CertHE in Business Management | Open University

An image to illustrate the Certificate of Higher Education in Business Management

This flexible qualification starts with you: where you are now, and where you want to be in the future. Taking a practical approach that’s grounded in your own experience, you’ll be introduced to the essentials of business and management, the context in which businesses and other organisations operate, and their common aims and characteristics. This includes learning about the ethical and legal responsibilities that businesses have, and the global context which impacts businesses of all sizes. You’ll also encounter work-based learning issues that are relevant to your current role.

You'll be learning from experts at a top triple-accredited business school:

A nationally recognised qualification in its own right, this certificate of higher education is also equivalent to the first third of the

BA (Honours) Business Management (Q91)

This business and management certificate has one stage, comprising 120 credits.

You can dive straight into Stage 1, or if it’s been a while since you last studied and you'd like to build your confidence or gain experience in online learning, you can begin with an optional Access module. For this qualification, we recommend the Business and law Access module.

You’ll begin with a broad and engaging introduction to the fundamentals of business and management in its global context. This includes exploring the business functions of accounting, finance, human resource management, and marketing. You’ll then study 60 credits from one of the following routes:

Modules	Credits	Start month
You'll study the following:
An introduction to business and management (B100)	60	Oct \| Feb

Modules	Credits	Start month
You'll complete your certificate with 60 credits from:
Business data analytics and decision making (B126)	30	Apr
Communication skills for business and management (LB170)	30	Oct
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)	60	Oct \| Feb
Discovering mathematics (MU123)	30	Oct \| Feb
Economics in context (DD126)	30	Oct \| Feb
Fundamentals of accounting (B124)	30	Oct
Introducing statistics (M140)	30	Oct \| Feb
Making your learning count (YXM130)	30	Oct
Marketing essentials (B128)	30	Oct
You and your money (DB125)	30	Oct \| Feb

Modules	Credits	Start month
You'll study the following:
Fundamentals of accounting (B124)	30	Oct
You’ll also choose one from:
Business data analytics and decision making (B126)	30	Apr
You and your money (DB125)	30	Oct \| Feb

By studying this certificate, you’ll:

You’ll be supported throughout by tutors, high-quality study materials, online activities, and assignment feedback.

You’ll be awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Business Management upon successful completion.

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

contact us

You can achieve this certificate in as little as one year and have a maximum of seven 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 certificate in one year by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.

You can complete this certificate in two 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:

Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services to help you succeed. This qualification uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:

Every module has its own Accessibility Statement with more detailed accessibility information – you’ll find these in individual module descriptions. Visit our Disability support page to learn more about our services.

Discover how the OU’s Disability Support Team helps students with advice, adjustments and resources.

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 for this qualification.

Within this certificate, there is the option to study a mathematics module. 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 it’s been a while since you last studied and you’d like to build your confidence or gain experience in online learning, you can begin with an optional Access module. For this qualification, we recommend the Business and law Access module.

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.

2 years

£4,088*

A certificate is worth 120 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 2 years.

£8,176*

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 2027. Fees typically increase annually. In England, fees are subject to a fee limit, as set out in the University's

Fee Rules

Over 85% of our students in England fund their studies with a Tuition Fee Loan, meaning they pay nothing upfront.

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:

The skills and knowledge you’ll develop by studying this certificate are recognised by employers as having great value for work in management and related business professions – such as marketing, finance and HR – in a variety of business sectors. The compulsory business and management module will have immediate career relevance, helping you understand the context in which you're working and the impact that you can have. This certificate also contributes to career development by building your cognitive skills – writing, critical thinking, analysis and evaluation – as well as ICT, presentation and basic numeracy skills.

The skills and knowledge you'll develop by studying this qualification will equip you to follow a number of career paths, and are recognised by employers as having great value for work in management and business. A qualification in business management can lead to opportunities in a wide range of areas such as:

The Open University Business School is one of the few institutions worldwide that is triple-accredited by the:

Association of MBAs (AMBA)

European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

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.

Employers are keen to utilise the commercial awareness that people with business and management skills offer, as increasing globalisation and continual changes in technology, communications, financial services and distribution of goods and services open up new business opportunities. This awareness can also lead to opportunities in specialist areas concerned with offering guidance to managers, 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.

Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026

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

Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026

Where do you live?

Certificate of Higher Education in Business Management

Broad study of business management; Innovation and enterprise; and Leadership practice routes

Accounting route

Stage 1 (120 credits)

What you'll learn and the skills you'll gain

Awarded qualification

International recognition

Regulations

1-year certificate

2-year certificate

Supporting you every step of the way

Manage your studies on the module website

Dedicated tutor support

Live online tutorials

How your learning is assessed

If you have a disability or additional need

If you have a disability or additional need

Other support and resources

Entry requirements for this course

Optional preparation with an Access module

Have you studied before?

Tuition fee in England

Years of part-time study

Current fee per year

How we worked out the cost

Total fee for qualification at current prices

What's included?

What are my funding options?

Tuition Fee Loan

Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA)

Card payments

Employer sponsorship

Mixed payments

Enhanced Learning Credits (ELCs)

Scholarships and other support

If you have a disability

Skills for career development

Career relevance

Accreditation

Other careers

Exploring your options

Register

Need more information?

Request your Business and Management prospectus

Register

heading

Explore

Undergraduate

Postgraduate

Policy