MBA frequently asked questions

Want to know more about how our MBA works? Here are the answers to our most frequently asked MBA questions.

They span six topic areas:

Module information, assignments and study time
Entry requirements and credit transfer
Residential schools
Fees and funding
Practical application
Networking

Module information, assignments and study time

You’ll study a wide array of management topics including Managing People and Organisations, Marketing, Management and Financial Decision Making.

You’ll be supported by one of our expert tutors and will be assessed by:

Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs): Assessed written submissions that are marked by your tutor at various points in your qualification.
End of Module Assessments (EMAs): End of module written submissions marked by your tutor.
Exams: There is only one exam in our MBA which is held at a location convenient to you and lasts 3 hours. International students may need to pay a small additional fee to have their exam at a non-standard venue.

The flexibility of the OU allows you to study as intensely as you like. You can gain an MBA in as little as 18 months, or take up to a maximum of 7 years. Most students achieve theirs in 3 years. Generally speaking, students are expected to study for 12-14 hours per week.

Entry requirements and credit transfer

We ask for a UK Bachelor honours degree (or equivalent for non-UK students) and a minimum of 3 years’ managerial experience. If you fall a little short of this, or want to discuss your experience with us, please call us at The OU Business School on 0300 303 7222 between 8am and 5.30pm (Monday to Friday) or email us at oubs@open.ac.uk.

If you have studied at university level, you may be able to transfer credit from your previous study. Find out more about applying for credit transfer and requesting module exemptions.

When you enrol on the first MBA module, you will receive an email asking you to show that you meet the entry requirements. At this point you will need to send a copy of your degree certificate, which should be equivalent to a UK bachelors honours degree. If your qualification isn’t in English, it will need to be translated into English. You will also be asked to detail your professional experience. We will then review everything and let you know whether your application has been successful.

Residential schools

Residential schools are compulsory and there are 3 in total. One in the first module (B870), one in the third module (B873) and one in your final module (B875). All residential schools are offered face-to-face alongside an online alternative.

Residential schools are usually in a central location (Warwick, Manchester and Heathrow), but there will always be an online alternative should you be unable to get to one of the face-to-face schools.

When you join a module, you’ll have access to the module planner where you’ll find the key module dates. Residential schools usually take place about halfway through the module and run for an average of 3 to 4 days. Some run over weekends and others on weekdays, helping you find one that best fits your schedule.

Fees and funding

A triple accredited MBA with The Open University is more affordable than you might think. Unlike other institutions, you only pay for the modules you're studying. So, there's no requirement to pay for the total qualification upfront.

All costs are included in the course fee, including accommodation and meals for the residential schools (travel costs aren’t included). Most learning materials are included within the fee and many of the set books can be found in our online OU library.

Many students of our MBA are sponsored by their employer. You can read more about how to approach your HR department to request financial support for sponsorship: Employer sponsorship and our OUBS website has information about the available payment options: Fees and funding.

Practical application

Yes, although we do ask that you have a minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience to draw on during your course.

Yes, as long as you have direct reports or experience of managing people.

We would invite you to apply. You’ll then receive an application form where you can explain your experience in more detail and provide a CV. Our team will then be able to get a holistic view of your experience and will let you know if your application is successful.

Networking

The Open University has an exclusive, engaged and connected alumni community of more than 28,000 MBA graduates, representing 125 countries worldwide.

Most of your learning will be done online, however there are compulsory residential schools included in the programme. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend a number of face-to-face day schools (you can also choose to attend these virtually) and we ask students to provide a catchment area to make sure these events are as accessible as possible. These events provide great networking opportunities and the chance to build new working relationships.