There are three routes to the MBA depending on when you start your studies:
Route 1 - Starting November 2019 onwards
If you start in November 2019 or later, including if you've previously studied any electives as a standalone module, you'll need:
135 credits from the following:
plus at least 15 credits from the following:
Optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Contemporary issues in organisations (BB853) PLANNED
|
15 |
01 May 2021 |
- Entrepreneurship: experience and perspective (BB851) PLANNED
|
15 |
07 Nov 2020 |
- 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 |
02 May 2020 |
- Leadership and management of public services (BB852) PLANNED
|
15 |
07 Nov 2020 |
- 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 |
04 Jul 2020 |
- 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 |
02 May 2020 |
- 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 |
02 May 2020 |
- 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 2020 |
- 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 2020 FINAL |
- Making strategy with systems thinking (TB871) NEW
TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking. See full description Register
|
30 |
01 May 2020 |
- 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 2020 |
- Project management systemic change: inquiry, action and interaction (M815)
Postgraduate module for aspiring project managers and practicing project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects. APM accredited.
See full description Register
|
30 |
01 May 2020 |
plus 30 credits from the following:
Compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- MBA project: leaders of change (B875) PLANNED
|
30 |
07 Nov 2020 |
Route 2 - Final study in May 2020
If you intend to start your final module(s) in May 2020, including BB831 and/or any final electives, you'll need:
60 credits from either of the following discontinued modules:
Compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (B716)
|
60 |
|
- MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (fast track) (BXFT716)
|
60 |
|
plus 75 credits from the following:
Or the discontinued B831, B835 and a 45-credit examination
plus at least 15 credits from the following:
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules BB841, BB845, BB846, BB847, T882, TU812.
plus 30 credits from the following:
Route 3 - Hybrid route
If you have completed, or currently studying either B716 or BXFT716, you'll need:
60 credits from either of the following discontinued modules:
Compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (B716)
|
60 |
|
- MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (fast track) (BXFT716)
|
60 |
|
plus 60 credits from the following modules:
plus 15 credits from either of the following modules:
Compulsory modules |
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 |
02 May 2020 FINAL |
- Finance for strategic decision making (B874) PLANNED
|
15 |
07 Nov 2020 |
plus at least 15 credits from the following:
Optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- Contemporary issues in organisations (BB853) PLANNED
|
15 |
01 May 2021 |
- Entrepreneurship: experience and perspective (BB851) PLANNED
|
15 |
07 Nov 2020 |
- 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 |
02 May 2020 |
- Leadership and management of public services (BB852) PLANNED
|
15 |
07 Nov 2020 |
- 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 |
04 Jul 2020 |
- 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 |
02 May 2020 |
- 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 |
02 May 2020 |
- 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 2020 |
- 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 2020 FINAL |
- Making strategy with systems thinking (TB871) NEW
TB871 builds capability for making strategy within your own chosen area of (professional) practice using ideas and tools from five traditions of systems thinking. See full description Register
|
30 |
01 May 2020 |
- 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 2020 |
- Project management systemic change: inquiry, action and interaction (M815)
Postgraduate module for aspiring project managers and practicing project managers who wish to develop their knowledge and skills of managing technological projects. APM accredited.
See full description Register
|
30 |
01 May 2020 |
plus 30 credits from the following:
Compulsory module |
Credits |
Next start |
- MBA project: leaders of change (B875) PLANNED
|
30 |
07 Nov 2020 |
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 20th March 2019.
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.