The Open University Business School MBA

The Open University MBA programme

This internationally-recognised MBA qualification is designed for practising managers aspiring to higher positions.


The emphasis for your learning is directly rooted in management practice – the ‘Master’ in the degree title signifies your ‘mastery’ of the art and science of management. To achieve this level of capability the programme concentrates on strategic analysis, interdisciplinary skills, intellectual stimulation and independent judgement. It builds these upon a solid foundation of core disciplines, including human resource management, organisational behaviour, accounting and finance, marketing and operations.

The MBA is designed as an integrated programme, and balances your learning time between 75 per cent of compulsory elements (including the final organisation¬based project) with 25 per cent from elective modules. This enables you to adjust the curriculum to suit your needs. MBA modules are challenging but will always direct you towards improving your management capabilities. You will need to have three years' experience at a managerial level and an understanding of decision-making, so that you have a practical business base on which to build your MBA learning.

The Open University MBA can be completed over anything from two-and-a¬half years to seven years depending on how much time you can allocate to your studies. Your programme can be planned in many different ways to accommodate your life and work schedule.


Open entry route

If you do not have a bachelors degree with honours you can still apply for The Open University MBA. We offer an alternative entry route onto our MBA programme through The Open University’s Professional Certificate in Management (C31). This qualification delivers the foundations of business and management and demonstrates your ability to study and work at the same time. This allows professionals with relevant work experience to join the MBA programme after successful completion of the one-year certificate programme.

Our MBA programme is designed for practising senior and middle-level managers. It has a strong international focus with emphasis on strategic analysis, interdisciplinary skills, creativity and innovation.

Your peers will be career-orientated professionals who are motivated to grow in both knowledge and experience – with the skills necessary to engage in stimulating discourse.

Open University Business School students are many and diverse; they are based around the world, from different sectors, industries and backgrounds. We believe that this diversity enriches your student experience and allows you to broaden your mind and gain a deeper understanding of other cultures.

Our students are determined; they all share the same goal of achieving an MBA while juggling busy lives and careers.

Throughout your studies you will be challenged to manage a large workload, and learn how to plan your time efficiently and manage conflicting priorities.

Focus / Curriculum

Innovative flexible learning with the best digital technology

We provide extensive support in helping managers to organise part-time study and we have a clear philosophy about the importance of planning. For each module, we provide you with a calendar and individual block summaries to help you stay on target.

Our MBA programme is designed to take three years but you can decide to study the programme over anything from two-and-a-half to seven years, depending on how much time you can allocate to your studies.