EDI15P

Environment
and Development
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Prospectus

2014/2015
I did it.
I like the way you study, the flexibility.
Thematerials were brilliant and my tutors
were immensely helpful. The feedback you
get from them is very good and the written
feedback is constructive. You meet other
students in your first year and see them all
the way through. We even arranged revision
groups when exams were approaching.
Catherine Flint, OU graduate
You can do it too.

Everything you need to know to make a start on changing your life is right
here in your hands. Read on and find out why we have the most satisfied
students in the UK, then follow these simple steps to join them
Undergraduate
1
Choose your qualification
Postgraduate
1
Decide on the qualification you want to study

for example, a BSc (Hons) Environmental Science.
For more information, click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug.
The qualification you choose will usually be related to

your undergraduate studies or professional expertise.
Choose your first module
Choose your first module

The description of your chosen qualification will
help you decide on the first module to study.
If you need advice on the recommended study
order, click www.openuniversity.co.uk/pg or
call +44 (0)845 300 60 90.
Register
To secure your place, you need to register dont
worry, theres nothing to pay at this stage. Register
online at www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug or call
+44 (0)845 300 60 90 once youve registered, well
send you an email with login details so you can move
on to the next step.
Choose your qualification
Complete your registration

Register for your module online at
www.openuniversity.co.uk/pg or call
+44 (0)845 300 60 90.
Some of the modules in your chosen qualification will be

compulsory, others will be optional. When youve decided
on your first module(s), we will ask you to confirm, and
tell us how you intend to fund your studies. Theres still
no need to make a payment at this point.
Sort out your funding

We can help you manage the costs, making study more
affordable than you might think. Depending on where you
live, we offer a variety of ways to pay find out more on
pages 4044.
Complete your registration

Finally, well need a few personal details and your
payment method or loan reference number. You can give
us this information online, or call +44 (0)845 300 60 90
and thats it youre a fully-fledged OU student and
ready to get going.
Contents
Wherever youre going, it starts here
Theres nothing distant about us
Why choose us for

environment and development?
Get the kind of CV employers

are looking for
Undergraduate study
10
Postgraduate study
28
Becoming an Open University student
40
Any questions about

studying with us?
Back cover
Wherever youre going,

it starts here.
The launch of The Open University changed the landscape of higher education
forever. The principle we were founded on that the very highest standard of
education should be accessible by the many, not the few still drives everything
we do. Its why were the undisputed experts in part-time study and why more adults
choose the OU to help them get ahead than any other university.
Were the UKs largest university

We offer one of the widest choices of qualifications in a broad
range of subjects. Four out of ten of all part-time undergraduate
students in the UK study with us and over 1,000 tutorials are held
across the UK every week.
Weve spent over 40 years honing our methods, harnessing new
and emerging technologies, and drawing on an unrivalled level
of practical experience to make sure every student has the best
possible chance to learn, achieve andsucceed.
The OU rekindled my joy of learning things just

for the sake of learning them. It was fantastic to
have access to these people who knew so much
more than me.
Philip Vincent, OU student
Were experts in flexible,

part-time study
No-one understands how to help students succeed and make
knowledge stick better than us were the experts in parttime
study. To do what we do successfully, year after year, requires
exceptional technology, methods and staff. The way we work,
works not least because its flexible enough to work around you
and your life.
So, whether youre a crofter in the Shetland Isles or an
engineer on a nuclear submarine, a working parent or a retired
grandparent, our methods are tried, tested andproven.
FACT
Someone logs onto our servers

every 0.5 seconds.
An OU qualification says
employ me
An OU qualification on your CV shows more than your level of
knowledge about a subject. It demonstrates to employers that
youre someone who is up for a challenge and committed to
successfully seeing it through, with excellent time management
and prioritising skills. Just the kind of person, in fact, that
employers are looking for, which is why organisations like KPMG,
the Metropolitan Police Service and Unilever work with our
Careers Advisory Service to recruit OU students.
With us, you dont have to put your life on hold to get the
qualification you need. Around 70 per cent of our students
fit study around their job and busy, changing lives.
Whether you want to start a new career or go further
in your current job, we can help. Find out more at
www.openuniversity.co.uk/careers-subjects.
We offer outstanding value

for money
We understand that when youre investing your time, effort and
money into studying, you need to know that the qualification
you get at the end is worthwhile. So ask anyone who knows
us whether studying for an OU qualification is worth it. Ask our
540,000 alumni, or the 30,000 employers that have chosen us to
develop their workforce organisations like the NHS, John Lewis
and O2. Were confident that their answer will be yes.
And it isnt just about getting the most out of the money you
spend. You save money with us, too. You wont need to move
away to a campus-based university, or pay extra travel expenses.
And because you have the flexibility to carry on working, you can
earn while you learn.
Were one of the worlds finest

universities
Anyone who wonders whether the way we do things means
cutting corners on the quality of the education we provide should
consider this: our learning materials are so good, over two thirds
of the 100 largest universities in the UK use them too.
Everything we do is grounded in the research were
internationally famous for OU research changes the world.
Its this reputation as one of the worlds finest research
universities that makes our qualifications so highly respected
and our learning materials so sought after.
Were more local than you think

Many people are surprised to learn that we operate from
13 OU offices located right around the UK. Why not come and
talk to us at a regional event? You can find one nearest to you at
www.openuniversity.co.uk/events.
Were just a phone call away

Students get excellent study assistance from student support
teams specialist teams dedicated to helping students
successfully complete their modules. Once you are registered as
a student, you will have access to these specialist teams. If youd
like to find out more, contact our Student Registration & Enquiry
Service on +44 (0)845 300 60 90.
Students love us
In 2013, the OU once again kept its place in the top five of all
UK universities for student satisfaction, the only university to
have achieved this every year since the survey began in 2005.
Theres nothing
distant about us.
Weve taken distance learning to a whole new, incredibly
supportive level many students whove studied elsewhere
say that theyve been better supported at the OU than at
campus-based universities.
Every year, we help thousands of ordinary people achieve

extraordinary things using our unique method of Supported
Open Learning. Its different to other methods because it
combines more one-to-one contact than distance learning with
more flexibility than campus-based learning. We blend the
best of technology and tutoring to let you decide how you want
tostudy.
Its this unique combination of flexibility and support that makes
Supported Open Learning such a successful way to learn.
Whether youre at home, at work or on the move, your tutor, study
advisers and other students are as close as you need them to
be online, on email, on the phone and face to face.
FACT
Supported Open Learning has

helped over 1.8 million students
get to where they want to be.
Whats it like being part of

the worlds largest student
community? Ask them
New students are often surprised by how social studying with
the OU can be, but a large and lively student community is part
and parcel of being the UKs largest provider of part-time higher
education. Whenever you log on, our online forums are alive with
people like you, and the opportunity to socialise doesnt stop when
you log off. Our students regularly get together, either to attend an
OU tutorial or as part of a local study group.
Find out what OU life is like before you sign up
click www.openuniversity.co.uk/platform today
to chat to our friendly, helpful student community.
Our world-class library is

open all hours
As an OU student youll have free access to the OUs huge online
library to help you research and complete your assignments.
There are thousands of online ejournals, ebooks, databases and
multimedia resources for you to tap into, 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, whenever you need them and wherever you are.
And its worth visiting the library at our Milton Keynes campus in
person if you can its a brilliantly inspiring place.
Support that continues when

your studies end
Once youve achieved your qualification, youll be invited to join
the OU Alumni Association. With 540,000 members, its a vibrant
community and a great way to connect and network with people
like you.
Studying at home was ideal for me. I didnt want

to be away from my children any more than I had
to, so it meant I could juggle my role as a mum
and fit my study around home life.
Clare Chambers, OU graduate
We can help you approach your

employer for sponsorship
A world-class education for

anyone who wants it
When it comes to managing the cost of your study, youve got

options see pages 4044 but did you know that 80 per cent
of FTSE100 companies have sponsored staff to study with us?
There are many commercially sensible reasons for organisations
to help fund your personal and professional development with
us to find out more, call our Student Registration & Enquiry
Service on +44 (0)845 300 60 90.
At the OU, we believe it doesnt matter where you start from

its where you want to be and how committed you are to getting
there that matters.
Ive been dipping in and out of the OU for the last

decade, and have always found the modules to be
a fantastic way of learning new skills, and keeping
my techniques and knowledge up-to-date.
Simon Sixsmith, OU student
Because we know that the grades you got at school arent the
only measure of ability, you dont need any previous academic
qualifications to study with us. You may, for example, discover
the skills youve gained through working will help your studies.
If you want it badly enough, well do everything we can to help
you achieve a qualification perhaps thats why more people
choose us every year than any other UK university.
We support disabled students

The unrivalled personal support we offer combined with our
multimedia learning methods and the ability to study at your
own pace means were perfectly placed to make study
accessible to almost everyone. You may also be eligible
for extra help with study and travel costs. Call our Student
Registration & Enquiry Service on +44 (0)845 300 60 90
or click www.openuniversity.co.uk/disability.
Free tasters
If youre worried about your study skills, the free taster courses
at www.open.edu/openlearn are there to help you prove you
can do it. There are over 600 to choose from, ranging from
introductory to postgraduate level, each taking between one
and 50 hours to complete.
Why choose us for

environment and development ?
Our teaching on environment and development covers many of the most pressing
questions we face in the twenty-first century.
Climate change, threats to the sustainability of the planet

and human society, unequal social and economic development,
poverty, and conflicts over resources, identity, security
these are among the defining features of our times. In our
interconnected world, governments, organisations and
individuals are called upon to address these issues at local,
national and international levels.
Our curriculum is focused on developing the capacity of
people, as citizens and as professionals, to meet these and
related challenges.
Undergraduate
Valued by employers and praised by both students and the wider
academic community, our undergraduate qualifications have
a unique interdisciplinary approach with highly committed and
energetic staff. Youll benefit from the highest quality teaching,
exceptional study materials and tutor support throughout
your studies.
We offer a range of qualifications in environmental studies,
environmental science and environmental management
and technology.
With our qualifications you can explore some of the most
challenging trends and developments that are shaping our
world and the individuals who inhabit it. Youll become a more
enlightened citizen. And on a professional level, youll acquire
highly-valued skills that you can deploy in the public, private and
voluntary sectors.
Postgraduate
With interest in development and the environment intensifying,
and the issues they give rise to increasingly prominent on local,
national and international agendas, the work opportunities
for graduates who understand these issues are growing.
The additional professional and management skills development
that a postgraduate qualification brings about can widen
employment opportunities even further.
We offer two distinct programmes at postgraduate level: one
in development management and the other in environmental
management. Both programmes offer a taught masters degree,
a diploma and a range of certificates. Whether you are interested
in the creation and management of development policies,
strategies and interventions, or in the management of the natural
and built environments, one of our postgraduate qualifications
will enhance your professional standing in these highly
specialised and increasingly important areas.
Get the kind of CV employers

are looking for.
With qualifications in these subjects you can
tackle some of the worlds greatest challenges and
developments and have a career that influences
sustainability and human welfare.
OU study develops the skills

you need in the workplace
Whatever your motivations for study, your goals and career
aspirations, we offer you supported personal development
planning either as an intrinsic part of your programme of study
or through signposted optional activities.
We will provide information explaining how particular study
routes can enhance your employability and develop
your skills.
Where could your environment

or development qualification
take you?
Professionals with a qualification in these subject areas can
find employment across the range of public, private and
voluntary sectors.
Graduates are found working in:
development consultancy
You will have opportunities to reflect on and articulate the

skills that you have gained to enable you to communicate your
learning effectively to prospective employers.
environmental management
You can find out more at

www.openuniversity.co.uk/employability.
environmental consultancy
Your studies will help you develop a broad set of

graduate-level understandings and abilities that appeal
to prospective employers.
local, national and international development agencies
For environment and development students, these include:
nature conservation
the understanding of the human and scientific causes and

consequences of environmental change
information systems
the understanding of development issues relating to poverty,

inequality, conflict, and of change in its social, economic,
political, cultural and technological forms
environmental policy
environmental education
local and national government departments
civil or diplomatic service

overseas development
journalism
the ability to collect, record and analyse data
research.
the ability to carry out investigations in a responsible, safe and

effective manner
We advise you to research your career choices as early

as possible to clarify specific qualification and experience
requirements and to identify opportunities available within your
own locality.
the ability to work well in groups, recognising and respecting

the views of others
the ability to develop and manage interventions successfully
the ability to work towards sustainable solutions.
Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any

discipline. Given the current economic climate and the increased
competition for graduate jobs, it is important to consider a variety
of occupational areas. Bear in mind that many careers require
further study, training and/or work experience beyond a degree.
To find out more about career opportunities related to
environment and development click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/env-careers.
Where have our previous

graduates ended up?
Thinking about
postgraduate study?
All UK graduates are invited to complete the Destinations of

Leavers from Higher Education Survey six months after they have
graduated. Of the OU environmental studies graduates who
responded to the latest survey:
Postgraduate study can develop valuable transferable skills such

as project management, research skills and critical thinking, and
some qualifications may allow you to take a more vocational/
professional direction and add additional skills to improve your
employability in your target area.
86 per cent were in work, including those both working

and studying
18 per cent were doing further study (whether working or not)
subjects taken by environmental studies graduates doing
further study included physical sciences; veterinary sciences,
agriculture and related subjects; and education
those who had changed employer and whose degree
was a formal requirement or advantage found
employment in charitable organisations and financial
and professional services.
An OU degree shows that you have made a

strong commitment to your studies. If you are
a mature student then it says positive things:
that you can manage your time and studies whilst
trying to work, bring up a family, pay a mortgage,
etc. A good employer will realise that it isnt
easy to do.
Marketing Manager, Travellers Worldwide
If you are considering taking a postgraduate qualification and

would like more information on the reasons why people choose
further study, how employers view postgraduate qualifications,
the different types of postgraduate study to choose from and
sources of funding, click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/exploring-further-study.
We dont just teach people.

We help them get on
Our Careers Advisory Service website
www.openuniversity.co.uk/careers provides information on all
aspects of career planning, from deciding on the right career for
you, to help with writing CVs, making effective applications and
advice on interview techniques. You can also read real stories
from OU students about the ways OU study changed or helped
progress their career.
As an OU student (or if you have studied with the OU within the
last three years) you will have access via the careers website
to the full range of support offered by the Careers Advisory
Service, including:
Online forums where you can ask careers advisers questions
and share experiences with other students.
Individual careers consultations with careers advisers.
Employer Showcase where you can see profiles of employers
who are keen to recruit OU graduates.
Online vacancy service to help you find paid and voluntary
job opportunities.
Advice on gaining work experience/internships.
Online resources to help enhance your employability.
It is a brilliant service, very prompt response

to my initial enquiry, and the careers adviser
was great and very helpful and friendly. I would
recommend this service to any OU student
Student feedback
Live outside the UK?

Students based outside the UK can use the full range of
resources available on the careers website, including the facility
to request a consultation with a careers adviser and access
to job information and online forums. In addition, we provide
information about: the job market in specific countries; applying
for jobs; vacancy sources; and gaining work experience.
10
Undergraduate
study.
More than ever were living in an interconnected world
where governments, organisations and individuals are
all encouraged to think about the impact of their actions,
both locally and globally. Against this background, our
qualifications give you the opportunity to explore the
significance of some of the most challenging trends and
developments that are shaping our world and you as
an individual.
How you study with us
11
Getting started with an Access module 14

Undergraduate qualifications
in a named subject
16
Degrees 16
BSc (Hons) Environmental Management
and Technology (Q72)
16
BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (Q52)
18
BA (Hons) Environmental Studies (Q19)
19
Diplomas of higher education
21
NEW Diploma of Higher Education in Environmental

Management and Technology (W48)
21
Science (W47)
21
Studies (W46)
21
Certificate of higher education
22
Certificate of Higher Education in Environment (T16) 22
Open qualifications
23
Undergraduate modules
24
Theres more online

To find out more about a qualification that interests
you and to register, enter the qualification code in the
search box at www.openuniversity.co.uk/search.
Undergraduate study
11
How you study with us

The best thing about The Open University is that, within
reason, you call the shots. When you study, where you study
its all up to you.
Heres how it works

To achieve your chosen qualification, you need
to build up a set number of credits.
You get credits by successfully completing a series of

modules, each teaching specific skills some modules
are worth more credits than others. Some modules will be
compulsory, others will be optional.
It is not necessary to plan your entire qualification upfront.

When you register on your qualification, well only ask
you to choose the module(s) you intend to study in your
first year.
Choosing your qualification

At the OU you can register for either a qualification in a
named subject, such as our BA (Hons) Environmental
Studies, or for an Open qualification that lets you build a
qualification that is tailored to your needs and interests.
Degrees
360 credits
An undergraduate or bachelors degree is a widely recognised
higher-education qualification that can help you progress in
your career. While you are studying for your degree you will
learn about your chosen subject(s) and develop your analytical,
intellectual and writing skills.
Degree-level study will demonstrate that you can understand
complex information, meet deadlines, work independently and in
a team, solve problems, and communicate with others effectively.
All our degrees are honours degrees. Like all universities
based in the UK, well grade your degree into one of four
classes: 1 (first the highest level), 2.1 (upper second),
2.2 (lower second) or 3 (third).
Diplomas of higher education (DipHEs)

240 credits
DipHEs are equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree and
focus either on a particular job or profession, or academic study.
DipHEs are designed to increase the professional and technical
skills of staff within a profession or extend your knowledge and
understanding of a particular subject. A DipHE shows that you
are capable of extended study at university level.
Certificates of higher education (CertHEs)

120 credits
CertHEs are equivalent to the first year of an honours degree
and focus either on a particular job or profession, or academic
study. A CertHE is a basiclevel qualification and shows that you
are capable of studying successfully at university level.
There are no entry requirements

but you do need:
A computer and reliable internet access theyre an
essential part of our study programmes. Depending on where
you live and how much you earn, you could receive financial
help to buy a computer.
A good grasp of the English language our modules
are taught in English and you need to be a competent
user of the English language to study at higher-education
level. If youre not sure, help and guidance is available at
www.openuniversity.co.uk/englishlanguage.
Feeling a bit rusty when it

comes to studying?
If youre lacking confidence or havent studied for a while, you
may want to consider starting your studies with one of our
introductory Access modules. These modules are designed to
help you build confidence, develop study skills and prepare you
for further study.
To find out more, see pages 1415 or click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug-access.
12
Choosing your modules

one stage at a time
Planning your time
Most qualifications have one, two or three stages. The modules

that make up each stage are set at different levels, according
to their relative complexity and/or depth of learning.
Qualification
Credits required
at each stage
Total
credits
required
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3

Degree with
honours
120
120
120
360
Diploma of higher
education
120
120
240
Certificate of
higher education
120
120
So, for a typical three-stage honours degree requiring

360 credits, you would study:
120 credits at Stage 1, studying OU level 1 modules
worth 30 or 60 credits
Most OU students study part time and how long it takes

depends on how many credits you study in a year.
It takes about 9 hours of study a week to gain
30 credits a year.
You need to study around 18 hours a week to gain
60 credits a year.
It takes 36 hours of study a week to earn 120 credits,
the maximum you can study each year. This is equivalent to
full-time study at a campus-based university.
If youre thinking of studying full time, you need to plan your
studies carefully as it involves studying more than one module
at a time we dont recommend you take on more than two
simultaneously. You also need to bear in mind that, depending
on your chosen qualification, the modules for a given stage
of study may not all be available within your study year or may
not be studied together for academic reasons. If this is the case,
you wont be able to study full time.
The table below gives you a rough idea of how long it will
take to complete a qualification.
Qualification
Studying part time

60 credits a year
Studying full time

120 credits a year
Degree with
honours
6 years
3 years
Diploma of higher
education
4 years
2 years
Certificate of
higher education
2 years
1 year

worth 30 or 60 credits
worth 30 or 60 credits.
Time required to complete
For further information about specific qualifications,

click www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug.
13
Counting previous study

Can previous study count towards
an OU qualification?
You may be able to count credit from previous higher education
towards an OU qualification, reducing the number of modules
you need to complete.
If youd like to apply to transfer credit you need to let us know
as soon as possible, and certainly before you register for your
chosen qualification. Contact us to find out whether your previous
study counts.
To find out more, click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/credit-transfer,
call an adviser on +44 (0)845 300 60 90
or email [email protected].
If you have a vocational qualification

If you have an NVQ, SVQ, CQFW or QCF vocational qualification
at Level 4 or above, you may be able to count it towards an OU
qualification (see above).
If you have an NVQ, SVQ, CQFW or QCF vocational qualification
at Levels 1, 2 or 3 you can still study with us but you wont be
able to count it towards an OU qualification.
What if you dont want to

commit to a full qualification?
If youre not yet ready to commit to registering for a qualification,
you can still study with us. Most of our modules are available
on a standalone basis, and for each module you successfully
complete, youll earn credits that you could count towards an
OU qualification.
To find out more click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/modules
or request a copy of our Undergraduate Modules
Prospectus (see page 45).
14
Undergraduate study
Getting started with an Access module.

Increase your confidence, improve your skills, and prepare yourself for further study.
The OU offers a range of Access modules that have been
specially designed to help you find out what its like to study with
the OU, get a taste for the subjects we offer, develop your study
skills, build your confidence, and prepare you for further study
towards a nationally recognised qualification. They are perfect
for new learners with little or no knowledge or experience of
studying and use the same high-quality teaching materials and
study support were famous for.
Is an Access module right for me?

Do you have little or no experience of university-level study?
Do you want to develop or refresh your study skills?
Do you want to increase your confidence about studying?
Are you unsure about studying with The Open University?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, and you live
in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or have a BFPO
address, an Access module may be the ideal starting point
for you.
What kind of support will I receive?

Youll have your own personal tutor who will provide regular
one-to-one telephone tutorials and support throughout your
study, along with providing written feedback on your work.
Our dedicated Access support team will help with any general
queries about your studies and youll be able to exchange ideas
with other students using our active online forums.
How will I be assessed?

There arent any examinations to sit. Instead, there are four short
written assignments and a number of online quizzes tocomplete.
What can I study?

The following Access modules are linked to one or more of the
qualifications we offer in environment and development.
People, work and society Access module (Y032)

This module draws from a range of subject areas: children
and young people; health; law; management; psychology; and
social science. The module is divided into four blocks, each of
which deals with a specific theme: Individuals; Families and
relationships; Organisations and communities; and Society.
Within each block, you will explore the theme from the
perspective or point of view of each subject area allowing you
to develop both your knowledge and your study skills. As a
student you will be well prepared for further study on a wide
variety of Open University qualifications.
Science, technology and maths

Access module (Y033)
This module introduces a range of subjects, including science;
engineering and design; environment; mathematics; and
computing and IT. There are three blocks. In Life youll explore
biology, ecology and how humans interact with and change the
environment. In Water youll investigate how water has shaped
our planet and our lives. And in Home youll be introduced
to design, engineering and computing. Throughout each block
youll develop your understanding of the key mathematical
ideas and techniques that underpin the study of science
and technology.
We also offer one further Access module which is more
relevant to other subject areas: Arts and languages
Access module (Y031).
Undergraduate study
15
When can I start?
How can I pay?
Access modules start in October and February each year.
There are a range of ways you can pay, and you may even be
able to study for free.
How much time will I need to study?
How can I study for free?
These modules are studied over a period of 30 weeks and during

that time you should expect to spend approximately nine hours
per week on your studies.
If you study an Access module as an additional preparatory

stage towards an OU qualification1 you could be entitled to study
your module for free.
You dont need to attend face-to-face tutorials and can fit your
studies around your work and family life. You fix your telephone
tutorials at times that are mutually convenient to you and your tutor.
In order to qualify for a free place you must:
What do I need to begin my studies?
have a household income (personal income if you live

in Scotland) of less than 25,000 (or be in receipt of
qualifyingbenefits)
Youll receive a complete set of study materials in the post.

There will be study books and other printed material, as well
as a DVD. All of these materials are included in the fee.
be resident in the UK (or have a BFPO address outside

theUK)
have no previous experience of study with The Open University

have not completed a higher education qualification at
NQF level 4/SCQF level 7 or above.
You will require access to equipment that plays DVDs, a phone

and the use of a computer with internet access. You dont need
to rush out and buy a computer as you could use one at a library
or drop-in centre.
What will I get at the end?
Can I pay by student loan?
On successful completion of an Access module youll gain an

OU Access Module Certificate. Although an Access module
does not earn credits towards our qualifications, you will be well
prepared to continue your studies with us.
If you dont meet the criteria set out above, and you live in
England or Wales, you may be able to cover the cost of your
studies with a Tuition Fee Loan (see pages 40 43 for further
information).
If you are ordinarily resident in Scotland you do not need to

be studying towards a qualification in order to qualify for a
free place.
Youll gain valuable knowledge and skills you can apply straight
away, at the same time as developing your confidence and giving
your CV a real boost.
How much will it cost?

The arrangements for the funding of higher education are
different across the four nations of the UK. The fees and funding
available to you are based on where you are ordinarily resident:
If you live in England the fee is 660.
Are there any other ways to pay?

You can pay upfront and in full by debit/credit card or by
banktransfer.
If you live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales the fee is225.
If you live in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

You wont be eligible to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan or for
a free place if you live in the Channel Islands or the Isle of
Man. You can, however, pay upfront with a debit/credit
card, or by bank transfer.
Your next step.

Click www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug-access
Call our Student Registration & Enquiry
Service on +44 (0)1908 659253
Request a copy of our Access Module
Certificates brochure see page 45
16
Undergraduate study
Undergraduate
qualifications
in a named subject
Registration for the 2014/2015 academic year opens for all
undergraduate qualifications on 24 April 2014. Qualification
start dates are based on the start date of the first applicable
module(s) you can study as part of your qualification.
The qualification descriptions in this prospectus list the modules
that are currently available for study. However, as we review our
curriculum on a regular basis, the exact selection may change
over time.
Career relevance and employability

This degree develops broad and specialist skills that are in
demand in the public and private sectors, consultancies and
conservation organisations. It is directly relevant to careers in
pollution control; waste management and recycling; water quality
and resources; energy management; planning and sustainability;
environmental management and consultancy; and environmental
education. Youll learn to think creatively; tackle complex issues;
and collect, analyse and interpret complex quantitative and
qualitative data. Youll also gain practical skills in problem
solving, project work (including research, planning, auditing
and survey techniques), digital literacy, communication, and
interdisciplinary team working.
What you will study
Key
C
Compulsory module
Optional module
Degrees
BSc (Hons) Environmental
Management and
Technology (Q72)
Credits: 360
Start:
Oct 2014 (registration closes 11 Sep 2014)

Feb 2015 (registration closes 08 Jan 2015)
How can we best manage the environment, given the pressures

that threaten its future? How do we design more sustainable
practices and use technology effectively while doing so?
The BSc (Hons) Environmental Management and Technology
is a must for anyone with an interest in this critical subject.
Youll explore the complexities of the natural and built
environments; how our activities influence them both; and how
they influence what we do, whether at home, in communities or
in organisations. This interdisciplinary degree combines aspects
of science, management, technology and social science to
help you understand the environmental systems in which we live
and work, and how we can improve the way we act within them.
Youll gain the knowledge and skills needed to understand and
manage local, national and international environmental problems
more sustainably, as well as developing your analytical, design
and systems thinking skills.
Stage 1 120 credits

Youll begin your studies with Environment: journeys through
a changing world (U116) which explores environmental
challenges in the Arctic, Africa, the Amazon and China.
Youll also develop the key skills and concepts needed to
understand our changing world.
Next, Exploring science (S104) introduces the fundamentals of
astronomy and planetary science; biology and health sciences;
chemistry and analytical science; Earth and environmental
science; and physics.
Stage 2 120 credits

Energy and sustainability (T213) addresses the question:
How can we ensure non-polluting, safe, sustainable energy
supplies, despite rising population levels, increasing global
economic development, and concerns about climate change
and resource depletion?
Environmental management 1 (T219) explores notions of
boundaries, modelling assumptions, and organisational practices
from a systems perspective exploring core techniques
and approaches including sustainability assessments and
life cycle analysis.
Finally, youll choose one of two modules:
Environmental science (S206) takes a holistic approach to
the study of landforms, soils and water flows, habitats, and
anthropogenic influences. Youll study the processes that link
together different environments; and gather data through virtual,
interactive field trips.
Alternatively, Environment: sharing a dynamic planet (DST206)
examines the role of natural factors and human activity in
environmental change; and why climate change, the provision of
fresh water and sustainable agriculture are the source of social
and political conflict.
17
Stage 3 120 credits
Renewable energy (T313) evaluates renewable energy systems,
their effective management and potential at national, regional
and global levels. Youll also consider concomitant changes
needed in policies and practices.
In Environmental management 2 (T319), youll learn to think
strategically and creatively about environmental management,
and adopt an innovative systems approach to sustainability;
Green ICT; organisational change and learning; and
professional practice.
Finally, in Innovation: designing for change (T317), youll examine
how new ideas, designs and inventions are translated into product,
service and system innovations; and how they can help ensure a
socially, economically and environmentally sustainable future.
Qualification structure
Study order as listed. Modules marked * can be taken in any order.
Stage 1 module summary

Compulsory modules 120 credits
Credits Page
Environment: journeys through

a changing world (U116)
60
24
Exploring science (S104)
60
24

Credits Page
Energy and sustainability (T213)*
30
24
Environmental management 1 (T219)*
30
25
Optional module 60 credits

Select one from:
Credits Page
Environmental science (S206)
60
25
Environment: sharing a dynamic

planet (DST206)
60
25

Credits Page
Renewable energy (T313)*
30
27
Environmental management 2 (T319)*
30
26
Innovation: designing for change (T317)
60
27
Module availability is subject to change.
18
Undergraduate study
BSc (Hons) Environmental

Science (Q52)
Credits: 360
Start:

Environmental science is a vital and vibrant subject that explores

the complexities of the natural environment and our relationship
with it. Our environment is fascinating but its under threat
from climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and resource
depletion. This interdisciplinary degree combines aspects of
biology, ecology, geography, chemistry, technology and social
science to help you understand the whole picture. This degree
will enable you to develop the scientific and technical knowledge
and skills required to investigate ecosystems, to understand
fundamental environmental patterns and processes, and to
address local and global environmental issues. Youll be studying
the problems we face in understanding our natural environment
and in living sustainably, as well as developing your scientific,
interpretive and creative thinking skills.

Environmental science skills are in demand in the public and
private sectors, consultancies and conservation organisations;
in areas such as pollution control, recycling, water quality,
resources, energy management, sustainability, environmental
consultancy, ecology and nature conservation, and
environmental education. Your studies will also be relevant in
business and finance contexts. Youll learn to think creatively;
tackle multifaceted issues; and collect, analyse and interpret
complex quantitative and qualitative data. Other valuable
transferable skills that will add to your employability include
project working; research, planning and fieldwork techniques;
digital literacy; communication; team working; self-motivation
and problem-solving.
What you will study

Stage 1 120 credits
Stage 1 introduces you to the study of science and
environmental issues, helping you understand important
scientific concepts, develop scientific skills and gain an
appreciation of worldwide environmental challenges.
In Exploring science (S104) you'll learn the fundamentals of
modern science and investigate the major scientific issues
affecting society covering areas of astronomy and planetary
science, biology, chemistry, physics, Earth sciences and ecology.
In Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116) youll
investigate contemporary environmental topics, drawing on
perspectives from the social sciences, science and technology
to explore the issues arising from environmental challenges
across the globe.
Stage 2 120 credits

In Environmental science (SXF206) youll investigate the
atmosphere, rivers, oceans, landforms, soils, organisms, habitats,
human influences, patterns and processes. Youll gain practical
experience in two compulsory three-day field schools and virtual
field trips.
Youll then choose options from:

Analytical science: health, heritage and environments (S240)
how diseases are diagnosed, how old the Earth is and how we
know our water is safe to drink

Earth science (S209) the Earth and how it works, including
rocks, fossils, volcanoes and the Earths changing
surface environments

Energy and sustainability (T213) current and emerging
energy technologies

Science in context (S250) science and its
'real world' relevance

The biology of survival (S295) animal and plant physiology,
behavioural ecology and evolution.
Stage 3 120 credits

Youll start with options from: The geological record of
environmental change (S369), Oceanography (S330),
The environmental web (U316), or Renewable energy (T313).
Then in Ecosystems (S396), you'll study the interactions
between organisms and their environment that together form
an ecosystem which can range from a simple microbial
community to a biodiverse tropical rainforest using techniques
including environmental statistics and modelling.
Finally, in the Environmental science practical project (SXE390)
you'll carry out an investigation of your own design, analysing
interactions between organisms and their environment, based on
an in-depth understanding of the science.
Undergraduate study
BA (Hons) Environmental
Studies (Q19)
Study order as listed. Modules marked * can be taken in any order.
Credits: 360
Start:
Credits Page

a changing world (U116)*
60
24
Exploring science (S104)*
60
24

Compulsory module 60 credits
Environmental science (SXF206)
19
Credits Page
C
Optional module(s) 60 credits

Select one or two from:
60
25
Credits Page

Environmental change affects us all, and the challenge of

how human society can and should respond to environmental
problems is likely to be one of the most pressing issues of the
twenty-first century. This interdisciplinary degree provides a
lively and engaging treatment of a broad range of environmental
issues. It integrates the social sciences with technology and
sciences, helping you develop a comprehensive understanding
of the environment. Youll learn about the political, economic,
social and scientific conflicts that are at the heart of important
contemporary environmental problems and debates, both
nationally and internationally. Youll also gain the analytical
and interpretive skills needed to explore subjects such as
climate change; air pollution; waste management; genetically
modified food; over-fishing; renewable fuels; sustainability;
and global trade.
Analytical science: health, heritage

and environments (S240)
30
24
Earth science (S209)
60
24
Energy and sustainability (T213)
30
24
Science in context (S250)
30
26
The biology of survival (S295)
30
26
This degree will develop your ability to analyse the natural and
social causes and consequences of environmental change;
the potential and sometimes competing responses to
environmental problems; and evidence and arguments from a
range of sources. Youll learn to debate the moral and ethical
dimensions associated with environmental issues; and to
collect, record and analyse data using a range of techniques.
Many businesses and employers are involved with addressing
environmental change, making these skills relevant to careers
in a wide range of public, voluntary and private sector
contexts as well as environmental management, environmental
health, environmental policy, teaching, journalism and
information systems.

Credits Page
Oceanography (S330)
30
27
Renewable energy (T313)
30
27
The environmental web (U316)
60
27
The geological record of

environmental change (S369)
30
27
Credits Page

Ecosystems (S396)
30
26
Science project course: environmental

science practical project (SXE390)
30
27
What you will study

Stage 1 120 credits
Youll begin with two broad-based modules which introduce a
fascinating range of disciplines and topics, while developing the
critical and analytical skills needed for Stage 2 study.
In Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116) youll
investigate contemporary environmental topics, drawing on
perspectives from the social sciences, science and technology
to explore the issues arising from environmental challenges
across the globe.
Then in Investigating the social world (DD103), planned for
October 2015, youll continue your investigation of the issues that
face contemporary society and focus in greater depth on areas
of social science of particular interest to you.
Continued on page 20.
20
Undergraduate study
Stage 2 120 credits

Youll begin with Environment: sharing a dynamic planet
(DST206), which examines how environmental change has varied
during the Earths history and the role of natural factors and
human activity. Youll examine biodiversity loss, the challenges of
water security, climate change, and the environmental impacts of
food production and consumption; and why all these issues are
the source of social and political conflict.
Youll then choose from optional modules designed to deepen
your understanding of environmental science, environmental
technology, or the questions that arise in international
development projects.
Throughout youll continue to develop your skills in analysis and
critical thinking, in preparation for Stage 3.
Stage 3 120 credits

Stage 3 starts with one of two interdisciplinary modules:
Earth in crisis: environmental policy in an international context
(DU311) is primarily a social science module that explores
the many debates and dilemmas involved in developing
environmental policy on climate change, urbanisation, industrial
development, rural agriculture and other issues.
The environmental web (U316) is a science-based module on
environmental change, its consequences and implications for
sustainability. Youll explore issues such as climate change, water
management and biodiversity conservation, and research an
environmental topic of your choice.
You can also study both these modules, thus completing
your degree. Alternatively you can choose from options as
diverse as economics, science or technology.

Environment: sharing a dynamic
planet (DST206)
Credits Page
C


Credits Page

60
24
Investigating the social world (DD103)

(planned for October 2015)
60
25
Credits Page
30
24
Environmental management 1 (T219)
30
25
Environmental science (S206)
60
25
Geology (S276)
30
25
International development: making sense

of a changing world (TD223)
60
25
Living in a globalised world (DD205)
60
25
30
26

Select one from:
Credits Page
Earth in crisis: environmental policy

in an international context (DU311)
60
26
60
27

Select the second module from
the group above or one or two from:
Study order as listed.
60
Credits Page
Doing economics: people, markets and

policy (DD309)
60
26
Ecosystems (S396)
30
26
30
26
Oceanography (S330)
30
27
30
27
The geological record of environmental

change (S369)
30
27
Undergraduate study
21
Diplomas of higher education

NEW Diploma of Higher
Education in Environmental
Management and
Technology (W48)
Credits: 240
Start:

How can we best manage the environment, given the pressures

that threaten its future? How can technology be put to good
use in this endeavour? How do we design more sustainable
practices? This diploma is a must for anyone with an interest in
this critical subject. Youll explore the complexities of the natural
and built environments, which help sustain many aspects of our
lives and livelihoods, but are under threat from excessive fossil
fuel use, pollution and resource depletion. This interdisciplinary
qualification combines aspects of science, management,
technology and social science to help you understand the
environmental systems in which we live and work, and how
we can improve the way we act within them. Youll gain the
knowledge and skills needed to understand local, national and
international environmental problems and manage them more
sustainably, as well as developing your analytical, interpretive
and creative thinking skills.
What you will study

Science (W47)
Credits: 240
Start:

Environmental science is a vital and vibrant subject that explores

the complexities of the natural environment and our relationship
with it. Our environment is fascinating but its under threat
from climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and resource
depletion. This interdisciplinary diploma combines science
studies in biology, geography and chemistry, with aspects of
technology and social science to help you understand the whole
picture. You will develop the knowledge and skills required to
investigate the science of our environment, and explore local and
global environmental issues. Youll study the problems we face
in understanding our natural environment and living sustainably,
as well as developing your scientific, interpretive and creative
thinking skills.
What you will study

For this qualification you will follow the same curriculum as
Stages 1 and 2 of the BSc (Hons) Environmental Science (Q52),
see page 18.

Stages 1 and 2 of the BSc (Hons) Environmental Management
and Technology (Q72), see page 16.

Studies (W46)
Credits: 240
Start:

This interdisciplinary diploma will develop your knowledge and

understanding of the social, political, economic, scientific and
technological issues at the heart of contemporary environmental
problems. It focuses on issues such as climate change,
dwindling resources and the loss of biodiversity, examining
how and why our environment is under threat. Youll explore the
conflicts that drive current debates, and learn the underpinning
knowledge, analytical and interpretive skills needed to contribute
in positive and meaningful ways.
What you will study

Stages 1 and 2 of the BA (Hons) Environmental Studies (Q19),
see page 19.
22
Undergraduate study
Certificate of
higher education
Certificate of
Higher Education in
Environment (T16)
Credits: 120
Start:

How can we best consider and live sustainably within natural

and built environments, given the pressures that threaten them?
This certificate is a must for anyone with an interest in this
critical subject.
What you will study

Stage 1 120 credits
Youll begin with Environment: journeys through a changing world
(U116) which introduces the language, ideas and concepts
needed to make sense of environmental change, and explores
challenges facing the Arctic, the Nile, the Amazon, China and
some of the worlds great cities.
You then have a choice of modules: Exploring science (S104)
or Investigating the social world (DD103).
Study order as listed.

Credits Page
C

Select one from:
60
24
Credits Page
60
24
Investigating the social world (DD103)

(planned for October 2015)
60
Your next step.

Click www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug-env
Service on +44 (0)845 300 60 90
Undergraduate study
Open qualifications
With an Open qualification a certificate of higher education
(CertHE), diploma of higher education (DipHE) or degree
you choose what you want to study.
Its one of the most flexible programmes of study in the UK,
letting you build a qualification thats unique for you.
You can:

tailor a qualification around your interests and career needs

get a qualification that focuses on the environment and
development, but with the freedom to mix in modules from
other areas

use successfully completed credit from previous universitylevel studies elsewhere
The Open degree with honours

study route
Stage 1 120 credits
Start with 60 credits from a wide and varied choice
of key introductory modules (worth 30 or 60 credits)
specially selected to develop your subject knowledge
and study skills in preparation for OU level 2 study
see www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug-open for details.
Plus
60 credits of free choice from any OU level 1 modules.
easily change direction if you started out studying a particular

subject but your interests have changed.
Stage 2 120 credits
Highly regarded by employers for their breadth and valued by

students for their flexibility, Open qualifications equip you with
a wide range of expertise, skills and capabilities that are much
sought after in todays highly competitive job market.
120 credits of free choice from any OU level 2 modules.
To find out more about career opportunities

with an Open qualification, click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/careers-subjects.
Where to start
If you are interested in the environment and development
we recommend that you start your studies with Environment:
journeys through a changing world (U116).
This will give you a firm foundation for future studies as well as
60 credits to count towards your qualification. For a full list of our
other key introductory OU level 1 modules see the Open CertHE
at www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug-open.
Get credit for previous study
23
Stage 2 offers an opportunity to focus on your subject(s) of

interest and to explore further some of the topics you will
have encountered at Stage 1. At the end of Stage 2 you will
have enhanced your critical thinking and analytical skills.
Stage 3 120 credits

120 credits of free choice from any OU level 3 modules
although we recommend that you choose those that build
on your OU level 2 study.
Stage 3 is focused on the study of specialist topics and
issues. During this stage you will develop significantly as
an independent learner and acquire high-level thinking
skills in preparation for graduate-level employment or
postgraduate study.
BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) Open (QD)
Any previous higher-education study youve successfully

completed elsewhere could count towards your Open
qualification. Through credit transfer you could reduce the
number of modules youll need to take, lessen the time needed
to complete your qualification and also make a saving in terms
of the cost.
Your next step.
What Open qualifications

do we offer?
Click www.openuniversity.co.uk/ug-open
Service on +44 (0)845 300 60 90
Open CertHE (T09) to gain a certificate of higher education

you will need to complete 120 credits of OU level 1 study
equivalent to Stage 1 of our Open degree (see table opposite).
Open DipHE (W34) to gain a diploma of higher education
you will need to complete 240 credits (120 at OU level 1 and
120 at OU level 2) equivalent to Stages 1 and 2 of our Open
degree (see table opposite).
Open degree (QD) to gain a degree with honours you will
need to study a total of 360 credits (120 credits at OU level 1,
120 credits at OU level 2 and 120 credits at OU level 3).
We also offer you the option of graduating with an Open degree
without honours. It can take less time to study because you only
need 300 credits. However, you are likely to need a degree with
honours to pursue further study and for many career paths.
24
Undergraduate study
Undergraduate
modules
For the academic year 2014/2015, registration opens for all
undergraduate qualifications on 24 April 2014. After youve
registered on your qualification you will enrol on the
module(s) you intend to study in your first year.
The modules listed below are those that are currently available
for study. However, as we review our curriculum on a regular
basis, the exact selection may change over time.
Assessment key
TMA
Tutor-marked assignment
Stage 1
Environment: journeys through a
changing world (U116)
Credits:
60 at OU level 1
Length: 8 months
Assessment: 7 TMAs
Start:
04 Oct 2013 enrol by 11 Sep 2014

31 Jan 2015 enrol by 08 Jan 2015
Our world is changing fast we are experiencing pressure from

climate change, growing demands for finite resources and the
extinction of many plants and animals. Environment: journeys
through a changing world introduces you to environmental
studies and the issues arising from environmental change.
It shows how people are seeking positive solutions to
environmental challenges where you live, as well as in the Arctic,
Africa, the Amazon and China. It also develops the key skills
and concepts needed to understand our changing world.
You do not need any prior environmental knowledge to study this
key introductory OU level 1 module just an interest in the future
of our planet.

Credits:
60 at OU level 1
Length: 8 months
Assessment: 6 TMAs, 1 examination

Start:
11 Oct 2014 enrol by 11 Sep 2014

31 Jan 2015 enrol by 08 Jan 2015
This key introductory module is an ideal starting point for

studying the natural sciences astronomy and planetary
science; biology; chemistry, earth and environmental science;
and physics. Using a blend of text and online study materials,
this wide-ranging module investigates the major scientific
issues affecting human society in the twenty-first century.
You will explore the fundamentals of modern science and
develop important scientific concepts and skills to give you a
solid foundation for studying science at a higher level. You should
have some basic mathematical skills and knowledge of basic
science concepts before you begin.
Stage 2
Analytical science: health, heritage and
environments (S240)
Credits:
30 at OU level 2
Have you ever wondered How are sport drug cheats caught?
How many calories are there in a burger? How do pregnancy
testing kits work? How old is the Earth? How do X-rays work?
How are antiquities dated? How do we know our water is safe
to drink? How are diseases diagnosed? This module explains
how analytical scientists know the answers to these and other
fascinating questions, and introduces the major concepts in
analytical science. Using examples from medicine, science
and the arts you will learn about the major biological, chemical
and physical techniques employed in improving the quality of
our lives.
NEW Earth science (S209)

Credits:
60 at OU level 2
This wide-ranging module introduces a scientific study of the

Earth across the spectrum of scale, from shifting continents
to the microscopic, and time from the 4.5 billion year age
of the Earth to geological processes that happen in a flash.
Your studies will include fossil life, erupting volcanoes,
mountain building, and the record of Earths changing surface
environments. The study materials will develop your practical
skills using geological maps, microscopes, and many types of
field data, alongside developing your general science and study
skills. Youll also learn fieldwork skills via virtual field trips or the
optional four-day residential school.
The cost of accommodation, meals and travel for the optional
residential school is not included in the module fee.

Credits:
30 at OU level 2
Are fossil fuels running out? Can nuclear power, carbon capture
and storage or renewable energy sources provide solutions to
the problem of global warming? How can we provide clean,
safe, sustainable energy supplies for the UK, and the world,
despite increasing population levels and affluence? In this
module you will look at the basic principles underlying the
design and efficient use of energy and energy supply systems.
Using a range of study materials and online activities, you
will learn to use the appropriate scientific and mathematical
techniques applied to energy-related issues.
Undergraduate study
Environment: sharing a dynamic planet (DST206)
Geology (S276)
Credits:
Credits:
60 at OU level 2
Environmental issues pose challenges. What are the biophysical

and social causes of environmental change? What exactly is an
environmental issue and why are they often controversial and
difficult to resolve? How can we make a difference? You will
address all of these questions as you explore four key global
environmental concerns life, water, carbon, and food through
a rich and interactive set of study materials. As you do so, you
will develop a distinctive way of thinking about environments and
environmental issues that draws on the insights of both natural
and social sciences to be at once intellectually innovative and
practically relevant.

Credits:
30 at OU level 2
Environmental management can be thought of as managing our

relationship with the environment. For all of us, this relationship
is under increasing pressure. Why is environmental management
vital for our sustainability? What kind of environmental
management do we need now? The aim of this module is to
explore systemic answers to these and related questions by
introducing ideas, approaches and techniques for environmental
management at individual, organisational and community levels.
Recognising that our understanding of humanenvironment
relations is changing, this module combines conventional with
innovative systems approaches to environmental management.
NEW Environmental science (S206)

Credits:
60 at OU level 2
Environmental science spans biology, chemistry, Earth science

and physics, drawing them together in a holistic approach to
studying the environment. Youll investigate air, water, Earth,
life and cycles and explore the processes, interactions and
feedback mechanisms operating within different environments.
Practical experiences provided through multimedia interactive
virtual field trip activities and project work allow you to develop
skills and apply your learning. By the end, you will be able
to make critical analyses of environmental processes and
structures, e.g. landforms, soils, water flows and habitats of flora
and fauna, and comment on anthropogenic influences and their
likely consequences.
NEW Environmental science (SXF206)

Credits:
60 at OU level 2
As S206 described above, but with two compulsory three-day

residential schools replacing the project work and virtual field
trip activity.
The cost of accommodation, meals and travel for the residential
schools is not included in the module fee.
25
30 at OU level 2
Geology is the scientific study of the Earth, its origin, structure,

processes and composition. This wide-ranging module
introduces the fundamentals of geology in an exciting way,
as well as the practical skills needed to understand and
interpret geological features and processes. It covers five main
areas: description and identification of minerals and rocks;
interpretation of geological maps; the formation of igneous and
metamorphic rocks and their associated structures; fossils; and
sedimentary processes and environments. In addition to module
texts, youll receive a returnable home kit (with maps, rocks,
minerals and fossils) and study materials on DVD (including a
new digital kit and virtual microscope).
This module will be available for the last time in October 2014.
International development: making sense of a

changing world (TD223)
Credits:
60 at OU level 2
In this interdisciplinary module youll cover key areas of

international development. These include: different models of
development; shifting power in the international system; the
relationship between poverty, inequality and livelihoods; the
impact of conflict and insecurity; and the role of technology and
the environment. The history of development as a process of
change, the power relationships in that process and the different
scales at which development takes place from transnational
to local, are themes running throughout the module. These
themes integrate the material using a mix of case studies,
interactive activities, text and DVD to provide a central narrative
encouraging critical appraisal and curiosity.
Living in a globalised world (DD205)

Credits:
60 at OU level 2
It is commonplace now to say that the world has gone global.

Whenever we buy food and clothes, listen to music, or watch
the news, we can see how different parts of the world, often
thousands of miles apart, are connected together. And with
these multiple and various connections comes a sense of the
world as being a complex and exciting place. This module
will help you to understand that complexity, giving you some
key geographical concepts which help to make sense of the
processes and patterns shaping our globalised world.
26
Undergraduate study

Credits:
30 at OU level 2
Earth in crisis: environmental policy in an

international context (DU311)
Credits:
This module covers a range of interesting, contemporary issues

with a scientific dimension: BSE/vCJD; near-Earth objects;
water and wellbeing; climate change; genetic manipulation
and nanotechnology. It deals with the underlying science and
its real world relevance. The topics are analysed in terms of
four themes: communication; risk; ethical issues; and decisionmaking. The module will equip you to examine critically similar
issues that might arise in future. You are assumed to have
studied a range of scientific disciplines at OU level 1 and to have
an interest in science in its broad social context.
NEW The biology of survival (S295)

Credits:
30 at OU level 2
The biology of survival is an innovative online module which

explores the biology and diversity of whole organisms from an
evolutionary perspective. Intriguing examples of interactions
between co-operating or competing organisms and their
changing environments are used to illustrate how adaptations
in physiology, behaviour and ecology contribute to survival.
An important component of the module is an investigative
strand, in which you will undertake real and virtual experiments
at home and at an optional residential field school. Through this
combination of study and practical investigation, you will develop
your understanding of whole organism biology and the key
concepts of adaptation and evolution.
The cost of accommodation, meals and travel for the optional
residential field school is not included in the module fee.
This innovative module explores the causes and consequences

of a range of international environmental problems and resource
conflicts, including loss of biological diversity, water allocation
and urbanisation. Particular attention is paid to climate change.
Youll learn how political divisions, inequalities and contentions
over values and knowledge can hinder policy responses to
environmental problems, and evaluate what can and should
be done in the future at both political and individual levels.
The module is ideal if you wish to develop a policy-relevant
understanding of international environmental problems for either
personal interest or career development.
Ecosystems (S396)
Credits:
30 at OU level 3
This module considers the interactions between organisms

and their environment that together form an ecosystem which
can range from a simple microbial community to the biodiverse
rainforests of the tropics. Even the Earth as a whole may be
considered an ecosystem. Youll develop your understanding
of the terrestrial environment as a habitat for a vast array of
different organisms; the connections between them and their
surroundings; and their resilience to anthropogenic changes
such as pollution and climate change. Youll also gain practical
experience in ecosystem science making observations in
your locality, and through extensive use of models to investigate
processes essential to supporting life on Earth.
NEW Environmental management 2 (T319)
Stage 3
Credits:
Doing economics: people, markets

and policy (DD309)
Credits:
60 at OU level 3
60 at OU level 3
This module teaches economic theories that explain the

behaviour of people in households, firms, markets and
governments. It presents alternative economic explanations that
will enable you to make your own critical judgements of which
theory serves which purpose best. The module also equips you
with the research skills that youll need to conduct your own
project on a topic you want to know more about. At the end of
the module, you should have developed a more critical view of
the socio-economic world in which you live.
30 at OU level 3
This module focuses on innovations in and the facilitation of

environmental management concepts and practice. You will
examine systems theories in detail and have the opportunity to
investigate complex situations at domestic, organisational and
community levels. Using London Heathrow Airport as a case
study, you will gain different perspectives of environmental
management situations, the views of stakeholders, how these
are represented and the impact of these views for further action
and innovation. This module is designed to follow and build
on the ideas, tools and their uses introduced in Environmental
management 1 (T219).
Undergraduate study
NEW Innovation: designing for change (T317)

Credits:
60 at OU level 3
Science project course: environmental science

practical project (SXE390)
Credits:
How do successful innovations emerge? How do designers,

engineers, entrepreneurs, managers, consumers and users
create opportunities and generate ideas for innovation?
How are these ideas developed into designs and introduced
onto the market or into widespread use? What are the impacts
of innovations? This online project-based module examines
these questions, but its concerns go beyond innovation for
just commercial advantage. It also considers how, through
responsible design, innovation may be directed towards
ensuring a socially, economically and environmentally
sustainable future. This module is suitable even if you do
not have a technical background.
Oceanography (S330)
Credits:
30 at OU level 3
Oceans cover seventy percent of the Earths surface, regulating

our climate and maintaining our atmosphere. They also contain
virtually all the known chemical elements. This module deals with
their physics, chemistry and biology, as well as the structure of
the basins that contain them covering topics like underwater
volcanoes; the greenhouse effect; eddy systems; the El Nio
phenomenon and its link to droughts and floods; and the global
view of ocean properties that satellite technology can provide.
This is a wide-ranging, multi-disciplinary module for anyone
interested in the natural world.
This module will be available for the last time in October 2014.

Credits:
30 at OU level 3
What does a sustainable energy system look like? How might

renewable energy provide a much greater proportion of our
energy needs in the coming decades? Which technologies and
designs for the various renewable energy sources will we rely
on to help us decarbonise our energy systems and maintain a
secure supply of affordable electricity and heat? In this module
youll explore these questions by systematically reviewing the
eight main renewable energy technologies. With the help of
study guides, you will develop your ability to practically apply
this knowledge especially for solar thermal, solar photovoltaic
and wind.
27
30 at OU level 3
This module is the project module for the BSc (Hons)

Environmental Science. You will undertake an independent
practical investigation of a topic within the area of environmental
science. You will design your investigation, collect data (this
may be in the field, in a laboratory or at home), analyse it and
produce a scientific report. The study materials provide a guide
to planning and conducting project work; help with searching
and using the literature; and writing a report, but ultimately
this is a chance for you to plan and execute a piece of work
for yourself.

Credits:
60 at OU level 3
This interdisciplinary module examines contemporary issues

such as biodiversity and climate change in order to develop your
environmental literacy, and enable you to take part in informed
debate and action. It draws on a wide variety of disciplines to
investigate environmental changes, their consequences, and
implications for action. You will explore environmental materials
on the web used to publish data, implement policy, debate
issues, and promulgate views learning how to navigate, analyse
and evaluate such information.
This module will be available for the last time in February 2015.
The geological record of

environmental change (S369)
Credits:
30 at OU level 3
This module explores how we can track environmental

change through the geological record. It begins with the
sedimentary sequences produced by changes in relative sea
level, and the likely role of climatic and tectonic processes in
producing these changes. Youll also examine the greenhouse
world of the Cretaceous and its tropical/subtropical marine
environments; high latitude terrestrial environments; the effect
on the environment of large igneous provinces and meteorite
impacts; and the mass extinction event at the end of the period.
Finally, the module documents the Ice Age, offering possible
explanations for the natural climatic changes during the last
2.6 million years.
28
Postgraduate
study.
We offer two programmes at postgraduate level; one in
development management and the other in environmental
management. Both programmes allow you to develop
your skills and knowledge, and will enhance your
career prospects.
Your guide to postgraduate

qualifications29
Postgraduate qualifications
31
Development management
31
Postgraduate Certificate in
Development Management (C48)
31
Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict and

Development (C67)
31
Postgraduate Certificate in Human Rights

and Development Management (C96)
32
Postgraduate Diploma in Development

Management (D37)
32
MSc in Development Management (F11)
33
Environmental management
34
Postgraduate Certificate in Environmental

Management (K19)
34
Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental

Management (E79)
35
MSc in Environmental Management (F65)
35
Postgraduate modules
36
36
38
Theres more online

To find out more about a qualification that interests
you enter the qualification code in the search box at
www.openuniversity.co.uk/search.
29
Your guide to postgraduate qualifications

Our flexible and supportive approach to education
allows you to study for a postgraduate qualification
with confidence, whether its a postgraduate certificate,
a postgraduate diploma or a masters degree.
How do you work towards

a qualification?
You work towards a postgraduate qualification at the OU by
studying a module or a series of modules.
What are modules?

Modules are our units of study. To work towards a qualification,
you first need to choose and register on a module that counts
towards that qualification. With each module you successfully
complete youll earn a set number of credits.
What are credits?

Credits measure the student workload required to complete
a module. You are awarded credits after you have successfully
completed a module. For example, if you study a 30-credit
module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded the full
30 credits.
What postgraduate
qualifications do we
offer in environment and
development?
We offer two distinct programmes at postgraduate level:
development management and environmental management.
Both programmes offer the opportunity to gain a postgraduate
certificate, a postgraduate diploma or a masters degree.
The table below shows a summary of our
postgraduate qualifications.
Qualification
Credits required
Masters degree
180
Postgraduate diploma
120
Postgraduate certificate
60
30
Postgraduate study
Are there any entry requirements?

We strongly recommend that you hold a bachelors degree from
a UK university, or equivalent qualification. It is not, though, an
absolute requirement for entry to our development management
qualifications: good, extensive experience of development
management can serve as an alternative preparation.
The environmental management programme offers an entry
route if you dont have a degree. You start the programme by first
studying an undergraduate module chosen from a specified list.
We also welcome non-graduates with relevant experience.
As all of our teaching is in English, you must be proficient in the
English language to study at postgraduate level.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service on
+44 (0)845 300 60 90 if you would like advice about whether
your qualifications and experience provide a suitable basis for
study at postgraduate level.
How much time does it take?

The number of credits you study in a year will determine how
long it will take you to complete your qualification.
Most postgraduate environment and development students study
part time at the rate of 60 credits a year, which requires studying
for about 1216 hours a week. The table below gives you an idea
of how long it will take to complete a qualification.
Qualification
Time required to complete

if you study 60 credits a year
Masters degree
(180 credits)
3 years part-time study
Postgraduate diploma
(120 credits)
Postgraduate certificate
(60 credits)
1 year part-time study
Counting previous study

towards an OU qualification
You may be able to count credit from previous postgraduate
study towards an OU qualification, reducing the number of
modules you need to complete. If you wish to apply to transfer
credit you must do so before you register for your first module.
For more information, click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/credit-transfer,
call an adviser on +44 (0)845 300 60 90
or email [email protected].
31
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate
qualifications
Postgraduate Certificate
in Development
Management (C48)
To work towards a postgraduate qualification, you first need

to choose and register on a module that counts towards
that qualification.
Credits: 60
The qualification descriptions in this prospectus list the modules

that are currently available for study. However, as we review our
curriculum on a regular basis, the exact selection may change
over time.
How can development (of any kind) be managed more

effectively? This certificate provides a taste of advanced study
in development management, while developing your practical
and conceptual skills.
Module summary
Key
C
Compulsory module
Optional module
This unique programme which offers certificates, a diploma
and masters degree is designed to meet the needs of
development professionals and those aspiring to work in the
field of development and regeneration. Our qualifications are for
people with a professional and/or personal interest in creating
and managing development interventions, programmes, policies
and strategies at any level from local to global. Our students
include: people working in development agencies whether in
the public sector, the voluntary and community sector (civil
society) or in the private sector; people working in international
and inter-governmental organisations; specialists such as
engineers, economists, agriculturalists, medical professionals
working in development projects; people working in local
and central government contexts, in health, educational and
environmental agencies; and people with a personal interest in
the management of development in its broadest sense.
Study route diagram

60 credits
Postgraduate
Certificate in
Development
Management
(C48)
Postgraduate
Certificate in
Conflict and
Development
(C67)
Postgraduate
Certificate in
Human Rights
and
Development
Management
(C96)
+ 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma in
Development Management (D37)
+ 60 credits
MSc in Development Management (F11)
Credits Page
Capacities for managing

development (TU870)
30
36
Development: context and

practice (T877)
30
37
Module availability is subject to change. For the most up-to-date

information, click www.openuniversity.co.uk/pg.
in Conflict and
Development (C67)
Credits: 60
Primarily (though not exclusively) for students working for
humanitarian, development, international, inter-governmental,
public or private organisations in conflict settings, this
qualification links development to peace-building and develops
your conceptual and practical skills. The content and the skills
are relevant more widely to people managing development in any
complex situation.
Module summary
Credits Page

practice (T877)
30
37
War, intervention and

development (TU875) or
30
37
Conflict and development (T879)

(planned from May 2015)
30
36

32
Postgraduate study
in Human Rights
and Development
Management (C96)
Postgraduate Diploma
in Development
Management (D37)
Credits: 120
Credits: 60
This certificate allows you to engage actively with the issues
of human rights law, ethics and development in the broader
context of business practices. It also enables you to make a
full contribution to assessing and finding solutions to complex
situations arising in a business or any other organisational
environment.
Module summary
Module summary

Business, human rights law and
corporate social responsibility (W822)
This diploma is for anyone working or interested in managing

development, and particularly in managing the relationships
between the different agencies involved in any process of
development. The diploma also provides a stepping stone
towards completing the MSc.
Credits Page
C

Select one from:
30
36
Credits Page
Credits Page

development (TU870)
30
36
Institutional development (TU872)
30
37
Plus either 60 credits from the

following optional modules
Credits Page

development (TU870)
30
36

30
36

practice (T877)
30
37
Changing cities: urban transitions and

decision making (D837)
30
38
Development: context and practice (T877)
30
37
Education for development (ET821)
30
Environmental decision making:

a systems approach (T863)
30
38
Environmental responsibility: ethics,

policy and action (TD866)
30
38
Managing systemic change: inquiry,

action, and interaction (TU812)
30
MBA stage 1: management: perspectives

and practice (B716)
60
Problem solving and improvement:

quality and other approaches (T889)
30
Project management (M815)
30
39
Thinking strategically: systems tools

for managing change (TU811)
30
War, intervention and

development (TU875) or
30
37
Conflict and development (T879)

(planned from May 2015)
30
36

or you can include 30 credits from the optional modules above

and 30 credits from any of our postgraduate modules
Enter module code into search box at
www.openuniversity.co.uk/search for module description.
33
MSc in Development
Management (F11)
Credits: 180
The MSc consolidates and extends the learning you will have
built up through your postgraduate diploma studies. The final
project module provides an opportunity to: apply academic
discipline to a development management problem; acquire
research skills to deepen understanding of that problem
(and to find out fast more generally); and use learning from
earlier modules to make a case for change in policy and/or
practice. Typically, the problem you investigate is one linked to
your professional practice, making for an applied conclusion
to the learning. With this experience, adding to competencies
nurtured through the whole of your MSc study, you can be
confident of its value to any organisation concerned with
bringing about good change.
Module summary
120 credits from the following qualification
Credits Page
Postgraduate Diploma in Development

Management (D37)
120
see
left
Plus 30 credits from the optional modules listed for the

Postgraduate Diploma in Development Management (D37)
(see left)
Plus 30 credits from the following compulsory module
The development management
project (TU874)
30
37

34
Postgraduate study
Our postgraduate qualifications in environmental management
are for people who are interested in designing, managing and
participating in more effective environmental management.
Students are drawn from industry, commerce, local government,
consultancies, non-governmental organisations and
communities. They include managers and specialists already
involved in environmental management as well as those who
wish to be, either personally or professionally. Whatever your
background, this programme will widen your knowledge of
environmental management and develop your skills in making
informed decisions about environmental issues, whether at work,
in your community or at home.
Study route diagram
in Environmental
Management (K19)
Credits: 60
This postgraduate certificate represents the first level of
qualification within the environmental management programme.
Module summary
60 credits
Postgraduate Certificate in
Environmental Management (K19)
Credits Page

30
38
Managing for sustainability (T867)
30
39

+ 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma in
Environmental Management (E79)
+ 60 credits
MSc in Environmental Management (F65)
Planning your studies

If you intend to apply for credit transfer towards the
postgraduate diploma you are advised not to claim the
postgraduate certificate. A successful claim to include
transferred credit may mean that you have insufficient unique
OU study to claim the postgraduate diploma. For more
information, click www.openuniversity.co.uk/credit-transfer
or call our Credit Transfer Centre on +44 (0)1908 653077.
Modules can count towards this postgraduate certificate,
postgraduate diploma and MSc for a maximum of eight years
after we have stopped presenting them.
35
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate Diploma
in Environmental
Management (E79)
MSc in Environmental
Management (F65)
Credits: 180
You have the choice of a research route or a professional route
to this qualification. If you are interested in a more businessoriented qualification you can take The MSc professional project
(T847). If you prefer a rigorous research route, you can take
the Research project (T802), where producing a dissertation
will develop your academic research skills and can provide an
excellent basis for future doctoral studies that may enhance your
career further. Both routes help you to develop essential skills for
successfully addressing environmental issues.
Credits: 120
This postgraduate diploma is designed to help you meet the
challenges of environmental management in the context of
sustainable development, from local to global level.
Module summary
Credits Page

30
38
30
39
Plus 30 credits from the following

optional modules
Credits Page
Module summary
120 credits from the following qualification
Credits Page
Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental

Management (E79)
120
Environmental monitoring and

protection (T868)
30
38
Plus 60 credits from either the Research route

or the Professional route:
Environmental responsibility:
ethics, policy and action (TD866)
30
38
Research route:
Plus 30 credits from the following

optional modules
Credits Page

development (TU870)
30
36
Changing cities: urban transitions

and decision making (D837)
30
38
Environmental monitoring and

protection (T868)
30
38
Environmental responsibility:
ethics, policy and action (TD866)
30
38
Managing systemic change: inquiry,

action and interaction (TU812)
30
Problem solving and improvement:

quality and other approaches (T889)
30
Project management (M815)
30
39
Thinking strategically: systems tools

for managing change (TU811)
30
Enter module code into search box at

www.openuniversity.co.uk/search for module description.
Research project (T802)
see
left
Credits Page
60
39
30
39
Professional route:
The MSc professional project (T847)
Plus an additional 30 credits from the optional modules listed

for the Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Management
(E79) (see left).
Your next step.

Click www.openuniversity.co.uk/pg-env
Service on +44 (0)845 300 60 90
36
Postgraduate study
Postgraduate modules
The modules listed below are those that are currently
available for study. However, as we review our curriculum on
a regular basis, the exact selection may change over time.
Capacities for managing development (TU870)

Credits:
Length: 5 months
30 at PG level

Start:
01 Nov 2014 register by 30 Sep 2014

02 May 2015 register by 31 Mar 2015
Fees ():
UK 1290
Key
ROI 1715
Other 1835
Assessment
EMA
End-of-module assessment
TMA
Tutor-marked assignment
Fees
UK
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
ROI
Republic of Ireland
Other
Includes all countries outside the UK where we

accept students
Credits:
Length: 5 months
30 at PG level
Assessment: 3 TMAs, 1 EMA

Start:
01 Nov 2014 register by 17 Oct 2014
Fees ():
UK 1290
ROI 1715
Other 1835
This interdisciplinary module considers how business

increasingly conducts its operations with responsibility to
its stakeholders and the wider society. It takes a socio-legal
approach when examining how this expectation is being framed
in terms of corporate social responsibility and human rights and
the challenges of a globalised world. The module is diverse
and wide ranging, considering the development and application
of these concepts in very different business contexts such as
the development of international labour standards, criminal
liability (corruption and corporate manslaughter), branding and
marketing, charitable foundations, and a range of specialist
industries through the use of case studies.
Development management engages with the multiple challenges

of development any development, anywhere and this
module sets out to build up the basic capacities for managing
those challenges. It rests on the assumption that management is
a political and ethical process, a matter of the use of power to
bring about desired goals in contexts characterised by conflicts
of interests, values and agendas. The module teaches a range
of skills needed by any manager, skills to do in particular
with strategic thinking, research, advocacy, planning, policy
making and evaluation. It is of relevance to managers in any
sector, anywhere.
This module will be available for the last time in May 2015.
It will be replaced by a new module, Capacities for managing
development (T878), in November 2015.
NEW Conflict and development (T879)

Credits:
Length: 5 months
30 at PG level

Start:
Fees ():
UK 1290
ROI 1715
Other 1835
Conflict is found in all societies and takes a variety of forms.

Any development intervention must deal with both the causes of
conflict and its consequences. Additionally, some development
interventions themselves generate conflict within societies.
This module addresses the multi-faceted nature of conflict:
the complex of causes, the diverse impacts conflicts have on
development, and the range of actions that can help mitigate
conflicts. By equipping development managers and others
working on or in conflict situations with both analytical and
practical tools, the module will help them to intervene in ways
that are sensitive to these complex contexts.
Postgraduate study
Development: context and practice (T877)
The development management project (TU874)
Credits:
Credits:
Length: 6 months
30 at PG level
Length: 5 months
30 at PG level
Start:

Start:

Fees ():
UK 1290
Fees ():
UK 1600
ROI 1715
Other 1835
This module explores the context in which development

practice takes place. It asks you to think about development
activities from a multitude of perspectives to think out of
the box about what international development activity and
theory are all about. It takes a multidisciplinary approach to
development studies, highlighting the interconnectedness of
different historical and theoretical perspectives as well as the
contradictions between these and the reality on the ground.
This is the perfect introduction to international development;
facilitating skills development to give you a solid grounding in
contemporary development theory and practice.
ROI 2025
Other 2145
Development managers are often called upon to undertake

investigations that contribute to changes in practice and policy.
The development management project, the final, compulsory
element of the MSc, provides an opportunity to learn, develop
and practise the skills required for such an undertaking.
The project is individually chosen, the choice determined by
your own passions and priorities. The process is guided by
learning from previous modules of the masters programme.
And the product is a report that makes the case for change in
the understanding of, and/or the practice and policy related to,
a significant development management problem.
Institutional development (TU872)
War, intervention and development (TU875)
Credits:
Credits:
Length: 5 months
30 at PG level
Length: 5 months
30 at PG level
Start:

Start:
Fees ():
UK 1290
Fees ():
UK 1290
ROI 1715
37
ROI 1715
Other 1835
Other 1835
This online module focuses on institutions, which are critical

for the success of development processes and social change.
Development managers, in the public and private sectors
and in non-government organisations (NGOs), need the
capacity to analyse the institutional landscape, and to use and
adapt existing institutions or create new ones to promote
development. They also need the capacity to build good
relationships between the many organisations working for
change. The module explores theories and concepts, policy
and practice, in a variety of fields. It examines the strategic
importance of inter-organisational relationships and provides
tools for promoting institutional development.
Institutional development (TU872) is fantastic.

It has enabled me to think in a deeper and more
comprehensive way about the activities I am
working on, on an everyday basis. Particularly
about effectiveness and ways to improve the
development activities we (the organisation I am
working for) carry out in overseas countries.
Guillermo Rogel, OU student, Projects Director, War on Want
All development management interventions must deal with

complexity. This module examines the complexity of civil wars,
exploring ways in which interventions can be developed that at
worst do no harm, at best make for a just and lasting peace.
A fundamental premise is that the first step is to understand the
roots of the war and the goals of the various actors. Another is
the need for a vision of what is a desirable society. On this basis,
the module sets out the theory and illustrates the practice of the
diverse skills that contribute to making a good intervention.
This module will be available for the last time in November 2014.
38
Postgraduate study
Changing cities: urban transitions and
decision making (D837)
Credits:
Length: 16 weeks
30 at PG level
Assessment: 1 TMA, 1 EMA

Start:
Fees ():
UK 1415
ROI 1840
Other 1960
How are cities responding to environmental change, economic

instability, limited resources and other challenges? Can we make
the towns, cities or neighbourhoods we live in fairer, safer and
more fulfilling? This module looks at the place-making decisions
faced by planners, urban managers, activists and ordinary
people. You will be introduced to forms of spatial and political
thinking in relation to topical issues. Changing cities will guide
you in the development of your own specialist area of decision
making. You will develop independent research skills and put
them into practice in relation to an urban or place-making issue
of your own choosing.

Credits:
Credits:
Length: 6 months
30 at PG level

Start:
Fees ():
UK 1415
ROI 1840
Other 1960
To conserve our environment, we need to ensure that any

deterioration which can be prevented is addressed.
This online module will equip you with knowledge of the
different environmental monitoring techniques for water, noise,
air, and wastes; how to model and interpret the impacts of
pollutants; and the techniques available to eliminate the
pollutants. Computer models and rich examples make for a very
interesting and useful coverage of water pollution control, noise
control, air quality management, and solid wastes management.
You will gain the skills necessary to undertake environmental
assessment work, interpret the results, and suggest appropriate
remedial measures.
Environmental responsibility: ethics, policy

and action (TD866)
Credits:
Length: 6 months
30 at PG level

Length: 6 months
30 at PG level
Environmental monitoring and protection (T868)
Start:

Fees ():
UK 1415

Start:
Fees ():
UK 1415
ROI 1840
Other 1960
Many of our decisions and actions affect our environment, yet

economic and political considerations often dominate. Defining
environment to include biophysical, social, political, economic
and other factors, this module uses a systems framework to
integrate environment with other elements in environmental
decision-making situations. You will learn techniques and skills
in systems thinking including: modelling, evaluating, negotiating,
formulating problems and opportunities, identifying feasible
and desirable changes, and taking action. The module features
a case study on air travel and examples including water,
energy, agriculture and climate change. You will also explore
your own environmental decision-making situation through the
development of a project.
This module will be available for the last time in November 2014,
and replaced by Making environmental decisions (T891)
in May 2015.
ROI 1840
Other 1960
Have you ever wondered how to be a responsible environmental

citizen? What it means to be responsible, to make a right
decision, or to achieve a just outcome for our natural world that
we share? Such questions affect many of us both on personal
and professional levels. This module provides a framework for
analysis, and innovative tools promoting individual and collective
responsibility for decisions and action. You will examine how
cultural traditions influence attitudes towards the environment,
and develop skills in advocacy, argumentation, debate,
evaluating direct action, and constructing and making sense of
environmentally-related documentation such as briefing papers
and viewpoint articles.
Postgraduate study
Research project (T802)
Credits:
Credits:
Length: 5 months
30 at PG level
Length: 12 months
60 at PG level
Start:

Start:
01 Oct 2014 register by 30 Jul 2014

01 Feb 2015 register by 30 Nov 2014
Fees ():
UK 1415
Fees ():
UK 2140
ROI 1840
Other 1960
This module will increase your understanding of delivering and

supporting sustainability management. You will develop a multidisciplinary perspective on resources, sustainability and health
and safety management that will incorporate strategy, policy, data
collection and knowledge management. It will introduce you to
a systemic approach for studying organisational operations and
methods for quantifying and optimising resource use and energy
use while using tools to reduce environmental, societal and
financial risk. You will also learn how to improve the efficiency
and effectiveness with which your organisation can incorporate
sustainability issues, and to identify future trends and drivers for
change in this area.

Start:
Fees ():
UK 1415
ROI 1840
Other 2990
This research module builds on your existing postgraduate

diploma to enable you to complete your MSc. Youll design a
research proposal by identifying and developing a research
problem relevant to your MSc. Your research will involve a
literature review, original data collection, data analysis and the
drawing of conclusions. You will then communicate the outcome
of your research by writing up and submitting your dissertation.
Support is available to you at every stage from the study
materials, your supervisor and online forums. You will need to
complete preparatory work before the module start, therefore
early registration is strongly recommended.
Credits:
Length: 6 months
30 at PG level
ROI 2830
The MSc professional project (T847)
NEW Project management (M815)

Credits:
39
Length: 6 months
30 at PG level

Start:
Fees ():
UK 1600
ROI 2025
Other 2145
Other 1960
Whether you are a project manager, an aspiring project manager

or a member of a project team, this online module will support
you in improving your practice and making your contribution to
the project even more effective. You will gain an understanding
of the essential steps in the project life cycle and reflect on
the techniques available to you and how they can be applied.
You will have the opportunity to review, in the light of your new
knowledge and experience, a project on which you have
already worked. The topics covered include stakeholders,
finance, risk, people, project administration and quality.
This research-based module is your opportunity to investigate

a topic of your choice in what is likely to be a professional
employment-related setting. Acting as an informed investigator
you will design, conduct, analyse and report on your chosen
research project, applying relevant conceptual, theoretical and
methodological material at all stages of your work. You will be
expected to carry out your research in a rigorous fashion and to
an appropriate academic standard. Spanning only six months,
this module provides a challenging but valuable opportunity
to engage in and learn from a research scenario of your
choosing.
40
Becoming an Open University student.

Studying with The Open University
Contact points for advice
and registration
Click www.openuniversity.co.uk/courses or call:
England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man
and BFPO addresses outside the UK: +44 (0)845 300 60 90.
How much will it cost if

you live in England?
Our standard fee for 2014/2015 is 5264 based on 120
credits of study which is equivalent to a years full-time study
at a campus-based university. If, like most of our students, you
choose not to study 120 credits a year, the price youll pay each
year will be a proportion of this fee:
Northern Ireland: 028 9032 3722.

Republic of Ireland: (01)6785399 or +44 28 9032 3722.
All other countries: +44 (0)845 241 6555.
When to apply
Apply as early as you can registration closing dates for
undergraduate qualifications and postgraduate modules are
published in this prospectus. For the most up-to-date information,
click www.openuniversity.co.uk/courses.
You should register well in advance of the closing date
if you wish to apply for financial support or credit for
previousstudy.
Credits
studied
each year1
Percentage
of standard
fee
Cost per
year
Time taken
to complete
a 360-credit
honours degree
30 credits
a year
25%
1316
12 years
part-time study
60 credits
a year
50%
2632
6 years
part-time study
120 credits
a year
100%
5264
3 years
full-time study
At todays prices the total cost of a 360-credit honours degree

would be 15,792.
For illustrative purposes only in most cases, you can vary the
number of credits you study each year. Most OU students study
an average of 60 credits a year.
Entry and study requirements

There are no formal academic entry requirements for
most of our undergraduate qualifications, but in order to
study at postgraduate level youll usually need an honours
degree or equivalent. The qualification descriptions at
www.openuniversity.co.uk/courses will tell you more about our
study requirements.
Computers and elearning

Yes for many people, a Tuition Fee Loan (student loan) is the
best way to fund study, regardless of age or income. TuitionFee
Loans are the most popular payment method for first-time
undergraduate students, and part-time students can now apply
for them too.
Tuition Fee Loans in a nutshell
Youll need a computer and regular and reliable access to the

internet in order to study with us.
Nothing to pay upfront.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
Repayments are based on what you earn, not what you owe
and are deducted automatically by your employer through the
UK tax system.
You may be able to count credit from previous higher education

towards an OU qualification, reducing the number of modules
you need to complete. For more information, see page 13 or click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/credit-transfer.
Fees and finance for students

studying undergraduate
qualifications
The arrangements for the funding of higher education are
different across the four nations of the UK and internationally.
The fees and funding available to you are based on where you
are ordinarily resident.
As you study for your qualification youll pay your fees on
a module-by-module basis you wont have to pay for the
whole of your qualification upfront.
Nothing to pay for up to four years.
You only start making repayments when your salary exceeds

the income threshold, currently 21,000.
If your salary stops or drops below 21,000, your payments
stop too.
Interest is applied to your balance at the Retail Price Index
(RPI) plus up to three per cent, once the University confirms
that you are participating on your qualification.
Youre not committed to borrowing the cost of a full degree
you only borrow what you need to cover the coming
yearsfees.
Unlike other forms of borrowing, it doesnt affect your credit
rating and wont stop you getting a mortgage or car loan.
You can pay a Tuition Fee Loan off early if you want to.
After 30 years, any remaining balance you owe is written off,
no matter how much is left.
So, based on the current threshold of 21,000, say you earn

25,000 a year, youll only need to pay back nine per cent of your
income above 21,000, which works out at 30 a month about
the cost of a mobile phone tariff. Not insignificant, but achievable
for many people, especially as your payments stop if at any time
your incomes falls below 21,000.
How much will it cost if you live in

Northern Ireland?
The price you pay depends on the number of credits you study
each year:
Example repayment amounts (for illustrative purposes only)

Income each year before tax
41
Credits studied
each year1
Typical cost
per year2
Time taken to
complete a 360-credit
honours degree
Monthly repayment
Up to 21,000
30 credits a year
440815
22,000
60 credits a year
7751015
25,000
30
120 credits a year
15502885
3 years full-time study
30,000
67
At todays prices the typical cost of a 360-credit honours

degree would be between 4650 8655.
To qualify, youll need to study at a pace thats equivalent to at

least 25 per cent of a full-time student, which means at least an
OU module worth 30 credits every year. And youll need to be
studying for an undergraduate qualification thats higher than
any you already have.
Tuition Fee Loans are provided by Student Finance England.
For more information about Tuition Fee Loans, speak to an OU
adviser on 0845 300 60 90.
Fees for professionally relevant programmes of study (e.g. law)

may be significantly higher than the ranges quoted.
Do I qualify for any financial support?

There are two grants available to people living in Northern
Ireland and, depending on your income and your course of
study, you could apply for both. You may also be eligible for a
free place on an Access module and for extra help from Support
Funds to help pay for study-related expenses:

Yes the OU offers a range of other ways to pay your tuition fees:
Pay upfront for each module by credit/debit card or by
banktransfer.
Get employer sponsorship if your study will help you at work
your employer may be willing to sponsor you by paying some
or all of the fees. We can help you build a business case for
sponsorship speak to an OU adviser on 0845 300 60 90.
Use OU gift vouchers our gift vouchers can be used to
pay towards new or existing study. For more information,
click www.openuniversity.co.uk/gift-vouchers.

If youre on a low income or are on certain benefits you could be
eligible for a free place on an Access module and/or be entitled
to support from the Access to Learning Fund:
Access modules if youre on certain benefits or have an
annual household income of less than 25,000 and are new to
higher education, you may be eligible for a free place on one of
our Access modules if you study the module as an additional
preparatory stage towards an OU qualification.
Access to Learning Fund means-tested, discretionary
support is available to help pay for study-related costs such
as travel, childcare and internet access.
Am I eligible for financial support?
To find out more, speak to an OU adviser on 0845 300 60 90.
Fee Grant if you are on certain benefits or have an annual

household income not exceeding 25,420 you can apply for a
Fee Grant to go towards or even cover the cost of the modules
you study. The amount its worth depends on how much you
earn and how many credits youre studying for, but it could be as
much as 1230.
Course Grant if you are on certain benefits or have an annual
household income not exceeding 28,067 a year, you could
be eligible for a Course Grant to help you pay for other costs
of study, like a laptop, internet access or travel to tutorials its
worth up to 265.
You need to be studying between 30 and 120 credits worth of
modules to qualify (usually with a minimum of 30 credits for any
one module).
If you have a partner who is financially dependent on you,
or you have children, allowances are made that mean you
can earn more and still be eligible for both of these grants.
Theseallowances are 2000 for a partner, 2000 for your first
child and 1000 for each further child.
So, if you have a partner and two children who are financially
dependent on you, you could have a household income of up to
33,067 and be entitled to receive some financial support. If you
live with your parents, their income will not be included in any
assessment of your household income.
Access modules if youre on certain benefits or have an
annual household income of less than 25,000 and are new to
higher education, you may be eligible for a free place on one of
our Access modules if you study the module as an additional
preparatory stage towards an OU qualification.
42
Support Funds means tested, discretionary support is

available to help pay for study-related costs such as travel,
childcare and internet access.
Skills Development Scotland Individual Learning

Accounts(ILAs) these are for people who are 16 or over and
living in Scotland. If you have an income of 22,000 a year or
less, or you are on benefits, you may be eligible to get up to
200 towards the costs of learning or training, which you can
use towards the fees of certain OU modules, including those
under 30 credits. You must ensure that your ILA application is
completed by the final enrolment date of the module youd like
tostudy.
Access modules if youre new to the OU, with little or no
experience of higher education and have a personal income of
25,000 or less, you may be eligible for a free place on one of
our Access modules.
Discretionary funds means-tested, discretionary support
is available to help pay for study-related costs such as travel,
childcare and internet access.


To find out more, speak to an OU adviser on 0131 226 3851.

banktransfer.

you live in Scotland?
each year:
Credits studied
each year1
Typical cost
per year2
Time taken to
honours degree
30 credits a year
440815
60 credits a year
7751015
120 credits a year
15502885

degree would be between 46508655.

banktransfer.
How much will it cost if you live in Wales?

each year:
Credits studied
each year1
Typical cost
per year2

Time taken to
honours degree
30 credits a year
440815
60 credits a year
7751015
120 credits a year
15502885
Depending on your income and your course of study, you

could be eligible to apply for a Part-Time Fee Grant, Individual
Learning Account, a free place on an Access module, or for help
to pay for study-related expenses:
Part-Time Fee Grant if your personal income is 25,000 or less
a year, or youre on certain benefits, you can apply once each
year to have your module fees paid if you are studying between
30119 credits a year. You will need to have completed your fee
grant application by the final enrolment date of your module.

degree would be between 4650 8655.

43

Yes, new students in Wales starting their studies with the OU
from 1 September 2014 will be able to apply for a Tuition Fee
Loan (student loan) to fund study, regardless of age or income.
Tuition Fee Loans in a nutshell
Nothing to pay upfront.
Nothing to pay for up to four years.
Repayments are based on what you earn, not what you owe
and are deducted automatically by your employer through the
UK tax system.
You only start making repayments when your salary exceeds

the income threshold, currently 21,000.

banktransfer.
If your salary stops or drops below the income threshold,

your payments stop too.

Interest is applied to your balance at the Retail Price Index

(RPI) plus up to three per cent, once the University confirms
that you are participating on your qualification.
Youre not committed to borrowing the cost of a full degree
you only borrow what you need to cover the coming
yearsfees.

Do I qualify for financial support?
Unlike other forms of borrowing, it doesnt affect your credit

rating and wont stop you getting a mortgage or car loan.
There are several grants available to people living in Wales

depending on your income and your course of study:
You can pay a Tuition Fee Loan off early if you want to.
Course Grant if you are on certain benefits or have an annual

household income less than 28,180 a year, you could be eligible
for a Course Grant to help you pay for other costs of study, like
a laptop, internet access or travel to tutorials its worth up to
1155. Eligibility is dependent on the number of credits you study.
After 30 years, any remaining balance you owe is written off,

no matter how much is left.
So, based on the current threshold of 21,000, say you earn
25,000 a year, youll only need to pay back nine per cent of
your income above 21,000, which works out at 30 a month.
Notinsignificant, but achievable for many people, especially
as your payments stop if at any time your incomes falls
below21,000.
Example repayment amounts (for illustrative purposes only)
Income each year before tax
Monthly repayment
Up to 21,000
22,000
25,000
30
30,000
67
To qualify, youll need to study at a pace thats equivalent to at

least 25 per cent of a full-time student, which means at least an
OU module worth 30 credits every year. And youll need to be
studying for an undergraduate qualification thats higher than
any you already have.
Tuition Fee Loans are provided by Student Finance Wales.
Formore information about Tuition Fee Loans, speak to an
OU adviser on 0845 300 60 90.
If you have a partner who is financially dependent on you, or

you have children, allowances are made that mean you can earn
more and still be eligible for this grant. These allowances are
2000 for a partner, 2000 for your first child and 1000 for each
further child.
So, if you have a partner and two children who are financially
dependent on you, you could have a household income of up to
33,180 and be entitled to receive some financial support. If you
live with your parents, their income will not be included in any
assessment of your household income.
Other grants there is also some additional means-tested
support to help with study related costs as well as the
Adult Dependants Grant, Parents Learning Allowance and
ChildcareGrant.
Access modules
If youre on certain benefits or have an annual household income
of less than 25,000 and are new to higher education, you may
also be eligible for a free place on one of our Access modules if
you study the module as an additional preparatory stage towards
an OU qualification.
44

you live outside the UK?
OU gift vouchers our gift vouchers can be used to pay

towards new or existing study. For more information, click
www.openuniversity.co.uk/gift-vouchers.
Undergraduate fees for students resident outside the UK are

the same as those for students in England: 1316 for 30 credits;
2632 for 60 credits; and 5264 for 120 credits.
Other help

banktransfer.
sponsorship speak to an OU adviser on +44 (0)845 300 60 90.
Fees and finance for students

studying postgraduate
qualifications
How much will it cost?
You pay for your postgraduate studies module by module, rather
than for an entire programme upfront. The module fee you pay is
dependent on what you study and where you live. To find the fee
for your chosen module, see the module descriptions published
on pages 3639.
Ways to pay
If you are an OU graduate with an honours degree, support

may be available from the Crowther Fund. The Crowther Fund
is intended to help OU graduates build upon their OU degrees,
either by formal study or research or by generally broadening
their experience through a period of voluntary work. The fund
doesnt take account of financial circumstances. The application
closing date is 28 February each year. For further information,
please email [email protected].
If you have a disability

When you register to study with us, well ask you whether you
have a disability, health condition, mental-health disability or
specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia) that might affect
your studies or examinations. If you do, well direct you to more
detailed information about the services we offer.
Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

UK students only
Disabled Students Allowances help with study costs that
result directly from your disability or specific learning difficulty.
Allowances are not means-tested and may go towards specialist
equipment (such as an adapted computer), non-medical study
support (for example, a sign-language interpreter; a note-taker
or a dyslexia support worker) or other related expenses. You can
also apply for help with study-related travel costs that directly
result from your disability.
Eligibility and allowances depend on where you live and what
youre studying. If you are eligible for a DSA the University
will only provide study support that cannot be provided by
theallowance.
For information and advice about all services for students with
disabilities, speak to an OU adviser on +44 (0)845 300 60 90.
Studying outside the UK and the

Republic of Ireland
The OU offers a range of ways to pay your tuition fees:
Wherever you are in the world, you may be able to study directly
with the OU or through one of our educational partners.

banktransfer.
Direct study
Employer sponsorship if your study is job or career related

or all of the fees. For further information speak to an adviser
on +44 (0)845 300 60 90.
For information on available qualifications, your study experience,

and what the OU can offer international students, click
www.openuniversity.edu or call +44 (0)845 241 6555.
Study with an educational partner

As an alternative to direct registration, the OU has many
educational partners around the world. You may be able to
study in your preferred language, study for a dual award or
get facetoface support from your local provider. For more
information, click www.openuniversity.co.uk/contact.
45
What else you should know
Ordering other prospectuses
Equality and diversity
This prospectus is one of a series of publications. If you would

like to find out more about our other study opportunities please
order one of the prospectuses listed below:
We are committed to fulfilling our vision of a fair and just

society. We are creating an inclusive university community and
a society where people are treated with dignity and respect,
where inequalities are challenged and where we anticipate and
respond positively to different needs and circumstances so
that everyone can achieve their potential. For more information,
see our Equality Scheme on our Equality and Diversity website:
www.openuniversity.co.uk/equality.
Open University Students

Association (OUSA)
You automatically become a member unless you choose to opt
out for more information, click www.ousa.org.uk.
Students under the age of 16

Very exceptionally, the University will consider applications
from particularly gifted students who are under the age of 16.
Acceptance will be at the discretion of the University.
Our statements of service

We are committed to working together as a community of
learners and to developing our students through high quality
teaching, learning and services. Our Essential documents
website www.openuniversity.co.uk/essential-documents
provides more detailed information about what you can expect
from us and what we expect from you.
Data protection
We record your personal information when you contact us and
use this to manage registration, study, examination and other
services. When you register, well tell you more about how we
process and use your personal information.
Recording phone calls

We may record our phone calls with you to make sure that weve
carried out your instructions correctly and to help us improve our
services through staff training.
Freedom of information
Information about the University can be found in our publication
scheme, click www.openuniversity.co.uk/foi. You have a general
right to information we hold that is not in our publicationscheme.
Undergraduate Prospectus
Getting started with The Open University
Access Module Certificates

Introductory modules to build your confidence
Undergraduate Modules Prospectus

Modules for study as standalone courses
Subject-specific prospectuses
For undergraduate study
Languages Prospectus
Psychology and Counselling Prospectus
Social Sciences Prospectus
For undergraduate and postgraduate study
Arts and Humanities Prospectus
Business and Management Prospectus
Computing and IT Prospectus
Education, Childhood and Youth Prospectus
Engineering, Design and Technology Prospectus
Health and Social Care Prospectus
Law Prospectus
Mathematics and Statistics Prospectus
Science Prospectus
To download or order
a printed prospectus.
Click www.openuniversity.co.uk/prospectus
Call +44 (0)845 300 60 90
Any questions about

studying with us?
In England, Scotland, Wales, the Channel
Islands, the Isle of Man and BFPO
addresses outside the UK.
Click www.openuniversity.co.uk/courses
Service on +44 (0)845 300 60 90
Lines are open (UK time):
Monday to Friday 08:00 to 20:00
Saturday
09:00 to 17:00
Calls are charged at the UK local rate
when calling from a UK landline.
Email us from our website at
www.openuniversity.co.uk/contact
In Northern Ireland and

the Republic of Ireland.
Click www.openuniversity.co.uk/courses
In Northern Ireland
Call our Belfast office on 028 9032 3722
In the Republic of Ireland
Call our Enquiry and Advice Centre in Dublin on
(01)6785399 or our Belfast office on +44 28 9032 3722
Email [email protected]
All other countries.

Click www.openuniversity.edu
Call +44 (0)845 241 6555
The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391),

an exempt charity in England and Wales and a charity registered in
Scotland (SC 038302).
While we have done everything possible to make sure the information in
this publication is accurate, it may change due to regulations or policy,
or because of financial or other reasons.
Designed by Jaywing.
Produced by Matrix.
Printed by Belmont Press.
Copyright 2014 The Open University.
SUP 035595
For Welsh speakers.

If you would prefer to discuss your study needs
in Welsh, please contact:
The Open University in Wales,
18 Custom House Street, Cardiff, CF10 1AP
Call 029 2047 1170
Email [email protected]
I siaradwyr Cymraeg.
Os ydych yn siarad Cymraeg a byddain well gennych
drafod eich anghenion astudio drwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg,
cysylltwch :
Y Brifysgol Agored yng Nghymru,
18 Heol y Tollty, Caerdydd, CF10 1AP
Ffoniwch 029 2047 1170
Ebost [email protected]
Other ways to read

this prospectus
You may find it easier to access
information from our website at
www.openuniversity.co.uk/courses.
If you would like this prospectus electronically,
please call +44 (0)845 300 60 90
or email us from our website at
www.openuniversity.co.uk/contact.
Other formats are available on request.
Student Registration & Enquiry Service
The Open University
PO Box 197
Milton Keynes
MK7 6BJ
United Kingdom

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Environment

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Prospectus

You can do it too.

Choose your qualification

Decide on the qualification you want to study

The qualification you choose will usually be related to

Choose your first module

Choose your first module

Choose your qualification

Complete your registration

Some of the modules in your chosen qualification will be

Sort out your funding

Complete your registration

Theres nothing distant about us 

Why choose us for

Get the kind of CV employers

Becoming an Open University student

Any questions about

Wherever youre going,

Were the UKs largest university

The OU rekindled my joy of learning things just

Were experts in flexible,

Someone logs onto our servers

We offer outstanding value

Were one of the worlds finest

Were more local than you think

Were just a phone call away

Every year, we help thousands of ordinary people achieve

Supported Open Learning has

Whats it like being part of

Our world-class library is

Support that continues when

Studying at home was ideal for me. I didnt want

We can help you approach your

A world-class education for

When it comes to managing the cost of your study, youve got

At the OU, we believe it doesnt matter where you start from

Ive been dipping in and out of the OU for the last

We support disabled students

Why choose us for

Climate change, threats to the sustainability of the planet

Get the kind of CV employers

OU study develops the skills

Where could your environment

You will have opportunities to reflect on and articulate the

You can find out more at

Your studies will help you develop a broad set of

local, national and international development agencies

For environment and development students, these include:

the understanding of the human and scientific causes and

the understanding of development issues relating to poverty,

local and national government departments

civil or diplomatic service

the ability to collect, record and analyse data

the ability to carry out investigations in a responsible, safe and

We advise you to research your career choices as early

the ability to work well in groups, recognising and respecting

Many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any

Where have our previous

Theres nothing distant about us

Becoming an Open University student