education<\/span>, <span class=\"unity-pub-details\">28(6),  pp. 1397\u20131422.<\/span>, <span class=\"unity-pub-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oro.open.ac.uk\/109186\/\">https:\/\/oro.open.ac.uk\/109186\/<\/a><\/span>.<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"unity-stem-block unity-stem-publication\"><span class=\"unity-pub-authors\">Lee, M. R., Griffin, S., Findlay, R., Zhao, X. and Franchi, I. A.<\/span>, <span class=\"unity-pub-year\">2026<\/span>, &#8216;<span class=\"unity-pub-title\">Anhydrous lithic clasts in four CM2 carbonaceous chondrites derived from a thermally metamorphosed planetesimal with CM and CY affinitiees<\/span>&#8217;, <span class=\"unity-pub-container\">Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta<\/span>, <span class=\"unity-pub-details\">415  pp. 235\u2013251.<\/span>, <span class=\"unity-pub-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oro.open.ac.uk\/109419\/\">https:\/\/oro.open.ac.uk\/109419\/<\/a><\/span>.<\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"unity-stem-block unity-stem-staff-card\">\n            <a class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__link\" href=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/staff\/damian-dadswell\/\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__image\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/676165c0c2460-300x300.png\" alt=\"Damian Dadswell\">\n                                <div class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__body\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right post-title-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <h3 class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__name\">Damian Dadswell<\/h3>\n                                            <p class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__job-title\">Senior Manager, Software Engineering Services<\/p>\n                                                                <span class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__unit-wrap\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__unit unity-stem-staff-card__unit--light\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/cdn\/img\/icons\/professional-services-white.png\" alt=\"Professional Services\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"unity-stem-staff-card__unit unity-stem-staff-card__unit--dark\" src=\"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/cdn\/img\/icons\/professional-services-black.png\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Computing and Information Technology is the foundation to modern society and business. In this subject area we include specialism in computer science, data science, digital forensics, digital technologies, networking, software development and web development. Our range of Computing and IT qualifications can be found&nbsp;in our online prospectus. For more information about studying Computing and Communications [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"unity_related_person":[],"unity_sdg":[],"unity_research_theme":[],"unity_strategic_priority":[],"unity_enabler":[],"unity_general_category":[],"unity_stem_unit":[],"unity_related_project":[],"unity_related_archived_project":[],"unity_related_event":[],"class_list":["post-21","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":169,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21\/revisions\/169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"unity_related_person","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_related_person?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"unity_sdg","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_sdg?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"unity_research_theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_research_theme?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"unity_strategic_priority","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_strategic_priority?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"unity_enabler","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_enabler?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"unity_general_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_general_category?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"unity_stem_unit","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_stem_unit?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"unity_related_project","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_related_project?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"unity_related_archived_project","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_related_archived_project?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"unity_related_event","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/computing-and-communications\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_related_event?post=21"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}