MOS certification is a recognised industry standard qualification. Certification is based on an invigilated, task-based exam approved by Microsoft to validate desktop computer skills based on the Microsoft Office suite of programmes.
Students sit a separate exam for each programme (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and you can take as many as you like.
MOS certifications are offered at three graduated levels: Specialist (Core), Expert, and Master and you can elect to sit whichever level you are prepared for.
For further information on the different levels and skills tested, please select the relevant option below:
Certification is available in the applications listed below. Click on the appropriate link to find out what skills are tested in the exam.
Expert exams are only available for Excel and Word. Click on the appropriate link to find out what skills are tested in the exam.
Please note: For 2013 they are 2 part exams and you must complete both parts to obtain the expert qualification.
The Master qualification is not a certification, but a status that is achieved by passing 4 required exams. There's no registration or application required for the Microsoft Office Master recognition, and there's no fee to pay. When you've successfully completed the exams, Certiport will automatically send your Microsoft Office Master certificate to you and post the achievement to your digital transcript.
For Office 2013 there are 3 tracks to becoming an Office 2013 Master, so that you can focus on the right skillset for your desired career path. There is only one route to becoming an Office 2010 Master, and details are listed below.
The Office 365 certification has been withdrawn and we are currently unable to offer certification in Outlook.
All training and exams are based on Microsoft Office 2010 and 2013 and are not available on any other versions of Office or Microsoft Office for Mac.
What are the benefits of Microsoft Office Specialist Certification?
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification is recognised internationally as proof that you have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to productively use Microsoft Office. More than 1 million MOS exams are taken every year in over 14 countries. Certification will show you are capable of tapping into the full features and functionality of the Microsoft Office system, resulting in heightened levels of individual performance, confidence, and differentiation.
Benefits to Students
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Students will graduate with additional valuable industry-standard certifications which demonstrate to potential employers that they have the practical IT skills required to excel in a business environment
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Promotes academic preparedness and workforce readiness
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Students progress through coursework and curriculum with greater ease and efficiency
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Students can focus on academic course content—not on struggling with the associated computing
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Price for LSE students is a fraction of commercial fees
Benefits to Staff
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Staff will have proof of their continuous professional development
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Promotes greater productivity and efficiency
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Builds self-confidence and job satisfaction
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Enhances professional standing among peers and managers
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Increases professional worth
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Enables staff to fully utilise the organisation's application software
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Validates a job candidate's Microsoft Office skills and abilities
Training for each certification can be undertaken in two ways:
Option 1: Download GMetrix software to your own computer or laptop (PC only)
If you wish to download GMetrix software onto your own computer or laptop you will need to have your own copy of Microsoft Office installed on your machine and meet the technical requirements for the installation.
For those who are studying for the 2013 certification, you can now download a free copy of Office 2013 with your LSE account. More information can be found at here.
An activation code is required for the GMetrix software and this is included in the certification fee.
More information on how GMetrix works can be found here.
Option 2: Attend an Unsupervised Study Session
Unsupervised study sessions provide students with a dedicated space to take practice tests and learn the skills they need to pass the exam using GMetrix software.
Sessions are booked by request and students can request as many sessions as needed before sitting an exam.
MOS certification is available to all LSE students and staff at a reduced cost of £40 for the first certification and £30 for all subsequent certifications.
This cost includes the fee for one exam sitting and unlimited access to pre-assessment and training software for each certification.
Register for MOS Certification
Once you have decided which application(s) you would like to study, select the appropriate link below to make your purchase via the LSE e-Shop. Once we have received notification that you have paid, you will receive instructions on how to get started and book a study session.
The fees below include a GMetrix activation code, access to study sessions and exam vouchers (as applicable). If you are unsure which exam type to purchase, please contact it.training@lse.ac.uk for further advice.
Please note: MOS Certification is only available to current LSE students and staff and all purchases are non-refundable. All exams vouchers are valid for one year from the purchase date.