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Changes to policy and curriculum

Business Administration (F61/E80) - Qualification Amendment

The Open University is making some changes to the Master of Business Administration (F61) and Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (E80). The qualifications are being refreshed and the first new modules will be launched in November 2019.

This change is unlikely to affect students as they will either complete their studies under the existing arrangements or move onto the new modules as they become available. However, if they have any concerns planning their studies, they should contact their Student Support Team and speak to one of our advisors.

The changes made

Changes to compulsory modules

The following four modules are due to be replaced

  • MBA Stage 1: management: perspectives and practice (B716) will be replaced with the two 30-credit modules Managing in a changing world (B870) and Creating and sustaining value (B872), which will be available to study from November 2019
  • The dynamics of strategy (BB835) will be replaced by the new module Effective strategic management (B873), which will be available to study from May 2020
  • Corporate finance (BB831) will be replaced by the new module Finance for Strategic Decision Making (B874), which will be available from November 2020
  • For F61 students only - Making a difference: the management initiative (B839) will be remade as a new module MBA project: making a difference (B875) with a study duration of six months instead of twelve months. This new module will be available from November 2020

To complete the MBA (F61), students will still be required to complete 135 credits of compulsory study with 45 credits of optional study.

To complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (E80), students will still be required to complete 105 credits of compulsory study with 15 credits of optional study.

Changes to optional modules

Students should also keep in mind that some of the current optional modules are being phased out and new ones introduced. These optional modules will be available to all new and existing students and will enable us to provide new and topical modules as part of a MBA qualification.

To allow students to plan their studies accordingly, they should take note of the module withdrawal dates:

  • Managing financial risk (BB841) will begin for the final time in November 2019
  • Strategic human resource management (BB845) will begin for the final time in November 2019
  • Entrepreneurship: experience and perspective (BB846) will begin for the final time in November 2019
  • Management beyond the mainstream (BB847) will begin for the final time in November 2019
  • Marketing in the 21st century (BB844) will begin for the final time in May 2020
  • Managing in the digital economy (BXM871) will begin for the final time in July 2020
  • Leadership and management in intercultural contexts (BB848) will begin for the final time in November 2020
  • Business, human rights law and corporate social responsibility (W822) will begin for the final time in November 2020
  • Sustainable creative management (BB842) will begin for the final time in November 2024
  • Supply chain management (BB849) will begin for the final time in November 2024

New modules

Three new modules are also planned for these qualifications:

  • Entrepreneurship (provisional title) (BB851) will start for the first time in November 2020
  • Leadership and management in public services (provisional title) (BB852) will start for the first time in November 2020
  • Contemporary issues in organisations (provisional title) (BB853) will start for the first time in May 2021

Please talk to your Student Support Team if you need any further information. You can find out how to contact them on Contact the OU.