This module is based on either a three-day (two-night) residential school, an intensive three-day online school, or an extended online school spread over two weeks. The schools usually take place in February to early March in the November presentation and August to early September in the May presentation.
The academic purpose of this module is to develop your ability to apply strategy-related concepts to real-life cases, especially those revolving around the analysis of the external and internal environment of organisations and in strategic decision-making. There will also be a session to engage you in developing your soft skills.
The teaching on this module is entirely focused on the residential school (either face-to-face or online). During the face-to-face or intensive online residential school, you will be supported by a Group Tutor, who also facilitates the teaching sessions.
The less intensive online version involves daily contact over an extended period of two weeks, with student engagement of at least an hour expected each day. This will combine synchronous and asynchronous sessions. There will also be a Group Tutor for this version.
Course work includes:
There are no formal assessment activities or submissions required for this module. However, you will be evaluated in terms of your participation in the residential school, and you will have to achieve a Satisfactory Participation mark to pass the residential school.
Together with the residential school tuition, you'll have access to opportunities for engagement with other students, university library resources, and an extensive variety of specially written materials for the face-to-face and online residential schools of this module (presented online and in printed format).
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
BXR873 is a compulsory module in our:
Technology Management MBA strategic management residential school starts twice a year – in May and November.
This page describes the module that will start in November 2025 and May 2026.
We expect it to start for the last time in November 2027.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
This module is a compulsory module in our MBA (Technology Management). It can only be studied after successful completion of Technology and innovation management (TB801), or the discontinued module Managing technological innovation (T848), and Strategic capabilities for technological innovation (T849).
Normally, to register for the MBA (Technology Management), 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.
You will also need an appropriate capability in the English language, sufficient to work effectively at postgraduate level; generally, this means capability equivalent to an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.5. To assess your English language skills in relation to your proposed studies, you can visit the IELTS website. If you are unsure whether your skill level in English is adequate, you may find it helpful to look at our Skills for OU Study site.
Elements of this module are delivered online and include the use of real-time online discussions and an interactive whiteboard space, so time spent using a computer and the internet will be extensive. If you use assistive technology or have a hearing or speech impairment and have concerns about accessing this type of virtual environment and materials, contact The Open University to discuss it further before registering.
Written transcripts of audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future.
| Start | End | Register by | England fee |
|---|
| 02 May 2026 | 31 Oct 2026 | 16 Apr 2026 | £950 |
| 07 Nov 2026 | 30 Apr 2027 | 15 Oct 2026 | Not yet available* |
| 01 May 2027 | 31 Oct 2027 | 15 Apr 2027 | Not yet available* |
| *This start date is open for pre-booking, which means you can reserve your place ahead of the fees being confirmed. We’ll publish updated 2026/27 fees and funding information on the 25th of March. |
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 your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
You'll need to pay for your travel if you attend the face-to-face school.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in England.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate tuition fee loans in Northern Ireland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to help with your tuition fees. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Scotland.
If you study this module as part of an eligible qualification, you can apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study costs. To find out more, see Postgraduate loans in Wales.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Joint loan applications
If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.
As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
