Online United Kingdom
DURATION
7 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest start date
TUITION FEES
GBP 20,160 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total cost: £17,500–£20,160
Key Summary
Introduction
Our internationally recognised MBA is a unique distance learning qualification that will build and develop your business skills. You'll be able to critically assess multiple perspectives and start applying your new understanding of management as you study. Designed for practising senior and middle-level managers, it will develop your strategic analysis, interdisciplinary skills, creativity and innovation. With an international emphasis and global reputation, our MBA programme is highly attractive to all ambitious executives.
Key features
- Our triple-accredited status puts us in an elite group of business schools in the world.
- Practice-based learning brings your MBA to life in your workplace.
- Flexible options enable you to adjust the curriculum to suit your needs.
- Strong international emphasis is essential for developing leaders in a global marketplace.
- Join an influential network of more than 27,000 alumni from 120 countries when you graduate.
How long it takes
Most students study this qualification in three years by studying 60 credits a year. To achieve this you should expect to devote 12 - 14 hours each week to your studies.
You can however study certain modules concurrently depending on your study intensity and complete them within two years. This will require you to be able to devote 24 - 28 hours each week to your studies.
Program Outcome
There is an expectation that as an Open University MBA graduate, you will work with others in groups and teams in a way that promotes effective outcomes, applying knowledge and skills to deliver outcomes and upholding the highest ethical standards.
Knowledge and understanding
When you have completed your MBA you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of theories and concepts applicable in managing organisational performance, resource allocation, management of people and leading organisations
- Manage complex situations in business and other organisations based on knowledge of both the external and internal context of organisations; generating social and economic benefit
- Develop long-term vision, goals and direction for organisations and develop strategies to deliver the goals, including through appropriate financial resource allocation.
Cognitive skills
When you have completed your MBA you will be able to:
- Critically collect and use valuable information and evaluate in the context of their application across different environments and settings
- Conduct professional inquiries in problem identification, and use and manage knowledge and evidence critically to solve problems and develop actionable solutions.
Practical and/or professional skills
When you have completed your MBA you will be able to:
- Develop appropriate people-management skills and leadership style
- Devise and apply evidence-based approaches to management decision-making
- Develop as an independent and reflective management practitioner
Key skills
When you have completed your MBA you will be able to:
- Understand the ethical implications of management practice and respond to ethical issues as a socially responsible professional
- Engage and manage in digital and entrepreneurial work environments
- Communicate effectively using a wide range of media
- Provide effective and ethical leadership that transcends functional perspectives
- Reflect critically on learning from workplace practice
Curriculum
There are now two routes to the MBA depending on when you start your studies.
November 2019 onwards route
If you start this year or have started with B870 in November 2019 or thereafter, including if you've previously studied any electives as a standalone module, you'll need:
105 credits from the following:
- Managing in a changing world (B870)
- Creating and sustaining value (B872)
- Effective strategic management in business and the public sector (B873)
- Finance for strategic decision-making (B874)
plus 45 credits from the following:
Optional modules and micro-credentials
- Contemporary issues in organisations (BB853)
- Entrepreneurship in context (BB851)
- Leadership and management of public services (BB852)
- Supply chain management (BB849)
- Sustainable creative management (BB842)
- Business, human rights and corporate social responsibility (W822)
- Management of change: organisation development and design (BZFM802)*
- Management of uncertainty: leadership, decisions and action (BZFM801)*
Or the discontinued modules BB841, BB844, BB845, BB846, BB847, BB848, BXM871.
*These microcredentials are 10–12 week professional development courses presented on FutureLearn.
plus 30 credits from the following:
- MBA project: leaders of change (B875)
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Hybrid route
If you have gained 60 credits from completing either of the discontinued modules B716 or BXFT716 you'll need:
30 credits from the following:
- Effective strategic management in business and the public sector (B873)
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module BB835.
plus 15 credits from the following:
Compulsory module
- Finance for strategic decision-making (B874)
Or the discontinued module BB831.
plus 45 credits from the following:
Optional modules and micro-credentials
- Contemporary issues in organisations (BB853)
- Entrepreneurship in context (BB851)
- Leadership and management of public services (BB852)
- Supply chain management (BB849)
- Sustainable creative management (BB842)
- Business, human rights law and corporate social responsibility (W822) FINAL
- Management of change: organisation development and design (BZFM802)*
- Management of uncertainty: leadership, decisions and action (BZFM801)*
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules BB841, BB844, BB845, BB846, BB847, BB848, and BXM871.
*These micro-credentials are 10–12 week professional development courses presented on FutureLearn.