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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: 18 months–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

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:

Compulsory modules	Credits	Next start
Managing in a changing world (B870) NEW This module will encourage you to develop, as well as challenge, your current knowledge and skills in order to deal with contemporary and rapidly changing areas of management and marketing. See full description Register	30	02 May 2020
Creating and sustaining value (B872) NEW Critically explore the ways organisations create, sustain and expand value in an increasingly complex and dynamic business environment. See full description Register	30	02 May 2020
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 2020
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 2020
Technology Management MBA strategic management residential school module (BXR873) NEW This is a 3-day residential school module specifically for this qualification. An online alternative is available. See full description Register	0	02 May 2020
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 Jan 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
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: making a difference (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:

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 2020
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 2020
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

Or the discontinued B831, B835 and a 45-credit examination

plus at least 15 credits from the following:

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	15	No current presentation
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
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	15	No current presentation
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	15	No current presentation
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 Jan 2020
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	02 May 2020
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	15	No current presentation
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
Making strategy with systems thinking in practice (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 (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

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules T882, TU812.

plus 30 credits from the following:

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	02 May 2020

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:

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 2020
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 2020

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
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 Jan 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
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: making a difference (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.

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.

Also depending on your previous qualifications, you can start the MBA if you:

- hold an honours degree awarded by a recognised UK university, or equivalent. 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.

- are experienced in managerial work and hold our Professional Certificate in Management (S01) (previously coded C31).Both are now discontinued.

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 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

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 within 18 months. This will require you to be able to devote 24 – 28 hours each 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 26,000 successful MBA graduates in almost 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

Route 1 - Starting November 2019 onwards

Route 2 - Final study in May 2020

Route 3 - Hybrid route

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

Route 1 - Starting November 2019 onwards

Route 2 - Final study in May 2020

Route 3 - Hybrid route

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

Credit transfer

On completion

Regulations

Entry requirements

How long it takes

Career relevance

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