Open University requirements
Entry requirements for applicants taking Open University qualifications
For entry into first year of the majority of undergraduate degrees in the College of Science and Engineering, applicants require 120 credits at minimum Level 1.
Below is a list of recommended Open University modules which we believe best prepare applicants for their chosen programme. With the exception of essential modules, applicants can select any Open University module to make up the required number of credits at the required level.
As final grades for Open University modules are usually published in November we can accept a satisfactory tutor's report in lieu of pending results.
Please note the University's English Language Requirements requirement also applies to Open University applicants.
For entry into Year 1, applicants require 120 credits with at least 60 at Level 2.
Compulsory courses
| Cell Biology | Level 2 | 30 credits | S294 |
You must also take at least one of the following chemistry courses
| Chemistry: essential concepts | Level 2 | 60 credits | S215 |
| Chemistry in life: food, water and medicines | Level 3 | 30 credits | S248 |
|
Contemporary topics in science (to include Molecules, medicines and drugs: a chemical story) |
Level 1 | 10 credits | SXM150 |
Other accepted courses
| Questions in science | Level 1 | 60 credits | S111 |
| Science: concepts and practice | Level 1 | 60 credits | S112 |
| Human Biology | Level 2 | 30 credits | SK299 |
| The biology of survival | Level 2 | 30 credits | S295 |
| Investigative approaches in biology and chemistry | Level 2 | 30 credits | S285 |
| Essential Mathematics 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST124 |
Chemistry (MChem or BSc) or Medicinal and Biological Chemistry (MChem or BSc)
For entry into 1st year Chemistry or 1st year Medicinal and Biological Chemistry a total of 120 credits at levels 1 are required which must include MU123 and S112
| Discovering Mathematics | Level 1 | 30 credits | MU123 |
| Science: concepts and practice | Level 1 | 60 credits | S112 |
For direct entry into 2nd year Chemistry or 2nd year Medicinal and Biological Chemistry a total of 120 credits at levels 1 and 2 are required which must include MST124 and S215
| Essential Mathematics 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST124 |
| Chemistry: essential concepts | Level 2 | 60 credits | S215 |
Chemical Physics (MChem or BSc)
For direct entry into 1st year, 120 credits are required which must include MU123, S112 and SM123
| Discovering Mathematics | Level 1 | 30 credits | MU123 |
| Science: concepts and practice | Level 1 | 60 credits | S112 |
| Physics and Space | Level 1 | 30 credits | SM123 |
For direct entry into 2nd year, 120 credits are required which must include S215 and S217
| Physics: from classical to quantum | Level 2 | 60 credits | S217 |
| Chemistry: essential concepts | Level 2 | 60 credits | S215 |
Civil, Electronic and Electrical Engineering programmes
For entry into Year 1, applicants require 120 credits at Level 1. We recommend two of the following:
| Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production | Level 1 | 30 credits | T193 |
| Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications | Level 1 | 30 credits | T194 |
| Engineering: origins, methods, context | Level 1 | 30 credits | T192 |
For entry into Year 2, applicants require 120 credits, including two of the three listed above plus an additional 60 credits at Level 2 from those listed below. Please contact the Admissions Office for specific information about Year 2 entry requirements.
| Mathematical Methods | Level 2 | 30 credits | MST224 |
| Core Engineering A | Level 2 | 30 credits | T271 |
| Core Engineering B | Level 2 | 30 credits | T272 |
| Design for engineers | Level 2 | 30 credits | T218 |
| Electronics: Sensing, logic and actuation | Level 2 | 30 credits | T212 |
Chemical Engineering programmes
For entry into Year 1, applicants must have 120 credits including:
| Chemistry: essential concepts | Level 2 | 60 credits | S215 |
| Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications | Level 1 | 30 credits | T194 |
Please contact the Admissions Office for specific information about Year 2 entry requirements.
Mechanical Engineering programmes
For entry into Year 1, applicants require 120 credits at Level 1. We recommend two of the following:
| Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production | Level 1 | 30 credits | T193 |
| Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications | Level 1 | 30 credits | T194 |
| Engineering: origins, methods, context | Level 1 | 30 credits | T192 |
For entry into Year 2, applicants require 120 credits, including two of the three listed above plus an additional 60 credits at Level 2 from those listed below. Please contact the Admissions Office for specific information about Year 2 entry requirements.
| Mathematical Methods | Level 2 | 30 credits | MST224 |
| Core Engineering A | Level 2 | 30 credits | T271 |
| Core Engineering B | Level 2 | 30 credits | T272 |
| Design for engineers | Level 2 | 30 credits | T218 |
| Electronics: Sensing, logic and actuation | Level 2 | 30 credits | T212 |
- Direct entry into 2nd year is not available for BSc/MEarthPhys Geophysics and Geology (F690/L3R7) or MEarthPhys Geophysics & Geology with Professional Placement (L5T6).
- For all other programmes direct entry into 2nd year 120 credits should be at level 2 in modules relevant to the degree programme being applied to.
- For the Geography MA 60 credits must be from the modules asterisked in the list below. Flexibility may be shown in some circumstances.
Earth Sciences
Geophysics, Geophysics and Geology, Geophysics and Meteorology
For direct entry into 2nd year, applicants must have passed 60 credits of Level 2 physics (Physics: from classical to quantum), and have 60 credits of mathematics (120 credits in total). Direct entry into 2nd year is not available for BSc/MEarthPhys Geophysics and Geology (F690/L3R7) OR MEarthPhys Geophysics & Geology with Professional Placement (L5T6).
| Discovering mathematics | Level 1 | 30 credits | MU123 |
| Essential mathematics 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST124 |
| Essential mathematics 2 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST125 |
| Questions in science | Level 1 | 30 credits | S111 |
| Physics: from classical to quantum | Level 2 | 60 credits | S217 |
Geology, Environmental Geoscience, Geology and Physical Geography
A total of 120 credits at levels 1 or 2 are recommended for entry with at least 60 of these credits from the modules listed below In addition to these subjects we require some evidence of aptitude for mathematics. This can be National 5 maths at grade A, GCSE maths grade 7, or an equivalent OU maths course.
| Discovering mathematics | Level 1 | 30 credits | MU123 |
| Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications | Level 1 | 30 credits | T194 |
| Engineering: origins, methods, context | Level 1 | 30 credits | T192 |
| Environment: journeys through a changing world | Level 1 | 60 credits | U116 |
| Essential mathematics 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST124 |
| Essential mathematics 2 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST125 |
| Contemporary Topics in Science | Level 1 | 10 credits | SXM150 |
| Introducing statistics | Level 1 | 30 credits | M140 |
| Introduction to computing and information technology 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | TM111 |
| Introduction to computing and information technology 2 | Level 1 | 30 credits | TM112 |
| Physics and space | Level 1 | 30 credits | SM123 |
| Questions in science | Level 1 | 60 credits | S111 |
| Science: concepts and practice | Level 1 | 60 credits | S112 |
| Cell biology | Level 2 | 30 credits | S294 |
| Chemistry: essential concepts | Level 2 | 60 credits | S215 |
| Earth science | Level 2 | 60 credits | S209 |
| Energy and sustainability | Level 2 | 30 credits | T213 |
| Environmental science | Level 2 | 60 credits | S206 |
| Mathematical methods | Level 2 | 30 credits | MST224 |
| Physics: from classical to quantum | Level 2 | 60 credits | S217 |
| Planetary science and the search for life | Level 2 | 30 credits | S283 |
| Pure mathematics | Level 2 | 60 credits | M208 |
| Remote experiments in physics and space | Level 2 | 30 credits | SXPS288 |
Ecological and Environmental Sciences
A total of 120 credits at levels 1 or 2 are recommended for entry with at least 60 of these credits from the modules listed below. In addition to these subjects we require some evidence of aptitude for mathematics. This can be National 5 maths at grade B, GCSE maths grade 6, or an equivalent OU maths course.
| Discovering mathematics | Level 1 | 30 credits | MU123 |
| Environment: journeys through a changing world | Level 1 | 60 credits | U116 |
| Essential mathematics 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST124 |
| Essential mathematics 2 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST125 |
| Contemporary Topics in Science | Level 1 | 10 credits | SXM150 |
| Introducing statistics | Level 1 | 30 credits | M140 |
| Introduction to computing and information technology 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | TM111 |
| Introduction to computing and information technology 2 | Level 1 | 30 credits | TM112 |
| Physics and space | Level 1 | 30 credits | SM123 |
| Questions in science | Level 1 | 60 credits | S111 |
| Science: concepts and practice | Level 1 | 60 credits | S112 |
| Cell biology | Level 2 | 30 credits | S294 |
| Chemistry: essential concepts | Level 2 | 60 credits | S215 |
| Earth science | Level 2 | 60 credits | S209 |
| Energy and sustainability | Level 2 | 30 credits | T213 |
| Environmental science | Level 2 | 60 credits | S206 |
| Environmental management 1 | Level 2 | 30 credits | T219 |
| Mathematical methods | Level 2 | 30 credits | MST224 |
| Physics: from classical to quantum | Level 2 | 60 credits | S217 |
| Planetary science and the search for life | Level 2 | 30 credits | S283 |
| Pure mathematics | Level 2 | 60 credits | M208 |
| Remote experiments in physics and space | Level 2 | 30 credits | SXPS288 |
| The biology of survival | Level 2 | 30 credits | S295 |
Geography BSc
A total of 120 credits at levels 1 or 2 are recommended for entry with at least 60 of these credits from the modules listed below. In addition to these subjects we require some evidence of aptitude for mathematics. This can be National 5 maths at grade B, GCSE maths grade 6, or an equivalent OU maths course.
| Discovering mathematics | Level 1 | 30 credits | MU123 |
| Discovering the arts and humanities | Level 1 | 60 credits | A111 |
| Economics in context | Level 1 | 30 credits | DD126 |
| Environment: journeys through a changing world | Level 1 | 60 credits | U116 |
| Essential mathematics 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST124 |
| Essential mathematics 2 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST125 |
| Exploring languages and cultures | Level 1 | 30 credits | L161 |
| Introducing statistics | Level 1 | 30 credits | M140 |
| Introducing the social sciences | Level 1 | 60 credits | DD102 |
| Introduction to computing and information technology 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | TM111 |
| Introduction to computing and information technology 2 | Level 1 | 30 credits | TM112 |
| Investigating the social world | Level 1 | 60 credits | DD103 |
| Contemporary Topics in Science | Level 1 | 10 credits | SXM150 |
| Physics and space | Level 1 | 30 credits | SM123 |
| Questions in science | Level 1 | 60 credits | S111 |
| Science: concepts and practice | Level 1 | 60 credits | S112 |
| Cell biology | Level 2 | 30 credits | S294 |
| Chemistry: essential concepts | Level 2 | 60 credits | S215 |
| Earth science | Level 2 | 60 credits | S209 |
| Energy and sustainability | Level 2 | 30 credits | T213 |
| Environmental science | Level 2 | 60 credits | S206 |
| Mathematical methods | Level 2 | 30 credits | MST224 |
| Physics: from classical to quantum | Level 2 | 60 credits | S217 |
| Planetary science and the search for life | Level 2 | 30 credits | S283 |
| Pure mathematics | Level 2 | 60 credits | M208 |
| Remote experiments in physics and space | Level 2 | 30 credits | SXPS288 |
| The biology of survival | Level 2 | 30 credits | S295 |
Geography MA
A total of 120 credits at levels 1 or 2 are recommended for entry with at least 60 of these credits from the modules listed below. In addition to these subjects we require some evidence of aptitude for mathematics. This can be National 5 Maths at grade C, GCSE Maths grade 4, or an equivalent Open University Maths course.
|
One required for direct entry |
||||
| An introduction to business and management | Level 1 | 60 credits | B100 | |
| Communication skills for business and management | Level 1 | 30 credits | LB170 | |
| Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century | Level 1 | 60 credits | U101 | |
| Discovering mathematics | Level 1 | 30 credits | MU123 | |
| Discovering the arts and humanities | Level 1 | 60 credits | A111 | |
| Economics in context | Level 1 | 30 credits | DD126 | |
| Environment: journeys through a changing world | Level 1 | 60 credits | U116 | |
| Essential mathematics 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST124 | |
| Essential mathematics 2 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST125 | |
| Exploring languages and cultures | Level 1 | 30 credits | L161 | |
| Contemporary Topics in Science | Level 1 | 10 credits | SXM150 | |
| Introducing English language studies | Level 1 | 60 credits | L101 | |
| Introducing statistics | Level 1 | 30 credits | M140 | |
| Introducing the social sciences | Level 1 | 60 credits | DD102 | |
| Introduction to computing and information technology 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | TM111 | |
| Introduction to computing and information technology 2 | Level 1 | 30 credits | TM112 | |
| Introduction to criminology | Level 1 | 60 credits | DD105 | |
| Investigating the social world | Level 1 | 60 credits | DD103 | |
| Law making in Scotland | Level 1 | 10 credits | WXM151 | |
| Law: concepts and perspectives | Level 1 | 60 credits | W102 | |
| Physics and space | Level 1 | 30 credits | SM123 | |
| Questions in science | Level 1 | 60 credits | S111 | |
| Science and health: an evidence-based approach | Level 1 | 60 credits | SDK100 | |
| Science: concepts and practice | Level 1 | 60 credits | S112 | |
| Analysing data | Level 2 | 30 credits | M248 | |
| Communication and information technologies | Level 2 | 30 credits | TM255 | |
| Early modern Europe: society and culture c.1500-1780 | Level 2 | 60 credits | A223 | |
| Energy and sustainability | Level 2 | 30 credits | T213 | |
| Environment and society | * | Level 2 | 60 credits | DD213 |
| Environment: sharing a dynamic planet | * | Level 2 | 60 credits | DST206 |
| Environmental management 1 | Level 2 | 30 credits | T219 | |
| Environmental science | Level 2 | 60 credits | S206 | |
| Exploring art and visual culture | Level 2 | 60 credits | A226 | |
| Exploring philosophy | Level 2 | 60 credits | A222 | |
| Exploring religion: places, practices, texts and experiences | Level 2 | 60 credits | A227 | |
| Exploring the classical world | Level 2 | 60 credits | A229 | |
| International development: making sense of a changing world | * | Level 2 | 60 credits | TD223 |
| Running the economy | Level 2 | 60 credits | DD209 | |
| The biology of survival | Level 2 | 30 credits | S295 | |
| The British Isles and the modern world, 1789-1914 | Level 2 | 60 credits | A225 | |
| Understanding criminology | Level 2 | 60 credits | DD212 | |
| Understanding politics: ideas and institutions in the modern world | Level 2 | 60 credits | DD211 |
* These are compulsory courses and applicants must pass both modules with Grade 2/Grade 3 passes for entry into Year 1. Please note that there is no direct entry into Year 2 of any Informatics degrees.
| Essential Mathematics 1* | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST124 |
| Essential Mathematics 2* | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST125 |
| Discovering Mathematics | Level 1 | 30 credits | MU123 |
| Introducing statistics | Level 1 | 30 credits | M140 |
| Mathematical Methods | Level 2 | 30 credits | MST224 |
| Analysing Data | Level 2 | 30 credits | M248 |
| Mathematical methods. Models and modelling | Level 2 | 60 credits | MST210 |
| Practical modern statistics | Level 2 | 30 credits | M249 |
| Algorithms, data structures and computability | Level 2 | 30 credits | M269 |
| Object-oriented Java programming | Level 2 | 30 credits | M250 |
| Web Technologies | Level 2 | 30 credits | TT284 |
* These are compulsory courses and applicants must pass both modules with Grade 2/Grade 3 passes for entry into Year 1. For entry into Year 2, applicants must pass both modules with Grade 2 passes.
| Essential Mathematics 1* | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST124 |
| Essential Mathematics 2* | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST125 |
| Discovering Mathematics | Level 1 | 30 credits | MU123 |
| Introducing statistics | Level 1 | 30 credits | M140 |
| Mathematical Methods | Level 2 | 30 credits | MST224 |
| Analysing Data | Level 2 | 30 credits | M248 |
| Mathematical methods. Models and modelling | Level 2 | 60 credits | MST210 |
| Practical modern statistics | Level 2 | 30 credits | M249 |
| Pure Mathematics | Level 2 | 60 credits | M208 |
Applicants for entry into Year 1 must have Grade 2 passes in the following three modules:
| Essential Mathematics 1 | Level 1 | 30 credits | MST124 |
| Questions in Science | Level 1 | 60 credits | S111 |
| Physics and space | Level 1 | 30 credits | SM123 |