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Professional Certificate in Practical Statistics

Statistics play an important role in almost all areas of employment, the need to understand how to use data to inform scientific and business decisions has never been more important. This certificate will introduce you to key ideas in statistics and equip you with the skills to explore, summarise and analyse data to solve practical problems. You’ll gain an appreciation of the breadth of statistical applications and the role of variability in today’s world.

Course Summary

Certificate

Course code: S03

Credits

120

How long it takes
Study method: Distance learning

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Course details Am I ready? Fees & funding Careers

Course details

This certificate has one stage, comprising 30 credits at OU level 1, 60 credits at OU level 2 and 30 credits at OU level 3. It’s important you have a good understanding at each level before moving to the next.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

On successfully completing your first module, you’ll be able to produce numerical and graphical summaries of data; examine relationships between variables; and understand practical methods of sampling and the problems that arise in the collection of data. In it, you’ll learn about probability, hypothesis testing, and estimation. You’ll carry out basic statistical analyses – using a commercially available statistical software package – on data from a broad range of contexts including financial, education and health. We’ll also equip you with the skills to articulate and critically appraise statistical results in the context of a practical problem.

Then, at OU level 2, you’ll deepen your understanding of statistics with data analysis, medical statistics, time series analysis, multivariate statistics, and Bayesian statistics; at OU level 3, you’ll move on to linear and generalised linear modelling – at each level, using professional statistical software packages. You’ll also gain experience of when to recognise the limitation of statistical analyses.


Modules	Credits
You'll study all four of the following:
Introducing statistics (M140)	30
Analysing data (M248)	30
Practical modern statistics (M249)	30
Linear statistical modelling (M346)	30

The modules quoted in this description are currently available for study. However, as we review the curriculum on a regular basis, the exact selection may change over time.

Accessibility

We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Professional Certificate in Practical Statistics uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:

studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
using and producing diagrams and screenshots
undertaking practical work
using specialist software

If you feel you may need additional support with any of the elements above, visit our disability page to find more about what we offer. Please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your individual requirements, so we can put arrangements in place before you start.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:

Knowledge and understanding
Cognitive skills
Practical and professional skills
Key skills

The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; e-learning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Read the detailed learning outcomes here

Credit transfer

If you have already studied at university level, you may be able to count it towards your Open University qualification – which could save you time and money by reducing the number of modules you need to study. At the OU we call this credit transfer.

It’s not just university study that can be considered, you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications such as HNCs and HNDs.

You should apply for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where and when and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.

For more details of when you will need to apply by and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

On completion

On completion of this undergraduate course, we'll award you the Professional Certificate in Practical Statistics.

Recognition in your country

If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Read recognition in my country.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Essential Documents website.

Professional Certificate in Practical Statistics

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements to study this qualification, but it’s very important you’re well prepared to study mathematics at this level.

We recommend that you have previous experience in mathematics before studying Introducing statistics (M140). In particular, you should be confident with the following topics:

arithmetic of numbers, including negative numbers and fractions
powers of numbers including square roots
using your scientific calculator effectively for the above topics, and for working with brackets
using simple formulas
drawing and interpreting simple charts and graphs

To successfully complete Analysing data M248, you’ll need to be:

confident using mathematical notation and manipulating algebraic expressions
familiar with mathematical functions, including the logarithmic and the exponential functions
able to perform simple integration and differentiation

Check you’re ready, with our self-assessed quiz.

How much time do I need?

Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.

Counting previous study

You could save time and money by reducing the number of modules you need to study towards this qualification if you have:

already studied at university level (even if you didn't finish your studies)
other professional or vocational qualifications such as HNCs and HNDs.

Find out more about credit transfer

An OU qualification will always help you stand out from the crowd, now and in the future – whether you’re just starting out, developing your career, or changing direction entirely.

Skills for career development

Statistics lie at the heart of many activities, from everyday problem solving and decision making to the formulation of economic policy and the advancement of science and technology. A wide variety of employers seek ability in data analysis– this certificate will equip you with the skills and knowledge required for many jobs that require the use of data, and will enhance the following valuable and transferable and skills, such as:

communicating statistical ideas clearly and succinctly
understanding statistical texts
thinking logically
interpreting statistical analyses in real-world terms
conducting statistical investigations and analyses of practical problems
using professional software

Career relevance

The art of analysing data is applicable to jobs in virtually any discipline, including actuary, biology, economics, education, engineering, environmental studies, finance, forensic science, government, logistics, medicine, pharmaceuticals, meteorology, market research, sport, and the growing area of data science – to name but a few.

Exploring your options

Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you’ll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice, including: online forums, website, interview simulation and vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.

In the meantime, if you want to do some research around where this qualification might take you, we’ve put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your qualification):

actuary
business analyst
business manager
climate scientist
data scientist

environmental scientist
financial consultant
health professional
marketing professional
meteorologist

policy maker
research analyst
sport scientist
teacher

Want to see more jobs? Use the career explorer for job ideas from the National Careers Service, PlanIT Plus in Scotland and Prospects across all nations. You can also visit GradIreland for the Republic of Ireland.

Find out where this course can take you

Register for this course

Start dates

Feb 2018 - Registration closes 11/01/2018

Credit transfer: apply by 30/11/2017

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Our brochures are your essential guide to studying with us, covering courses, fees and funding, career prospects and more.

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Professional Certificate in Practical Statistics

Course Summary

Certificate

Course details

Stage 1 (120 credits)

Accessibility

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Recognition in your country

Regulations

Entry requirements

How much time do I need?

Counting previous study

How much will it cost in England?

Ways to pay for your qualification and other support

How many credits are you planning to study per year?

Do you already hold a degree?

Was your previous degree in the same subject you wish to study now?

Was it achieved in the last 5 years?

Are you employed?

Are you a member of British Forces Posted Overseas?

Skills for career development

Career relevance

Exploring your options

Register for this course

Download a brochure

Bachelor degrees

Masters degrees

Degree subjects

Change language

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Grundständige Studiengänge

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The Open University

Course details

Stage 1 (120 credits)

Accessibility

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Recognition in your country

Regulations

Entry requirements

How much time do I need?

Counting previous study

Your next step

How much will it cost in England?

Ways to pay for your qualification and other support

How many credits are you planning to study per year?

Do you already hold a degree?

Was your previous degree in the same subject you wish to study now?

Was it achieved in the last 5 years?

Are you employed?

Are you a member of British Forces Posted Overseas?

Skills for career development

Career relevance

Exploring your options

Register for this course

Download a brochure

Bachelor degrees

Masters degrees

Degree subjects

Change language

Connect with us

Grundständige Studiengänge

Masterstudiengange

Grad

Sprache ändern

Connect with us

Where do you live?