The Open University MBA

2014/2015 Foreword by Professor Rebecca Taylor, Dean, OU Business School (OUBS)

The global marketplace is more challenging than ever before. Organisations need executives who are agile, resilient and can work across boundaries; who can understand the theory of management and business and apply this in the real world; and who can spot and react to new threats and opportunities. These are the executives who will drive growth and success in the future.

At the OU Business School, we offer a cutting-edge, practice-based MBA programme developed by leading business academics. We work alongside businesses and our students to deliver an MBA that builds executive business skills while you continue to operate in the workplace. This ensures that you critically assess and apply new skills as they are learned and it means that we can support you in taking the next step in your career.

Sponsoring employers will see an immediate return on investment while also helping to retain valued and skilled individuals.

The OU’s vast experience of developing study programmes, allied with our individual approach to business education, enables the OU Business School to offer a tailored and effective MBA that is uniquely placed to assist you in your journey to becoming a highly effective executive.

02 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school Values, vision and mission

The OU Business School has over 30 years’ experience in helping businesses and ambitious executives across the globe achieve their true potential through innovative practice-based study programmes.

Our values Our vision Our mission Inclusive The OU Business School continues to be • To deliver transformational business a leader in open, accessible and flexible and management education to Our ability to offer a wide range of business and management education. a diverse audience, that is relevant support services to students and a to the workplace, is founded on championing of ethical standards We will be recognised for: rigorous research and practice, means that we are able to: • our pioneering and engaged research and has beneficial social and economic impact. • play a unique role in society, making and teaching that challenges higher education open to all conventional thinking and practice • To be at the forefront of distinctive teaching that enables individuals • promote social justice through • our collaborations with international and organisations to achieve their the development of knowledge business, civil societies and potential and contribute responsibly and skills. We offer a wide range governments, that advance to society. of support services to students knowledge in business and law with disabilities and additional • our ability to continuously • To deliver high quality relevant requirements. innovate new learning approaches learning anywhere in the world. Innovative that transform business and legal education. With over 30 years’ experience in delivering learning, we:

• lead the learning revolution, placing innovation at the heart of our teaching and research

• continuously seek new and better ways to inspire and enable learning

• create world-class research and teaching.

Responsive By listening to students and organisations we have been able to:

• respond to the needs of individuals, employers and the communities in which they live and work

• dedicate resources to support our students’ learning success.

Michael Young Building, OU Business School, Walton Hall Campus, Milton Keynes

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 03 Making a difference…

…to your life The Open University MBA will help you become someone who inspires achievement, encourages dedication and instils admiration and trust in others.

Studying it will take you on a personal journey. One that will encourage you to challenge limits, cross boundaries and change the way you think. It’s the only MBA that’s truly designed to fit around your life and career.

By drawing on our vast experience, we enable you to study at the highest level in a way that enriches your working life, without putting it on hold – giving you maximum flexibility, coupled with convenience.

With our MBA, the quality of your experience is matched by the versatility of our learning methods:

• Proven: our triple-accredited1 status puts us in the top one per cent of business schools in the world.

• Highly regarded: our MBA is ranked in the top 15 online MBA programmes in the world and fifth for value for money by the Financial Times 2014.

• Unique: we are the only triple-accredited1 business school which specialises in flexible learning.

• Practical: integrates with, and adds value to, your day job, allowing you to apply your learning instantly.

• Convenient: it lets you fit learning around your day job and lifestyle. Our cutting-edge technology enables you to study in your own time – at home, at work or on the move.

• Affordable: with the option to ‘pay as you go’ in monthly instalments.

• Rewarding: 82 per cent of our students2 say that they have experienced a salary increase while taking the MBA.

1Our MBA is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). 2Postgraduate Alumni Survey, 2012.

04 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school …to your career It’s our balance of quality teaching, convenient My study with the OU Business delivery and practical application that makes The Open School gave me a greater University MBA so special. appreciation of my own organisation and the opportunity to help bring about change. You and your organisation will benefit from your MBA study straightaway, through our unique study method Ian Davies, MBA graduate of practice-based, action learning. What you learn today, you can implement tomorrow – creating an immediate impact in the workplace.

Our MBA will give you the skills and experience you need 96% of our MBA graduates say that to take your career to the next level. It will increase they would highly recommend us. organisational and leadership effectiveness; not only FACT in you, but in your colleagues and peers, too.

The programme will ‘force’ you to review the learned theories’ practicality Without a doubt it has opened doors for your own work context. You have to deal to positions I would otherwise have intensively with models and reflect upon been excluded from applying for. Not only those critically. I found it especially useful that, the OU MBA gives you the confidence that all the models make my work easier by to speak up on a day to day basis, to providing a structured approach to problems influence decisions and to contribute that go beyond ‘common sense’. You also at the highest levels of the organisation. develop a more critical view towards gurus Mark Sim, OU MBA Alumnus and their opinions, and question them. The OU MBA also helps you to collaborate and work better with people.

Ansgar Cordier, OU MBA Alumnus I chose to undertake my MBA through the OU Business School because of the flexibility of delivery, the international scope of its student-base and my previous experience of working with The Open University.

Moses Warburton, OU MBA Alumnus

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 05 Recognised as one of the world’s leading business schools

The Open University is home to more than 24,000 successful MBA graduates, from more than 100 countries. Our journey helps make a difference, not only to your career, but to your organisation – and life itself.

Designed for professionals keen to Employers like our approach 2013 MBA class profile take the next step in their career, our Our unique practice-based learning MBA programme is highly practice- Tutor/Student ratio 1:16 methodology is endorsed by based, blending academic rigour with organisations across the globe. Average age 37 the realities of business. It’s why more than 40 per cent of Average years of work experience 14 our MBA students are sponsored The OU Business School is triple- Gender 36% female 64% male accredited; by the Association to by their employers. Advance Collegiate Schools of For more information on how we work Business (AACSB), EFMD Quality with organisations, please see page 22. Improvement System (EQUIS) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA). Such accreditation ensures you will have a globally reputed qualification of proven OU Business School provides modules quality that is accepted worldwide. and qualifications that thriving Relevant and far reaching business people can study whilst they earn, Our MBA is successful because of its relevance to your work. It works for allowing them to brush up on their skills so many professionals because it is and explore new areas of knowledge, whilst designed with the highest amount of practical focus – and its international implementing learning outcomes into their programme design lets you apply your MBA knowledge anywhere in the world. organisation from day one of study to maximise business opportunities. Our MBA comes to life in your workplace Theo Paphitis, Business Expert The best way to learn is to practise, which is why ours is very much a practice-based programme – which we call ‘action learning’. Only one per cent of all business Our rigorous approach to constantly FACT schools are triple-accredited, and with applying management theories to more than 24,000 successful MBAs we the workplace will help you develop are by far the most popular in this elite independent learning, and a critical and exclusive group in the UK. view on the knowledge you gain.

06 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school The International Advisory Board (IAB) The IAB is advisory to the Dean of the OU Business School, to the School’s executive team and to the wider University. Our board members are from a range of public and private enterprises worldwide, reflecting the diversity of both the School and The Open University. The board enables the School to be in touch with the latest international practice and provides valuable input from outside the University.

Margaret Miller James Cullens management. His current research The International Advisory Board is James has a variety of board-level HR focuses on the design of technology- chaired by Maggie Miller. Based in experience including with Linde AG, based curricula for corporations New York, Maggie is an IT strategy The BOC Group plc, and with African and universities. and business change consultant Oxygen Ltd, where he was a non- Jay O’Connor with expertise in customer-facing, executive director. He is a Board Jay is an active mentor and advocate multichannel sectors, including retail member of the Chartered Institute of organisational best practice, and digital media. of Personnel and Development. contributing to initiatives that help Janice Bell Sir Stuart Etherington advance standards. With an extensive Janice is an expert in business Stuart is a Council Member of the background in communications and PR, management and transformational Institute of Employment Studies, an she has held elected positions in the change and has strong links with a Advisory Group member for the Policy Chartered Institute of Public number of major UK and international Centre at the British Academy and for Relations (CIPR). organisations. Janice was a senior the Lord Mayor’s Trust Initiative and Neil Passmore executive within IBM before starting a member of the Economic and Social Neil is CEO and owner of Strand her own consultancy. Committee of the European Union. Partners plc. He has a broad range Sanjeeb Chaudhuri He has been a trustee of Business of corporate and entrepreneurial in the Community, the Chair of the Sanjeeb is the Regional Head for South experience, including as an officer BBC Appeals Advisory Committee, a Asia and Global Head of Marketing with the Army Air Corps, and working member of the Community and Social at Standard Chartered Bank. Based in corporate finance with a focus on Affairs Committee of Barclays Bank, in Mumbai, Sanjeeb is also a Board natural resources, emerging markets former Chair of Guidestar UK, Chair Member of Standard Chartered and real estate. He has an MBA from of CIVICUS Europe, and Treasurer Securities India Ltd. The Open University. of CIVICUS, a global civil society Peter Cheese organisation. Renzo Scacco Based in Melbourne, Australia, Peter sits on the Council of City & Ann Francke Guilds, and he is a European Board Renzo has an extensive background As Chief Executive Officer, Ann brings Director with Junior Achievement Young in professional services gained from her extensive global general Enterprise Europe, an organisation working with some of the leading global management experience to the CMI and focused on the development of consulting firms including Andersen has a track record of developing people entrepreneurial, financial and Consulting (Accenture), and delivering innovative strategies employability skills in young people PricewaterhouseCoopers and that result in sustainable growth. through business engagement in Interbrand. schools and universities. Ron Jones Peter Wright Andrew Craissati Ron is the founder and Executive Peter is a member of American Express’ Chairman of Tinopolis, one of the Andrew is a highly experienced Global Management Team. In addition, largest independent television entrepreneurial business leader, Peter is Chairman of Swisscard, producers in Europe producing over encompassing strategic thinking and a card-issuing joint venture with 2000 hours of television annually. value creation. He currently advises the American Express and Credit Suisse. Headquartered in Llanelli in Wales, Singapore Government on media issues, He is the Head of Card Services for Tinopolis also has offices in London, as well as running his highly successful Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Los Angeles, Glasgow, Washington and corporate finance and investment and oversees the company’s consumer Cardiff serving over 180 broadcasters advice business which has offices in card-issuing businesses and merchant throughout the world. London, Asia and the USA. acquiring partnerships within Dr Arthur Langer this region. James Crotty Arthur is the Academic Director of James has held a broad range of the Executive Masters in Technology international general management and Management at Columbia University. commercial roles at European Executive He has authored various papers on Board level at American Express. information systems design and www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 07 Global credibility, local relevance

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. We believe that being a global business school is not about bringing students in; it is about extending learning outwards.

International reach

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and countries. po Studying with The Open authority University has changed Matt Krise, USA mba my perception on life. I now believe that anything is possible. The Open University Kevin Sampson, UK MBA programme has given me a deeper understanding of the issues My motto is ‘continuous learning for life’ , which is what and challenges within my The Open University and the OU Business School are so particular work environment, brilliant at offering. particularly areas such as HR

Wilson Yeh, Hong Kong and finance, which I have been less familiar with in the past.

Christian Duncumb, Indonesia

08 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school After completing my MBA I feel great. I know that with my My motivation for MBA I can change my working environment by thinking studying the MBA differently, thinking outside the box, getting new tools and finding was to be better equipped new ways of doing things. for the complexity and

Susanne Frederiksen, Denmark ambiguity of business reality through the means of broader knowledge.

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policy r careers p owe r mba role we action po authority mba MBA student locations Our 2013 intake had students in 128 countries including:

Angola Czech Republic Hungary Malaysia Serbia Trinidad and Tobago Australia Denmark India Mexico Sierra Leone Uganda Austria Eritrea Indonesia Netherlands Singapore Ukraine Bangladesh Ethiopia Italy New Zealand Slovakia United Arab Emirates Belgium Finland Jamaica Philippines Slovenia United Kingdom Bermuda France Japan Poland Somalia United States of America Bosnia & Herzegovina Gambia Jordan Portugal Spain Vietnam Brazil Germany Kenya Qatar Sri Lanka Zambia Bulgaria Ghana Kuwait Republic of Ireland St Helena Zimbabwe Canada Gibraltar Latvia Romania Sweden Chile Greece Lithuania Russian Federation Switzerland Cyprus Hong Kong Luxembourg Senegal Syria

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 09 Our model

Centred on your student experience, The Open University MBA teaching model is a highly effective professional development method that allows you to acquire new skills – without taking you away from your workplace.

Study with us and your learning is not limited to what goes on in tutorials, or at the residential schools. Your environment and your workplace become a very important part of your study.

We focus on using practical examples and assignments that refer back to your working life, and encourage you to include and engage your workplace in your studies. LEARNING ACTION CRITICAL ENGAGEMENT CRITICAL CROSS FUNCTIONALITY

Learning materials COLLABORATIVE LEARNING COLLABORATIVE All our modules employ a blend of learning styles – innovative and inspiring materials that bring your learning to life, and everything you need is included in our fees.

As well as study books, you’ll learn Global orEntrepreneurial interculturalCorporateCorporate training financeOperations socialCreative responsibilityManage and sustainableLeadership changeEvidenceProject and integration StakeholdermanagementCorporate managementMarketing governance through podcasts, downloads and our interactive virtual learning environment – all of which are designed to support and inspire you in Integrating management knowledge through our blended approach your learning.

Practice-oriented The OU Business School is at the forefront of using technology to I was on an assignment in India, when I decided to use enhance teaching and learning. You can my downtime in hotel rooms to further my career and rest assured all our study materials are underpinned by rigorous research from start my MBA studies. The Open University is very well set faculty academics. up for distance learning and is extremely supportive. I made some lifelong friends at the residential schools and have Visit www.openuniversity.co.uk/ really enjoyed the journey. mba-sample to view an extract from our module MBA stage 1: management: Nick Hopkins, MBA graduate perspectives and practice (B716).

10 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school Learn from some of today’s leading business thinkers

Our world-class, research-led academics create pioneering learning materials which are delivered by our tutors – practising senior business professionals – to give you a dynamic mix of theory and practice.

Professor Ball Professor Lawton Kirstie is Professor of Organisation. She joined Professor Lawton’s research expertise focuses The Open University Business School in 2004 on integrated strategy and non-market following posts at Birmingham, Warwick and capabilities, political risk management and Aston Business Schools, and is director of the internationalisation strategy, corporate Centre for Research into Information, Surveillance turnaround and business model innovation and Privacy (CRISP). and strategy process and practice.

Professor Cornforth, Professor Paton, Organisational Governance Social Enterprise and Management Professor Paton has pursued an interest Professor Cornforth’s recent research has in management learning, publishing articles, focused on the governance and management leading research projects, and working with of non-profit organisations, such as charities, the Higher Education Academy Subject Centre schools and colleges. for Business Management Accountancy and Finance to encourage new approaches to Professor Daniel, teaching and learning. Information Management Professor Daniel’s research focuses on Professor Rutterford, the effective use of information systems Financial Management by organisations and the individuals within Professor Rutterford’s research has centred those organisations. around corporate finance, investment management, and the history of finance. Professor Dibb, Her academic papers are in the field of Marketing performance measurement, equity valuation, Professor Dibb has undertaken a diverse pension funds, women and investment, and the range of consultancy assignments within the history of finance. field of marketing strategy. Her research has been at the forefront of theoretical and relevant Professor Storey, issues in marketing strategy, segmentation, Human Resource Management marketing planning and consumer behaviour. Professor Storey is an Associate of the Center for Global Strategic Human Resource Professor Fenton-O’Creevy, Management, Rutgers University, USA and of Associate Dean International, the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Organisational Behaviour Skills and Knowledge Centre (SKOPE) at Oxford Professor Fenton-O’Creevy’s research and Warwick universities. (on the role of traders in investment banks and management practices in multinational Professor Wilson firms) contributes to fields such as international David Wilson is Professor of Organisation business, behavioural finance, the sociology Studies based in the Centre for People and of markets, industrial relations and Organisations and is Associate Dean for Research cognitive psychology. and Scholarship in the Faculty of Business and Law. David is a Fellow and ex Chair of the British Professor Hartley Academy of Management and is an Academician Professor Hartley has contributed to the field of the Social Sciences. of public leadership and management through research, teaching and development work. This has shaped some of the thinking and ideas in this field.

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 11 The Open University MBA programme structure

The Open University MBA has an internationally-recognised, practice-based and integrated approach to management development specially designed for aspirational professionals.

Programme overview Designed as an integrated programme, • Upon successful completion of our MBA balances your learning time Stage 1 of the MBA, you will be The emphasis for your learning is between 75 per cent of compulsory eligible to claim the Postgraduate directly rooted in management practice. elements – including the final, Certificate in Business The ‘master’ in the degree title signifies organisation-based project – with Administration. your ‘mastery’ of the art and science 25 per cent from elective modules. of management. • On completion of 120 credits towards This enables you to adjust the the MBA you will be eligible to claim To achieve this level of capability the curriculum to suit your needs. MBA the Postgraduate Diploma in Business general MBA programme concentrates modules are challenging, but will Administration. on strategic analysis, interdisciplinary always direct you towards improving skills, intellectual stimulation and your management capabilities. • Finally, on successful completion of independent judgement. Stage 2, you will be awarded the MBA. Earn qualifications en-route It builds these upon a solid foundation of core disciplines, including human It takes a minimum of three years to resource management, organisational complete our programme – but as you behaviour, accounting and finance, progress towards your MBA, you can marketing and operations. pick up other qualifications which will have a positive impact on your career.

The Open University MBA programme structure (3 year model)

Stage 1 Stage 1 Stage 2 PG Certificate PG Diploma MBA

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Corporate Elective 2 Making a MBA stage 1: The dynamics finance (BB831) (15 credits) difference: the management: perspectives of strategy (15 credits) management and practice (B716) (BB835) initiative MBA (60 credits) (30 credits) (B839) (F61) (30 credits) R R Elective 1 Elective 3 (15 credits) (15 credits) R

R Includes residential school

The core themes are: 15-credit modules • Sustainable creative management (BB842). • critical engagement • Entrepreneurship: experience and • embedding theory in practice perspective (BB846) 30-credit module • global impact awareness. • Leadership and management in • Business, human rights law and intercultural contexts (BB848) corporate responsibility (W822). Elective modules • Management beyond the Our elective modules offer the mainstream (BB847) opportunity to personalise your • Managing financial risk (BB841)* * If you wish to study Managing financial risk MBA to match your career, interests, • Marketing in the 21st century (BB841) you must have completed Corporate finance (BB831) first. aspirations and expectations. On Stage (BB844) 2 of the MBA you will study up to three • Strategic human resource of the following modules: management (BB845)

12 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school Our specialist MBA in Technology Management programme structure

This leading edge MBA focuses on the Stage 2: consists of four compulsory • Entrepreneurship: experience and technology sector. If you are modules: Managing technological perspective (BB846) interested in the management innovation (T848), Strategy for • Leadership and management in of technology and technological technological innovation (T849), intercultural contexts (BB848) innovation in a wide variety of contexts Corporate finance (BB831) and your • Management beyond the and sectors then this qualification can final project moduleMaking a mainstream (BB847) provide you with unique management difference: the management initiative training that will help you to make (B839). You will also need to complete • Managing financial risk (BB841)* a difference. an elective module. You can choose • Marketing in the 21st century from the following 15-credit electives (BB844) Stage 1: you will start with MBA or study 30 credits from a range of • Strategic human resource stage 1: management: perspectives technology-orientated modules: management (BB845) and practice (B716) which takes • Sustainable creative management 12 months to complete (see page 14 (BB842). for more information). For more information on our MBA (Technology Management) click www.open.ac.uk/courses. * If you wish to study Managing financial risk (BB841) you must have completed Corporate MBA (Technology Management) F69 finance (BB831) first.

Stage 1 Stage 2

PG Certificate PG Diploma MBA

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Corporate MBA stage 1: Managing Strategy for finance (BB831) Making a difference: the management: perspectives technological technological (15 credits) MBA in management and practice (B716) innovation innovation Technology initiative (B839) (60 credits) (T848) (T849) (30 credits) Management (30 credits) (30 credits) R Elective 1 (F69) (15/30 R credits)*

R Includes residential school

Visit our website at www.openuniversity.co.uk/mba-study to find out how – by choosing the right elective modules – you can tailor your MBA to suit your career objectives and ambitions.

It is brilliant because what you find is that you get much better each year. I am much more considered, I am a much better manager. I have learned the art of letting people get on with things. I have learned delegating and leadership.

Lisa Vernon, MBA Graduate

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 13 Your first step towards the MBA

MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (B716)

Module length: 1 year I think the module is fantastic, and it’s great on three levels. This is the first module in the First of all, it allows you to develop knowledge in specific programme. Successful completion areas. Secondly, it helps you relate that knowledge to other of this module also entitles you to the Postgraduate Certificate in Business functional areas. And finally, which is probably for me the most Administration (C66). rewarding, is the international aspect of the course – that you get to meet people from different cultures. This module is framed within the complex and challenging nature of Ross Alan, MBA student twenty-first century management. Its dual aims are to help you build on your current understanding of Over the course of a year’s study you • develop interpersonal and conceptual management and to enable you to will learn, develop and consolidate skills that will help you to use ideas develop and improve your practice your understanding of the principal and frameworks to make sense of, of managing. In this module you will management functions and how and to work with, organisational be guided through a wide variety of each area is interrelated with each complexity materials, activities and resources other. This will provide you with a • challenge your own thinking and designed to help you make sense of foundation that will enable you to move practice by reflecting upon it the complex nature of management successfully to strategic and specialist critically in light of the ideas you in light of your own experience of areas in your MBA studies. encounter, and through debates managing. This module is a year- with others long programme of professional The module aims to: development which requires your • enhance your ability to plan and • develop your understanding of active engagement to enlarge implement change which will have the core and current frameworks, your knowledge of the functions real impact on your own organisation. theories and tools and to assess their of management and make a real relevance to the issues of twenty- difference to your management style. Support first century leading and managing Throughout the module we offer the • increase your awareness of different What you will study following forms of support: perspectives on, and approaches to, Through learning about different managing and leading in different • two one-day workshops management functions within organisational and cultural contexts organisations you will develop a • one residential school where you join better understanding of the context • develop your ability to engage students from all around the world in which your own practice takes place. critically with management and engage in dedicated workshops You will gain confidence in frameworks, theories and tools, and tutorials for four days helping you to select and adapt understanding how different parts • tutor support and face-to-face and techniques and approaches of organisations operate and in having online tutorials successful conversations across appropriate to your own work these areas, including: environment, in order to shape your • online forums and resources. own management practice • organisational structure, power and politics, and change management • develop your awareness of the wider global context in which business • managing people and organisations and management takes place, • accounting and increase your ability to work confidently across sectorial and • marketing management national boundaries • operations management.

14 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school What and how you learn

MBA stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (B716) provides the opportunity to advance your professional managerial competence.

The overall content includes a range of topics. You will develop your professional practice and discover important skills such as reflecting on real managerial issues, developing an approach to practice-based learning and engaging with the diverse range of management literature. The colour panels below show the areas that you will cover under each unit. The five units contain a range of topics, examples of which are shown in the below panels.

Exploring Managing people Managing financial management Unit 1 and organisations Unit 21 resources and Unit 3 performance

Organisational structure Understanding organisational culture Understanding financial statements and context Stakeholder analysis and management Budgets and management Analysing management control accounting tools Management activities and your role approaches as manager Financial accountability Employee motivation and identity Power and politics in organisations Ratio analysis Human resources management Change management Evaluating financial performance Diversity and ethical management

Managing Managing marketing Unit 4 operations Unit 51

Managing relationships and The role of the operations function communicating value in organisations

Marketing strategies, planning and roles Planning and managing operations

Understanding customers and markets Analysing organisational performance

Customer satisfaction and loyalty Improving organisational effectiveness

Marketing practices in context The operations function in context

Through the use of online resources and activities, your study will include a process that helps you to make connections between management and organisational theory and your own management practice. Through this process, you will not only learn about how organisations should operate but also why management practice may differ from management theory. Our unique methodology of practice-based learning helps to bring management theories and principles to life.

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 15 MBA Stage 2 modules

Compulsory modules Elective modules Marketing in the 21st century (BB844) The dynamics of Managing financial The economic turmoil of the last few strategy (BB835) risk (BB841) years has required organisations If you’re currently engaged in strategic Managing financial risk explores the to undertake more creative marketing decision-making, or will be in the various financial risks that confront as well as be more responsive to the future, this module will stimulate all institutions – credit risk, liquidity needs of the market. This module your imagination and inform your and refinancing risk, interest-rate risk, explores a variety of marketing judgement. An understanding of the foreign exchange risk and operational issues that emerge from marketing frameworks of strategy and an ability risk. The module then examines how planning, such as marketing research, to use them imaginatively will help your these risks can be both measured and marketing segmentation, targeting and organisation survive in the longer-term managed. It uses many recent actual positioning. You will draw upon current and perform its role more effectively. examples of risk management theories and examples that illustrate You will not be expected merely to practices adopted in the public and how organisations of all sizes deal with ‘learn’ the frameworks, but to critically private sectors – some good, some bad environmental challenges and through analyse and comment on them, and some very ugly. By the end of this gain a strong appreciation of sometimes in collaboration with fellow the module you should have a full how marketing principles will not only students. The module will also help you appreciation of how vulnerability to benefit your organisation, but also how contribute to and better understand financial risks arises and how you, you can use these to improve your the dialogue of strategy at a variety as a manager, can contribute to their own performance. of levels in your organisation. effective management within your institution. Strategic human resource Corporate finance (BB831) management (BB845) Sustainable creative Middle and senior managers meet a This module is designed to meet the multiplicity of financial problems management (BB842) needs of managers who wish to in their organisations. This module This module deals with creative, understand and be able to will help you develop your knowledge innovative and sustainable ways of influence decisions regarding the of this area. It introduces finance developing and managing people and management of human resources problems that organisations face at organisations. You will look at the way within organisations. It considers the board level, and equips you with the cognition, values and style affect different aspects of human resource fundamentals of corporate financial how we manage and relate to others. management at a strategic level in theory enabling you to challenge You will explore how to work more the organisation and how this differs finance experts. You will learn how to creatively and effectively with from the more operationally-focused tackle the main financial problems you colleagues as well as understanding personnel management. You will work are likely to encounter, in particular, innovative and sustainable ways collaboratively with others on strategic how best to finance a company, what to develop organisations. You will human resource management (SHRM) dividend policy to choose, how to also consider the culture, environment issues and problems and find, review appraise both public and private sector and context in which management and evaluate information relevant projects, and how to value a company operates. The module offers practical to key aspects of SHRM in your own for takeover or flotation. approaches for developing individuals, professional context. teams and organisations and includes a library of techniques that you can continue to use after you have completed the module.

16 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school Entrepreneurship: experience Leadership and management Final module and perspective (BB846) in intercultural Social and commercial enterprises contexts (BB848) Making a difference: the play an important role in today’s Given the increasingly intercultural and management initiative (B839) society, often in partnership with globally connected nature of business, This module enables you to utilise larger corporations and public sector management and organisations, this and apply the learning gained on your organisations. This module provides module provides opportunities for you MBA journey, to ‘make a difference’ rich, experience-based insights into the to question and reflect on your own in your workplace. You will work on a distinctive challenges of creating and practice and to develop ways of project-like initiative which will require developing entrepreneurial ventures. managing and leading which are you to engage with the theory you have It helps you to gain relevant skills and appropriate in different national and learned and to collect evidence to underpinning knowledge. You will also regional settings. By offering new support your thinking. Through this you develop a deeper, and more critical, (cross-national) perspectives on will explore the extent to which theory understanding of entrepreneurial leadership and management you are can be applied in practice by applying practices by connecting your also challenged to rethink your own academic ideas to your work-based experiences to relevant concepts and practices in your current setting. issue. You will also have an opportunity research evidence. As a result, you will This module addresses issues facing to reflect how your MBA study has be better placed to develop your managers and leaders working in changed you as a manager/practitioner. own venture, engage with other intercultural contexts and supports entrepreneurial organisations, and you to develop skills, competencies take part in wider debates about and knowledge to thrive and to get Module assessment entrepreneurship in the the best from colleagues, partners There are a number of assessment twenty-first century. and associates. vehicles which will test your learning Management beyond the Business, human rights throughout the MBA programme such as examinations, assignments and mainstream (BB847) law and corporate social reflective course work . Many managers work in situations, or responsibility (W822) face tasks, for which the established This interdisciplinary module considers toolkit of mainstream, Anglo-American how business increasingly conducts management and leadership – with its its operations with responsibility to ‘command and control’ assumptions, its stakeholders and the wider society. instrumentalism and strong financial It takes a socio-legal approach when focus – is inadequate. This module examining how this expectation is being poses the question ‘What do you do framed in terms of corporate social when management is inappropriate, not responsibility and human rights and enough, doesn’t work – or is simply not the challenges of a globalised world. an option?’. You will explore a number of The module is diverse and wide- undercurrents in management thinking, ranging, considering the development and various alternatives to it – some and application of these concepts longstanding, some recently developed. in very different business contexts In particular, it will surface issues such as the development of and questions that tend to be international labour standards, criminal neglected or underplayed by the main liability (corruption and corporate management disciplines. manslaughter), branding and marketing, charitable foundations and a range of specialist industries through the use of case studies.

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 17 Flexibility that fits your life

The underlying approach of The Open University MBA is that you are able to fit our programme around your life – not the other way around. It’s hard work, but with a flexible approach to study, you can plan your own way through our programme.

Flexible structure You will not be required to pay the full programme cost at the outset; only for If needed, our MBA can be completed The MBA is life the module you are studying. So, you pay in a minimum of three years changing as it the cost of your first module and, after (see page 12), although it can also be you pass it, you pay for the next. enlightens you to take flexed up to seven years. a holistic view of both This flexibility enables you to plan Its flexible structure means you can professional and personal your studies in accordance with the take study breaks between modules. events. I am amazed how availability of funds, and spread the This will allow you to fit our MBA around cost of your MBA over a number I am able to see all types of your requirements, and for life to throw of years. situations with a fresh point in its little surprises. of view. Flexible support Flexible location Joe Synnott, MBA graduate Many people worry that distance or If your job requires travel, you can carry online learning means doing it on your our programme with you wherever you own, but nothing could be further from go – accessing your MBA virtual learning the truth. As well as quality face-to- platform, from anywhere in the world. face, telephone, and online support from tutors and study advisers, there’s Flexible learning always someone to talk to in one of our All of our learning material is community forums. compatible with mobile devices – such as tablets, ereaders – and even your In fact, you can contact your tutors – mobile phone. You can also access and get support from fellow students – materials via iTunes. Such flexibility from anywhere in the world. allows our students to study wherever and whenever they wish.

OU Anywhere The format, course make-up, Offering the option to download digital learning style, flexibility and versions of any OU-produced text books, DVDs and audio CDs, the OU cost all worked well for me. Anywhere app facilitates a true mobile learning experience – enabling you to Simon Leppich, OU MBA alumnus study while at home, in the office, or on the move.

Flexible payment

The modular structure of our MBA Someone logs onto the OU servers programme gives you a great deal of every 0.5 seconds – that’s 1.5 million flexibility in managing your finances, FACT people every week. for what can be a significant investment.

18 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school Fitting in your study

Our flexible programme has been designed to minimise disruption to your working life.

You can take your MBA study with you wherever you go in the world. Depending on how much time you can allocate to your studies, it can be completed over anything from three to seven years. The diagrams below illustrate how you could plan your studies to suit your requirements, and achieve your MBA within your preferred timescale. They show only a few of the options; you can plan your programme in various different ways, to accommodate your life and work schedule.

4 years

Stage 1 StageStage 1 2

PG Certificate PG Diploma MBA

MBA stage 1: Elective 1 Elective 2 Elective 3 The management: Corporate (15 credits) (15 credits) (15 credits) dynamics perspectives finance of strategy (BB831) and practice (BB835) Making a difference: the (15 credits) (B716) (30 credits) management initiative (60 credits) (B839) (30 credits)

0 1 2 3 4 years year years years years

5 years

Stage 1 Stage 2

PG Certificate PG Diploma MBA

Corporate MBA stage 1: finance Making a The Elective 2 management: Study Study Study difference: dynamics + break break break perspectives and of strategy Elective 3 the management practice Elective 1 initiative

0 1 2 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 years year years years years years years years

7 years

Stage 1 Stage 2

PG Certificate PG Diploma MBA

MBA stage 1: Making a The Elective 1 management: Corporate Study Study difference: Study break dynamics + Study break Elective 3 finance break break perspectives and of strategy Elective 2 the management practice initiative

0 1 2 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 years year years years years years years years years years years years

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 19 Your learning, our support

Supportiveness is what makes The Open University stand out from other flexible learning programmes. All our students enjoy easy access to their tutors, so they never feel that they are on their own. It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that the OU has been rated as one of the best for overall student satisfaction every year since the National Student Survey (NSS) first began in 2005.

MBA induction Because we recognise that you may not have studied for many years, or that you might be new to flexible learning, four weeks before your study begins, we guide you through a comprehensive online induction.

During this, you will be given useful start-up information and introduced to a number of helpful tools. Apart from offering a detailed overview of our MBA programme, your induction will offer guidance on:

• how to manage your time

• how to use the virtual learning platform

• study and critical thinking skills.

Tutor groups As soon as you join our MBA programme you’ll be allocated to a group of around 16 students, with whom you will stay for the first year of study. Throughout the year, this small group will be supported by I received lots of support from tutors, online forums a tutor, to facilitate your learning. and residential schools, which was also great for building a network of contacts. The practical experience helps me to do As you move through the programme, you will get the opportunity to work things differently. with a range of different students and Andre Simonian, MBA graduate tutors. Your tutor group and learning within the module will be facilitated by your tutor and will be your foremost also practising business professionals, This means you will benefit from more support asset in your learning journey. who will constantly ground your intensive and individualised support learning in real life contexts. and guidance. Experienced tutors Unlike traditional university Your tutor will mark all your Our support network of more than classrooms – where you have a tutor- assignments for a particular module, 100 experienced tutors is perhaps student ratio of approximately 1:80 or and provide comprehensive feedback the most distinct, effective and more – at the OU Business School you to help you improve as you progress powerful feature of our programme. will get dedicated teaching support, through the module. More than academics, our tutors are with a tutor-student ratio of 1:16.

20 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school Interactive support With the OU Business School it didn’t Within the OU MBA programme you will be able to constantly interact with your matter where in the world I was. peers, via vibrant online platforms:

I could be in the outback, Timbuktu, or my • Tutor forums: which enable tiny New York apartment – as long as I had you to interact, with both your tutor and your group peers, in internet access I was good to go. a tutor-moderated forum.

Linda Goarke, MBA student • Module forums: or Student Café, which allows you to interact with peers who are not in your tutor group, but who are working on the Residential schools Student Support same module. and workshops Teams (SSTs) • MBA world forum: this lets you Bringing together students from Offering a highly personalised study connect with all students following around the globe, three residential experience, our SSTs maximise your our MBA programme. For example, schools form a compulsory part of chances of success in achieving your you can take academic advice from the MBA programme – taking place study goals. peers who are at a more advanced in a range of locations across Europe, stage of the programme including London, Dublin and Brussels. Throughout your studies, they provide than yourself. integrated learning and learner On two to four day-long immersive support to students, supplementing • Online rooms: this lets you book workshops, working with live the support offered by your tutor in virtual rooms in which to group study case studies, you will accrue a wealth all wider academic, administrative, with your peers. of real-world experience. These national and regional aspects relevant concentrated sessions help you to to your studies. OU library and work, network and learn together, in online resources an international context. They also offer academic pastoral support, giving you both: To help you research and complete Apart from your core MBA study- your assignments, you’ll enjoy free related workshops, dedicated • proactive support: guidance on access – 24 hours a day, seven days development workshops will help examination and assessment, a week – to the OU’s extensive library. to improve your skills, in areas such selecting modules, tracking your There, you can tap into thousands of as negotiation, presentation progress and offering individualised online journals, ebooks, databases and consulting. support and multimedia resources – for true flexibility of learning. The residential schools are offered • reactive support: such as responding to your queries and facilitating both face to face and, for students who Worldwide alumni community prefer, via an online format. resolution and responding to tutor referrals to provide support. The OU Business School is home to Tutorial events more than 24,000 successful MBA alumni from over 100 countries. In addition to our residential schools, You will have access to one of you will get the opportunity to attend the world’s largest networks of further tutorials with your tutor group. MBA graduates via online groups, professional bodies, events Facilitated by your module tutors, and webinars. these face-to-face and online sessions provide an opportunity to work through, and clarify, the study material.

Our tutorials work as facilitative learning events, where you will also be able to meet your tutorial group peers.

www.oubs.open.ac.uk | 21 Our MBA as employee development

The Open University has more than 40 years’ success in fulfilling organisational needs, across various industry sectors – from large corporates, to SMEs. By listening to, and understanding, the requirements of the individual organisation, we provide flexible solutions to business critical issues.

The OU Business School helps Why is our MBA so popular • It crosses geographical, cultural and thousands of organisations train with employers? sector boundaries – offering equal their managers and staff. Our modules relevance to the private and introduce employees to the latest • It’s a mobile and flexible route for public sector. business thinking, and enable them developing managers, allowing you to apply these ideas to their work to study at a time, place and pace • It develops not only your managerial environment. Organisations see an that suits you. capability and motivation but also immediate return on their investment. valuable talents, such as effective • It gives you access to one of prioritisation, team-working, Geographically dispersed organisations the world’s largest communities commitment and personal motivation. are especially drawn to the OU’s ability of management learners to deliver the same learning across and practitioners. • Developing managers through our the country, or the world. Our learning MBA makes a difference to both the methods give managers a consistent • It draws on daily management employee and the organisation. approach to management – wherever activity so that what you learn today, they are located. you can put into practice tomorrow.

The BT managers constantly talk to us about the value they have got from the MBA. Primarily the value is that they can take the knowledge that they gained from the course and put it into demonstration in very relevant work-based projects. So, not only are they getting benefit from those work based projects being able to support their MBA activities, but we as an organisation are getting great benefit from their new ways of thinking.

Andy Palmer, Head of Skills, BT

The Open University MBA programme allows employees to study while on the go.

Derek Harnby, Cummins Corporate Recruitment Manager for Europe and the Middle East

22 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school Business networks

We are focused at widening our contribution to and involvement with the business community through development of effective business networks. Our strong links with the industry enable us to understand the business challenges faced by today’s organisations and reflect that in our learning materials by constantly updating them. Our collaborations, not only with businesses but also government, allow us to take management education in to the work place and break the link between exclusivity and excellence.

Global Business School CMI Partnership Some of our sponsoring Network The OUBS Alumni and Careers partners include: OUBS has recently been accepted into Network has partnered with the the Global Business School Network Chartered Management Institute (CMI), (GBSN), a network of 67 business the only chartered professional body Airbus schools from 29 countries on six in the UK dedicated to promoting the continents working to strengthen highest standards in management and management education in the leadership excellence. Together we are EADS NV developing world. We are one of only offering two different membership two UK schools to be members packages, Chartered Manager and (the other is London Business School). Affiliate Membership, both designed Foreign & Commonwealth The goal of GBSN is to implement to support your career and personal Office (FCO) capacity building programmes that development, and offering discount advance management education, to you, in recognition of your creating long-term impact on OUBS qualification. Ministry of Defence (MOD) development. Membership is fully in line with the OU’s strong commitment OUBS and CMI share a philosophy to social justice worldwide. of practical, applied management development and our partnership National Health Service (NHS) GBSN also provides a resource for allows you to benefit from CMI’s wealth innovation, collaboration, partnership of management resources and support, and research, which fits in with the which research shows, has a positive Rolls-Royce Group plc OUBS’ international and impact on employability, earning research strategies. potential and competence. To find out more click: Deutsche Telekom AG www.open.ac.uk/business-school/cmi.

The Open University is trusted by BT Group employers worldwide. That is why 80% of FTSE 100 companies, at any given time, have sponsored students on our modules. WS Atkins plc

FirstGroup plc

Corporate partners and employers value this approach, which is FACT why four out of five FTSE 100 companies have sponsored staff to study with the OU.

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 23 Your passport to a powerful global alumni and careers network

The Open University MBA is your passport to a large, extremely active, business network. Automatically, MBA graduates become members of our worldwide alumni community.

An Alumni and Careers Network facilitates valuable connections My MBA has proved an invaluable benefit to both my between our Business School and its professional and personal life. My veterinary practice is community of practising leaders and managers, throughout their careers. now in the process of developing a sophisticated strategy to build This network is open to everyone who and renew its existing success. I’ve developed an unprecedented holds a professional and postgraduate insight into who I am, how I think and how I relate to others. A life business and management qualification changing experience! from the OU Business School. Graham Finch, MBA graduate You will belong to this powerful, global, growing community, with over 90,000 members. Our aim is to provide a Career mentoring Alumni events service that you can continue to draw programme on throughout your career; whether We offer a variety of face-to-face, you are looking to progress within your Designed to support both alumni online, networking and learning and organisation, change careers, start out and students to progress their development events, led by our own on your own, or return to study. careers, this programme focuses on academics, tutors, alumni – or other the immediate need for development. professionals within our network. At a Careers and professional Whether you are interested in local level, volunteer alumni organise additional informal networking events. development becoming a volunteer mentor or benefiting from being mentored, We offer a variety of services to it offers a rewarding opportunity to Our programme Business Perspectives support individuals at different stages engage with others in our network. brings the latest academic and of their careers and across sectors, practitioner thinking and best practice We have amongst the largest, most industries and functions. Through our to you through online and face-to-face experienced and most diverse group website you can access: events, an open access blog and insight of MBA alumni in Europe, so we are into practising managers’ views on a • free monthly webinars and a webinar confident that we can match you with a quarterly themed basis. library on career support and suitable, independent and like-minded progression topics mentor to help you achieve your goals. It’s the place for our network to If you would like to become a mentor, share their perspectives on current • free access to current international we offer a comprehensive training business matters with each other and recruiter guides and supporting process to ensure that you are with our academic and research staff. videos on how to work with head- confident and able to use your Industry leaders share their insights hunters and recruiters experience to support others on at our events, and if the location is not their professional journey. accessible to you, videos and a webcast • free access to a professional enable you to participate, learn, and development programme: The Career share your own perspective. Maximiser, developed by MBA Career specialists, Career Farm. Conversations are focused around a central theme; this year, we are • discounted access to professional exploring innovation, strategy, career coaches, CV specialists and leadership and strategic change career assessment programme management. For more information, click www.open.ac.uk/oubs-alumni. • discounted membership to professional bodies

• free online library resource access for MBA alumni.

24 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school MBA entry requirements

There are three main routes into The Open University MBA programme. Each has an academic requirement, a work experience requirement, and – if you are an international student – a language competency requirement.

You will be eligible for our MBA by satisfying all three requirements:

ROUTE 1 ROUTE 2 ROUTE 3 Bachelor’s degree with Honours Bachelor’s degree without Honours No Bachelor’s degree

Academic requirement Academic requirement Academic requirement You will need to have a bachelor’s You will need to take the GMAT You will need to complete our one degree, with honours, awarded by examination, and achieve a score year qualification – Professional a UK university or equivalent. of 640 or above or complete the Certificate in Management (S01), six-month OU module Managing 1: which, after successful completion, organisations and people (B628). will give you direct entry onto our MBA. See below for more information.

Work experience requirement Work experience requirement Work experience requirement A minimum of three years’ experience A minimum of three years’ experience A minimum of three years’ experience in a managerial, technical or in a managerial, technical or in a managerial, technical or professional role. professional role. professional role.

Language requirement Language requirement Language requirement Strongly recommend a capability Strongly recommend a capability Strongly recommend a capability equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5. equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5. equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5.

Professional Certificate in Key features of the course Management (S01) If you are new to management, or need • Build on your existing experience • Respond to the management to develop your managerial abilities to develop your learning. development needs of your and understanding, this course provides organisation, wherever you are a broad-based, practical introduction • Apply newly-learned skills, knowledge in the world. to the key ideas, techniques and and techniques immediately in your competencies needed to manage own context. • Applicable to the commercial, public effectively and productively in all or voluntary sector. functional areas of modern organisations. Duration: Part time – 1-4 years The emphasis is on your own professional development – everything you study is related to the management roles and responsibilities you exercise.

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 25 Fees and funding

The Open University MBA breaks the link between exclusivity and top-tier, triple-accredited excellence. When compared to the UK’s other triple-accredited business schools, the value for money of the OU model is clear.

Fees £60,000 Unlike many business schools, the OU fee includes the cost of books and £50,000 £ study materials, accommodation and meals at residential schools, access £40,000 to a bespoke elearning environment £ and project supervision, as well as £30,000 £ examination fees. £ £20,000 The approximate fee range for our MBA is as follows: £ £10,000 £ Region Approximate £ fee range1 £0 United Kingdom £14,895–£16,965 OU MBA School 1 School 2 School 3 School 4 School 5 School 6

Republic of Ireland £17,440–£19,665 Sample fee comparison across triple-accredited business schools in the UK Other EU £18,160–£20,465 Rest of the world Please call +44 (0)845 241 6555 in monthly instalments – starting If you prefer to pay in full, for details one month after your module begins. before each module 1Based on 2014/2015 prices Currently charged at 5.0% per annum, interest is only applied once You can still use the OUSBA option Our fee range explained your module has commenced. This is to register for your module and then an exclusive rate, available only to repay OUSBA interest-free, and in full, • The module prices are reviewed students of the OU. just before your module starts (APR annually, and hence may vary as you 0% representative). This option could progress in your studies. Representative example: give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding for your module. • The total cost of your MBA will Rate of interest 5.0% per annum (fixed) depend on which modules you study The same funding arrangement can be MBA stage 1 fee £4,255.00 and assume that you pass each (total amount of made for all subsequent modules that module at first attempt. credit) count towards your MBA. APR APR 5.1% Don’t let funding problems Find out more, click representative www.open.ac.uk/ousba stop you Total amount £4,361.61 or call +44 (0)300 303 7444. Unlike many traditional MBA payable programmes, the OU MBA does not Amount of £106.61 Online fee calculator require a single upfront payment. interest Our fee calculator tool will help you to You only pay for the modules you are Monthly £396.51 plan your studies, according to your studying at that time. This spreads the repayment availability, by: cost over the duration of your study. All credit is subject to status and proof • calculating the total cost of your You can pay your fees upfront, by that you can afford the repayments. debit or credit card, or with an MBA, depending on the electives For more information you can write you choose Open University Student Budget to OUSBA at PO Box 508, Walton Account (OUSBA). Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6HX. Please • demonstrating how the total cost note that the OU works exclusively of your MBA can be flexibly spread How OUSBA works with OUSBA and is not able to offer across your chosen length of study. At registration, OUSBA Ltd pays you credit facilities from any other your full module fee to the OU. You provider. then repay the loan to OUSBA Ltd,

26 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school Pay as you go

The flexible modular structure of the OU MBA allows you to plan your studies in accordance with your available finances. The following example pathways show when and how much you would need to pay. However, these are suggestive only and you can, as a student, take study breaks after any given module.

3 Year Time Plan

0-12 months 13-18 months 19-24 months 25-30 months 25-36 months

MBA stage 1: Corporate finance Marketing in the 21st Making a management: The dynamics (15 credits) – £1,680 century (15 credits) – £1,680 difference: the perspectives of strategy management and practice (30 credits) – Managing financial Leadership and management inititative (60 credits) – £3,305 risk (15 credits) – (30 credits) – £4,255 £1,680 in intercultural contexts (15 credits) – £1,680 £2,685 £4,255 £3,305 £3,360 £3,360 £2,685

4 Year Time Plan

0-12 months 13-18 months 19-24 months 25-30 months 31-36 months 37-48 months

MBA stage 1: Sustainable creative Making a difference: the management: The dynamics Corporate management management initiative perspectives Study of strategy finance (15 credits) – £1,680 (30 credits) – £2,685 and practice break (30 credits) – (15 credits) – Leadership and Strategic human (60 credits) – £3,305 £1,680 management in resources management £4,255 intercultural contexts (15 credits) – £1,680 (15 credits) – £1,680 £4,255 £3,305 £1,680 £3,360 £4,365

5 Year Time Plan

0-12 months 13-18 months 19-24 months 25-30 months 31-36 months 37-42 months 43-48 months 49-60 months

Corporate finance Management beyond MBA stage 1: Making a (15 credits) – the mainstream management: The dynamics difference: the £1,680 (15 credits) – £1,680 perspectives Study of strategy Study Study management and practice break (30 credits) – Marketing in the break Leadership and break initiative (60 credits) – £3,305 21st century management (30 credits) – £4,255 (15 credits) – in intercultural contexts £2,685 £1,680 (15 credits) – £1,680 £4,255 £3,305 £3,360 £3,360 £2,685 Employer sponsorship

The Open University is highly respected by employers which is why more than 40 per cent of our students are sponsored by their employers.

Our online Business Case Builder tool can generate a fully written Business men and women can make a real difference to tailored business case in 3 easy their organisation’s strategy through implementing learning steps. Explore the tool at www.openuniversity.co.uk/ from the OU Business School qualifications from day one of mba-sponsor to create a business studying. Having the support of highly accredited qualifications case to present to your employer. under their belt, gives employees the confidence and knowledge to voice solutions and strategies that reflect today’s business practices.

Sir Gerry Robinson, Business Expert

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 27 Student achievement awards

OU Business School celebrates the exceptional achievements of its high calibre students annually. The awards, now in their tenth year, are held to commend some of the highest achieving students from the past academic year. We continue to support and celebrate our alumni by recognising outstanding achievements to both organisations and communities.

Here are what some of our award winners had to say about their study experience.

The MBA transformed every aspect of my working life. Studying with The I changed direction from hospitals into charity work, and Open University gave then I was promoted as well. Each promotion really was because me the flexibility to be of developments that had come out from my MBA. able to do some distance learning and I could do it, Although you’re working on a computer at home there are loads stagger it over a number of opportunities to meet with other people, lots of day schools, of years, and fit it in with and lots of opportunities to interact in open forums. my work.

I would definitely recommend the MBA to others. It’s Keith Grinstead, transformed me, my career and my confidence. Outstanding Contribution Caroline Stevens, to Society 2012 MBA Student of the Year Award 2012

I’ve had much more I wanted to get knowledge of different functional areas, flexibility, I’ve been to understand some of the theories behind management able to take a year out, as a principle but also to combine that with practical experience I’ve been able to bring my – to be a good manager essentially. daughter up, I’ve been able I chose the OU MBA for a number of different reasons. Primary to deal with a change in among those was the flexibility of the course and the support career part way through that that it offers for students who are doing study alongside work wouldn’t have been afforded but also the content and the focus of the course. The Open in an orthodox route through University offered a combination of the traditional, the good, higher education. solid grounding but also that dynamic forward looking way of Emma Rose, studying through things like innovation, creativity and change. Outstanding Contribution to Society 2012 – Highly I think overwhelmingly it has been an incredibly Commended rewarding, positive experience.

Roberta Thomson, MBA Student of the Year Award 2011

28 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school MBA Explorer App

If you have an iPad we have created an innovative MBA Explorer app that you can find on the App Store.

Carrying a paper prospectus around with you is not that practical, but Within the app you’ll find a wide range of information having instant access to an iPad app and interactive content such as: which contains all the key information • The study readiness test – our test can help you determine when and required to help you make an informed how you could fit MBA study time into your life. decision about studying an MBA is • The fee calculator – custom build your study pathway, price it up and much more convenient. plan your studies. The MBA Explorer app brings to • Sample study content with two free taster course units (Stakeholder life just how the MBA can make Management and Problem Solving). a difference to your career, your • The Business Case Builder – generate a proposal in minutes to take to employer and to your life. The app your employer and seek some or all of your fees being paid. also contains details of all the study support mechanisms available, specific module details, the range of payment options, entry requirements and much more.

Search for ‘MBA Explorer’ in the App Store.

www.open.ac.uk/business-school | 29 Practical information

Credit transfer Funding Talk to us Of the 180 credits required for Sponsorship You can always contact one of our the MBA, 30 credits of elective study advisers, who can answer any More than 40 per cent of our modules at Stage 2 can be awarded questions you might have and give students are sponsored by their in recognition of relevant previous you further information about our employers. If your employer would study elsewhere. For more MBA programme. like more information about The information click Open University and the benefits www.open.ac.uk/credit-transfer. Please call the OU Business of sponsoring employees, then School Information Line on please go to +44 (0)300 303 0065 www.open.ac.uk/employers. or, if you live outside the UK or the Republic of Ireland, Alternatively, if you require click www.openuniversity.edu. Start dates guidance or advice on how your Our MBA programme starts in employer can sponsor you, then May and November each year please call and you will need to register for your +44 (0)300 303 0065. modules at least a month before you begin your study. The closing dates The Crowther Fund (Open for registration are published on University graduates only) Ways to register our website Set up as a tribute to the late www.openuniversity.co.uk/start. Lord Crowther, our first chancellor, • Online at The Crowther Fund is intended www.open.ac.uk/study-mba to help OU graduates build upon • Call OU Business School their degrees – either by formal Information Line on study or research, or by generally +44 (0)300 303 0065 Meet us broadening their experience The Open University hosts a number through a period of voluntary work. • If you live outside the UK or of events in the UK, Ireland and The fund does not take account the Republic of Ireland, click Continental Europe giving you the of financial circumstances, and is www.openuniversity.edu. opportunity to meet with OU staff open to all OU graduates holding and discuss what it’s like to study honours degrees. The application with us, and what modules we have closing date is 28 February that will suit your needs. At some each year. events you can view our learning materials, or talk to subject For further information specialists. please email International partners [email protected]. We have a large number For details of UK events near you, of international partner click organisations some of which www.openuniversity.co.uk/ offer The Open University MBA. mbaevents. For further information, click Or, if you can’t make it to one of www.oubs.open.ac.uk. these events we run a number of online information sessions, click www.openuniversity.co.uk/ mba-online.

30 | www.open.ac.uk/business-school An MBA is not the end but it is the beginning of a new journey, a new life.

Christoph Weimer, MBA graduate Contact points for advice Drive your career and registration forward with an OU Please visit our website: www.open.ac.uk/business-school or, for students resident in the UK and Ireland, please call OU Business School MBA Information Line: +44 (0)300 303 0065 Lines are open (UK time): Monday to Friday 09:00 to 20:00 Calls are charged at the UK local rate when calling from a UK landline. Calls may be recorded for training and security purposes.

International students For students outside of the UK and the Republic of Ireland please visit our website: www.openuniversity.edu A guide to affordable or call funding options. +44 845 241 6555

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), OU Business School Information Team an exempt charity in England & Wales, and a charity registered in The Open University Scotland (SC 038302). The Open University is authorised and regulated PO Box 197 by the Financial Conduct Authority. While we have done everything possible to make sure the information in Milton Keynes this publication is accurate, it may change due to regulations or policy, MK7 6BJ or because of financial or other reasons. United Kingdom Designed and produced by Matrix. Printed by Belmont Press. Copyright © 2014 The Open University. SUP 042890