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Course type
Diploma  

Diploma

  • Widely recognised qualification.
  • Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree.
  • Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject.
  • Study for interest or career development.
  • Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.
Credits
240  

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Part-time study – 4 years
Full-time study – 2 years
Time limit – 12 years
Study method
Distance learning
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Entry requirements
Ask a question

Diploma of Higher Education in Business Management

Course code: W51

How do businesses develop strategies, handle risk and take decisions? What’s involved in functions such as human resources management, marketing, accounting and finance? This innovative diploma is firmly rooted in your own experience. You’ll investigate how organisations think and work, how they’re managed, and the external world in which they operate. You can focus entirely on business management, or choose to specialise within the subject areas of accounting, economics, leadership practice, innovation and enterprise or marketing.

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  • Develops your understanding of business organisations and their key elements
  • Explores wider considerations such as environments, markets and processes, and how all these work together
  • Helps you relate your studies to your own experience
  • Offers a choice of specialist routes
  • Equips you for a wide range of employment opportunities across all sectors

A nationally recognised qualification in its own right, this diploma of higher education is also equivalent to the first two thirds of the BA (Honours) Business Management (Q91).

Course type
Diploma  

Diploma

  • Widely recognised qualification.
  • Equivalent to the first two thirds of an honours degree.
  • Enhance your professional and technical skills or extend your knowledge and understanding of a subject.
  • Study for interest or career development.
  • Top up to a full honours degree in just two years.
Credits
240  

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
How long it takes
Part-time study – 4 years
Full-time study – 2 years
Time limit – 12 years
Study method
Distance learning
Entry requirements

Find out more about Entry requirements

Ask a question

This business management diploma has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.

You’ll study a 60-credit introductory business and management module. Thereafter, for your remaining 180 credits, you can continue with a broad study of business or choose one from a range of specialist routes.

Prepare for OU study with an Access module

We offer two starting points depending on how confident you are or how long it’s been since you last studied. Choose to dive straight in at Stage 1, or if you’d prefer some extra preparation, you can get started with an optional Access module. See Entry requirements for more details.

In this stage, you’ll have a broad and engaging introduction to the fundamentals of business and management in its global context and choose between a broad study of business management or following a specialist route through your diploma. 

Stage 1 modules
ModulesCredits
You'll study the following:
An introduction to business and management (B100)60

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

Broad study of business management; Economics; Innovation and enterprise; Leadership practice; and Marketing routes
ModulesCredits
You’ll complete Stage 1 with 60 credits from:
Business data analytics and decision making (B126)30
Communication skills for business and management (LB170)30
Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)60
Discovering mathematics (MU123)30
Economics in context (DD126)30
Fundamentals of accounting (B124)30
Introducing statistics (M140)30
Making your learning count (YXM130)30
Marketing essentials (B128)30
You and your money (DB125)30

Accounting route

Accounting route
ModulesCredits
You'll study the following:
Fundamentals of accounting (B124)30
You’ll also choose one from:
Business data analytics and decision making (B126)30
You and your money (DB125)30

You’ll continue with your chosen specialist route or with a broad study of business management where you can select from a range of modules. 

Broad study of business management

Broad study of business management
ModulesCredits
You'll start Stage 2 with:
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60
You'll also choose 60 credits from:
Developing leadership (B208)60
Essential economics: macro and micro perspectives (D217)60
Entrepreneurship and innovation (B209)60
Business law (B251)30
Financial accounting in context (B293)30
Financial analysis and decision making (B294)30
Understanding customers (B206)60

Accounting

Accounting
ModulesCredits
You'll study all of the following:
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60
Financial accounting in context (B293)30
Financial analysis and decision making (B294)30

Economics

Economics
ModulesCredits
You'll study both of the following:
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60
Essential economics: macro and micro perspectives (D217)60

Innovation and enterprise

Innovation and enterprise
ModulesCredits
You'll study both of the following:
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60
Entrepreneurship and innovation (B209)60

Leadership practice

Leadership practice
ModulesCredits
You'll study both of the following:
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60
Developing leadership (B208)60

Marketing

Marketing
ModulesCredits
You'll study both of the following:
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60
Understanding customers (B206)60

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 18 March 2025.

Accessibility

Our qualifications are as accessible as possible, and we have a comprehensive range of support services. Our Diploma of Higher Education in Business Management uses a variety of study materials and includes the following elements:

  • Online study – most modules are online; some have a mix of printed and online material. Online learning resources could include websites, audio/video, and interactive activities
  • Pre-determined schedules – we’ll help you to develop your time-management skills
  • Feedback – continuous assessment includes feedback from your tutor and using this to improve your performance
  • Using and producing diagrams and screenshots
  • Finding external/third-party material online
  • Specialist software, such as Excel
  • Mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
  • Online tutorials
  • Group-work
  • Practical work

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

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment

This qualification develops your learning in four main areas:
  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Cognitive skills
  • Practical and professional skills
  • Key skills

The level and depth of your learning gradually increases as you work through the qualification. You’ll be supported throughout by the OU’s unique style of teaching and assessment – which includes a personal tutor to guide and comment on your work; top quality course texts; elearning resources like podcasts, interactive media and online materials; tutorial groups and community forums.

Read the detailed learning outcomes here

Credit transfer

If you have already studied at university level, you may be able to count it towards your Open University qualification – which could save you time and money by reducing the number of modules you need to study. At the OU we call this credit transfer.

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 for credit transfer before you register, at least 4 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 of when you will need to apply by and to download an application form, visit our Credit Transfer website.

On completion

On successfully completing this course, we’ll award you our Diploma of Higher Education in Business Management.

International recognition

If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Find out more about international recognition of Open University qualifications.

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. 

Compare this course

There are no formal entry requirements to study this qualification.

Within the Diploma of Higher Education in Business Management 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.

How much time do I need?

  • Most of our students study part time, completing 60 credits a year.
  • This will usually mean studying for 16–18 hours a week.

Find out if you have enough time to study with our time planner

Preparing for study with an Access module

Students who start their study with an Access module are more likely to be successful when they advance to Stage 1 of their qualification. They’re specially designed to give you a gentle introduction to OU study, boost confidence in your study skills, and help you gain a broad overview of your chosen subject area.

You’ll also benefit from:

  • feedback from your tutor through regular one-to-one phone tutorials
  • support from a dedicated team throughout your study
  • detailed written feedback on your work.
The Access module we’d recommend studying in preparation for this qualification is our:

Business and law Access module

What you will study

This multidisciplinary module provides an excellent introduction to studying with The Open University as you'll use printed and online materials to cover a wide range of topics in law and business.

View full details of Business and law Access module

How much will it cost in England?

We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving your potential. That’s why we work hard to keep the cost of study as low as possible and have a wide range of flexible ways to pay to help spread the cost.

  • A qualification comprises a series of modules, each with an individual fee. Added together, they give you the total cost.
  • Fees are paid on a module-by-module basis – you won't have to pay for the whole of your qualification up front.
  • Most of our students study part time at a rate of 60 credits a year.
  • Our typical fee for 60 credits is £3,892*.
  • This means, at current prices, the typical total cost of your qualification would be £15,568*.
  • This qualification also includes one or more option modules with a lower-than-typical cost. If you choose to study one of these modules, the total cost of your qualification will be lower.

*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.

Additional costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after you start studying.


How will I study this course?

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

  • a week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
  • course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
  • module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
  • details of each assignment and their due dates
  • a tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
  • online versions of some printed module materials and resources.

If you have additional needs, we can also provide most module materials in alternative formats. Find out more about materials on our accessibility webpage.

See how our module websites work.

Tutor support

Student, Joe, talks about balancing working at the NHS and studying with the OU and how he has the best of both worlds.

You’ll have a tutor for each module, who will introduce themselves before the module begins.

Throughout the module, they will:

  • mark your assignments and give feedback to help you improve
  • guide you to learning resources
  • support you, whether with general study skills or help with a specific topic.

Tutorials

Tutorials usually take place online, and they’re always optional.

Online tutorials are live presentations with module tutors in dedicated online tutorial rooms and are sometimes recorded.

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

  • Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

  • You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
  • They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
  • Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

  • The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
  • Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

  • Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
  • You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
  • Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or at an alternative location.
  • If a module has an in-person exam (that you must take at one of our exam centres) or is invigilated online, we’ll make this clear in the module description.

Progressing to a point where I felt more comfortable writing my assignments, and having my scores reflecting that, made me quite happy because it showed the hard work was being rewarded.

Patrick ‘Ricky’ Skene, BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching

Other support and resources

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to our subject-specific Student Support Teams.

They’ll help you with any general questions about your study and updates to your OU account.

To help with your studies, you’ll also have access to:

  • our online library, with high-quality online resources to support your study
  • other university libraries in the UK and Ireland
  • the online Help Centre, which has general information about OU study and support, along with study skills advice
  • free Microsoft Office 365 software
  • IT and computing support from our Computing Helpdesk.

Find out more about student support and being a part of the OU community.

Having a course that was really varied and studying in a style that worked for Nick, was key to him launching his own business and becoming an entrepreneur.

Skills for career development

This diploma will develop valuable cognitive skills – writing, critical thinking, analysis and evaluation – along with ICT, presentation and basic numeracy skills. You’ll explore how businesses think and work, and develop a good understanding of the function and contribution of such specialisms as marketing, HR, operations and finance. You can take optional modules in mathematics, retail management, social science or communication skills, which will further enhance your skill set.

Career relevance

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:

  • middle and senior management positions across all sectors
  • advertising and marketing
  • accountancy
  • human resources
  • banking, including investment banking
  • sales and retail
  • management consultancy
  • business journalism
  • transport and logistics.

Accreditation

The Open University Business School is one of the few institutions worldwide that are triple-accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS), and Association of MBAs (AMBA)  These are internationally recognised quality standards which 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.

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Other careers

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.

Exploring your options

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:

  • business development officer
  • recruitment consultant
  • e-marketing executive
  • publicity officer
  • risk analyst
  • advertising account manager
  • management consultant
  • business journalist
  • accountant
  • human resources manager
  • sales and retail manager
  • business analyst
  • area manager
  • logistics manager
  • marketing manager.

 

Register for this course

Start dates
Credit transfer: apply by 14/08/2025
Credit transfer: apply by 04/12/2025

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