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An image to illustrate the Diploma of Higher Education in Marketing and Business Management
This innovative diploma will introduce you to the business world and give you specialised knowledge in the essentials of marketing. You’ll learn how goods and services are bought, what this means for contemporary marketing, and how marketing works with the key functions of an organisation, such as human resources, operations management, and accounting and finance. You’ll also learn how organisations think and work, how they’re managed, and the external world in which they operate. This includes learning about the ethical and legal responsibilities that businesses have.
You'll be learning from experts at a top triple-accredited business school:
Association of MBAs (AMBA) logo
European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) logo
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) Marketing and Business Management (R84).
This marketing and business management diploma has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
You’ll study the essentials of marketing and be introduced to the disciplines of business and management; investigating the question ‘What is a business?’ and exploring the functions of human resource management, accounting and finance. You'll also be able to choose from a range of subjects that includes developing your ability to think creatively which is a key attribute in marketing.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
An introduction to business and management (B100)60Oct | Feb
Marketing essentials (B128)30Oct
You’ll choose one from:
Business data analytics and decision making (B126)30Apr
Communication skills for business and management (LB170)30Oct
Discovering mathematics (MU123)30Oct | Feb
Economics in context (DD126)30Oct | Feb
Fundamentals of accounting (B124)30Oct
Introducing statistics (M140)30Oct | Feb
Making your learning count (YXM130)30Oct
You and your money (DB125)30Oct | Feb

This stage begins with focusing on the essential functions of an organisation: human resources; marketing; operations management; and accounting and finance. You’ll examine their key practices, processes and contribution to an integrated approach to management.
You’ll then gain a critical but practical introduction to how individuals and organisations buy, consume and dispose of goods and services, and what this means for contemporary marketing.

ModulesCreditsStart month
You'll study the following:
Shaping business opportunities (B207)60Oct
Understanding customers (B206)60Oct

By studying this diploma, you’ll:
You’ll be supported by personal tutors, study materials, online activities, and regular feedback.
You’ll be awarded a Diploma of Higher Education in Marketing and Business Management upon successful completion.
You'll also have the opportunity to attend a degree ceremony.
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 or contact us.
You can achieve this diploma in as little as two years and have a maximum of 12 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 diploma in two years by studying at a pace equivalent to full-time. That’s similar to a student at a campus-based university.
You can complete this diploma in four 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:
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.
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.

4 years
£4,088*
A diploma is worth 240 credits. The fee per year is based on studying 60 credits per year for 4 years.
£16,352*
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:
This diploma will help you develop a broad set of skills that are of high value to employers, including the ability to:
The skills and knowledge you'll develop by studying this diploma 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)
Association of MBAs (AMBA) logo
European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) logo
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 business graduates 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
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Our prospectus will help you explore your course options, get a feel for life as an OU student, and register for study.
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Credit transfer: apply by 13/08/2026
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