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

Yasir Ali (2009)

Yasir Ali

"Optimisation, Arthur's seat, Consulting, Golf course, Prisoners Dilemma, Programming, and Ceilidh are some of the things to experience and enjoy during the Operational Research MSc."

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Yasir Ali Yasir Ali (2009)

Optimisation, Arthur's seat, Consulting, Golf course, Prisoners Dilemma, Programming, and Ceilidh are some of the things to experience and enjoy during the Operational Research MSc.

Deciding to undertake an MSc was a difficult decision that I got right. My brief encounter with Operational Research during my Financial Mathematics degree aided me in deciding to read further into it. The decision to study at Edinburgh was an easier one. Through friends and visits I knew that Edinburgh was a beautiful city and the University is one with heritage.

Don’t be mistaken, the course is not for the faint hearted! The course enhanced and challenged me significantly as I can now model complex problems not only with desire but with confidence. The defining aspect of the course in comparison to other MSc-s that can offer these skills, such as Computer Science, is that the staff and the course encourage you to make decisions associated with the problems. My dissertation was a prime example of this. The collegiate environment of the department from an early stage was highly enjoyable. I have to agree with everyone, in conjunction with this, I was to able to make some real special friends and I can say with full joy that the Operational Research MSc will be a year that I look back on happily. A bit theatrical, I know!

As for now, I am working at a boutique asset manager in Edinburgh. I use programming on a daily basis for data analysis and automating operations to help in the management of trading risk. The experience during my year at Edinburgh has opened my mind and doors to many new careers. Overall, if you are willing to work hard then the Operational Research MSc is extremely recommended!

Other student stories


Operational Research MSc Programmes

 

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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