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MBA - Learning Outcomes

Educational aims

The MBA is a career development generalist programme for those who have significant post-graduation and relevant work experience on which the learning process should build. The main emphasis of the programme is on leadership through strategic management. While the academic level is masters, there is a strong practical and professional orientation to the curriculum.

As an MBA graduate you will be able to ground your learning in the base of your professional experience. You will be able to reflect on and learn from that experience, using it to inform your understanding of theory and as well as your understanding of how to apply theory to your practice. You will develop skills in analysing, synthesising and solving complex problems and implementing solutions to them by drawing on your integrated knowledge, understanding and skills. You will develop the interpersonal skills needed to lead and to work effectively with others including those leading specialist functions within the organisation.

Learning outcomes

There is expectation that as an Open University MBA graduate you will work with others in groups and teams in a way that promotes effective outcomes, applying knowledge and skills to deliver outcomes and upholding the highest ethical standards.

Knowledge and understanding

When you have completed your MBA you will be able to:

  • demonstrate sound understanding of theories and concepts applicable in managing organisational performance, resource allocation, management of people and leading organisations
  • manage complex situations in business and other organisations based on knowledge of both the external and internal context of organisations; generating social and economic benefit
  • develop long term vision, goals and direction for organisations and develop strategies to deliver the goals, including through appropriate financial resource allocation.

Cognitive skills

When you have completed your MBA you will be able to:

  • critically collect and use valuable information and evaluate in the context of their application across different environments and settings
  • conduct professional inquiries in problem identification, and use and manage knowledge and evidence critically to solve problems and develop actionable solutions.

Practical and/or professional skills

When you have completed your MBA you will be able to:

  • develop appropriate people-management skills and leadership style
  • devise and apply evidence-based approaches to management decision-making
  • develop as an independent and reflective management practitioner

Key skills

When you have completed your MBA you will be able to:

  • understand the ethical implications of management practice and respond to ethical issues as a socially responsible professional
  • engage and manage in digital and entrepreneurial work environments
  • communicate effectively using a wide range of media
  • provide effective and ethical leadership that transcends functional perspectives
  • reflect critically on learning from workplace practice

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

As part of the MBA entry criteria you are expected to have work experience in management. However, our MBA programme will enable you to develop and demonstrate your knowledge and understanding, cognitive skills, key skills as well as practical and professional skills through a range of methods.

In particular, many of the modules expect you to work largely under your own direction and initiative and to reflect on your own performance, identify your own learning needs and to develop appropriate learning strategies. Within the compulsory modules of the MBA there are opportunities to network with students outside your tutor group and enable you to develop skills associated with working in groups and teams and collaborative learning.

Our MBA helps you to learn through a wide variety of specially written study materials, case studies, original texts, study guides and assignments and through use of multi-media materials and online activities. In particular, relevant and topical case studies allow you to engage with real-life management issues enabling you to develop appropriate analysis, evaluation and problem-solving skills.

There are also regular informal self-assessed questions which allow you to assess your own progression and understanding as you study each module within the MBA. You are also expected to participate in online forums and online tutorial events. These provide opportunities to network with fellow students and to share and discuss ideas and queries.

Your learning is supported by an allocated tutor. Your tutor is your first and main point of contact and will support your learning by answering queries on the materials and running online tutorial events and forums. They will also mark and comment on your assignments.

The tutor marked assignments (TMAs) are either formative or summative, i.e. they either do not or do count towards your module result. Preparing your assignments will enable you to evidence your skills development as well as demonstrate levels of knowledge and understanding throughout your studies. Feedback from your tutor will also help you to improve your performance in subsequent assessments. In addition to the tutor-marked assignments, modules have an end-of-module assessment which could be an examination, an assignment or an investigation based report.

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