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MBA (Technology Management)

If you’re looking for an MBA with a focus on technology, this is the qualification for you. It is applicable to technology management and technological innovation in a wide variety of contexts and sectors, including: IT/IS, telecommunications, computing, engineering, manufacturing, transport and logistics, retailing, energy production and supply, defence and security, management and administration, and any form of services, including health, welfare and leisure. You will focus on strategic analysis and, intellectual stimulation whilst gaining interdisciplinary skills, and independent judgement – exploring the processes that underpin technological innovation and the challenges of technology from a strategic perspective, with your learning firmly rooted in management practice throughout.

Masters degree

Course code: F69
Credits: 180
How long it takes: 2–7 years
Read more about how long it takes
Study method: Distance learning
Find out more in Why the OU?
Course cost: Postgraduate loan available
See Fees and funding
Entry requirements: Find out more about entry requirements.

Course details Entry requirements Careers

Course details

Modules

This MBA qualification is in two stages. You must successfully complete Stage 1 before moving on to Stage 2.

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Stage 1
A 60-credit compulsory module:

Compulsory module	Credits	Next start
MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (B716) This MBA module will enable you make a real difference within your management practice and provide a good grounding in the core disciplines of management. See full description Register	60	04 May 2019 FINAL
MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (fast-track)* (BXFT716) This MBA module will enable you make a real difference within your management practice and provide a good grounding in the core disciplines of management. See full description Register	60	06 Apr 2019 FINAL

*This version is for the accelerated study route and should only be selected if you intend to complete your MBA in two years. See How long it takes for more information.

Stage 2
60 credits from this list:

Compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Managing technological innovation (T848) This module explores the processes that underpin technological innovation an understanding of which is crucial whether you are a user or producer of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849) This module draws on a range of theoretical perspectives from both strategic and innovation management to produce a multi-layered, practical, approach to strategic management of technological innovation. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued module T846

plus
15 credits from this compulsory module:

Compulsory module	Credits	Next start
Corporate finance (BB831) This module will show you how best to finance a company, what dividend policy to choose, how to appraise projects, and how to value companies. See full description Register	15	04 May 2019

plus
at least 15 credits from this list:

Optional modules	Credits	Next start
Entrepreneurship: experience and perspective (BB846) This module looks at the challenges of creating and developing entrepreneurial ventures and helps you develop your own venture or engage with other entrepreneurial organisations. See full description Register	15	04 May 2019
Leadership and management in intercultural contexts (BB848) This module examines the conceptions of leadership and management in different cultures and the expectations these raise in different cultural settings. See full description Register	15	04 May 2019
Management beyond the mainstream (BB847) This module looks at some important limitations of mainstream management thinking and explores a variety of alternatives to it – some longstanding, some recently developed. See full description Register	15	04 May 2019
Managing financial risk (BB841) This module explores the nature of the risks that confront all institutions and how exposure to that risk can both be measured and managed. See full description Register	15	04 May 2019
Managing in the digital economy (BXM871) A route to credit for learners holding Certificates of Achievement from the four Open University MOOCs that comprise the FutureLearn Digital Economy program. See full description Register	15	06 Jul 2019
Marketing in the 21st century (BB844) This module explores the issues that emerge from marketing planning and uses current theories and examples to show how organisations deal with environmental challenges. See full description Register	15	04 May 2019
Strategic human resource management (BB845) This module explores the different aspects of human resource management and helps you understand and influence decisions regarding the management of human resources within organisations. See full description Register	15	04 May 2019
Supply chain management (BB849) This module provides analysis of important concepts and practices in supply chain management, taking into account issues such as globalisation, sustainability and risk management. See full description Register	15	04 May 2019
Sustainable creative management (BB842) This module explores creative, innovative and sustainable ways of developing and managing organisations and offers practical approaches for developing yourself, your team and your organisation. See full description Register	15	04 May 2019
Capacities for managing development (T878) This module builds the competence and confidence to manage development, local and global, more effectively, and bring about greater social equality and justice. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Development: context and practice (T877) This module provides a conceptual framework for analysing the complex, contested contexts in which development takes place, and a critical analysis of development management practice. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Managing for sustainability (T867) This module will increase your understanding of delivering and supporting sustainability management in your workplace or support your personal interest in this subject. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Managing systemic change: inquiry, action and interaction (TU812) Develop your understanding of systemic inquiry, systemic action research and social learning in order to extend your skills of project, programme and change management. See full description Register	30	01 Nov 2019 FINAL
Project management (M815) In this online module you’ll explore the whole life cycle of projects, from initiation, through to planning, scheduling, execution, handover and review. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019
Thinking strategically: systems tools for managing change (TU811) Improve your management skills by exploring different approaches to engaging with complex situations and by developing your understanding of how cognitive processing shapes practice. See full description Register	30	01 May 2019 FINAL

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T839, T863, T889, TD866, TU870

plus
30 credits from this compulsory module:

Compulsory module	Credits	Next start
Making a difference: the management initiative (B839) This module enables you to integrate your learning from the MBA programme through undertaking a self-directed real-time management initiative of your own choosing. See full description Register	30	04 May 2019

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.

We regularly review our curriculum; therefore, the qualification described on this page – including its availability, its structure, and available modules – may change over time. If we make changes to this qualification, we’ll update this page as soon as possible. Once you’ve registered or are studying this qualification, where practicable, we’ll inform you in good time of any upcoming changes. If you’d like to know more about the circumstances in which the University might make changes to the curriculum, see our Academic Regulations or contact us. This description was last updated on 8th June 2018.

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:

Knowledge and understanding
Cognitive skills
Practical and professional skills
Key skills

Credit transfer

If you’ve successfully completed some relevant postgraduate study elsewhere, you might be able to count it towards this qualification, reducing the number of modules you need to study. You should apply for credit transfer as soon as possible, before you register for your first module. For more details and an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

On completion

On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded a Master of Business Administration (Technology Management) entitling you to use the letters MBA (Tech Mgmt) (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.

Regulations

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.

MBA (Technology Management)

Entry requirements

You will need a minimum of three years’ experience in a managerial, professional or technical role, so that you have a practical business base on which to build your MBA learning. Usually this means that you are at least 25 years old as it is unusual (but not impossible) to be able to satisfy the ‘experience’ requirement under this age.

Depending on your previous qualifications, there are two entry routes into the MBA:

If you already hold an honours degree awarded by a recognised UK university, or equivalent you can begin your MBA studies by taking MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (B716) or the fast-track version (BXFT716).

Various higher education and professional qualifications are considered equivalent to an honours degree. Please contact us if you hold a qualification that you believe is an equivalent level to a UK degree, to ensure that it meets the requirements for admission.

If you are experienced in managerial work but do not have an honours degree or equivalent, you need first to gain our Professional Certificate in Management (S01) (previously coded C31). This is also a valuable qualification in its own right.

If you have the equivalent of a UK bachelors degree without honours you may be permitted to progress on to the MBA course by taking the first part of the Professional Certificate in Management, Managing 1: organisations and people (B628). Alternatively if you have an official Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) score of 640 or above, and the equivalent of a UK undergraduate degree, you will be allowed to progress directly on to the MBA. If you think either of these possibilities may apply to you, please speak to an adviser.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum score of 6.5 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see their website for details.

How long it takes

The minimum time to complete is two years, the maximum time to complete is seven years. You can complete within two years if you choose to study BXFT716 instead of B716. Please note this will require you to devote 20-25 hours a week to your studies.

Career relevance

The Open University Business School is one of an elite group of schools that are accredited by the three leading international accrediting bodies - AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS - hallmarks of quality of teaching, learning materials and qualification impact. It is home to more than 25,000 successful MBA graduates in over 100 countries.

Employers value the MBA as an indication of high level business and management skills. The MBA (Technology Management) is a true, generalist MBA qualification but with a focus on technology. MBA skills are in demand, increasingly so in times of economic uncertainty, and employers want practical experience, a thorough grasp of business, and the ability to lead at a strategic level. AMBA's (The Association of MBAs) careers survey shows that MBA students can expect their salary to increase, and the MBA to have a positive impact on their career progression, as well as bring improvements to their organisation or business.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

MBA (Technology Management)

Masters degree

Course details

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Regulations

Entry requirements

How long it takes

Career relevance

The Open University

OU Community

OU Students Community

Support

Study

Policy

Course details

Modules

To gain this qualification, you need 180 credits as follows:

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Regulations

Entry requirements

How long it takes

Career relevance

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