MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice
Online, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
8 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
GBP 13,450 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total cost £9,120–£13,450
Key Summary
About: MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice builds holistic thinking, multiple perspectives, and systems tools. You choose a research or professional route, ending with substantial professional study or an academic research project. The programme teaches research methods and practical approaches to improve complex situations across business, engineering, environment, development, health, IT management and organizational change. It uses distance learning with tutor support; Minimum – 3 years.
Career Outcomes: It suits professionals managing complex situations and those wanting new skills. Applies across public, private and self-employment. Roles include systems analyst, organizational change manager, policy advisor, consultant, programme manager, business analyst and researcher.
MSc in Systems Thinking in Practice has the development of holistic thinking skills and an appreciation of multiple perspectives at its core. You will gain insights into how other people think about situations and learn to apply concepts, tools and techniques developed by systems thinkers. The research project extends your ways of thinking and acting in practice to improve complex situations. Systems thinking skills are relevant in many areas, such as business, engineering, environment, development, health, IT management, and organisational change.
Key features
- Offers you the choice of a research route or a professional route.
- Both routes develop essential skills for addressing systems thinking issues systematically in your own context and extend your knowledge of recent research and research methods.
- Concludes with either a substantial piece of independent study on a topic of professional interest to you or a more academic in-depth research project.
How long it takes
Minimum - 3 years
To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:
Stage 1 (120 credits)
60 credits from:
- Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (TB871)
- Managing change with systems thinking in practice (TB872)
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules TU811 and TU812.
60 credits from:
- Manufacture Materials Design (T805)
- Strategic Capabilities for Technological Innovation (T849)
- Technology Innovation Management (TB801)
- Making Environmental Decisions (T891)
- Sustainable Organisations: Theory and Practice (T892)
- Information Security (M811)
- Digital Forensics (M812)
- Software Development (M813)
- Software Engineering (M814)
- Project Management (M815)
- Data Management (M816)
- Network Security (T828)
- Advanced Networking (CCNA Enterprise) (T829)
- Global Development in Practice (D890)
- Principles of Social and Psychological Inquiry (DD801)
- Understanding Global Development (DD870)
- Financial Markets and the Financing of Organisations (B815)
- Sustainable Creative Management (BB842)
- Entrepreneurship in Context (BB851)
- Leadership and Management of Public Services (BB852)
- Contemporary Issues in Organisations (BB853)
- Managing in a Changing World (B870)
- Creating and Sustaining Value (B872)
- Advance Your Independent Learning (YXM830)
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules B716, B820, B821, B822, B823, B825, B856, B857, B858, BB835, BB844, BB845, BB846, BB847, BB848, H807, H808, K827, S808, T826, T827, T835, T837, T839, T840, T846, T848, T850, T851, T852, T853, T860, T861, T862, T863, T867, T877, T878, T879, T882, T883, T889, T890, T894, TD866, TM893, TU870, TU871, TU872, TU875 and U810.
Stage 2 (60 credits)
You will choose either:
- A Research route
- A Professional route
Research route
60 credits from:
- Research project (T802)
Professional route
60 credits from:
- The MSc professional project (T847)
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module T842
Plus another 30 credits from the Stage 1 modules
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
You will learn through two interrelated methods. Firstly, using a range of specially written study materials, case studies, original texts, study guides and assignments, and through a range of multi-media material. Secondly, you are allocated a tutor who is your first and main point of contact.
Your tutor answers queries on study materials, grades and comments on your work, and, depending on which module you are studying, may arrange online tutorials. You are also encouraged to participate in online discussion forums for the module(s) you are studying. This gives you a chance to share and resolve issues with fellow students, as well as with tutors and the module team.
Formative assessment in the form of informal activities and self-assessed questions (SAQs) allows you to assess your own progress and understanding. Formal assessment of the knowledge and understanding components of the programme is achieved by a series of tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) – usually three for each 30-credit module.
These assignments are marked and assessed by your tutor. They are central to the teaching of the module since they allow you an opportunity to display your knowledge and understanding. This will enable tutors to identify any issues concerning either and provide appropriate feedback.
Although assignments are usually undertaken on an individual basis, some modules have group-based assignments that use online discussion forums. Modules may also include computer-marked assignments or examination papers. Currently, most modules within the technology management programme include an end-of-module assessment, in place of an examination.
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this MSc, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following:
- Key systems concepts and multiple traditions of systems thinking in practice
- The concepts of practice and its ethical and systemic dimensions
- The many ways in which systems thinking can be applied in different fields of research and professional practice
- The nature of research traditions within technological and systems contexts
- The transformative potential of systems thinking in practice
Cognitive skills
On completion of this MSc, you will be able to:
- Reflect on the use of systems concepts and techniques in the real world
- Develop awareness of ethical behaviour in a given situation
- Holistically analyse and take creative action in a range of application domains
- Identify and define conceptual and practical problems in terms of systems thinking in practice research.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this MSc, you will be able to:
- Design systemic inquiries, using and building upon concepts from systems approaches
- Manage relationships with stakeholders, taking an ethical and critical approach to issues of politics and power in the situation and with your own practice
- Apply systems concepts and techniques to real-world situations
- Evaluate systemically your experience as a systems thinking practitioner.
Key skills
On completion of this MSc, you will be able to:
- Learn in familiar and unfamiliar situations and translate that learning to other contexts
- Communicate effectively using written and diagrammatic presentations
- Seek relevant information from appropriate sources
- Develop ways of improving complex and problematic situations.
Those with both professional interests and responsibilities in managing complex situations will find this master's qualification useful to them in their work. It will also provide the opportunity for those wanting to progress to demonstrate their potential to develop new skills. The flexibility of the choice of module allows you to tailor the content to your needs and can be applicable in a wide range of sectors; including health, education, environment, international development, community engagement, manufacturing, IT and science.
The study of systems thinking and practice provides knowledge and understanding that is equally applicable in the public and private sectors. If you are self-employed you may also find the knowledge developed by studying this combination of modules provides the opportunity to take a more objective and innovative view of the systems they have already created and how to change these for the future.