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An image to illustrate the BA (Honours) Business Management
What makes good leadership? What challenges might you face in leading organisations, and how can you practise leadership ethically and responsibly? In this specialist route available in our business management degree, you’ll develop an interdisciplinary perspective on the management of business organisations and build specialised knowledge and skills in leadership. Upon completing your degree, you’ll be equipped with the skills needed to use and apply leadership practices and concepts in the workplace and acquire a wide range of transferable management skills.
You'll be learning from experts at a top triple-accredited business school:
Association of MBAs (AMBA) logo
European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) logo
This business management degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.
Our modular study approach gives you the flexibility to complete your qualification at a pace that fits around your life. Whether you prefer a fast track or want to work at a slower rate, you can tailor your study plan to suit your needs.
You start Stage 1 with an introduction to the essential disciplines of business and management, investigate the question ‘What is a business?’, and explore the functions of human resource management, marketing, accounting, and finance. To complete this stage, you’ll choose from a range of subjects, including communication and management theory.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll start your degree with the following:
An introduction to business and management (B100)60Oct | Feb
You'll complete Stage 1 with 60 credits from:
Business data analytics and decision making (B126)30Apr
Communication skills for business and management (LB170)30Oct
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)60Oct | Feb
Discovering mathematics (MU123)30Oct | Feb
Economics in context (DD126)30Oct | Feb
Fundamentals of accounting (B124)30Oct
Introducing statistics (M140)30Oct | Feb
Making your learning count (YXM130)30Oct
Marketing essentials (B128)30Oct
You and your money (DB125)30Oct | Feb

Stage 2 begins by focusing on an organisation's essential functions: human resources, marketing, operations, and finance. Next, you'll explore project management and organisational improvement while developing your leadership skills through both theoretical understanding and practical application.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60Oct
Understanding leadership (B211) – planned for October 2026
60Oct

Stage 3 begins with an exploration of strategic management, where you'll analyse how organisations make decisions, compete successfully, and expand internationally in dynamic environments. You'll complete your studies by choosing specialised modules in leadership, enterprise and innovation, accounting and finance, or marketing – with Leadership in a changing world (B329) recommended for its focus on contemporary leadership challenges.
ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Strategic management (B302)60Oct
You'll complete your degree with 60 credits chosen from:
Creating futures: sustainable enterprise and innovation (B327)30Oct
Leadership in a changing world (B329)30Oct
Management accounting and international finance (B391)30Oct
Marketing in action (B328)30Apr
We recommend that you choose Leadership in a changing world (B329) for this route.

You can complete this degree in as little as three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s 120 credits per year. To complete in three years, you’ll need to start your degree in October.
Don't worry if your circumstances change. You don’t have to stick to a full-time study pace. You can change the pace of your learning each year depending on what's right for you.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll study the following:
An introduction to business and management (B100)60Oct | Feb
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Business data analytics and decision making (B126)30Apr
Communication skills for business and management (LB170)30Oct
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)60Oct | Feb
Discovering mathematics (MU123)30Oct | Feb
Economics in context (DD126)30Oct | Feb
Fundamentals of accounting (B124)30Oct
Introducing statistics (M140)30Oct | Feb
Making your learning count (YXM130)30Oct
Marketing essentials (B128)30Oct
You and your money (DB125)30Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 2
You’ll study the following:
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60Oct
Understanding leadership (B211) – planned for October 2026
60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
Strategic management (B302)60Oct
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Creating futures: sustainable enterprise and innovation (B327)30Oct
Leadership in a changing world (B329)30Oct
Management accounting and international finance (B391)30Oct
Marketing in action (B328)30Apr
We recommend that you choose Leadership in a changing world (B329) for this route.

You can complete this degree in six years by studying part-time. That’s 60 credits of study each year.

ModulesCreditsStart month
Stage 1 | Year 1
You'll start your degree with the following:
An introduction to business and management (B100)60Oct | Feb
Stage 1 | Year 2
You'll choose 60 credits from:
Business data analytics and decision making (B126)30Apr
Communication skills for business and management (LB170)30Oct
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)60Oct | Feb
Discovering mathematics (MU123)30Oct | Feb
Economics in context (DD126)30Oct | Feb
Fundamentals of accounting (B124)30Oct
Introducing statistics (M140)30Oct | Feb
Making your learning count (YXM130)30Oct
Marketing essentials (B128)30Oct
You and your money (DB125)30Oct | Feb
Stage 2 | Year 3
You'll study the following:
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60Oct
Stage 2 | Year 4
You’ll study the following:
Understanding leadership (B211) – planned for October 2026
60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 5
You'll study the following:
Strategic management (B302)60Oct
Stage 3 | Year 6
You'll complete your degree with 60 credits chosen from:
Creating futures: sustainable enterprise and innovation (B327)30Oct
Leadership in a changing world (B329)30Oct
Management accounting and international finance (B391)30Oct
Marketing in action (B328)30Apr
We recommend that you choose Leadership in a changing world (B329) for this route.

By studying this degree, you’ll:
You’ll be supported throughout by personal tutors, rich online materials, interactive activities, tutorials and detailed feedback.
You’ll be awarded a BA (Honours) Business Management (Leadership Practice) upon successful completion.
Your honours classification (first, upper second, lower second or third class honours) will depend on the grades you gain at Stages 2 and 3.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
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 degree in as little as three years and have a maximum of 16 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 degree in three years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this degree in six 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 to study this qualification.
With the exception of the Accounting route, there is the option to study a mathematics module at Stage 1. Whether that module is right for you will depend on your experience and confidence with mathematics. Visit our Open Mathematics and Statistics website for information and to try some diagnostic quizzes.
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.
The fees and funding information shown below relate to the 2025/26 academic year and are provided for guidance only. Updated 2026/27 information will be published on the 18th of March, when this qualification next opens for registration.

6 years
£3,892*
A degree is worth 360 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 6 years.
£23,352*
This qualification also includes option modules with lower fees than standard, which, if studied, will reduce the total cost.
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 2026. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to the part-time fee limit, as set out in section 5 of the University's Fee Rules.
Pay nothing upfront – over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Part-Time Tuition Fee Loan (sometimes called a student loan), meaning they pay nothing upfront.
Learn more about this and our other funding options below.
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:
This degree course will help you develop a wide range of skills valued by employers, including the ability to:
The skills and knowledge gained from this degree can open doors to various career paths. Business management graduates are well-equipped for roles in:
The Open University Business School is one of the few institutions worldwide that is triple-accredited by the:
Association of MBAs (AMBA)
Association of MBAs (AMBA) logo
European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) logo
These are internationally recognised quality standards that independently validate the quality of the school's teaching, research, and operations. The School undergoes regular reviews to ensure that standards are maintained and has successfully retained its triple-accredited status since 2004. This qualification is accredited through inclusion in these reviews.
Business graduates are highly valued by employers for their commercial awareness. With globalisation and advances in technology, communications, and financial services continuing to create new business opportunities, this awareness can lead to careers in areas such as management consultancy or business journalism.
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. This includes online forums, website, interview simulation, 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 also read more general information about how OU study enhances your career.
In the meantime, if you want to do some research around this qualification and where it might take you, we've put together a list of relevant job titles as a starting point. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 18th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
Ask a question
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
This course will next start in the 2026/27 academic year and will open for registration on the 18th of March. If you’d like us to keep you updated, register your interest.
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