What can OR do?

Operational Research (OR) uses mathematical techniques to tackle real-life decision problems

  • Schedule planes/crews and decide seat prices
  • Route internet calls and allocate mobile phone frequencies
  • Manage a portfolio of shares and minimize its risk
  • Optimize the development of an oil field
  • Plan the operation of a hospital blood bank

Management Science, Decision Sciences, and Operations Management are all part of Operational Research, which is also known as Operations Research

programme overview

Programme at a glance

Starts: mid-September
Lasts: 12 months full-time
You get: Expert training to become an OR analyst with excellent career opportunities or foundation for PhD study
You need: A degree in an area such as Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Physical or Biological Sciences, Economics or Business Studies
Intake: 45-55 students
Funding: Fees+stipend for 1-2 UK students; Fees for 5-8 EU students
Email: ORMSc@ed.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (131) 650 4883

Michel Zedler (2009)

Michel Zedler

"I came out with a distinction and received several permanent job offers despite the adverse economic conditions. For the future I am confident that my double qualification in Computer Science and Operational Research will pave my way to work on the most challenging projects and with the most exceptional people."

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Michel Zedler Michel Zedler (2009)

I came to Edinburgh with a German degree in computer science and pushing 3 years of professional work experience at IBM Research and other software companies.

Exams and assignments posed the greatest academic challenge of my career. Still, I would like to encourage anyone who masters two out of three disciplines mandatory for the core modules: Maths, English and Programming. If you are motivated to brush up the weakest discipline and prepared to deal with time pressure you will get the maximum out of this programme...

As a class representative I experienced an egalitarian professor-student relationship and felt that student feedback was considered carefully. A number of external guest lecturers from diverse backgrounds in industry and academia enriched the programme with their expertise. The overall productive learning atmosphere was further improved by group assignments that channelled skill transfer between students. I have won some life-time friends in this year.

I had the opportunity to do my master thesis project with the Edinburgh-based financial risk-management company Barrie & Hibbert. Here I implemented a heuristic to improve the performance of Monte Carlo simulations on a computer cluster. I came out with a distinction and received several permanent job offers despite the adverse economic conditions. For the future I am confident that my double qualification in Computer Science and Operational Research will pave my way to work on the most challenging projects and with the most exceptional people.

Other student stories


Operational Research MSc Programmes

Application deadline

Due to high demand for places on these programmes, applications received before 31st March 2013 were given priority.  Given the expected number of students on the programme in 2013-14, offers may now only be made to outstanding applicants.

Why Operational Research MSc?

You will enjoy Operational Research if you like solving practical quantitative problems and seeing the solutions implemented.

By studying Operational Research you will develop a valuable combination of mathematical, modelling, analytical, computing, interpersonal and communication skills.

An Operational Research MSc provides

Our students come from diverse backgrounds such as mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, engineering, economics and other quantitative disciplines.

Financial Aid

The OR MSc Programme has substantial funding from the UK Government (though EPSRC) and the School of Mathematics to encourage the best UK and EU students to study Operational Research. We will offer the best UK applicants a funding package of full fees and a stipend of at least £5,000. In addition, well qualified UK applicants can expect to be offered funding covering their course fees and may be offered some living expenses. Well qualified EU applicants can expect to be offered funding covering some or all of their course fees.

Note that there is no need to apply separately for the above funding. All applicants for the OR MSc Programme are automatically considered for any funding for which they are eligible. This is despite the following statement in the application form: "This does not constitute an application for funding from the University of Edinburgh". Note that all Scottish and non-UK nationals of EU countries are eligible for a £3,400 loan tfrom he Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

Why Edinburgh?

University of Edinburgh is a top world-class university.

The Edinburgh OR MSc is an intensive one year programme with selected courses delivered by industry professionals.

Our programme is flexible, offering specialization in 

We offer opportunities to pursue an industry or government summer dissertation project.

The city of Edinburgh is 


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