MBA (Life Sciences)
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Taught Masters
- Code
- F38
- Level
- Postgraduate
- Made up of
- 180 credits
Description
Please note that this qualification is only available until 31 December 2014. In order to claim this qualification you must have completed the required 180 credits by this time. This qualification is not available to new students. If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification please contact the Qualifications and Ceremonies Centre on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
A leading edge MBA course 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.
The Open University 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).
Planning your studies
All entrants to the MBA (Life Sciences) course are expected to have organisational experience, some of it at a middle level of management or above. You must have a minimum of three years’ experience in a managerial, professional or technical role. Usually this means that you are at least 25 years old.
The MBA (Life Sciences) qualification is in two stages. You must expect to successfully complete Stage 1 before you enrol on Stage 2.
Stage 1
There are three routes through Stage 1.
Route 1 – if you already have a bachelors level qualification
To follow this route, you must have at least a bachelors level qualification from a recognised university or the equivalent. If you are eligible for this route, you can complete Stage 1 with either the discontinued module B713 or, if your qualification is in the business studies area, you can study the discontinued Professional Diploma in Management module B700. Both B713 and B700 involve, on average, 600 hours of study over 12 months.
Route 2 – if you already hold the Professional Diploma in Management
If you have our Professional Diploma in Management (D64) you can count this as Stage 1 of the MBA (Life Sciences). There is a 10 year maximum period within which all study towards the MBA (Life Sciences) must be completed; if you graduated from the Diploma some years ago, contact the Student Registration and Enquiry Service.
Route 3 – if you are experienced in managerial work
If you are experienced in managerial work but not eligible for Route 1 or 2, you can take our Professional Certificate in Management (C31) prior to entering Stage 1. When you complete that certificate, you are then eligible to study our Professional Diploma in Management (D64) as Stage 1 of the MBA (Life Sciences). The certificate followed by the diploma will take two years.
If you need advice about entry to the programme, please ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Stage 2
Your first Stage 2 module must be the now discontinued B820. You then continue with the rest of Stage 2, comprising Making a difference (B830) and the discontinued BS811.
You must have passed the modules required for this qualification during a period not exceeding ten years. If you fail or withdraw from a module you are allowed to retake it once. We cannot guarantee that the same programme of modules will continue to be available throughout your study period but we are committed to providing suitable equivalent modules at all times.
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 60 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Career relevance and employability
There is more information about how OU study can improve your employability in the OU’s Employability Statement from our Careers Advisory Service. You can also read or download our publication OU study and your career and look at our subject pages to find out about career opportunities.
Modules
For this 180-credit masters degree you require:
Stage 1 – 60 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules B700, B713, B730, B736, B800, BZX700, BZX713
Stage 2 – 120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
| Postgraduate compulsory modules | Credits | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | May 2012 |
And the discontinued modules B820 (or version BZX820) and BS811
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at postgraduate level at another institution we may be able to give you credit that you can count towards this Open University qualification. Please see our Credit Transfer site for details. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules, so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you can be awarded a MBA (Life Sciences) entitling you to use the letters MBA Life Sciences (Open) after your name. You will have the opportunity of being presented at a degree ceremony.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Qualification Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Qualification Regulations
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
About this page
A postgraduate qualification.
Study explained
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