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An image to illustrate the Professional Certificate in Practical Statistics
Develop the skills to interpret data and apply statistical thinking in real-world contexts. This certificate introduces key ideas in statistics, showing you how to explore, summarise, and analyse data to solve practical problems. You’ll learn to appreciate the breadth of statistical applications, understand the role of variability, and recognise the limitations of statistical methods. You’ll also gain hands-on experience with statistical software, equipping you with transferable skills that are valuable across research, business, and public sector roles.
This practical statistics certificate has one stage, comprising 120 credits.
You’ll study four 30-credit modules at three levels: one OU level 1 module introducing statistical tools and quantitative methods, two OU level 2 modules building on those techniques, and one OU level 3 module exploring statistical modelling.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study all four of the following:
Introducing statistics (M140)30Oct | Feb
Analysing data (M248)30Oct
Practical modern statistics (M249)30Oct
Applied statistical modelling (M348)30Oct

By studying this certificate, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, flexible distance-learning materials, online tutorials, and frequent feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Professional Certificate in Practical Statistics upon successful completion.
If you plan to work or study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether this qualification meets local requirements. Find out more about the international recognition of Open University qualifications.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
We regularly review our curriculum to keep it up to date. This means the structure, availability, and content of the course or modules may change. We’ll update this page as soon as possible if there are any changes. If you have already registered for this qualification, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes where practicable. For more details, see our Academic Regulations or contact us.
You can achieve this certificate in as little as one year and have a maximum of seven years to complete it. Our module-by-module approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that works best for you.
You can complete this certificate in one year by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this certificate in two years by studying part-time. That’s roughly half the rate of a student on a full-time course at a campus-based university.
At the OU, flexibility and support go hand in hand. You’ll be in control of when and where you study, with clear deadlines to guide your progress. Whether you’re balancing work, family or other commitments, our approach helps you fit learning into your life. Students consistently praise the support we provide, and from the very start, you’ll be part of a vibrant OU learning community.
As you progress through your qualification, you’ll have access to a dedicated online study space, expert tutor guidance, optional live tutorials, and a wide range of resources to help you succeed. The sections below outline what you can expect.
Your module website will be a central hub for your learning, giving you easy access to:
Discover how the OU’s module websites, course materials, and support tools help you study online with confidence.
Each module has a dedicated tutor who will guide you through your studies. They’ll provide feedback, help you find resources, mark your assignments and support your learning journey.
For extra support, you can attend optional live tutorials with your tutor. These are usually conducted online, and most are recorded so you can review them later.
See how OU tutors and tutorials help you build confidence, connect with others, and get the support you need to succeed in your studies.
Our assessments reinforce what you’ve learned and show your understanding. Assessment types vary by module and may include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to a wide range of support services and be part of a vibrant learning community. Our subject-specific Student Support Teams can help with general queries and any updates to your OU account. You’ll also benefit from:
Discover the support network and learning tools you'll have access to throughout your studies.
There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification; however, you must have the required mathematical skills, including:
Check you’re ready.
If you’ve studied at university level before, you may be able to transfer the academic credit you've been awarded towards an OU qualification. This could save you time and money by reducing the modules you need to study.
It’s not just university study that can be considered; you can also transfer study from a wide range of professional or vocational qualifications, such as HNCs and HNDs.
You should apply to transfer credit before registering, at least four weeks before the registration closing date. We will need to know what you studied, where, and when, and you will need to provide evidence of your previous study.
For more details and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.
£8,176*
Your course fees cover your tuition, assessment and study materials, but there are still a few additional costs that can come with studying. For this qualification, you'll need:
*The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's Fee Rules.

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Repay in monthly instalments while you study.
Pay for each module with a debit or credit card in one quick, simple payment.
More than 1 in 10 OU students are sponsored by their employer.
Combine your payment options to fund your studies the way you want.
If you’re a serving member of the British Armed Forces (or you’ve recently left), you may be eligible to use ELCs to cover up to 100% of your course fees.
You may be eligible for:
Statistics lie at the heart of many activities, from everyday problem-solving and decision-making to the formulation of economic policy and the advancement of science and technology. A wide variety of employers seek ability in data analysis. This certificate will equip you with the skills and knowledge for many jobs that require the use of data, and will provide a range of valuable and transferable skills, such as:
The art of analysing data is applicable to jobs in virtually any discipline, including actuary, biology, economics, education, engineering, environmental studies, finance, forensic science, government, logistics, medicine, pharmaceuticals, meteorology, market research, sport, and the growing area of data science, to name but a few.
Once you register with us (and for up to three years after you finish your studies), you'll have full access to our careers service for a wide range of information and advice, including: online forums, website, interview simulation and vacancy service, as well as the option to email or speak to a careers adviser. Some areas of the careers service website are available for you to see now, including help with looking for and applying for jobs. You can read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around where this qualification might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point (note that some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your qualification):
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
Request a prospectus
Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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