Online MBA at Open University OU

When it comes to Online MBA or Distance Learning MBA, Open University has one of the biggest students intake per year. Perhaps, this large intake is already a good indication of the quality of the Online MBA offered by the university. This article is a review of the online MBA program at the Open University.

Generally, Open University offers their certified MBA programs the traditional classroom ways. However, MBA students who wished to pursue for a certified MBA using online classes may do so through their online tuition courses.

In addition to the general MBA degree, Open University also offers specialisation for two disciplines – the MBA (Technology Management) and the MBA (Life Sciences).

About Open University

Open University started providing business education in 1983 and had already helped over 17,000 managers fulfill their career goals. The Online MBA offered by Open University has a strong international focus and emphasis on strategic analysis, interdisciplinary skills and independent judgement, and is specifically designed for practising middle and senior-level managers.

The OU Business School is accredited internationally by the European Foundation for Management Development, through its EQUIS programme; by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); and the MBA is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA). The School is one of only 21 business schools worldwide to have achieved all three accreditations.


Why Study for Online MBA at Open University?

Open University listed as follows, the factors that set their online MBA course different from other institution:
• Open University’s MBAs are independently accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
• Employers respect the Open University’s MBAs. That’s why 40 per cent of their MBA students receive financial support from their organisation
• Their MBAs are open to all, irrespective of academic or career background
• Their MBA (standard version) is available for study globally
• Their tutors are mainly practising business professionals
• Open University take education to the heart of management. You’ll put into practice what you learn right away, reinforcing your learning as it develops
• They extend your international perspective as you exchange ideas and practice with managers worldwide
• They offer a wide choice of electives as well as sector-specific MBAs
• They provide excellent networking opportunities through the biggest MBA alumni network in the world.

Combine the above factors with competitive cost, flexible study arrangements such as the Online MBA, high level of support and first-class MBA materials, the Online MBA offered by Open University is a very prestigious and of high quality.

The General Online MBA

This certified MBA course that is internationally recognised is designed for practising managers who aspires to higher positions. The emphasis of the MBA is on strategic analysis, interdisciplinary skills, intellectual stimulations and independent judgement. Students will learn the knowledge to analyse, synthesize and evaluate a wide range of situations.

Among the situations considered include the economic, environmental, social and technological change issues, corporate governance, markets and customers, managing resources and operations, financing organisations, management and development of people, developing information technologies for application in business and management within a global knowledge-based economy, and development of appropriate business policies and strategies within a changing context to meet stakeholder interests.


Curriculum of the Online MBA (General) at Open University


The General Online MBA program consists of two stages of study. At stage one of the online MBA, students build a sound foundation in the functional aspect of management. There are two programs offered during stage one of the study – Professional Diploma in Management or the Postgraduate Certificate in Business Administration. Stage two of the study consists of two core courses and two electives.

Timescales to Complete the General Online MBA Course

By overlapping the study of some courses, the General Online MBA Course at the Open University may be completed in either 2.5, 3 or 3.5 years.

Stage One Courses (to choose one)

The followings are the MBA courses for Stage One of the Online MBA Course
Fundamentals of senior management
Management performance and change

Stage Two Courses
The followings are the core courses for Stage Two of the General MBA offered by Open University:
Strategy
Making a difference

The followings are the electives for Stage Two of the study, and students are to choose any two:
Business operations: delivering value
Capacities for managing development
Creativity, innovation and change
Financial strategy
Leading and managing for effective education
Managing human resources
Marketing in a complex world
Managing knowledge
Supply chain innovation, strategy and management
Technology management: an integrative approach

Note that the above courses are not offered online at the moment.


Online MBA Course Fees at Open University

The course fees are dependent of the subjects taken. This is a sample course fees for the Online MBA at Open University:

Stage 1 - £3540 per course
Stage 2 core courses - £2850 per course
Stage 2 electives – varies from £945 to £2360 per course

Entry Requirements for Online MBA at Open University

MBA potential students are expected to have a number of working experience to be enrolled in Open University MBA course.

The Online MBA (Technology Management) at Open University

This specialist online MBA is designed to develop leaders in facing up to the challenge of management of techonological change. It is designed to develop people who can lead technological and organisational change in a rapidly moving business environment, and who understand how to manage new and changing technologies to achieve excellence.

This Online MBA programme's development was supported by the European Union's COMETT programme, and it provides throughout a European perspective on the management of technology. The OU Business School is accredited internationally by the European Foundation for Management Development, through its EQUIS programme; and by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB); and the MBA (Technology Management) is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA).


Curriculum of the Online MBA (Technological Management) at the Open University

Stage 1 courses – similar to the general MBA course

Stage 2 core courses – the followings are the courses offered:
Technological management: an integrative approach
Technology strategy
Making a difference

Stage 2 elective courses – the following courses are offered:

Creativity, innovation and change
Financial strategy
Managing human resources
Marketing in a complex world
Managing knowledge
Strategy
Integrated safety, health and environmental management
Systems engineering
Enterprise and the environment
Supply chain innovation, strategy and management
Business operations: delivering value
Problem solving and improvement: quality and other approaches


Online MBA (Life Sciences) at the Open University

A leading edge MBA qualification designed for the Life Sciences and Health universe, from pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industries through to the broad environment of healthcare provision. It is directed towards strategic decision-makers and those who have the potential to move into strategic positions and, crucially, those who want to equip themselves to influence future directions in these areas. It will consider such strategic issues as research and funding priorities, patient life style changes, optimal resource utilisation and risk management.

Specifically, the programme is intended to contribute to the professional education of potential future leaders and managers working in the broad universe of patient care by equipping them with:
• organisational and environmental analytical skills
• strategic thinking capabilities
• an ability to facilitate creative and innovative approaches
• an ability to manage knowledge in the most effective way
• skills critically to evaluate future strategic opportunities
• skills to deal with emergent challenges facing the environment.



Curriculum of the Online MBA (Life Sciences) at the Open University
Stage 1 courses – similar to the general MBA course

Stage 2 core courses – the followings are the courses offered:

Strategy
Strategic Management in life sciences and healthcare
Making a difference

As there are no electives, all MBA students studying for the Online MBA (Life Sciences) has to take all three core subjects in Stage 2 of their study.

The Online MBA at Open University is accredited by AMBA, AACSB and EQUIS.